The Dubrovnik Tourist Board successfully participated in the Balkan Roadshow 2024 in Asia, organized with the support of Miki Reps, one of the most significant tour operators from the Far East. This roadshow is part of a series that initially covered Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong, markets that were leading as source markets to Croatia and Dubrovnik before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, except for Korea, these markets are recovering the slowest, partly due to the still limited number of flights to Europe compared to the pre-pandemic period.
From April 22nd to 26th, the roadshow brought together key stakeholders and professionals in the tourism industry in Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong. In collaboration with partners such as Intours, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Tourist Boards of Zagreb, Ljubljana, and Čakovec, Miroslav Drašković, the Director of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, presented the diverse tourist offer of Dubrovnik. “This event provided an exceptional platform for connecting with key professionals in the tourism industry in the Asian region, especially interesting due to the large markets that still prefer package tours by tour operators. Although stays are not long, they are the longest in Dubrovnik. It is important for us to ensure arrivals in Dubrovnik throughout the year, including autumn and winter months. Participation in this roadshow is considered crucial, and we plan to continue such engagement in the future,” said Miroslav Drašković.
During the presentations, about 90 participants gained insight into a wide range of tourist offerings, including UNESCO World Heritage sites, adventure travel opportunities, diverse accommodation options, gastronomic experiences, and cultural charms. The event highlighted the growing interest in Balkan tourism among Asian markets. After each presentation in the three cities, three stays were awarded at the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel, Rixos Premium Hotel, and Lero Hotel.
The series of presentations will continue in the fall in the markets of Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Malaysia. All these markets are year-round, and the promotion of Dubrovnik’s tourist offer will particularly emphasize travel from November 1st to May 1st. Additionally, direct flights from Korea to Zagreb will start in June, further stimulating tourism activities from that area.
