Representation Plus round up of WTM 2014 - Polish National Tourist Office

Poland’s focus is on its 31 golf courses at WTM

2014, has seen a 16.3% increase in the number of UK & Irish arrivals to Poland compared to 2013 figures.

The campaign “Polska - Come and Find your Story” focuses on active holidays eg. golf, SPA & Wellness, and city breaks. “It has been received very favourably by consumers and the travel industry in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Therefore, for most of 2014 the tourist office was particularly busy introducing a new product the two market: golfing holidays in Poland.” Commented Boguslaw Becla, Acting Director of the Polish National Tourist Office in the UK. “With 4.5 million golfers in the UK and over 300 thousand in Ireland, it is arguably a lucrative market segment which offers vast opportunities for growth.” Continued Boguslaw Becla.

The presence of Polish golf courses at World Travel Market was part of the campaign to spread the message.

A daily ‘closest to the pin will win’ competition gave lucky winners golf putters.

Golf Simulator in action on the Poland stand.

Pitch and Putt winner Amiel Walia with Boguslaw Becla, Acting Director of Polish National Tourist Office in the UK

Representation Plus Clients at World Travel Market 2014

The Representation Plus team look forward to seeing you at WTM next week. Please find below our WTM highlights for our clients who will be present at the show. From the North Hall to the South…

Lithuania State Department of Tourism - Stand EM985

Updates about the New Amber route, Vilnius, Europe’s second most cost effective destination for British visitors and Entering the Eurozone in 2015.

Trade and Media ‘Lithuanian Brunch’ Wednesday 5^th November 11.00am – 13.00pm, South Gallery, Room SG07 all welcome. Enjoy Lithuanian food and drink, Amber Exhibition, General Presentation, Informal Meetings, Q&A and a Prize Draw
See it! Feel it! Love it!

Polish National Tourist Office - Stand EM650

Pitch and putt:
The golf simulator will be going throughout WTM, closest to the pin will win.
Daily prizes include: a Golf Putter presented at 4pm, each day. Runners up will get golf balls.
Join us at the Polish Party: Wednesday evening 6-8pm, where the golf simulator will be running along with vodka cocktails and a polish buffet.

Promoting 24 golf courses in Poland, 2^nd Shakespeare Festival September/October 2015 Gdansk and the 250^th Anniversary of the Polish National Theatre.

Oman Ministry of Tourism - Stand ME500
Travel agents should visit the stand for a chance to win an iPad Mini - every entry will receive a ceramic keying or banner pen!
Come along to the stand on Monday
11.55-12.00pm 10^th Anniversary of the Ministry of Tourism, cake cutting ceremony by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism.
12.00 – 12.30pm Car Classic Rally Royale Launch. Photo op. Omani coffee and dates and Just a Drop refill water.
Also promoting the 45th Anniversary of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said’s reign and new hotel openings.

Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority - Stand CA260

Antigua & Barbuda 'happy hour' will be from 4-5pm Monday 03th and Tuesday 04th.

Monday 14.00pm - Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority will be presented with the 2014 Travel Agents Choice Awards from Selling Travel.
Also promoting, sports tourism, One Day International Cricket 2015, increased British Airways flights and the V.C Bird International new airport terminal.

Visit the stand, take a selfie and post it on Twitter using #LoveAntiguaBarbuda to be in with a chance of winning a bottle of English Harbour rum.

Samoa Tourism Authority - Stand AS265
Monday 4pm, SPTO Party
Giveaways for agents – Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 November
10 Samoan Silk Pouches containing Mamala Tree Bark Tea (5 per day) to be won.

Business Card draw 4pm Thursday 6 November, for all travel agents and tour operators to the stand throughout WTM - Prize: 2x Tickets to the QBE International: England v Samoa match at Twickenham, 22 November 2014

Applications from product/contract/sales managers for a place on our Samoa Tourism Exchange 11-15 May 2015, including a fully hosted FAM Trip with return flights and tickets to the Samoa Tourism Exchange Roadshow.
Find out about the Samoa Smart Guide App.

Heritance Hotels and Resorts C/o Aitken Spence, Sri Lanka - Stand AS250

Heritance Hotels compare well with other high-end resorts in Sri Lanka and out of the 167 travel companies selling the destination 41 feature Heritance Kandalama, 41 feature Heritance Ahungalla, 38 feature Heritance Tea Factory and 3 show Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara. A new hotel will open in 2015, Heritance Negombo.

REPRESENTATION PLUS AND FIRST PR CLIENTS GEAR UP FOR WTM 2013 WITH LESS THAN ONE WEEK TO GO!

Legendary Antiguan cricketer Sir Vivian Richards will be joining the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority stand at this year’s World Travel Market (stand number: CA220) to act as the twin island destination’s Tourism Ambassador. Sir Vivian Richards will be talking about  his favourite spots and also the country’s latest developments including the England vs. West Indies One-Day International Series taking place in Antigua  in February and March 2014 and the first ever Sir Vivian Richards Masters launching in November 2013.

Samoa Tourism Authority (stand number: AS265) is using WTM as an opportunity to highlight its sustainable and eco products in particular its wealth of locally owned accommodation options such as the traditional style beach fales which are unique to Samoa. At WTM agents can take part in an agent incentive allowing them to win a five night stay in Samoa including one flight from Australia or New Zealand if they finalise a booking to Samoa before 31 December 2013. To enter, agents just need to send an email confirmation of their booking to samoa@representationplus.co.uk.

The Lithuania State Department of Tourism will be launching its first London to Vilnius car rally at World Travel Market (stand number: EM570). Dr Raimonda Balniene, Director, Lithuania State Department of Tourism, along with key staff from the Lithuania State Department of Tourism and UK representatives will be at hand to discuss the launch of the car rally and provide updates on the destination’s plans for 2014. Lithuania’s Tourism Ambassador, accordion virtuoso and UK classical chart topper Martynas Levickis will be visiting the stand on Tuesday 5 November at 5pm to play some of his most successful UK chart topping tunes.

At their WTM 2013 Malaysia Press Conference Tourism Malaysia unveil Malaysia’s exciting events calendar for Visit Malaysia Year 2014 (VMY 2014) on Monday 4 November 2013. They are announcing two innovative new initiatives, the launch of the Student Ambassadors Program and the unveiling of the branded VMY 2014 double decker buses which will be in service for four weeks. The buses will also be offering free transfers between London Victoria and Kings Cross – St Pancras to Excel on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Oman Ministry of Tourism will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of its UK Office along with the destination’s many achievements over the period at this year’s World Travel Market (stand number: ME500). The Oman Ministry of Tourism is the proud sponsor of the World Responsible Tourism Awards and we will be talking at length about the destination's sustainable tourism offerings. The Oman stand will be the ideal spot for WTM visitors to take a short deserved break during the show where Omani coffee and dates will be served in true Omani style, and branded gifts will be given away such as I-Wipeys.

-END-

For media requests, please contact

Edith Meyer/ Anna Wolstenholme, Representation Plus / First Public Relations

T: 020 8877 4510/4511

E: edith@firstpr.co.uk/anna@firstpr.co.uk   

Notes to Editors:

High resolution images of destinations available on request

World Travel Market 2012 - less than 2 weeks to go!

No doubt your diaries are filling up rapidly for this years WTM and with that in mind we are looking to finalise our client schedules. If you would like an interview with any of our clients/celebrity ambassadors or to attend any events below, please let me know as soon as possible.

I have briefly outlined each one of our clients, their interview opportunities and events, I am more than happy to provide additional information if required, please do not hesitate to get in contact. RSVP via e-mail: nicksmith@representationplus.co.uk or call 0208 877 4504

Interview Opportunities

Oman Ministry of Tourism – Mark Evans, Outward Bound Oman will discuss the launch of their new tour following in the British Explorer Wilfred Thesigers footsteps and award winning Director, Charlie Targgett-Adams will be unveiling his new DVD on Oman as well as new digital campaigns.

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board - Tourism Ambassador Dato' Jimmy Choo explaining how fashion helps to promote tourism including the 1Malaysia International Shoe Festival and the End of Year Annual Sales and Deputy Tourism Minister Dato’ Dr. James Dawos, Deputy Director General Mdm Chong Yoke Har will launch Malaysia's new campaign at WTM: Visit Malaysia Year.

Samoa Tourism Authority - Monica Galetti, fame of Masterchef: The Professionals and Le Gavroche London and Samoa's first Tourism Ambassador will launch her cookery book at WTM and unveil travel plans to return to her native land.

Polish National Tourist Office - Bogdan Becla, UK Director of Tourism on the impact that Euro 2012 had and the build up to future sporting events: The Tall Ship Races in the Summer 2013 and Men's Volleyball World Cup 2014 part of Poland's new "Come back, you have not seen everything" campaign.

Uganda Tourism Board - Stephen Kiprotich, Uganda’s Gold Medallist marathon runner will be on hand to discuss the impact Sport plays on Tourism in Uganda. Minister for Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities Hon. Maria Mutagamba will explain how Uganda 'The Pearl of Africa' is now ranked top in tourism industry growth in Africa after 50 years of independence and development in wildlife conservation.

Montenegro National Tourism Organisation - Sasa Radovic, Managing Director, Danica Ceranic, Deputy Director will unveil new restaurants & hotels, the first international kindergarten, the latest fishing opportunities and archaeological finds.

HG Travel - Martin Moll, Marketing Director will present The Vietnamese Tu Ne Community Based Tourism Project results and can discuss any aspect of tourism development across Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and fast developing Myanmar where they have offices.

Yadis Hotels - Business Development & Strategy Director, Karim Kamoun will be discussing Tunisia’s Tourism post the Arab Spring, the new five star Yadis Imperial Resort soon to open in Djerba and the new four star Yadis hotel in Tozeur in the heart of Tunisia.

Events

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Stand: AS200 
Officiated by Deputy Tourism Minister Dato’ Dr. James Dawos, Deputy Director General Mdm Chong Yoke Har and Tourism Ambassador Dato’ Jimmy Choo:
Monday 05 November
11.00: Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
16.30: Press Conference launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2013 (‘VMY2013’), a brand new campaign.
17.30: Cocktail reception
Media & travel trade welcome

Oman Ministry of Tourism - Monday 05 November at 11.15, Stand: ME 200: Ribbon cutting ceremony on the new stand for its official launch followed by tea, Oman dates, coffee and pastries. The Under Secretary of Tourism, H.E. Maitha Al Mahrouqi, will be unveiling details of award winning Director, Charlie Targgett-Adams’ new DVD on Oman as well as new digital campaigns and tourism development projects. Media & travel trade welcome. (Henna lady and Omani coffee maker on the stand throughout the show).

Samoa Tourism Authority - Monday 05 November at 16.00, Stand: AS652: Cocktail reception with Tourism Ambassador, Monica Galetti, signing copies of her new book 'Monica's Kitchen’ on a first come first served basis. Invitation only.

Polish National Tourist Office: POLISH HOSPITALITY DAY, Tuesday 06 November 2012, stand EM 450: Polish Breakfast at 10.30am with Polish specialities and prizes available and a Polish reception at 18.00 with Live Polish music.

Uganda Tourism Board: Cocktail reception on stand AF550 on Wednesday 07 November at 16.30 with the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities Hon. Maria  Mutagamba and Stephen Kiprotich, Uganda’s Gold Medallist marathon runner as well as entertainment from Uganda dance troupe.

Travel Trade competitions during the show: Malaysia, Montenegro, Uganda, Poland and ANTOR “Win a Diamond Competition” to celebrate their Diamond Jubilee.

Celebrities Flock to World Travel Market

In just seven days the world’s leading travel trade event will take place at London’s Excel centre. Over 26,000 visitors are expected to network with and meet over 5,000 exhibiting companies from all over the globe.

The scale of this event can be daunting but as a PR and representation company we are here to help set-up appointments for our clients with the media and travel trade and publicise our client’s exciting events; you might even be able to enjoy a spot of celeb-spotting!

On Monday 7th November at 10am the Malaysia Pavilion (AS600) will conduct their tradition Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in the presence of Jimmy Choo of Jimmy Choo Couture – yes, THE Jimmy Choo. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be officiated by Y.Bhg. Dato’ Hj Azizan Noordin, Director General, Tourism Malaysia and His Excellency Datuk Zakaria Sulong, High Commissioner of Malaysia. All media are welcome to attend – please let us know if you are planning to take photos or video or if you would like to arrange a one-to-one interview - alicia@representationplus.co.uk.

If you can’t make it to the opening ceremony you have another chance to meet Jimmy Choo that very same day at the Malaysia Reception and Video Premier at 4pm; come along to stand AS600 to enjoy a well deserved glass of wine and view screenings of Malaysia’s brand new global TV commercial, the new Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park in Kuala Lumpur video (presented by the Lord Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, YBhg Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad bin Ismail), as well as the launch of the “Luxuriously Langkawi” Tactical Campaign and the launch of Malaysia Stopover 2012 by MAS Holidays. Networking and refreshments will follow the screenings. RSVP to alicia@representationplus.co.uk

The Oman Ministry of Tourism have a brand new Under Secretary, Mrs Maitha Al Mahrouqi and Director General of Tourism Promotion Mr Ali Al Khaburi. This is their very first WTM and first appointment outside of Oman. Come and welcome them at stand ME400 on Tuesday 8th November at 16.00 to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Oman Air’s direct non-stop flight to Muscat from London, plus new developments in the Sultanate such as the opening of the regions first Royal Opera House and the future new convention centre and complex. RSVP to sangita@representationplus.co.uk.

Calling all football fans! Come to stand EM350 on Tuesday 8th November at 16.30 to meet Polish football legend, Jerzy Dudek, former goalkeeper of Liverpool FC and Real Madrid FC who will be at WTM in support of Poland’s hosting of the Euro 2012 football tournament. Dr Adam Zaborowski, Advisor to the President of the Polish Tourist Organisation/Representative for UEFA EURO 2012TM, Jerzy Dudek and Mr Boguslaw Becla, Director, Polish National Tourist Office, London will unveil events in the lead-up to Euro 2012 during a short presentation followed by a reception. RSVP to alicia@representationplus.co.uk.

And finally…. If you are a member of the media or a UK tour operator and would like to set up an appointment with any of the clients above or below please email flo@representationplus.co.uk:

Yadis Hotels Tunisia – AF340 – Mr Karim Kamoun. Points of interest - two new openings during 2012, the Yadis Imperial Beach & Spa Resort, Djerba (February 2012) and the Yadis Oasis in Tozeur (March 2012).

Montenegro National Tourism Organisation - EM1230 - The new Minister for Sustainable Development and Tourism Predrag Sekulic and Sasa Radovic, Director of Montenegro National Tourism Organisation. Points of interest - Montenegro has achieved a 7% increase in tourism visitors from January to September 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, plus learn about new developments and iconic sites such as Sveti Stefan in Budva

HG Travel and The Au Co Cruises - AS 786 - Mr Dao Viet Long, Inbound Manager for HG Travel and Martin Moll, Director of Sales & Marketing. Points of interest - the launch of Au Co Cruises in March 2012 operating in the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam, the setting up of HG Travel’s commercial activities in the UK and the first ever non-stop flight service from the UK to Vietnam starting in December 2011 with Vietnam Airways.

President Travel Service (Tour Operators only) – AS250 – Owner Hanit Mangat. Points of interest – a leading ground operator in India recognised by the Department of Tourism, Government of India. Since its expansion more than three decades ago, the company has built up a solid reputation among corporate and leisure travellers in India and abroad. The company headquarters are in Dehradun and Delhi with associate offices all over India.

See you next week!

Loire Valley Gardens announce winners of their first annual media awards

Owners of eleven prestigious Loire Valley Gardens including 6 garden members of the RHS accompanied the regional and county tourist boards to London for a full day’s workshop and lecture program dedicated to their gardens yesterday, 20th October 2011.

At the end of the workshop the winners of the photographer and writer of the year were announced. A 1st Edition book for the RHS library was presented to RHS President Elizabeth Banks on the occasion of their visit by the President of the Loire Valley Gardens Association, Guillaume Henrion.

The event which took place in the RHS Conference Centre was attended by over 100 media, tour operators and RHS members. The French gardeners discussed how festivals and events can shape the marketing of a Garden, unveiled the variety of gardens and gardeners found in just this one region and gave a snapshot history of how the gardens were created and have developed into a “Must-visit” in France. The event demonstrated how tourism, gardening, history, culture and gastronomy are integral to the Loire Valley and its visitor economy.

Allan Pollock-Morris/Louisa Jones and Jacky Hobbs/Michelle Garrett won the writer and photographers awards for their articles that had been published in the Garden and Homes and Gardens respectively. The winners were presented with a box of top Loire Valley Wines worth over £200 each. “The articles and photographs submitted showed how much variety there is to write about in the region and how many more stories there are still to tell” explained Marie-Estelle Beaudoin, Head of the Loire Valley Tourism Delegation, “The aim of the awards is to encourage more writers and photographers to visit our region and uncover interesting angles to write about and photograph. We hope that those journalists who have spent the day with us will take away aspects that they would like to explore further.” concluded Beaudoin.

The evening lecture given by Henri Carvallo of the Chateau of Villandry was introduced by Elizabeth Banks, President of the RHS. “It is a great pleasure to be able to introduce one of our 20 French garden members and to meet so many others here today from the Loire Valley, and I am very grateful on behalf of the RHS to receive such a special book “Les Jardins de l’Avenir, Hier, Aujourd’hui, Demain by Achille Duchene” which will be a fabulous addition to the RHS library” commented Banks.

Photos of winners below are copyright RHS and show Allan Pollock-Morris/Louisa Jones - The Garden and Jacky Hobbs/Michelle Garrett - Homes & Gardens

Loire Valley Garden owners target British garden and travel enthusiasts London, 20th October 2011

Owners of eleven prestigious Loire Valley Gardens including six garden members of the RHS will accompany the regional and county tourist boards to London for a full day’s workshop and lecture program dedicated to their gardens tomorrow, Thursday 20th October 2011.

Either medieval, renaissance, mixed borders, rose or kitchen gardens, well maintained and inspired by generations of talented gardeners, Loire Valley gardens symbolise various traditional and contemporary artistic visions and the French way of life "Savoir Vivre."

We will be meeting the owners of the Chateaux, some of whom are French Princes, Princesses and Knights to find out how, and why, they have opened their beautiful homes and their world-class gardens to the public.

So while everyone is hob-nobbing with French aristocracy and the regional tourist boards we will also be trying out some of the regional delicacies:The Loire Valley is the second largest producer of sparkling wine in France after Champagne, the Cremant de Loire sparkling wine will be served at the evening reception and lecture by Henri Carvallo of Villandry while Touraine Sauvignon Blanc and Chinon Rouge will be served with a Loire style networking buffet lunch (http://www.vinsvaldeloire.fr).

The Loire Valley region also accounts for 70% of France's goat cheese production and as a self-confessed cheese lover I can't wait for them to bring out two of the Loire Valley's AOC cheeses; Saint - Maure deTouraine ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Maure_de_Touraine) and Selles Sur Cher (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selles-sur-Cher (cheese).

Garden tourism is considered a growing niche coupled with events and festivals and we will find out why tomorrow from three different presentations during the day.

Six of the gardens present are member gardens of the RHS, hence the venue for the event and Elizabeth Banks, President of the RHS, adding to the bursting VIP list.

I'm particularly looking forward to finding out who will win the coveted 'Travel & Garden Writer' and 'Travel & Garden Photographer' awards announced tomorrow at 4pm. Although I've signed up for the whole day from 10.30am to 7.30pm I know that some people will be popping in for presentations/lectures of particular interest or just ot have one-to-one meetings with the garden owners throughout the day at the workshop.

If you want to join me but haven't signed up yet email alicia@representationplus.co.uk or if you would simply like to know more about the Loire Valley and their gardens go to www.loirevalleytourism.com.