As the epidemiological situation around Europe eases, the Hungarian Tourism Agency held its first-ever Discover Central Europe Networking Day on Thursday (February 24). Around 70 suppliers from the V4 countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) and more than 150 buyers from all over Europe and beyond came together at the Hilton Hotel in Budapest to provide some momentum for B2B tourism relations.
Tourism cooperation between the V4 countries – Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungaria – dates back almost 20 years. The four countries share both historical roots and cultural traditions while at the same time having their own unique identity. The current Hungarian Presidency of the Visegrád Group puts a great deal of emphasis on tourism ties between the four members.
The networking day aimed to boost touristic mobility after the pandemic while marketing the Central European region to other countries as a safe destination with unique cultural heritage and touristic values. This also means carefully planned and beautifully executed joint marketing activities under Discover Central Europe.
According to László Könnyid, Deputy CEO of the Hungarian Tourism Agency, they initiated this first-ever Networking Day “to bring together some of Europe’s best buyers, to show them even more about the amazing tourism offers of Central Europe, while providing a great opportunity for networking and business meetings. This is an event which we hope will become a tradition, organized with great success, year after year – contributing to the recovery of international tourism, as it is the common goal of the V4 NTOs!”
Following Könnyid’s welcome speech, the event began with a panel discussion under the heading “Recharging Europe,” where the directors of all four National Tourism Organisations shared their thoughts on the tourism development of their countries, highlighting their must-see destinations as well as their favorite tourism products – from wellness to vineyards.
After the panel, hundreds of successful business meetings were held during the networking session, proving that there is indeed a need for live, in-person events such as this.
The networking day was part of an extended fam trip fabulously organized by the Hungarian Tourism Agency for all hosted buyers and media representatives, including Passport News, to showcase both new hotels and attractions in Budapest, as well as some of Hungary’s most beautiful villages, towns, wellness centers, and vineyards.
