PLACE2GO Tourism Fair: More than 200 exhibitors from 17 countries from various fields of tourism will be presented.

At today's press conference, the program of the jubilee, 10th international tourism fair PLACE2GO which will take place in Arena Zagreb from March 24 to 26. 

As announced, more than 200 exhibitors from 17 countries from various fields of tourism will present themselves to the audience this year.

"This year's 10th PLACE2GO fair is more challenging than any before. Ten years should be justified by the quality, but also by the quantity in the number of exhibitors and visitors. In previous years, exhibitors have accompanied and supported us in our mission to create a tourist fair that Croatia as a tourist destination will not be ashamed of. The interaction between us as organizers, exhibitors, business visitors and the audience helps us to be on the right track. This year's fair brings us some new destinations that have not exhibited at our fair until now, primarily Algeria as a partner country, but also exhibitors from Albania and Bulgaria, for whom this is their first appearance at the Croatian tourism fair. Some exhibitors are returning to us after many years, and an increasing number of exhibitors are coming to us from the immediate neighborhood, as well as Lipe naše", pointed out Damjana Domanovac, director of the fair.

Algeria as a partner country: "We want to use your expertise, but also show you what we offer"

As Domanovac pointed out, the fair has a partner country every year, and this year for the first time it will be Algeria. "This fair is a great opportunity for deepening bilateral relations between Algeria and Croatia, for bringing Algeria closer to Croatian citizens, but also for mutual exchange of knowledge between two countries that have numerous tourism potentials. Algeria is the largest country in Africa, which is full of historical sights, seven of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Algerian Sahara desert is a phenomenon in itself, and many tourists are surprised by the fact that we also have a 1200 km long coast on the Mediterranean Sea." said the ambassador of Algeria in Croatia, N. E. Mokhtar Amine Khelif.

It was also announced that at the PLACE2GO fair, Croatia and Algeria will sign a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of tourism, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the two Mediterranean countries and increasing the number of mutual tourist trips. 

In addition to the unknown Algeria, visitors to the fair will have the opportunity to get to know other exotic locations such as Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, but also the newly discovered destinations of Albania and Bulgaria and the war-affected Ukraine. Among the exhibitors are well-known destinations such as Austria, the Netherlands and Italy, as well as neighboring countries - Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. 

The anniversary edition brings famous B2B panelists and influencers 

Numerous exhibitors, in addition to attractive stands and food, also prepare unexpected exhibits such as prefabricated ones glamping tents and a number of valuable prizes, which include return plane tickets to numerous destinations.

The "wings of Croatia" - Croatia Airlines are the general sponsor of this year's fair, as he pointed out Slaven Zabo, director of commercial affairs of Croatia Airlines, "this fair is an excellent opportunity to push the boundaries together with the organizer. In addition to existing lines, in spring and summer we are introducing 4 new ones: Dubrovnik - Prague, Split - Skopje, Split - Oslo and Bol - Munich, thus connecting Croatia with 22 international destinations."

The anniversary edition brings three panels on B2B day: AI – a new virtual revolution, Sustainability in tourism - from theory to implementation and the panel Nautica 250+, as well as numerous well-known lecturers

As the organizers pointed out, this year PLACE2GO wants to focus even more on the B2B aspect of tourism and discuss the most important trends. Artificial intelligence will be discussed in three panels (panel AI – new virtual revolution), positive examples of sustainability through practical examples (Sustainability in tourism panel - from theory to realization), and about the potential of Croatia for the development of year-round nautical tourism, which would also contribute to the extension of the tourist season (Panel Nautika 250+). They stand out among the panelists Aco Momčilović (Co-Founder&Co-Director of Global AI Ethics Institute), Vedran Srhoj-Egekher (JellyRide), Zoran Pejović (Jadranka tourism), Todor Bobev (CEO TouchMenu), Marina Komarić (Expedia), Selma Čmelik (charter.hr), Goran Rihelj (HrTurizam), Luka Kalember (Ban Tours), Danijela Podhraški (Danyelle Yachting) and Maja Ban (MYS Yachting), Rudi Grula (Director of TZ Međimurje County ), Nuša Korotaj (CEO Terme Sveti Martin), Luka Jureško (COO Submarine Burger), Marina Komarić (Expedia group). 

During the weekend, the PLACE2GO fair will turn around travel lovers. Customs, tastes, costumes, culture of the world, apart from the perspective of the exhibitors, will also be presented to the visitors by lecturers. 

Andrea Trgovčević Iličić, one of the most famous domestic ones travel influencer will discover how the love for traveling was created and share tricks on how to choose a destination, book a flight and accommodation, and prepare for the trip. Mia Kovačić i Toni Janjis will recount experiences from distant Malaysia, a Hrvoje Rupčić will take us on a journey through his books with pictures and words.

Andrea Buča will reveal how she filmed her "Stani" series and thus reveal the secrets of the islands, Lika and Zagorje, and Riana Petanjek will together with Goran Rihelja and Damjan Domanovac to talk about what happens when traveling becomes work. The experience from the largest American tourism fair (IPW) will be transmitted Ivona Čulo, Roberto Radić and founder "Travel advisor" platform Vlado Sestan. 

Advice on plane tickets, travelogues, taking the best photos and creating content will be given by the famous Travelers, while the holder of the title "The best professor in the world" Dejan Nemcic together with "the best gastro blogger among professors" Ribafish discover how the world can be discovered interactively even from school desks. "Putoclinci" platform will reveal to parents all the secrets of traveling with little ones. This year, the program will be led by a world traveler and musician Ida Prester. 

#beauty of CROATIA from another angle

At the end, Damjana Domanovac emphasized once again that this year, for the first time, visitors can also become a kind of exhibitor. Namely, in cooperation with the Croatian Tourist Board, the organizers are looking for 20 of the most beautiful photos that will adorn the fair's screens and show Croatia in its full glory. "The presentation of Croatia through the lens of visitors is the most credible way to present the natural beauty, architecture, gastronomy, flora and fauna of our country to numerous foreign exhibitors., said Domanovac. 

Each person can submit a maximum of three photos, and the twenty most beautiful chosen by the jury will be part of the fair, while the three photos with the highest ratings will be additionally awarded with vouchers.

Entrance is free for all visitors.