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C-B-R 2003

Germans should reclaim their status as world champions in travel and tourism

C-B-R 2003, the 34th Caravan-Boat-International Travel Market Exhibition, came to a close on Sunday, 23 February 2003fter a…

C-B-R 2003, the 34th Caravan-Boat-International Travel Market Exhibition, came to a close on Sunday, 23 February 2003fter a satisfactory nine days – given the current situation overall in the economy. The goods and services of the 00 exhibitors: 1,207) from 65 countries (2002: 65) attracted around 160,000 (2002: 180,000) visitors. The exhibitors commented positively in particular on the fair/s wide geographic reach, extending through into Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Jurgen Schweinberger from the BWT Travel Office explains: We think the wide geographical reach of C-B-R is especially important. We were able to welcome at our stand customers from Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic.



Norbert Bargmann, Managing Director of Messe Munchen GmbH, highlighted in his initial summing-up of C-B-R: The current economic and political environment is not very favourable for a sales fair like C-B-R. And so, for this reason, we are most satisfied with the results of C-B-R 2003. On both exhibitor and visitor sides we saw that C-B-R as a leisure and tourism fair is not only attractive to people from in and around Munich, but that it draws in visitors from our neighbouring countries, too. Recently initiated changes in the concept for C-B-R, which will now cover the entire area of leisure, will further enhance the attractiveness of this popular fair for the general public.



For Anton Dreher, President of the Advisory Board of C-B-R and Managing Director of Rambeck Bootsvertrieb und Yachthafen GmbH, Starnberg, it is of utmost importance now to dispel the feeling of uncertainty among the consumers. Dreher: As exhibitors we are happy with the number of visitors and their quality, particularly in view of the fact that the superb weather tempted many potential visitors into the mountains instead of to the exhibition centre. We found visitors were very interested. They do indeed have purchasing power, but given the uncertainty of how the economy will develop, and the imponderables of rising tax burdens, the consumers are very cautious. This belief that consumers are basically willing to buy, is confirmed on the water sports side by Rudolf Rockinger, of ADAC Sportschiffahrt. Small boats and inflatables were very much in demand. Visitors to C-B-R had some very specific questions, and they made a beeline to our stand, said Rockinger.



In the area of travel, too, the current climate of consumption is a theme. The Germans have to get back to being world champions in travel. By coming here to C-B-R we want to reawaken this desire to travel, particularly of course to Italy. Pessimism must be banished, and people have to become more optimistic, stressed Dr Italo Somariello, Director of Italy/s state tourist board, ENIT. He highlighted the high number of visitors at the stands of the Italian regions, and expressed satisfaction with his organisation/s participation in C-B-R.



The partner country of Turkey was very pleased with its success in achieving its main goal, that of promoting the image of the country. Adil Culhaoglu, Attache at the Turkish Consulate-General in Munich, explained: Most visitors wanted specific information on Turkey. And many holidays in Turkey were booked at our stand and in the whole hall, from the various tour operators. This year we are expecting a 25% increase in tourism in Turkey. One indication of this good development is that we already experienced a rise of 18% in January.



Bernadett Gyuricza, Director of the Hungarian Tourist Office in Frankfurt, was both happy with the results of C-B-R 2003, and already looking forward to C-B-R 2004. For next year Hungary will be the partner country of C-B-R. The goal of encouraging more people to come to Hungary, was also a priority this year at her organisation`s stand. We think that we succeeded in doing this, said Mrs Gyuricza.



The response from neighbouring Austria to C-B-R 2003 was also positive. Birgit Koller-Hartl, Head of Osterreich Werbung Munchen, a tourism marketing agency in Munich said: C-B-R is a good platform for presenting Austria as a holiday country, as the fair itself also projects an attractive holiday atmosphere. Mrs Koller-Hartl gave a very positive assessment of the holiday destination of Austria. The trend is mainly towards more short breaks, and trips by car or rail. That is very positive for Austria, which can also offer very good value for money in terms of tourist attractions and holidays.



In terms of promoting tourism in Bavaria, however, C-B-R gave a distinct home advantage. The Head of Sales Promotion, Katja Austen, saw her main goal of promoting the image of Bavarian tourism as fulfilled at C-B-R.



Speaking as an exhibitor of caravans, Marcus Braun, Managing Director of the Hymer Centre in Sulzemoos, said: Even though the sales figures, are currently declining, due to the current economic situation, there is still interest in caravanning. In the last few years we saw a trend for customers to come along to the fair and then make a purchase in the period thereafter.



Wolfgang Liebscher, Deputy President of the C-B-R Advisory Board and Managing Director of Bernhard Gluck GmbH, Sulzemoos, agreed that business in the caravan segment had stagnated, and in some areas was declining. Nevertheless we are happy with how things went for us at the fair. Our primary goals in exhibiting were to intensify customer relations and to attract new customers.



This year, too, the accompanying programme at C-B-R 2003 underlined the high experiential value of the fair, and its character as a meeting place for tourism sector professionals. On the many stages people could experience first-hand or close-up the fascination of water sports, for example, including canoeing, diving and rowing. And the new Camping World of Experience proved to be a real magnet to visitors. The range of trade events was also made excellent use of:


  • Munich celebrated a premiere – C-B-R was chosen as the venue for the first-ever German Tour Guides Conference.

  • The host for the Bavarian Tourism Day, Bavarian Minister Dr Otto Wiesheu, was able to welcome almost 1,000 participants, including many county council chairmen, mayors, directors of health-cure resorts and tourist board directors. The focus was on the importance of brand consciousness in tourism.

  • Very well attended once again was the Bavarian Sailors Day, with over 600 participants.

  • C-B-R showed its expertise in matters of Mediterranean sailing, with a Skippers Meeting attended by almost 300 Med sailors.

  • At the 6th Tourism Symposium, researchers and tourism professionals discussed the subject of Adventure holiday – holiday as adventure. Among the participants were many tourism students from Munich University, who were able to pick up useful information first-hand.

  • The ADAC presented its latest campsite guide, before an invited audience of over 800 trade professionals.


Messe Munchen`s involvement in the area of camping and caravanning is underlined in a cooperation with the German Camping Club (Deutscher Camping Club – DCC) for the awarding of a European prize for outstanding campsite facilities. The prize-winners this year are sites in Spain, Italy, France, Austria and Germany. And, for the first time, a campsite in the Netherlands was among the winners.



C-B-R 2004 takes place from Saturday, 14 February to Sunday, 22 February 2004 in the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.

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