Czech Tourist Authority (CzechTourism) in collaboration with VFS Global recently presented various tourist attractions and products to trade, tourism and business partners in the Middle East through road shows in Kuwait and the UAE.

The ‘Czech Republic – Land of Stories’, the official promotion campaign of the Czech Republic, commenced the road shows in Kuwait on November 19 and concluded in Dubai on November 23.

Alexandr Sporýš, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United Arab Emirates, together with Monika Palatková, managing director of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism, interacted with the media at the exclusive event held in Dubai.

"I’m pleased that CzechTourism regularly promotes the Czech Republic as a tourism destination in the UAE and in other countries in the Middle East market,” said Sporýš.

“For a long time I have personally supported strengthening of the Czech presence in Middle East, which is one of the world's fastest growing markets and I am glad to see the vast development of the business relations between Czech and Emirati companies in the tourism sector. VFS Global is a reliable partner in the visa area and I am convinced that the partnership of CzechTourism with this company will lead to a further increase of interest about the Czech Republic,” he added.

CzechTourism has been presenting annual roadshows in the Middle East since 2009.

“Czech Republic is already very well known in the Middle East as a Spa and Medical destination. However, our objective through this road show is to promote the various other leisure and MICE products of the Czech Republic, which should also greatly appeal to travellers from the Middle East. We have presented mainly a wide range of cultural programs, nature stays, all-year-round events and festivals for families, individual travellers and groups,” said Palatková.

UAE is the number one tourism source market for the Czech Republic in the Middle East followed by Saudi Arabia. In 2016 Czech Republic received 23,831 and 18,180 visitors from the UAE and Saudi Arabia respectively, amounting to more than 171,000 room nights.

By 2021, the number of travellers from the Middle East travelling to Central Europe is expected to significantly increase and  CzechTourism expects a vigorous development of incoming tourists to from the Middle East market owing to the flight connections from the region, the introduction of new seasonal direct flights, more accessible visa facilitation through increasing network of visa application centres (VFS Global currently operates 10 centres in 8 countries across the Middle East) and a general increase in awareness about the range of attractions the Czech Republic has to offer.

Prague, the beautiful capital city of the Czech Republic, is popular with travellers from the Middle East; however a key objective of the promotional campaign was to shed light on the wide range of different tourism prospects the Czech Republic has to offer the discerning Middle Eastern traveller. The central promotional theme of CzechTourism in 2017 has been West and Central Bohemia, showcasing the rich cultural and historical attractions available such as spas & wellness resorts and chateaux hotels, and original Czech traditions such as glass and crystal making.

The year 2018 will be a period of celebration for the Czech Republic because it marks 100 years since the establishment of the independent country. This anniversary will be followed by a special campaign that will present original stories related to this period – stories of the Czech architecture and design, stories of lifestyle, internationally known Czech brands and numerous tourist, cultural and sport events. – TradeArabia News Service