Globe 2008
Rome's Globe08: A rousing success
ROME (eTN) – The official figures have not been released yet, but by all accounts, this year’s edition of Rome’s foremost international exhibition Globe was a success.
It takes quite a bit of hard work to put on a travel exhibition a week after ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade show. Leave the job to the Italians who up to last year have never hosted an international travel fair in its capital city of Rome.
Globe has found a repeat client in Greece. Not only did Greece show up again this year, it increased its space by ten-folds. To exhibit this year, Greece decided to make its presence even bigger than last year. “The space last was 16 meters, this year 160 meters,” claimed Georgios Alafogiannis, from Greece Ministry of Tourism.
The second edition of Globe has managed to outdo last year’s inaugural effort and do even better. “This year is much better than last year. For Greece, this year had many appointments, and the quality of the buyers is much improved,” added Alafogiannis.
For Greece, the Italian market is something its tourism industry is very much keen on. According to Alafogiannis, Greece has been having prominent presence in all the three major Italian fairs held in Milan, Naples and now Rome for the second time running.
“We expect every year better because this is a new exhibition. Rome in the past has been very difficult to have professional meetings. But, just like any other major capital in the world, it is very important to make professional, business meetings in Rome.”
Alafagiannis, however, was quick to point out that Rome’s Globe has areas to improve on. “I think it will take many years for Rome to be the best.” For now, the Greek tourism executive said he expects Greece to come back and exhibit again next year.
Turkey this year also occupied a considerable space at Globe. Istanbul is slated to host the European culture event in 2010, and promotion for this event has started at Globe.
Indeed, the halls of Fiera Roma, where Globe was held, were filled with buyers and sellers conducting business, as both visitors and trade visitors mingled their way through four pavilions. Even Italians, who at times is Globe’s biggest critics, are impressed. Said so by Piero Galli, executive vice president of TourCrafters. “This year we exhibited, and the fair was much better than last year,” he said.
By the looks of it, and based on its successful year, Rome’s foremost travel exhibition is here to stay, and that not even the mammoth ITB Berlin can stop it.
Comments
Hi,
I am an eTN Ambassador who attended GLOBE08 for the second YEAR IN A ROW.
This year I found it to be much more organized and especially the 'Art Cities" setup for hosted buyers such as myself. Here we were able to have the sellers come and meet with us in a designated room to discuss their various and multi-faceted products.
When an appointment was not scheduled or there was a no-show, available sellers could utilize the time slot to advertise thier products.
The evening events were very entertaining, especially an event at the Castle Bracciano, where Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were married. We were treated royally and exposed to a different type of venue available for special events.
Much thanks to the GLOBE08 team and GRAZIE.
Vicki Lundy-Revels, Owner
Destination Specialist
Travel & Special Events
Carefree Travel & Entertainment
ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA USA
www.carefreetravelonline.com
925-776-5793-Office/Fax
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