New Deal Europe weekly update on post Covid-19 travel, Week 13
New Deal Europe gathers support from the Travel Trade for its Balkan focused virtual marketplace
The Balkan region’s flagship tourism conference and marketplace, New Deal Europe will go ahead as planned on 5th October, confirmed the event’s co-founder, Tine Murn. ‘We had planned to run the event as a live face to face event in London in March but had to cancel due to Covid. We then planned to hold it under the UK Government’s guidelines for events, which were due to come into effect on 1st October, but as this date has now been pushed back indefinitely we have decided to continue with a virtual event. This also gives us the opportunity to make the event bigger, taking it to a global audience.’
‘Operators are planning for 2021 now, and some are already booking business, so this is the key time to make deals’ added Robert Dee, the event’s other co-founder. ‘From speaking to operators we know that while much of the business being placed is carried over from 2020 bookings, some bookings are brand new, as operators look for new and safe destinations. Long haul operators are having a hard time right now, so they are switching to destinations nearer home, and the Balkans is ideal for them, with its mix of resorts, history, culture and sustainable activity breaks’
New Deal Europe certainly has the support of the travel industry in the UK and Ireland where the event was originally scheduled to take place.
Andrea Godfrey, General Manager of Regent Holidays, the leading UK operator to Eastern Europe commented: ‘I am delighted to see that the cancelled New Deal Europe Balkan workshop will be reinstated, at least virtually, for October. I am looking forward to catching up with our existing partners and, of course, discovering new destination and exciting experiences. Regent has a long standing history with the Balkans, from our group tours to Albania in 1971 to our first foray into Kosovo in 2009. There’s so much more to be inspired by and to learn about the diverse countries that make up this incredible region.’
Daniela Wagner, Group Business Development Director of Jacob’s Media, the fulfilment partner for New Deal Europe, has operated several successful virtual events and marketplaces in recent weeks. She stated, ‘There is still considerable uncertainty surrounding travel plans and restrictions, as well as on how events can be run safely, so we have decided to move the event to a virtual platform for this year. ‘
This provides a number of advantages. New Deal Europe can -
- ensure the participation of all suppliers and buyers, no matter where they are in the world.
- offer targeted and relevant meetings with the right people, which are scheduled through the appointment matching system.
- Increase the number of participants as we are no longer restricted by the capacity of a physical venue
- provide interesting content sessions and online networking opportunities.
- make the event a global event.
Changing the event from a UK and Irish market focus to a global focus means more suppliers to connect with, but at no extra cost to the exhibitors taking part. What’s more it is unlikely that there will be many opportunities for large scale global travel events in the coming months, so an event focused exclusively on the Balkan region may be the only opportunity for the region’s suppliers to make new contacts and get new deals in place for 2021 and beyond.
Jennifer Tombaugh, President of high profile USA tour operator Tauck said, ‘Tauck is delighted to participate in the New Deal Europe event with potential new partners and old friends from the Balkan region. As we look to restart our operations in Europe, we know our trips to this area are precisely what our guests are seeking: safety, natural beauty, cultural enrichment and off-the-beaten gems. It’s exciting to look ahead, and this forum provides exactly that.’
Alan Lynch, Managing Director of Travel Escapes in Dublin also lent his support to the event. ‘It’s fantastic to see Robert and his team creating positivity with this event. As a leading specialist to the Balkans from Ireland we are looking forward to participating. I think it’s a great initiative and opportunity to ensure our product is right for our market.’
New Deal Europe is now clearly viewed by the travel trade as the key event for doing business in the Balkans. ‘The Marketplace format, of pre arranged meetings is a tried and tested method, ensuring quality outcomes’, added Tine Murn, ‘and will be maintained with the virtual event thanks to technology provided by Delegate Select’.
New Deal Europe is now clearly viewed by the travel trade as the key event for doing business in the Balkans
In addition to the marketplace B2B business meetings, there will also be conference style sessions, including a presentation on the results of market research commissioned by New Deal Europe, and undertaken by The Times newspaper, into readers’ perception of the Balkans as a destination. ‘This should certainly help tourist boards to target their marketing more precisely and ensure that their squeezed budgets are spent on the right things’ Robert Dee noted. ‘Opportunities are available throughout the day for tourist boards and other suppliers to speak to the entire audience of buyers through sponsored slots, something that has worked very successfully in our other events’ added Daniela Wagner.
After some challenging times, the event’s organisers believe that with these changes, New Deal Europe 2020 will be the event which will enable you to restart your planning for 2021 with confidence, allowing you to connect to new and existing clients, and generate real opportunities to support your business.
New Deal Europe is a travel forum and marketplace that brings together tour operators, tourist boards, and suppliers with a focus on the Balkan region of Europe, www.newdealeurope.com.
If you would like to take part in or blogs from the Balkans series, or if you would like to contribute an article, please contact us at info@newdealeurope.com.
