The National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT) expresses its disapproval of the non-participation of the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism at the international tourism fair in Paris (IFTM Top Resa), which takes place between October 3-5. This decision, caused by the procurement procedures, will have a negative impact on the promotion and development of Romanian tourism, as was the decision to cancel Romania's participation, with a stand, at the Berlin International Fair (ITB).
Moreover, Romania is promoting itself in Paris with stickers on 17 tourist buses and 100 billboards, which is commendable. But it is in vain that we promote ourselves as a country if tour operators and tourism companies do not have access to the international tourism fair in Paris, officially, in the Romanian stand. More precisely, it is in vain that we promote ourselves if partnerships are not created and there is no one to sell to.
"We are outraged by the inability of the competent Ministry to organize Romania's participation in foreign tourism fairs. The Cadariu administration, the weakest in terms of tourism in the last 20 years, which stood out for its impotence, "succeeded" in depriving us of participation in the international tourism fairs in Berlin and Paris. If we are absent from major tourism fairs, we will never be able to attract foreign tourists. We appeal to Minister Ștefan-Radu Oprea to change the procurement legislation, to allow us to participate in these vital fairs for our industry", emphasizes Alin Burcea, first vice-president of ANAT.
Gheorghe Fodoreanu, an expert in incoming (attracting foreign tourists) and former ANAT president, as well as founder of the ANAT Incoming Commission, emphasizes: “Regarding the Ministry's decision to cancel participation in the fair in France due to the existence of unfortunate procedures regarding payments at an international fair, there is no excuse. It is not acceptable for Romania not to participate in an important international fair due to payment difficulties. This situation seriously affects the image of our country and our chances of attracting foreign tourists. Similar to the situation of participation in other international fairs, the fair organizer decides the payment method, not the participating country or company.”
On the occasion of TOP RESA 2023, the largest workshop for French-speaking tourism takes place. Every day, on October 3, 4 and 5, between 8:30 and 12:30, meetings are held between tour operators from all continents with high-performance destination management companies (DMC). 26 incoming agencies will be present from Europe, of which only companies from Romania and Bulgaria will be absent . The Paris tourism fair represents a high-performance format, which personalizes the direction in which the world's tourism production is heading.
"This is the second time this year that we are missing a major international fair, the first being ITB Berlin. The National Association of Travel Agencies believes that the relevant Ministry must urgently modify the procurement procedures. These failures must not be repeated in 2024, in order to ensure Romania's participation in international tourism fairs. ANAT expresses its disappointment for the second failure to participate in a major European event to promote Romania. This absence has created disruptions in the organization of incoming and tourism companies. Invitations to stand meetings were sent out this year, and many months in advance, that had to be canceled, and flight tickets and accommodation were booked," says Adrian Voican, ANAT vice president and coordinator of the ANAT Incoming Commission.
IFTM Top Resa is one of the most important international tourism fairs of France and Europe, with a tradition since 1979. At the current edition, 170 destinations, 1400 tourism brands, 29.475 tourism professionals from all over the world are present and will be organized 80 conferences and workshops. Romania... is missing.
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