Croatia is on its way to becoming a trend destination for German tourists seeking exclusive offer

(Zadar, 30 June 2014) Within the program that lasted from 26 to 29 June, held in Petrčani near Zadar at Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera, TUI Deutschland presented its 2014/2015 winter program, news, and Croatia as an extremely potential modern destination. More than 130 people participated in the program, 80 of which were the most important tourism and economy journalists and bloggers from Germany. Christian Clemens (TUI Deutschland, Chief Executive Officer), dr. Oliver Dörschuck (TUI Deutscland, Chief Operating Officer) and Ralf Horter (TUI Deutschland, Chief Commercial Officer) from TUI presented the winter brochure in the presence of the Minister of Tourism, Darko Lorencin, Mata Radić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board office in Frankfurt and Goran Hrnić, CEO of Gulliver travel.

The official presentation of the TUI Deutschland winter brochure for German journalists and bloggers took place at the special press conference on the morning of the 28 June at Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera, in presence of TUI Deutschland representatives and the Minister of Tourism, Darko Lorencin. 

Within the three-day program, in addition to the presentation of the winter program brochure and the working part, participants were also presented with Croatia through a free program of excursions in Zadar and the wider area, where they could enjoy the rich natural, cultural and enological and gastronomic heritage: Velebit photo safari; kayaking on Zrmanja; Sun & Sea – sailing the Zadar Archipelago; visit to the Krka National Park and Sibenik. The program ended with a very successful gala dinner at the Square of Five Wells, which needs to be especially emphasized, as it shows that apart from its mass tourism potential, Zadar also has the MICE destination potential. 

Christian Clemens, CEO of TUI Deutschland, said at the presentation of the winter program for 2014/2015 in the Croatian city of Zadar, "In addition to high product quality in the future TUI wants to offer its guests even more memorable moments throughout the holiday. Our goal is clear: customers are to become fans. Currently, a service campaign with significant investments is in progress. The fresh new brand experience is part of our growth strategy. We plan to increase the number of our own concept hotels under the TUI brand. At the same time we are strengthening the sales potential of our budget brand 1-2-FLY with an expanded product range. “

Mato Radić, Director of the Croatian Tourist Board German office in Frankfurt am Main said: “We are pleased that TUI Deutshcland, as one of the leading tour operators and one of our most important partners, has chosen Croatia for the first time to hold such an important presentation. We hope that based on this cooperation, which we can evaluate as very successful for all involved, we can expand our cooperation with TUI and that through the stories of journalists who attended the presentation we can ensure stronger media presence and promotion of Croatia in all relevant German publications.” 

Gulliver travel was entrusted with the organization of the operating program, as part of the TUI Travel PLC Group, with excellent cooperation of the City of Zadar and the City of Zadar Tourist Board.  Croatian National Tourist Board also provided significant support.  

The choice of Zadar and Croatia for such presentation is extremely significant, as it demonstrates the importance that is given to Croatia as a destination, and after TUI Inside represents the continuation of significant promotion of Croatia on the German market. As a reminder, TUI Inside is the most comprehensive sales campaign of TUI, and the most comprehensive campaign in the German tourism sector in general, and it was held in Croatia in May 2011. The results of the TUI Inside campaign were felt lon-term in the entire German-speaking area. One of the most important goals then, and still today is to increase the awareness of Croatia as a contemporary country with various opportunities through the transformation of Croatia as cheap, mass tourism destination into the image of a quality, modern destination, which will ultimately result in increased interest and sales. It is noteworthy that TUI, the leading German tour operator, has expanded its capacity on flights to Croatia in 2014 by 19 percent and expects goo overall demand for the 2014 summer season. It also announces the expansion of hotel concept in Croatia, as one of the future investment plans.