Switzerland to Launch Snow Travel Mart in March
Switzerland, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the country's winter tourism in 2014, will host its first Snow Travel Mart in St. Moritz from March 12-15. The mart will operate as the Swiss Travel Mart does, but with a focus on skiing and winter sport. The Swiss Travel Mart happens every other year, and so in 2014, the Swiss are offering a niche replacement for the older mart, which will take place in 2015. The Swiss Tourist Office expects about 400 tourism professionals from about 40 countries.
The bulk of delegates are expected to come from traditional markets in Europe and North America, but new markets such as China, Brazil and Southeast Asia will also be in attendance. The two-day program will feature a workshop, sales meetings, an opening and closing ceremony and the so-called "Day of Adventure" when tour operators can experience destination Engadin St. Moritz through activities and excursions.
"The Snow Travel Mart Switzerland will quickly become a must-attend event for all North American tour operators interested in sending customers to Switzerland for skiing and other winter sports," says Alex Herrmann, director Americas of Switzerland Tourism.
The Swiss cite a bet made between Johannes Badrutt and four British guests summering in St. Moritz in 1864 as the beginning of Alpine winter tourism. Badrutt challenged his guests to return in winter and if they didn't enjoy themselves, he would refund their money. The English guests returned for Christmas and stayed through Easter. Thus winter tourism was born, as British travelers began to visit Switzerland to participate in such Alpine sports as bob sledding and skating.
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