Even though so far the destinations chosen were as a rule those ”big” ones, such as Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Italy or Cuba, this year it was a small destination that was chosen for the first time – Croatia, which made the staff at Gulliver Travel – the DMC agency in charge of the project – particularly proud.

The importance of the TUI Inside project for the Croatian and Dubrovnik tourism is confirmed by the fact that it was supported by the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourist Community Head Office, but also by public institutions such as the City of Dubrovnik, the Dubrovnik and Neretva County, and by local self-rule communities.

The goals of the TUI Inside campaign are of paramount importance for Croatian tourism, encompassing the overall German-speaking region. One of the fundamental goals was to raise awareness of Croatia as a modern country of various opportunities, through transforming the image of Croatia as a cheap mass destination into an image of a quality and modern destination, which in the end would naturally enlarge sale considerably.

The Project last continually from November 2010, and in its various phases it covered education on Croatia and her tourist offer for more than 9,000 agents out of which 2,000 agents were selected by testing, entering the second round of training – in February 2011 in ten German towns they participated at one-day workshops. The best 900 were chosen among them according to their test results, but also in relation to the previous tourist packages sales in Croatia.

Those 900 took part in the final phase – the winners’ three-day Insider trip when their prizes were presented. There were six groups of 150-180 agents staying in Dubrovnik throughout the month of May.

The main campaign motto ”New Quality – Old Destinations” tried to change the image of Croatia from an average destination into one of excellence, and that is why Dubrovnik was the destination chosen by the Gulliver Travel.

Beside TUI Germany and Gulliver Travel, part of the TUI Travel PLC, the organizers of the events in Dubrovnik were also the hotels Valamar and Rixos, along with the Dubrovnik Airport.

Related to technical side of the project, the matters concerning organization of events in Dubrovnik were the competence of Gulliver Travel MICE department, and Baader 2, the German design and communications company.

In order to present everything that the Dubrovnik region has to offer, beside attending the working sessions, each of the mentioned groups also visited some localities which due to their specifics are self-sufficient to be part of the offer: Ston, Konavle, Šipan, Lokrum. In order to represent the city in its best aspect as the most famous Croatian destination, the final dinner party was held for each group at Lovrijenac.

During the four-day stay of each of the groups, there were workshops organized, i.e. various excursion programmes, among those were a Karakom Jaunt, Šipan Island Hiking, Jeep tour, Gebeco tour, Hotel tour (visits to hotels: Grand Hotel Argentina, Hotel Radisson Blu, Hotel Admiral, Vila Vilina), TUI cars (trip by luxury cars), and others. Several ceremonial dinners, such as Valamar Night Program, then the Gala dinner party with prizes presented, highlighted by the performance by the renowned violoncello player Ana Rucner, and the Insider Night dinner at Lovrijenac.

“The overall result of the TUI Inside events is a very positive one, and the outcome will be substantial during this season, but a real breakthrough is expected in the following years. As for the realization of the Insider Programme in Dubrovnik, the number of participants, the organization and the planned programme were rather demanding, requiring exceptional precision and quality, and dedication of the whole team. In the end, we may emphasize that all impressions – the sales agants who participated, on the one hand, and of the organizers from TUI Germany and others who took part – were truly commendable,“ they say proudly in Gulliver Travel.

“…Inside 2011 in Dubrovnik was an incredible event for all of us – I had goose bumps from the very first moment up until the end. … Perfect organization up to the smallest detail combined with maximum emotion – a true master-piece. You could not possibly present your/our Croatia more beautifully, perfectly or with more emotion to the participants of TUI Inside! Facebook is filled with praises for this excellent trip to Dubrovnik.

When under stress, all I need to do is just close my eyes for a moment and think of the flags waving good-bye in front of La Croma Resort, or imagine the fishermen’s nets at the Adrialin pur party, or recall the furious concert given by the violoncellist Ana Rucner at Klarisa, or just see again the 100 witches and magicians on our way to Lovrijenac. Then I know exactly why I love this job so much. …”

Mehdi Langanke, TUI Deutschland, Senior Product Manager / Vital, Croatia, Eastern Europe, Germany.

M.Š.