Elke Kuipers is owner/director of the travel organizations Afrika Feeling and Holiday Feeling
‘Every day, between 200 and 300 people visit our stand. The quality of the visitors is good. And they don’t just visit us to drink a glass of Amarula! We have already taken two actual bookings at the stand, and we still have two and a half days to go. I met a lot of interesting people at the trade fair day, who, for example, work for tourist bureaus and travel agents.’
Fouder and director of Chalinga, Esther Schmit
‘I am so glad we went this year! There’s three or four of us, and we’re constantly busy. We have had more interest these last two days than during the entire exhibition last year, but I have to admit our stand is in a great location this time. It is hard to predict what the outcome of this exhibition will be exactly, but I have very high expectations. I have already indicated my preferences for next year with the exhibition organizers.’
Yvonne Westerbos runs the online agency Myvacationhome.nl
‘The exhibition gives people the opportunity to put a face to a site. And it works!’ Westerbos noticed that after the exhibition last year, the number of visitors to the website rose dramatically. ‘That is probably going to happen again this year.’ Westerbos is very happy with the quality of the visitors. ‘The visitors who come to our stand are genuinely interested.’
Hans Poorte, owner of the Italian campsite Podere Sei Poorte
‘Wondering what a campsite owner is doing at the Vakantiebeurs? I’ve wondered that myself. It is relatively expensive for a small company like ours. But I’m more and more convinced that I can’t not be here. Even on the trade fair day I made some good new contacts, while that was the day I least expected it. I know, it’s all very indirect, but I’m convinced this is the only way. When they book, we always ask people how they found out about us. And very often they say: I booked with you because of Utrecht. Need I say more? I did not just come to the exhibition to score a certain number of bookings. But I was very surprised when a visitor just came up to us to book a holiday.’
Amanda van Gameren, owner-director of Deniz Travel
‘We came to the exhibition with the target of 1500 leads and 10 concrete bookings. And we are definitely going to achieve that. We are having some great conversations, and have already booked a few holidays. You can see that people are not just strolling around, but are really looking for specific information. At our stand, they can win a free one-week holiday, and that is definitely pulling people in.’
Debbie Smits is marketing co-ordinator for Vacanceselect.nl
‘This is the fifth time that we’re here with such a large stand. And we are having a great time. It is a very inspirational place for visitors. Just look at all the hustle and bustle. And it has been like this the last four days. I think it is busier than it has ever been!’ The trade fair day for colleagues from the travel industry was also very successful, according to Smits. ‘Before the exhibition, we invited a lot of contacts. And we also met many new, potential partners, such as owners of campsites. Tuesday was an excellent day. And on Thursday, after the exhibition closed, we had a great party at our stand with around three hundred contacts, with music and a buffet. We are mainly working on brand awareness. We are an online organization and use this opportunity to let people get to us know personally.’ Smits has the idea that it is even busier now than it was last year. ‘If you look around, you are wondering if there is an economic crisis at all. The opposite seems to be true!’
Peter van Wingerden, owner of Arizona Plus
‘We are at the Vakantiebeurs because it’s a great way to get our name across. Every day, more than a hundred people visit our stand, and we have serious conversations with around fifteen to twenty visitors. We also meet loyal ‘customers’ at our stand, people who have booked with us several times before.’ Van Wingerden is also very happy about the cooperation with the exhibition organization. ‘I’ve gotten to know the managers quite well. If there’s a problem, it gets solved really quickly.’
Florbela Baltazar, of the Portugese Tourist Office
‘For me, my country being selected as host country this year, is the icing on the publicity cake which we have been baking the last couple of years. We can really notice here that our publicity campaign is working. Our press conference was attended by around a hundred journalists! You can see our logo everywhere: On the tickets, the badges, and even outside. At the stand, I notice that people are not just stuffing flyers in t1heir bags, but that they are looking for specific information and ask us serious questions. The fact that we are organizing Portugal presentation in the Travel Theatre might be one of the reasons.’
Maarten de Ruiter, CEO of FOX Vakanties
‘As you can see, our stand is inviting and accessible. We are having a great time here. The exhibition is one of the few opportunities to show our face, because in the end we are an internet company.’ In 2009, we received 1200 bookings during the exhibition alone.’ This year, De Ruiter is expecting a 10 percent increase in turnover. ‘I am very satisfied and also happy about the organization of the exhibition. Logistically everything is great, the opening hours are right and one trade fair day is enough. FOX is doing well at the exhibition. We put a lot of energy in our participation. We contacted our existing contacts/customers and also offered discounted tickets. We had an announcement on our website and sent out a mailing. I think around 9 percent of all visitors come to the exhibition through FOX.’
Marlies Ellenbroek is marketeer for ANWB Media/Uitgeeffonds Reizigers
‘This is the place to meet people who love travelling and to interest them for our REIZEN Magazine!’
Maarten de Ruiter, CEO of FOX Vakanties
‘The trade fair day at the Vakantiebeurs is the ideal moment to meet up with the entire travel branch at the beginning of the year, to talk to people and to present new products to the assembled press.’
Diana Klinkenberg is sales manager for Atout France
‘The season starts at the Vakantiebeurs. It is the most important exhibition of the year for us!’
Maarten de Ruiter, CEO of FOX Vakanties
‘The Vakantiebeurs is an ideal event where we, as internet tour operator, can meet existing and new customers personally. We also offer visitors to book holidays directly at our stand, so the Vakantiebeurs, with its perfect atmosphere, combines business with pleasure for all parties.’
Maarten de Ruiter, CEO of FOX Vakanties
‘The media attention surrounding the Vakantiebeurs has a positive effect on the booking behaviour of consumers’.
Minister Verburg – Department of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
‘The Dutch landscape has a lot to offer, both for a day out or a longer vacation. ‘I look forward to seeing you cycle around the farmlands, walk in one of our many wildlife areas or maybe paddle in a boat on one of the Dutch lakes and rivers. Come to the Vakantiebeurs, have your curiosity aroused and discover there are beautiful spots on your doorstep.'
