Key buyers line up for new B2B Marketplace in Croatia

TOURISM 365, in collaboration with New Deal Europe, gathers key buyers in Croatia for a b2b Marketplace with 75+ delegates from 19 countries. New Deal Europe, an organization promoting 12 Southeast European countries from the Alps to the Aegean, and TOURISM 365, an international conference organized by Julius Rose, today unveiled the list of buyers they are bringing to the first such event in Croatia, set to take place in Tuhelj Spa next week.

Among the most notable names announced for the event are Abercrombie & Kent, one of the longest-standing brands in the luxury tourism sector, and G Adventures, a global leader in small group travel. They will be joined by some of the biggest names in American tourism, including Grand Circle Corporation and Gate 1 Travel. Both companies have been expanding their programs in the region and are looking for new products to add to their year-round offerings in Southeast Europe. The UK’s leading group operator, Leger Shearings, will also participate.

In total, the marketplace on October 4 will feature over 75 delegates from 19 countries, including regional specialists from Finland, Ireland, the UK, and the Netherlands. China and Southeast Asia will also be represented with buyers from the two largest inbound operators for Europe, G2, and Kuoni Tumlare.

“We are thrilled that our first event in Croatia has received so much support from buyers,” said New Deal Europe co-founder and director, Robert Dee. “Croatia and its neighbouring countries offer something fresh and exciting to global travellers, and thanks to the workshop and the fam trip which follows buyers can learn more about the product and establish the right connections to drive more tourism to the destination.”

The b2b Marketplace is a new element of the TOURISM 365 International Conference organized by Julius Rose, and now in its seventh edition. The idea for organising the marketplace stemmed from a meeting held at ITB in Berlin earlier this year.

“It’s  a pleasure  working with  Julius  Rose and director  Ivana Kolar  to deliver  this  event,  and without  the cooperation of TOURISM 365, we couldn’t have organised an event of this magnitude in such a short timeframe,” said Tine Murn, the other co-founder and director of New Deal Europe. “We’re honoured that some of our partners have accepted the invitation to be guest speakers at the event, including Carlos Cendra from Big Data specialist, Mabrian, who will present some insightful tourism statistics on the region, and Tom Jenkins, Executive Director of the European Tourism Association, who will make the keynote address.”

“On the supplier side the event has been supported by our largest hotel chains including, Valamar, Hilton, Liburnia, Aminess, Amadria, Falkensteiner, Jadranka and others. Agencies focused on foreign markets, such as Obzor, Uniline, Unlimited Croatia, and others will also have a strong presence” said conference organiser Ivana Kolar. “This year’s conference features a series of new elements, in addition to the b2b Marketplace, and excellent educational workshops on market trends and ways of doing business during times marked by significant change” she continued. “I would also highlight the Press Panel that will gather very prominent and award- winning journalists and editors from around the world, including from the UK,  Mary Novakovich, and Camilla Bell-Davis and from the USA Yasha Wallin and Anja Mutić, It will be very interesting to learn journalists’ perceptions of tourism development in Croatia and hear their views on the future of tourism in the region.”

It is estimated that over 500 meetings will take place at the sold out one day event.