(17 February 2016) A good public-private synergy is essential in an industry like the tourist one, which involves many stakeholders. And the Italian Embassy in Prague knows this: after the success of 2015, the Italian institution reopened its door for a business meeting between Czech travel agencies and representatives of Italian regions and cities, in order to enrich the tourism package deals for Czech tourists. Over fifty of the most important tour operators in the Czech Republic met yesterday with institutional representatives and officials of the tourism sector of Basilicata, Marche, Puglia and Umbria Regions and the Cities of Orvieto and Ravenna, which presented their territorial and tourist itineraries characterized by history, art, culture, natural beauty and good food. Ambassador Aldo Amati declared himself particularly satisfied with the outcome of the initiative. “With a national average income growth comes a growing interest of Czech nationals to explore Italian tourist realities different from the typical routes of northern Italy. So we decided – explained the diplomat – to give continuity to last year’s initiative and work once again with the Association of Travel Agencies of the Czech Republic ACK CR, bringing in Prague the regions of Central and Southern Italy with their charming and fascinating holiday offers. We need to stimulate the Czechs’ curiosity for Italy – concluded Amati – and accompany them on new adventures along new routes”. At the moment, Italy is the second favorite destination for Czech tourists, after Croatia, and is the only country to boast a steady increase in attendance. In 2013, 562.000 Czech tourists arrived in Italy who stayed on average more than a week, while in 2014 the flow touched 659.000 people. The 2015 statistics are not yet available but, according to estimates by Alessandra Abagnato from the ENIT office in Vienna, the figures will register a further increase. This is an enormously important factor also for trade relations, as underlined by the Secretary General of the Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Matteo Mariani. (Red)
Tourism workshops at the Italian Embassy to discover the unknown Italy
