Selectair is the commercial association of independent Belgian travel agencies. For their annual congress this year, they have chosen Split and Split-Dalmatia County as the congress location for the first time, reports Dalmacija News.
The association Selectair has about 120 members and has operated under this name since 1972. The working part of their annual congress, which began on October 7th, was held at the hotel Le Meridien Lav and Cornaro Hotel. Part of the visit, which ends on Monday on the island of Hvar, included a tour visiting Omiš and Radman’s Mills (Radmanove Mlinice).
“We think it is a great success that this conference took place in Split-Dalmatia County. We have large numbers and we should not be lulled, but we need more work and better work in new markets. We do not have huge numbers to the Belgian market, but that’s why we co-financed the project with HTZ to attract many Belgian tourists, but to also link Belgian travel agencies with the agencies of our county,” says Joško Stella, Director of the Tourist Board Split -Dalmatia county.
Stella also points out that most of the participants of the Selectair annual congress have already been to Croatia, but did not visit Split-Dalmatia County on their trips.
“Everyone is pleasantly surprised and reactions are more than positive. They are impressed with the quality of the food, hospitality, warmth, kindness, and maximum authenticity,” added Stella.
President of the Association Selectair, Pieter Demuynck, said that he has been to Dalmatia, but is always surprised by its beauty. He is convinced that in the future this destination will attract a growing number of Belgians.
General manager of TUI Belgium, Dirk Van Holsbeke, was particularly impressed by the excellent cuisine, and made an announcement of a planned aircraft line from Antwerp to Split three times a week.
Director of the Croatian Tourist Board in Belgium, Ivan Novak, said that about 80% of the participants came for the first time and that already in the first two days of being in Split, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
Belgian travel agents were able to interact with the travel agents of Split-Dalmatia County who are interested in working with them.
“Western markets are inclined to us and this is definitely one of the markets that can be satisfied with Split-Dalmatia County,” concluded Stella.
