XXI. FEG ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING BRATISLAVA 22.-26. NOVEMBER 2007
2007 SSSCR Slovak Tourist Guide Association Published by: SSSCR Slovak Tourist Guide Association Editor: Marián Bilačič Photography: Martin Sloboda Robert Vrlák Marián Bilačič Design and layout: Duomedia www.touristguides.sk All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher. This booklet was published with the support of
Ladies and Gentlemen free movement of goods and services in the unified market of the European Union. On somewhat of an imaginary crossroad lies today, also London, 20 October 2007 in Europe and has been a symbol of Slovak nationalism for over 1000 years. The views will take your breath away! Cerveny Kamen (Red Rock) Castle, associated with the I welcome you warmheartedly in Bratislava, the capital European legislation, which will also significantly touch the profession and the requirements for a professional Dear Colleague, fabulously wealthy Fugger family, combines the feel of a medieval fortress with the more gracious style of a city of Slovakia. In the metropolis of one of the youngest education of tour guides. I strongly believe that, even in On behalf of the Executive Committee I would like to say renaissance/baroque palace. Here it s the truly awesome countries of Europe, but whose dynamic history has taken today s Europe without boundaries, the primary interest how pleased we are to meet in Bratislava for our 2007 AGM. cellars that will take your breath away. Of course, if you re care of the fact, that it is proudly the capitol city for the of qualified tour guides is to offer all visitors only the best FEG, which represents professional tourist guides across going on the post tour you will have more opportunity to fourth time. services. Europe, is delighted to be in Slovakia - a crossroads of experience this stunning, mountainous country. On middle age maps, however you will surely not find In the name of the whole team, which prepared cultures, religions and conquerors. Thank you for coming. Alongside the programme of events, FEG will be holding the name Bratislava, which is significantly younger than the program for the delegates and guests of the 21st We are sure that you will thoroughly hly enjoy the programme its AGM. Our profession of tourist historical names such as Posonium, Pressburg, Prešporok, anniversary meeting of the F.E.G., I wish you a pleasant arranged by President Marian guiding is well aware of changing Poszony. stay and a number of unforgettable moments! Bilacic and the Slovakian Tourist markets, reflected in almost every It was primarily the unique location of the city: on the crossroads of old trade routes, at the foot of the Little Carpathians, at the place of the ford of the Danube, Marián Bilačič Chairman of SSSCR Guides Association. Slovakia s favourable conditions for business are European destination including Slovakia. Standards and Quality are all important. At the AGM this which together with a favorable destiny and with an active already well known across point will again be reinforced. It is participation of multinational inhabitants has for centuries Europe and it experienced strong fundamental. There will be discussion created a cosmopolitan- tolerant atmosphere of this city. economic growth in 2006. The car on establishing a Code of Conduct, A city, with imminent contact to neighboring countries of industry has contributed to this we will hear about training standards Hungary, Austria and Czech Republic. growth and is particularly important and we shall be assessing the effect Slovakia however, is not only Bratislava! The capital city to the economy - something which of changes to our profession in the with its eccentric location is somewhat of a gateway to you will be able to see first hand. last year. FEG s Training Committee, by the way, will be Slovakia from the west, just like they call Bratislava. We But although Slovakia has built a reputation in business, arranging a communications seminar in 2008 - if you re believe the offered post tour will give you the opportunity Tourism is another area of growth. You will see this too. interested in attending please let the Secretariat know. to get to know tens of other historically beautiful cities Your programme showcases the beautiful city of Bratislava, It is a pleasure to be able to hold our AGM in Bratislava which arose on the crossroads of trade routes, nations and including an exclusive concert in the Archbishop s Palace, to support our professional tourist guide colleagues and we cultures. a cruise on the Danube and a number of especially chosen thank them for their outstanding hospitality. In the past 18 years we have, just as the former eastern eating experiences. The programme will also show you block, lived through two significant revolutionary changes sites and countryside beyond the capital. Over 300 castles We wish you a happy and memorable visit. of the business environment in our country. It was a long dot the countryside and you will be seeing two extraordinary phase of development on the way from monopolies and ones. Devin Castle, now in ruins after destruction by Tom Hooper a centrally planned economy to a free market and today s Napoleon s troups (1809), was once one of the largest Chairman, FEG 4 5
bulletin These regions are attractive for their specificity, which they have preserved example, you can find the oldest Celt oppidum here, which once was spread out Almost distinctly despite the close contact to industrial over the area of the castle top. In Pezinok atypical, in the Bratislava. Their agrarian possibilities tourists can visit the unique technical and southwestern corner, give them a hallmark of uniqueness. It is cultural sight Schaubmar s mill, where you lies by area the said that the flat and warm Záhorie was can also find the Gallery of naïve art as the smallest region of Bratislava s pantry and the eastern hillsides first and only one of it s kind in Slovakia. Slovakia Bratislava. By area size it s small, however in natural, cultural and of the Little Carpathians full of vineyards, Bratislava s cellar. The fertility of the region and the significant trade center nearby created the base for prosperity and wealth Worth visit is also the Castle Červený Kameň near Častá with an extraordinary exposition of historical furniture, collection of weapons, picture gallery and the largest Slovak Republic historic wealth it does not fall behind to the surroundings of the capital city and it is indifferent today. The Bratislava region collection of ferocious birds in Slovakia. Not only the citizens of this region but also Area 49,035 km² the other regions of Slovakia. On the contrary, it lives in Vladimír Bajan Chairman of Bratislava colors, activities, Self-governing Region pulses life like a real heart of a country. The Bratislava region is a bond of natural geographic and cultural regions The Little Carpathians and is in terms of Slovakia from the perspective of infrastructure the most developed area with the lowest rate of unemployment and by recent statistics has outran the High Tatras in number of tourist visits. Besides the beneficial location in terms of transportation, the well-thought-out program for the development of tourism foreign tourists are more and more attracted to take the tour of wine cellars, which is a part of the Little Carpathian wine path. Well and the bee open-air museum in Kráľova near Senec is valued not only be experts. Even sportsmen can find something in this region. The center of water sports in Čunovo pumps adrenalin, while the Population 5,447,502 Capital (and largest city) Bratislava (425,459) Official languages Demonym Government slovak slovak Parliamentary republic Currency Slovak koruna - SKK (1 koruna = 100 haliers) 1 SKK ~ 0,031 1 ~ 32,50 SKK Záhorie which not only enclose Bratislava, but also penetrate into its city parts. They are an integrated part of the region and the capital city of Slovakia cannot be isolated from them by any means. Many city parts of Bratislava were in the early half of this century villages of the Little Carpathians and Záhorie. The surrounding districts Pezinok, Malacky, and Senec create a pleasant recreational base for its citizens and visitors with mild hillsides of the Little has helped the region achieve it s goal. The restoration of folk craft tradition, and the active advertisement of tourism in the form of exhibitions in Slovakia and in foreign countries is bringing its fruit in. The interest of tourists not only for historical sights of Bratislava, but also for trips to its surroundings rises every year, and the tourists do not by far limit their summer stays to the Lakes of Senec. The Bratislava region excels in many bike tours near the basin of the Dunaj will interest calmer personalities just as the possibility to observe wildlife in the precious and preserved natural area near the river Morava. There, where Slovakia meets Austria and Hungary, lies the Bratislava region a region full of sun, wine, good people and good atmosphere. It lives with colors, and pulses with life. It is my pleasure to invite you to experience it on your own skin. Skalica Smolenice Pezinok PL N Pieniny Stará Ľubovňa Orava Castle W E High Castle Malá Fatra Tatras Strážky Žilina S Kežmarok CZ Rajecké teplice Western Tatras Strečno Spišská Levoča Trenčianske Teplice Čičmany Vlkolínec Sobota Spiš Castle Trenčín Veľká Spišská nová ves Fatra Markušovce Trenčín Castle Slovenský raj Špania dolina LowTatras Bojnice Beckov Banská Bystrica Betliar Krásna Hôrka Kremnica Štítnik Rožňava Jasov Piešťany Zvolen Chateau Dolná Krupá Topoľčianky Slovak Karst Banská Štiavnica Trnava Červený kameň Nitra Svätý Anton H Prešov Bardejov Košice Wooden Churches UA Carpathians, quite forests of Záhoria and the famous lakes of Senec. sights and also in various untraditional supremacies in terms of Slovakia. For A Bratislava 6 H Komárno 7
XXI. FEG ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING BRATISLAVA 22.-26. NOVEMBER 2007 OFFICIAL PROGRAM Thursday, 22-nd November DAY 1 18:30 DELEGATES + GUESTS Guided cruise on the Danube Arrival of delegates and accompanying persons 20:00 GO TOGETHER PALACE ZICHY - Dinner given by SSSCR Friday, 23-rd November DAY 2 Sunday, 25-th November DELEGATES 20:30 Dinner ALL FOR ONE = 3 MUSKETEERS ACCOMPANYING PERSONS DAY 4 DELEGATES 09:00 Departure to ČERVENÝ KAMEŇ CASTLE incl. Pottery Manufacture ACCOMPANYING PERSONS 09:00 CITY TOUR incl. coffee break in Café MAYER 09:00 Half day AGM 10:00 DANUBIANA MUSEUM by good weather GERULATA 10:45 Coffee break 12:30 Lunch 13:00 Return to the hotel Free time for lunch 13:00 Return to the hotel Free time for lunch 15:00 CITY TOUR Afternoon for leisure 18:00 DELEGATES + GUESTS departure to PRIMATIAL PALACE - Aperitif - Concert in the Hall of Mirrors PRESSBURG AMBASSADOR ORCHESTRA 20:00 Dinner SLOVENSKÁ REŠTAURÁCIA (Slovak Restaurant) little folk music performance 12:30 PM DELEGATES + GUESTS Departure to KOLIBA Lunch 15:00 DEVÍN CASTLE (delegates and guests) 16:30 BLACK CURRENT WINE TASTING (little music performance) 18:00 Arrival in hotel 19:30 Folklore show (in hotel congress hall) Free time for dinner DAY 5 Saturday, 24-th November DAY 3 Monday, 25-th November Optional 08:30 Departure to VOLKSWAGEN or Leisure time DELEGATES ACCOMPANYING PERSONS 12:30 Departure to REDUTA (walking) 09:00 Full day AGM 09:30 ČERVENÝ KAMEŇ CASTLE 10:45 Coffee Break 12:30 Lunch 13:00 FINAL BANQUET LUNCH with Ministry of Economy and Governor of Bratislava 15:45 Optional START OF THE POST TOUR 13:00 Buffet Lunch in Hotel (1 Drink incl) 14:45 Pottery manufacture 16:00 Coffee break 16:00 Return to the hotel 8 9
program Monday, 26-th November TRANSFER TO HIGH TATRAS 15:30 Departure by coach to AQUACITY Resort in POPRAD 20:30 Dinner Buffet in Hotel POST TOUR UNKNOWN SLOVAKIA THE HIGHLIGHTS SPIŠSKÁ SOBOTA - GEORGE HILL - St. George Church LEVOČA - St. Jacob Church highest gothic altar on world (18,63 Meter) designed by Master Paul in 1517 CASTLE SPIŠ Ruined former biggest medieval fortress in Central Europe (UNESCO) Dinner by typical TATRA PUB JEDLINKA Wooden church PREŠOV City tour Dinner in Poprad Thursday, 29-th November BETLIAR Andrassy Mansion CASTLE BOJNICE Back To Bratislava Tuesday, 27-th November SPIŠ (SPISH) - HISTORICAL CITIES IN REGION KEŽMAROK - Wooden protestant Church and more LEVOČA - Thurzo House Wednesday, 28-th November BARDEJOV City tour (UNESCO) KOŠICE City Tour Dinner in Poprad Friday, 30-th November POPRAD Via ŽILINA RAJECKÁ LESNÁ Wooden Bethlehem The Package Price 5 Days (26-30/XI) double room 479 / single room 649 4 nights at the ****MOUNTAIN VIEW HOTEL AQUACITY POPRAD 4 breakfasts 1 Dinner buffet at the hotel(incl. Drink) 1 Dinner in KOLIBA restaurant (incl. Drink) 2 Dinners in selected restaurants (incl. Drink) Transportation Sightseeing tours in the program Entrance fees Tourist guides services on all of the tours The Package Price 6 Days (26/XI-01/XII) 1 night in Bratislava 31/XI-1/XII 1 dinner in hotel 1 breakfast in hotel double room 544 / single room 689 10 11
Ľubomír Jahnátek Minister of Economy Allow me, to greet the meeting of the European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations in the capitol city of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava. It is truly an honor, that for your meeting place, you have chosen this very city, which most of you certainly don t know yet. Tourism is an important economic and social phenomenon today. It expands general knowledge, allows the building of social and economic contacts, and offers possibilities of regeneration of physical and psychical strength. It belongs to the most dynamic and developing industry in the world and in Europe. This is true also in Slovakia. The government of Slovak Republic in the course of last year passed the Strategy of the development of tourism of the Slovak Republic until the year 2013, and set the principles for state politics regarding the tourist industry as an area of general interest, with emphasis on supporting development of domestic and active foreign tourism. We are aware that tourism is a tool which supports the growth of competition, structural changes of economics and permanently lasting development with the intent of increasing the portion of foreign income from active foreign tourism on GDP. Tourism is a tool which develops employment and the flexibility of labor markets, a means of regional development and development of business, and it is an instrument of presentation and promotion of Slovakia. The co-responsibility of the development of this industry, and for the representation of our country in satisfying the ever growing needs and demands of the traveling public at home and abroad, is taken upon by tour guides through their performance and quality, therefore this co-responsibility is taken upon by all of you and many thousand more of your colleagues in all of Europe. A tour guide is often the first, last and sometimes the only representative of the country, with which foreign visitors come in contact with. It is a big responsibility, since the quality of the tour guides work often depends on the impressions of the country the visitors leave with and whether or not they will return to that country again. Offering tour guide services on a high professional level is unthinkable without knowledge and respect of not only general public statues, but also other regulations. High quality specialized preparation of education and regular further training of every tour guide is of great importance. We are observing very attentively to the effort of your federation to introduce new requirements to increase the qualification of tour guides and also the improvement of standards of tour guide services. I expect, that even us in Slovakia will take into our legislation all tried and tested methods and standards from the European area. All of us must be interested on quality, on the satisfied visitor. A client in all Europe must know, what he is to expect from a tour guide. We are pleased, that the demand for your services keeps growing. We are all for, that the tour guide, who wants to be performing his profession even abroad, fulfils the same requirements, as those which are requested from local tour guides. There is no need to protect anyone from anyone, however there is a need to introduce equal requirements for everyone. There is a lot that needs to be done to rebuild the existing education systems, which is going to be long and demanding work. This is why the harmonization of the requirements of a qualified tour guide is important. For the development of European tourist industry it is crucial that tour guide services are at a high professional level. It is good that the activities of all the members of the European union are heading to the acceptance of a unified method for the preparation and education of tour guides in terms of a unified European tour guide market. In conclusion I would like to state my personal conviction, that even the negotiations of your conference will lead to an improvement in the quality of tour guide services, and that is why I would like to wish you many good thoughts and many stimulating ideas. I believe that you will have the opportunity to get to know a bit about Slovak culture and tourist offerings of Bratislava and Slovakia. Feel at home here, and come back with your clients. You will always be welcome in our country. 12 13
Staromestská Zochova mestská Veterná Obchodná Poštová Škarniclova Svoradova Pilárikova Staro Župné Hurbanovo Námestie SNP Zámocká Skalná Židovská Kapucínska Na vŕšku Klariská Farská Baštová Michalská Zámočnícka Biela Františkánska Františkánske Uršulínska Nedbalova Primaciálne CITY SERVICE SLOVAKIA travel agency BLOMO travel Mikulášska Židovská Kapucínska Prepoštská Ventúrska Sedlárska Zelená Panská Hlavné Rybárska br. Radničná Laurinská Gorkého Beblavého Rudnayovo Panská Strakova Hviezdoslavovo Mostová Jesenského Palackého Rybné Paulíniho VÍNO MATYŠÁK Nábrežie arm. gen. L. Svobodu Rigeleho Riečna Nám. Ľ. Štúra Rázusovo nábrežie Vajanského Medená nábrežie Bratislava