Zagreb's tourist offer promoted on the US market

Last week, the Zagreb Tourist Board participated in the largest annual gathering of the USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace was held in Austin, and gathered active members of USTOA, i.e. North American tour operators and associated members - national and regional tourism organizations, journalists and stakeholders of the tourism sectors of countries from all over the world.

The conference opened with a DFD (destination for destination) forum, and continued with a rich program of lectures and workshops with an emphasis on news and trends in the industry, as well as on the current topics of sustainable tourism, the pandemic and the recession in 2023. Some of the lecturers and moderators of the workshops include representatives of renowned companies and organizations from the industry, such as: Myriad/MMGY, Pwc, Tourism Economics, Tourism Cares, Smithsonian Media, Sparkloft Media, Travel Leaders Group, etc.

"The American market is extremely important for Zagreb, and this is best illustrated by the results according to which guests from the USA are in second place this year in total arrivals and overnight stays, while before the pandemic they were first in overnight stays. At the USTOA conference, we presented in cooperation with our partner for the North American and Canadian market, Ina Rodin, and we met with numerous members and made new contacts, as well as cooperation related to the promotion of the destination and partners from Zagreb. Meeting with the president of USTOA, Terry Dale, opened new opportunities for more active activities of the Tourist Board of the City of Zagreb and the promotion of the offer of the city with an emphasis on Advent, as well as the presentation of news and activities in the coming year. Recent articles in the prestigious publications Forbes and the British and American editions of Conde Nast Traveler have caused great interest in visiting Zagreb and our Advent", the director of the Zagreb Tourist Board said on this occasion, Martina Bienenfeld.

The main conclusions of the conference have a positive note on the state of the North American market and tourist demand for international travel. A full recovery and growth in travel is expected in 2023, despite the recession and rising cost of living, and thanks to a strong dollar, accumulated savings, insatiable post-pandemic demand and the trend of overseas travel. Europe is still the most sought-after destination, and Iceland, Croatia, Norway and Portugal are among the 12 most sought-after "off the beaten path" destinations.

Source and photos: Zagreb Tourist Board