December the 5th, 2024 – A record number of luxury tourism companies have presented the Croatian premium tourism offer at the International ILTM (Luxury Travel Market) in Cannes.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Tina Lakic writes, participation in the French fair was co-organised by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HTZ) and the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ). Fifteen Croatian companies have the opportunity to present their offer within the wider Croatian premium tourism picture at ILTM. They have also held more than 800 meetings with key international agents.
“ILTM Cannes is of exceptional importance for positioning the country on the global map of Croatian premium tourism and is crucial for the further development of this segment. HKG sees that branch of tourism as its strategic focus, having strengthened it by establishing the Stories platform.
This event is an opportunity to network with international partners, create new business opportunities and listen to trends unfolding in the premium travel industry. Croatia has plenty of unique resources – from natural beauty and cultural heritage to top-notch accommodation and services. The Croatian premium tourism offer is being presented at ILTM in Cannes to a global audience of the highest profile,” said Andreja Vukojević, Director of HKG’s Tourism Sector.
ILTM Cannes has once again brought together the most important participants in the premium and luxury travel industry this year. That includes travel agents from the USA, Central and South America, Australia, Great Britain, the Netherlands and, of course, France itself.
The presentation of the Croatian premium tourism segment at the ILTM in Cannes was organised by HTZ, and they participated for the first time in the exclusive Press Roundtable session. Around 40 media brands otherwise participate in it and it is a series of meetings with editors and representatives of the most renowned media outlets for luxury travel. The Croatian premium tourism offer was therefore presented to Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Vogue and others. It was attended by Danijela Mihalić Đurica, the director of the HTZ Representative Office in France, and others.
“A diverse tourist offer that can satisfy the wishes of even the most demanding guests is what the development of the Croatian premium tourism segment rests on. We intend to reposition Croatia in the direction of a premium destination, i.e. a destination with high added value with an emphasis placed on a sustainable business model. With that, we’re aiming to reduce seasonality and position the country as an attractive and safe year-round destination,” said Kristjan Staničić, HTZ’s director. He added that Croatia is gaining an increasingly strong status on the international map of luxury travel.
The largest Croatian delegation so far includes brands such as Valamar Holiday Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split, Katarina Line Cruises & Tours, Lošinj Hotels & Villas, Le Méridien Lav Split, Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik & Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort, Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, Adriatic Concierge, Super Tours Dubrovnik, Royal Hotels & Resort Dubrovnik, Hotel Park Split & Fenomen Plitvice Resort, Perfecta Travel, Liburnia Hotels & Villas, Leonidas Travel and the Association of Certified Wedding Planners in Dubrovnik.
“When it comes to tourism, fairs and networking remain a vital form of promotion. Despite the availability of information on the internet, as well as through influencers and social media, human contact and personal recommendations are still the most important aspect when it comes to the business world and contracting specific deals. ILTM is fantastic for opening such opportunities. We’re here primarily to promote the Keight Hotel in Opatija. It opened back in June, and operates under the Curio Collection by Hilton brand. It’s the first 5-star hotel in Opatija with an international brand,” said Anamaria Hauptfeld, co-owner of Keight Hotel Opatija and member of the Management Board of the Katarina Line agency.
Alongside the Croatian premium tourism offer, there was also the opportunity to present luxury travel investments at ILTM Cannes. Valamar’s massive investments were therefore given the spotlight.
In addition to business meetings, this year, Croatia further highlighted its identity by presenting domestic delicacies such as arancini, almonds, brandies and liqueurs. The local flavoursome ambience in the Croatian exhibition space was created using natural elements such as rosemary, olives and lavender. These are the typical scents and flavours of coastal Croatia which lured visitors.
ILTM Cannes is otherwise one of the largest global premium and luxury tourism fairs of all. Last year’s edition was attended by more than 3,600 professionals from 77 countries, and more than 70,000 individual B2B meetings were held during the event.
