Summary of the LATO 2011

More than 25.4 thousand people have visited the LATO 2011 16^th Tourism and Leisure Fair which took place from 1 to 3 April in the MT Polska exhibition centre at 56c Marsa Street in Warsaw. Current tourism offers for the spring-summer season were shown by 424 exhibitors from 19 countries. From among various Polish and foreign proposals, visitors chose trips, hotels, holiday centres, SPAs and health resorts and were introduced to tourist attractions of various regions. Enthusiasts of active holidays, as well as families with children and senior citizens were able to find interesting holiday or weekend ideas. The three days of the fair held in a tourist picnic convention abounded in numerous award contests, concerts, dancing performances and culinary shows, while particular popularity was garnered by games in the 'Preschooler and Schooler Treats' zone.

'We accomplished this year's edition of the LATO fair with great success, witnessed by the record number of exhibitors, as well as great visitor turnout. Many persons came here searching for a holiday or weekend excursion idea and purchasing was encouraged by numerous promotional price offers on holiday trips and tourist stays. Practically everybody had the opportunity to find an interesting offer for himself and to find out where and how best to spend his holiday leave. We are also happy that the tourist picnic formula has pleased the exhibitors and the numerously attending Varsovians so much. Throughout three days one could feel a truly holiday atmosphere and spend a wonderful time with his family and friends. We extend our cordial thanks to all our exhibitors and guests for participating in the fair and we already invite them now to next year's edition,' says Urszula Potęga, the President of MT Targi, holder of the LATO Fair.

A rich offer of exhibitors

LATO 2011 Fair's exhibitors included in their ranks, among others, tour operators, travel agents, hotels, holiday centres and lodging houses, health resorts, Wellness and SPA centres, agritourism farms, language schools, carriers such as airlines, coach, train and ferry operators, as well as towns, communes, regional and local tourism organisations. Eleven national stands were staged, including those of Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Cuba, Lithuania, Republic of Macedonia, Norway, Hungary and also Croatia, which held a Croatian Day during the first day of the fair. Besides those mentioned, the LATO 2011 fair also hosted exhibitors from Bulgaria, Belarus, Latvia, Germany, Ukraine, Great Britain, Italy and a large representation from Poland. Popularity was enjoyed by the 'Be CROative' exhibition held by the Croatian Chamber of Economy. Visitors were introduced to Croatian inventions and regional products, while the exhibition was accompanied by Croatian sounds such as the whisper of the Adriatic, the calls of seagulls, the chirping of crickets and the chiming of the church bells of Dalmatia. One could also listen live to Croatian musicians and taste the delicacies of the regional cuisine. On the other hand, the Tourist Organization of Bar of Montenegro offered immersion in the tourist attractions and wonders of the Adriatic coast. Visitors could also learn about the offer of Garden Paradiso of Italy, a modern and comfortable camping village situated on the Cavallino coast near Venice. In turn, the fascinating culture and history of China was promoted by China Town Travel with its offer of tourist excursions into the Middle Kingdom.

Thirteen Polish regions made their appearance to the fair, including Lower Silesia, Kuyavia-Pomerania, Lubelskie, Łódzkie, Masovia, Podlasia, Pomerania, Silesia, Świętokrzyskie, Warmia-Masuria, Greater Poland and West Pomerania. One was invited to find out about opportunities to relax and sightseeing targets in various parts of Poland. Presentations featured local attractions, historical monuments, museums, tourist routes and accommodation, while representatives from the regions encouraged guests to spend their free time in the respective localities.

'The fair plays a large public relations role. We intend to show the Voivodeship of Silesia as a varied land, that yea, we do have this industrial legacy which we forge into a tourism product but at the same time we also want to show the variety in our region,' said Agnieszka Sikorska, office manager of the Silesian Tourist Organization.

A multi-coloured stand alluding to the 'Gain Colour, Pomerania' slogan was also put up by the Voivodeship of Pomerania, enticing visitors to come and relax in the north of the country. Visitors eagerly inquired about holiday offers and the stand convinced them to visit Pomerania during the spring, autumn and winter seasons as well. The Voivodeship of Podlasia treated visitors to a sampling of regional relish such as the sękacz (tree cake), kindziuk (type of sausage) and podpiwek (very light beer made with crumbled bread). Also the cities of Poland were showing their tourism versatility. The Warsaw Tourist Office promoted the capital city's cultural and recreational attractions, reaching to the two distinguished characters of Fryderyk Chopin and Maria Skłodowska-Curie, connected with the city, in the effort.

'The LATO fair is a prime opportunity for Warsaw not only to present itself to those who have come to this fair, which is other regions of Poland, other countries, but also a prime opportunity to show to Varsovians what potential this city has. We are also committed to convincing young people that Warsaw is not boring. Warsaw offers many avenues of spending free time in an absolutely unconventional way,' said Barbara Tekieli, director of the Warsaw Tourist Office.

Throughout the three days of the fair, visitors were shown to a comprehensive tourist offer for every purse. Available at exhibition stands were package holidays, trips, children's camps, green schools, language camps, coaching or integration camps, pilgrimages, stays at holiday centres, SPAs, hotels or holiday resorts. Exhibitors possessed a varied range of offers addressed to families with children, enthusiasts of active rest, the youth, students, teachers, business folk, persons organising group holidays, or senior citizens.

'We are pleasantly surprised with the visitor turnout. During this year, we have prepared new hotels, new facilities, new holiday destinations for this season; we are guided by the new motto: "A New Quality in a New Offer,' Sylwia Kolińska of the TRIADA travel agency told us.

Contests and winners

Many contests for exhibitors and for guests were held during the fair. The Capital City of Warsaw won the Polish Tourist Organisation and MT Targi's contest for the best offer of a Polish region exhibited in the LATO 2011 Fair. The second place was taken by the Borne Sulimowo Commune and the third went to the Marshal's Office of the Voivodeship of Podlasia and to the Podlasie Regional Tourist Organization. The 'Summer Hit' contest for the best offer of the fair was conquered by The Polish Tourist Agencies Consortium Trade & Travel Company Sp. z o.o. with its Malta offer. At the same time, the jury selected a slogan promoting the fair: 'Targi Lato – co ja na to? A ja na to jak na lato,' (which is a Polish wordplay on the name of the Fair and a popular proverb representing a positive response), the author of which received two vouchers for the 'Sunday 4x4 coaching' training. The 'Weekend for the Burgher' contest was won by the WONDERLANDS Tourist Agency. The prize in the 'Crystal Sun' contest for the most original and professional fair stand was claimed by the Croatian National Tourist Board. In turn, a 4x4 tour around Masovia went to the winner of the 'Buy a Trip, Win a Prize' contest held by MT Targi. Finally, five lucky ones also took home PLN 1000 vouchers from the 'TRIADA Treasure Hunt' contest. During the second day of the fair, the Warsaw Chamber of Tourism called children and adults to the stage for the the 'Do You Know Famous Varsovians' contest and handed out prizes to them. Visitors eagerly took part in the contests taking place at exhibitors' stands, e.g. the SeaTours's contest enabled the winner to embark on a Mini Cruise to Copenhagen and Oslo. The language tourism agency ATJ Lingwista held a contest connected with learning foreign languages and featuring a 10-day language camp in Dźwirzyno as the main prize, while the capital city stand offered theatre and museum invitations.

Attractions for Visitors

The holiday and tourist atmosphere was rounded out by the artistic performances taking place on the fair's special stage outside the exposition hall. Chart busters were sung to a large audience by Majka Jeżowska, whose songs brought joy to the youngest and the oldest participants of the fair alike. The stage also hosted musical bands and dancing teams, magical tricks, traditional karate and Japanese KYUDO archery shows. Culinary attractions were not absent, either, and, among others, the Master Cook Robert Sowa presented the 'Summer Menu'. On the other hand, the acclaimed journalist and television presenter Robert Pochwała, an experienced sailor as well, encouraged active rest under sail. Additionally, a 12 metre tall climbing wall was set up outdoors and motorisation fans could drive go-carts. The fair also featured meetings with travellers telling colourful tales of their exploits. A special 'Preschooler and Schooler Treats' zone was arranged, where children had terrific fun with springboards, helter-skelters and a snowboarding and surfing simulator, or they could face the challenge of an obstacle course. Also the artistic workshops for children and the Croatian 'Kids zone' fun island attracted interest. In the cycling city established by the National Road Safety Council, policemen tested volunteers' road traffic bicycle manoeuvring skills and verified their knowledge in that area. Cycling card examinations were held over two days of the fair. Visitors could also experience the atypical walk in alcogoggles. Furthermore, the children's zone hosted a stand of Jolanta Kwaśniewska's Foundation 'Communication Without Barriers', where the young ones created beautiful drawings, and the former First Lady Jolanta Kwaśniewska herself graced the official opening with her presence.

Meetings for the Tourism Industry

Representatives of the tourism industry were given an opportunity to participate in workshops held during the LATO fair. MCC Consulting, acting together with the Warsaw Chamber of Tourism as part of the 'Travel Safely' action, organised workshops for travel agents and tour operators, during which comprehensive knowledge was presented in the field of travel safety, including the complete set up of a travelling first aid kit, protection of a child while travelling and different kinds of preventive health care connected with travels. Participants receive the 'Safe Travelling Partner' certificate issued by the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine. Exhibitors also took part in the 'Crisis Situations: Successful Management' certified workshops prepared by the Dom Szkoleniowy JS (JS Coaching House). The Polish Chamber of Tourism, cooperating with the Polish Touring and Sight-Seeing Society (PTTK), launched 'Tourism Funding in the Regional Layout of Poland' workshops, which provided an opportunity to learn how to initiate financial funds for promotion of various regions of Poland.

Patronages and Substantive Collaboration

The honorary patronage of the 16^th edition of the LATO 2011 Tourism and Leisure Fair was assumed by: Mrs Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw, Rafał Szmytke, President of the Polish Tourist Organization, and Jan Korsak, President of the Polish Chamber of Tourism. This year's LATO Fair was prepared and held in collaboration on the substantive issueswith the Polish Tourist Organization, Polish Chamber of Tourism, Polish Agency for the Development of Tourism (Polska Agencja Rozwoju Turystyki SA), the Warsaw City Hall, the Self-Government of the Voivodeship of Masovia, Warsaw Chamber of Tourism, the Forum of Regional Tourism Organisations, Polish Society of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, and the JS Coaching House.