18 October 2024: CzechTourism successfully concluded a three-city roadshow in India, its first since the pandemic, to boost travel interest to Czechia. Held from October 7-10, the roadshow visited Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, with representatives from CzechTourism, the Czech Embassy and CzechTrade collaborating to showcase Czechia’s unique offerings to India's travel trade and media.
Ranked as the 8th safest country in the world in the 2021 GPI (Global Peace Index) Report, Czechia offers an array of landscapes and experiences to Indian audiences. From Prague, the "City of a Hundred Spires," that mesmerizes with its awe-inspiring Gothic and Baroque architecture set against a vibrant, modern cityscape, to Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that teleports you into a medieval fairy tale, with its winding cobblestone streets and an impressive castle overlooking the serene Vltava River to Karlovy Vary, Europe's largest spa town, a luxurious haven known for its healing hot springs, grand colonnades, and elegant 19th-century architecture to Plzeň, the birthplace of the world famous Pilsner beer, a style that revolutionized brewing globally showcased at the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, one of the oldest and most iconic breweries in the world with an award winning interactive beer museum, the event presented the many culturally and architecturally inspiring regions and cities of Czechia and how they offer unique experiences to Indian audiences
Organized by VFS Global, Czechia’s strategic partner in India, the roadshow featured private sector partners from the destination including hotels, Prague shopping outlet and DMCs, highlighting regions beyond the capital city - Prague. The Delhi event was hosted at the Czech Embassy and keynotes included a speech by Czech Ambassador, Her Excellency Dr. Eliška Žigová, alongside visa presentations by Ms Laura Vlachová, Economic and Commercial Counsellor who was present in all three cities giving valuable insight in the Czech Embassy activities and VFS Schengen visa team. The program also included an India focussed destination presentation highlighting Czechia’s tourism offerings, connectivity to the rest of Europe and readiness to welcome Indian tourists. Similar sessions were held in Bengaluru and Mumbai. The Bengaluru event welcomed Mr. Janardhan HP, Joint Director, Tourism Department, Ministry of Karnataka, who discussed India's emerging travel trends and Karnataka’s growing interest in cultural and experiential tourism aligning well with Czechia’s offerings.
Commenting on the positive feedback for Czechia, Ms Jana Štumpová Konicarová, Director of Marketing and Foreign Offices, remarked, “It was a true pleasure to engage with passionate travel professionals from both the leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sectors across key Indian cities. India is a priority market for us in the coming years and we are committed to fostering a strong, steady flow of Indian visitors to Czechia, catering to diverse demographics and interests. While expanding the leisure travel segment remains a key goal, we are equally focused on tapping into the growing MICE market, offering tailored solutions to meet specific needs and preferences of Indian businesses and organizations. Furthermore, we continue to engage with key stakeholders to enable a direct connectivity between India and Czechia by 2025.”
The three-city event also highlighted the reopening of the Mumbai Consulate by early 2025, aimed at improving visa accessibility for Indian travellers and encouraging longer stays beyond Prague. Ms Barbara Andelová, International Marketing Manager, stated, “given the growing interest of Indian travellers in European destinations, alongside emerging travel patterns that extend beyond summer season and an increasing emphasis on experiential travel, Czechia is poised to captivate Indian visitors with its stunning landscapes, inspiring architecture and remarkable culinary offerings. In the coming years, we aim to highlight the 14 regions of Czechia and unique gastronomical and wellness experiences through targeted trade and consumer campaigns focused on the Indian market.”
The event fostered robust B2B interactions across three major Indian cities, enabling Czech partners to present their offerings and strategic plans for the Indian market over the coming years. Mr. GB Srithar, Head of Tourism Services at VFS Global, emphasized, "As a strategic partner to Czechia, it was essential for us to reconnect the Czech delegation with a diverse array of travel trade and media representatives in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai as they return to India post-pandemic. Our commitment to promoting Czechia will be unwavering, focusing on streamlining visa facilitation and cultivating strong trade relationships to enhance leisure, 'b-leisure' and corporate travel to Czechia. We are confident that this collaboration will significantly increase visitor arrivals to the ‘Heart of Europe’."
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