The best stands at TOUR SALON 2007
As always at TOUR SALON, the Acanthus Aureus Award will be presented to those who organise the best trade fair stands. The competition jury will select especially those stands whose design and construction comply with the corporate marketing strategy of the exhibitor. Designers and constructors of the stands will also receive awards. The aim of the competition is to present awards to the best architectural and graphic solutions that are conducive to direct communication with the customers and underline the positive corporate image. The competition regulations and entry forms are available at www.tour-salon.pl (under Information for Exhibitors/Acanthus Aureus Competition)

Results of the Best Regional Agri-Tourism Product Competition announced
Winners of the Best Regional Agri-Tourism Product Competition will be among exhibitors of this year’s TOUR SALON. Their prize was the opportunity to present their offers at the show free of charge. The competition is organised annually by the Poznań International Fair, the Rural Development Foundation and the Agricultural University in Poznań. The competition results were announced at FARMA 2007. The first prize (a 12 square metre stand at TOUR SALON) was presented to Agro-Tourism Association of the Zgierz Area for a product entitled: “Wozem drabiniastym przez wieś, śladami tradycji zanikających zawodów i umiejętności w gospodarstwach agroturystycznych” (On a hayrack wagon through the countryside, following traces of traditions, disappearing professions and skills in agri-tourism farms). The second prize (a 9 square metre stand) was presented to the Local Kłodzko Land Tourist Organisation for “Rural eco-museums of the Kłodzko Land” and to Kłodzka Wstęga Studentów Foundation for “Wioski beztroski” (“Carefree villages”). The third prize (a 6 square metre stand) went to “Hospitable Wielkopolska” Intermunicipality Tourist Association for “Wielkopolska Podkowa” (“Wielkopolska Horseshoe”). The last winner also received the second prize of the Rural Development Foundation (PLN 5,000) for product-related investments. The first prize was not presented. The competition was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Water attractions
For the first time ever, TOUR SALON will include a completely new exhibition space entitled “Boat Expo”. Thus, attractions related to water sports should be aplenty. Trade fair visitors will admire stands while listening to sea shanty bands, such as Gdańska Formacja Szantowa, Mohadick, Smugglers and Zespół Piosenki Żeglarskiej “Wodny Patrol” from Olsztyn. “Nurkowanie” magazine will prepare an interesting programme of events for trade fair visitors. It will include shows of diving equipment in a swimming pool (visitors will have an opportunity to test it), a freediving competition, shows of safe freediving, a presentation of “Błotniak” replica – Poland’s only functional mini submarine, a presentation of RIB, the largest pneumatic boat in Poland, an exhibition of historical equipment and much more.

The island of dreams
A climbing wall, rope bridges, a cave, paintball, quads, martial arts presentations, shows of finding treasures hidden in the sand – it is impossible to list all attractions prepared by Trygon, this year’s exhibitor at the new exhibition space – “Extreme” at TOUR SALON 2007. The 400-metre stand of the company will be divided into a few sectors: Treasure Island (with diving equipment, shows of diving photos and films, shows of bottle and free drink throwing); Sahara (you will be able to use AEG rifle here to shoot to mock-ups, use a metal detector to find gold and have a picture taken with you in front of Stargate), Forest (a stand devoted to corporate events organised to integrate employees while having fun in the forest – paintball, quads, bows, a tender boat, a shooting range), Mountains and extreme attractions (a climbing wall, a cave, an off-road vehicle, rodeo and gladiators – all in a mountain scenery), Heights (rope and Tibetan bridges spread over the visitors’ heads, a spider’s web – all visitors will be able to test their skills), Marina (this is the venue for shows of martial arts, rodeo, performances and other events, competitions, dance shows, cooper shows, etc.) and Sailing Ship – a special attraction. On 4 days, trade fair participants will build a huge pirate ship from pre-prepared parts and materials according to a drawing. A pirate party will be held when the construction is finished.

Date: 20.09.2007

Please find below the latest news aobout the upcoming 18th Fair of Regions and Tourist Products TOUR SALON.

One picture is worth a thousand words…
A week is left before the deadline for submitting entries to the International Festival of Tourist Films TOUR FILM 2007. Each entry means a green light for participants of the competition. The International Festival of Tourist Films well confirms the Chinese proverb which says that one picture is worth a thousand words. Its aim is the presentation of beauty and tourist attractions of countries and regions and the support of tourism development. It is a great opportunity for original promotion of tourist attractions and for inviting tourists in a unique way to spend unforgettable moments in presented destinations. As always, the Festival will accompany the Fair of Regions and Tourist Products TOUR SALON 2007. So far, participants from a few Polish cities and regions, from the Republic of South Africa, Portugal, Estonia and Amsterdam have submitted their entries. The winners will receive traditional awards and special prizes. Moreover, for the first time in the Festival’s history and to celebrate its anniversary, the jury will present the most precious award - Grand Prix Tour Film 2007.

New offers at TOUR SALON 2007
For the second time ever, TOUR SALON exhibitors will be able to promote their new products and services in a special way. Over 40 new offers will be showcased at stands with special signs, which will make it easy to find them. The list of new offers is already available at www.tour-salon.pl. You will also find it in “The Guide for Visitors” and in the Tour Salon 2007 Exhibitors’ Catalogue.

Daily news
News from Tour Salon, reports on accompanying events, interviews with exhibitors – all this will be published in special issues of ”Wiadomości Turystyczne Codziennie na TOUR SALON 2007” [Daily Tourism News at TOUR SALON 2007]. Thanks to this joint initiative of the Editorial Board of Wiadomości Turystyczne and the Poznań International Fair, exhibitors and visitors at the show will be able to read a summary of the previous trade fair day, reports from stands and highlights of upcoming events, conferences and meetings. The daily will be published three times. The Wiadomości Turystyczne editorial team would like to invite all Tour Salon 2007 exhibitors to contribute to the show’s daily paper, to share information on their exceptional offers, interesting programmes, or special guests.

“The Golden Fifty”
50 most dynamic companies from the tourism sector in 2007 will be identified thanks to a readers’ vote called “The Golden Fifty” organised by “Rynek Turystyczny” Monthly. 3 best companies will receive awards at the business evening for TOUR SALON 2007 exhibitors. The readers’ vote has been reactivated and will be continued in the coming years. It aims at identifying, awarding and presenting the most dynamic, innovative and client-oriented companies from the tourist sector that respect business standards. All finalists will receive “The Tourist Market Leader Diploma”.

“Write and paint!”
For the second time, TOUR SALON 2007 has become the partner of the finals of a huge summer competition organised by easygo.pl. This year, the winners of the "Wypisz, wymaluj!" [Write and paint!] competition will be announced. In this year’s game, easygo.pl clients had to send special manually finished postcards to the organisers. The competition postcards were given to all clients buying their holidays at easygo.pl from April to the end of September 2007. easygo.pl and its competition partners have prepared two Toyota Yaris cars with trunks full of NIVEA cosmetics as the main prizes. Both cars with competition logos will be showcased at easygo.pl stand throughout the fair. The finals will be organised at the trade fair stand of easygo.pl (Pavilion 5, Stand 107) on Friday, 26 October. Just to remind you, the finals of “Win AYGO with easygo.pl” competition were held at TOUR SALON in Poznań last year. You can see photos from the events at www.easygo.pl/konkurs/toyota. To find out more about “Write and paint!” visit http://www.easygo.pl/konkurs.

Date: 20.08.2007

More attractions, more interesting events. These are the highlights of the upcoming TOUR SALON. Please find below the latest updates about what the organisers are preparing for the trade fair visitors this year.

Fit Expo for TOUR SALON
The Organising Team of FIT-EXPO has prepared a special surprise for this year’s TOUR SALON. The upcoming TOUR SALON will have an additional special exposition area where producers and distributors of fitness, recreation and rehabilitation equipment for recreational facilities (hotels, health centres, spas, etc.) will present their offers.
This area will be created completely by the fitness fair exhibitors. It will be a great opportunity for TOUR SALON participants, both exhibitors of “Health SPAce” (i.e. health centres, resorts, spas, wellness hotels and centres) and professional visitors (managers and directors of such facilities), to see the offers of specialist equipment for their centres.

Champion drivers at the show
This is a great attraction for all bus fans. TOUR SALON will be the venue of the first Polish Championships of Bus Drivers organised by “Polski Traker Bus” Bi-Monthly in cooperation with the Poznań International Fair. The championships will comprise two parts: a theoretical part including a test on traffic regulations and pre-medical aid, and a practical part – precision driving along a specific route in the shortest possible time. The championships are aimed at making their participants aware of how important precision driving and improvement of skills is in the profession of a bus driver – both those drivers who work for urban transportation systems and those who drive long-distance coaches. Additionally, the event is a good opportunity to present the latest technological achievements in buses and their equipment. An exhibition of bus models held at “Polski Traker Bus” stand will be yet another attraction.

PTO presents Certificates
For the second time at Tour Salon, the Polish Tourist Organisation will present Certificates to the winners of the best tourist product competition. The competition winners will be able to participate in a special promotion programme in the 2007/2008 season.
The competition is to select the most attractive, innovative and tourist-friendly products, to promote such products and to support regional and local initiatives that lead to the creation of tourist products.
Local authorities and economic self-governments, regional and local tourist organisations, institutions and organisers of events, associations and foundations, private entrepreneurs, organisers of tourist services and potential entrants can enter candidate products into the competition. The Certificates will be presented at the opening ceremony of the Fair of Regions and Tourist Products Tour Salon on 24 October 2007.

Results of “Tourism – our joint concern” competition
The winners of “Tourism – our joint concern” competition are already known. They will present themselves at the largest stand at this edition of Tour Salon, i.e. the stand of the Competition Partner. 16 winners were selected in the competition. The jury evaluated the best ideas for tourist products developed by partner groups created in the project. The evaluation criteria included: the number of entities in a partner group, the evaluation of cooperation in the group, the number of attractions offered in the tourist product, the evaluation of the extent to which tourist attractions of the region are used, the evaluation of promotion tools of the tourist product. The competition entries were evaluated by a group of renowned experts from the tourist sector. For a full list of winners visit www.tws.org.pl.

Award-winning books
The publishers of the best sightseeing and tourist books who entered publications about Poland into the 16th National Festival of Sightseeing Books will receive awards once again at Tour Salon. The competition is organised by the Wielkopolska Club of Sightseeing Publishers, PIF, the Board of the Polish Tourist Country-Lovers’ Society (PTTK) and the Marshal’s Office in Poznań. All books entered into the competition will be showcased at the stand of the National Festival of Sightseeing Books at the Fair of Regions and Tourist Products TOUR SALON 2007. Readers will be happy to find out that at the end of the Festival, the books will be donated to the Regional Sightseeing Centre in Poznań, where they will be available in the reading room. The award ceremony will be held on 25 October 2007.

The 18th Fair of Regions and Tourist Products TOUR SALON 2007 is approaching! These are some highlights of the upcoming show:

Warmińsko-Mazurskie – Partner Region of TOUR SALON 2007
The Warmińsko-Mazurskie Region has become this year’s Partner Region of TOUR SALON. As the partner region, the province will have an opportunity to present its tourist attractions in a comprehensive way. There will be many surprises prepared especially for trade fair visitors. The region’s presentation will be prepared by the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Regional Tourist Organisation.

Incentive Travel
This is the title of the keynote seminar held at this year’s TOUR SALON and devoted to business tourism. It will be held by internationally renowned experts on incentive travel, such as Tasso Pappas (former SITE President), Nicola Chater (President, SITE UK Chapter) and Padraic Gilligan (former SITE President in Ireland, currently SITE board member). The speakers will use their presentations to talk about current trends in incentive travel and development prospects for the future. They will also show how to successfully organise incentive travel. The seminar is organised by the Poznań Convention Bureau, the Polish Tourist Organisation and the Poznań International Fair. Admission to the seminar is free-of-charge following registration at www.tour-salon.pl.

“Tourism – our joint concern” Competition selects the best tourist products
TOUR SALON 2007 has become a partner of the competition entitled “Tourism – our joint concern”. Partner groups participate in the competition and one group from each region will be selected as a winner. Groups and tourist products they have created are evaluated. 16 regional winners will present their achievements at this year’s TOUR SALON. “Tourism – our joint concern” is the largest training and consulting project for the tourist sector in Poland. Training for entrepreneurs, representatives of local governments and organisations that support tourist development is co-financed by the European Social Fund. The competition final will be held at TOUR SALON 2007. For more information visit: www.tws.org.pl.

More special areas
For many years, TOUR SALON has been accompanied by special areas – expositions organised separately so that exhibitors can reach their target groups more easily. One of the traditional events is “Health SPAce” – an exposition of health resorts, spa and wellness centres and hotels. “Business Tourism” has accompanied the fair since last year. It attracts organisers of conferences, congresses, training programmes and incentive trips. There will be two completely new areas this year: “Boat Expo” and “Extreme”. Companies from the sailing, maritime and motorboating sector will participate in the former event. They will present sailing yachts, motor yachts, motorboats, canoes, diving equipment, sailing and sports clothes. The latter exhibition will be a meeting place for organisers and lovers of extreme trips and producers and companies that sell extreme sports equipment.

New pavilions and two-day tickets
Because the scope of TOUR SALON 2007 has increased by two new special areas, this year’s exposition will be located in as many as 3 pavilions connected through glass passages. Thus, the visitors will be able to visit the whole exposition without having to go outdoors. Two-day tickets for professional visitors will be a new solution this year. The tickets will be valid for the first two days open only to specialists from the tourist sector and subject to full registration. Registration is now open at www.tour-salon.pl.

Regular items on the agenda
Accreditation for the Buy Poland workshop is in full swing now. The workshop will be organised for the second time this year – on 24-25 October. As in the previous year, the event is based on previously arranged business meetings of Polish sellers of tourist services with foreign tour operators (the so-called hosted buyers) interested in the organisation of inbound tourism to Poland. The workshop is organised by the Poznań International Fair, TTG Polska and Holiday Travel. For more information visit: www.buypoland.pl.

We have already accepted first entries to the International Festival of Tourist Films TOUR FILM 2007, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. You can enter films in 5 categories: a film that promotes a country or a region, a film or commercial, a film that promotes active tourism, a tourist film produced and registered by a TV station, a multimedia presentation. Valuable prizes await the winners. As always, the best films in each category will be selected. Moreover, for the first time in the Festival’s history, the jury will present the most precious award - Grand Prix Tour Film 2007. Special awards will also be presented.