VAKANTIEBEURS, an annual tourist fair in the Dutch City of Utrecht, was held between January 11 and 16.
At the fair almost every country imaginable had a stand or in some cases even an entire wing (the French) promoting tourism in their country. The venue was divided into The Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe.
With an average of 2.4 holidays a year, visitors to the fair travel considerably more than the average Dutch person. The Dutch being very keen on planning and scheduling months in advance, Vakantiebeurs is the place where people make decisions on their holiday destination. Therefore the fair is of great importance for Bulgaria, which is becoming increasingly popular with the Dutch public as a tourist destination. The year 2004 saw a dramatic increase of tourists from The Netherlands, 31.5 per cent in comparison to the year before.
It was a jolly affair, although it looked a bit like an anthill. People were bustling about going from stand to stand, in order to see what was on offer. In the French wing one could enjoy goat cheese and wine while listening to chansons. The Romanian stand had a coffee bar and the Croatians entertained their guests with folk music. The Bulgarian stand was a little less pompous, but not the least boring. A Dutchman and a Bulgarian lady, representing two different tour operators, joined hands to demonstrate the art of Bulgarian folk dancing. Meanwhile people were getting information on all that Bulgaria's tourist opportunities and brochures were handed out.
Participants included Terra Bulgaria, Albena, Akros Eural, Tempora Travel, Astral Holidays, Eurocult and the municipality of Smolian. They all had the same message: come and visit beautiful Bulgaria. As of this year, one of Holland's package tour giants, De Jong Intra Vakanties, has included Bulgaria in their catalogue. They expect to bring more than 8000 tourists to Bulgaria's beaches in Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, Albena, and St. Konstantin and Elena. Dutch tour operator Vamos, also new to the Bulgarian market, promises to bring a further 2000 tourists. Charter flights from Amsterdam to Varna and Burgas are to bring in holidaymakers.
Spain and Greece have been popular summer holiday destinations for the Dutch for many years. But since the recent euro exchange rate movements, people have been in search of a cheaper alternative. Bulgaria seems to be this alternative, tour operators advertising: sun, beach and beer 0.50 Euro cents. But, a special tour organised for the Dutch press, that will take them to the Valley of Roses in and around Kazanluk during the Rose Festival, should also awaken an interest in cultural tourism. Just before the opening of the Vakantiebeurs, Dutch National Television has showed a programme on the interesting archeological finds in Bulgaria.
The Bulgarian Tourist Authority hopes, with this and other promotional activities, to acquaint the Dutch public a little better with Bulgaria's cultural, historical and natural riches. So that Bulgaria will not only be interesting to those in search of a cheap sun and beer, but also to those who expect a little more from their summer travels.