FIRST CALL AND ANNOUNCEMENT Conference on Sustainability of Rural Tourism Defining Success of Tomorrow 22-24 February 2012 Belgrade and Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
Belgrade Fair Continental Hotel Belgrade Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci
To succeed in today's fast-paced marketplace, travel and hospitality communicators must steer strategically, yet always be ready to make swift, tactical adjustments. Discover, at the Conference on Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Rural Tourism, nimble approaches to make the most of your rural tourism products and destination, while staying on top of changes in the media, market and technology. Join colleagues and success stories in Serbia capital of Belgrade and Mountain Kopaonik at the premier rural tourism event to: Strengthen your programs' value with expert insight on where to deploy your resources. Master the latest tools and tactics to address the issues that matter most. Discover practical responses to current challenges from leading and globally recognized speaker and industry professionals. This year's conference features dynamic key note speakers, including: Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary General Mr. Nebojsa Ciric, Minister of Economy and Regional Development. Government of Serbia Mr. William Infante, Serbia UN Resident Coordinator Mrs. Gordana Plamenac, Serbia NationalTourism Organization CEO Mr. Gunay Erturgul, Minister of Tourism and Culture. Government of Turkey Mrs. Petra Hedorfer, European Tourism and Travel Commision, CEO Mr. Rok Klancnik, Slovenia Tourist Board Brussels CEO - Moderator
Why you should attend Conference on Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Rural Tourism Increase the value of your current rural products with the latest, cost-cutting strategies and findings through MDGF Joint Project Sustainable tourism for rural development. Learn about research on current industry trends and what's on the horizon. Hear game-changing presentations on topics ranging from the best approach to responding to crises to mobilizing brand advocate consumers. Connect with leading practitioners, media and thought leaders on the issues that matter most rural tourism issues Update your social media plan with strategies to help you connect with your target audience and best position your professional services and develop destination. Take a 360 degree view of the current state of the industry, by networking with a large cross-section of industry and academia colleagues Organizers: Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, Government of Serbia MDG-F Sustainable Tourism for Rural Development Danube Competence Center Who will attend? Senior Government Officials UN representatives Business Leaders Rural economies of Serbia National tourism organization representatives of the region of South East Europe Conference official language: English
22 February, 2012. Hotel Continental, Belgrade 9.00 11.00 Delegate registration 11.00 12.00 Opening ceremony Moderator: Rok Klancnik. Slovenia Tourism Board Brussels, Director Dr Taleb RIfai. UNWTO, Secretary General Mr William Infante. UN Resident Office Serbia, Coordinator Mr Nebojsa Ciric. Government of Serbia, Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, Minister 12.00 12.15 Coffee break 12.15 13.00 Panel: Serbia tourism milestones Moderator: Rok Klancnik. Slovenia Tourism Board Brussels, Director Michael Jay. Support to the implementation of the National Strategy 13.00 14.00 Lunch 14.15 15.00 Panel: Reference to Sustainability in Tourism Moderator: Rok Klancnik. Slovenia Tourism Board Brussels, Director Dr. Goran Petkovic. Government of Serbia, Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, State Secretary Gordana Plamenac. Tourism Organization of Serbia, CEO 15.00 16.00 Panel: MDG-F Milestones Moderator: Karlo Puskarica UNWTO Speaker representative UNDP Speaker representative FAO speaker representative UNEP Speaker representative UNICEF Speaker representative 16.00 16.30 Coffee break 16.30 17.30 World Federation Tour Guides Association Ceremony of the travel guide course for Novi Sad destination: Certificate hand out. Mrs. Wilja Emile Siebe. World Federation Tour Guides Association, Executive Board Member/Head of Training 20.00 Invitations only dinner at the Royal Palace
23 February, 2012. Belgrade Fair 11.00 12.00 Belgrade International Tourism Fair Opening Ceremony Protocol: Dr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO. Secretary General Mr. Nebojsa Ciric, Government of Serbia, Ministry of Economy and Regional Development. Minister Mrs. Petra Hedorfer. European Tourism and Travel Commission. CEO Mr. Gunay Erturgul, Government of Turkey, Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Minister 12.00 13.00 Protocol visit to the Belgrade International Tourism Fair 13.00 14.00 Lunch 15.00 Session 1: Product Development and Value Chain Analysis 15.45 Session 2: Marketing and Promotion 16.30 Coffee break 17.00 Session 3: SME Development Capacity Building 17.30 Session 4: Local Economic Development 21.00 Conference Gala Dinner for all Conference delegates at splav Ada (near Hotel Jugoslavija)
24 February, 2012. Sremski Karlovci Novi Sad Mali Stapar Note: Third day of the Conference is Invitations only (Invites: Deans and directors from tourism faculties from SEE and Danube region, MDG-F Sustainable tourism for rural development UN agencies representatives, Media representatives from SEE and Danube region). 9.00 Departure to Sremski Karlovci in front of Hotel Continental 10.00 City Council of Sremski Karlovci (Magistrat) Penel: Danube Region Sustainable Tourism and Rural Development Topics: Exploring the synergies among MDG-F and another running and upcoming projects The role of the academia in the support of the private business to develop (sustainable) tourism Next common steps regarding the cultural routes, as well, in the field of rural tourism 12.00 City Council of Sremski Karlovci (Magistrat) - Signing Memorandum of Understanding for Roman Emperors Route between highest tourism officials from Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria 13.00 Lunch at Petrovaradin Fortress at the Salon of President Tito 15.00 Protocol at the University of Novi Sad organized by Rector Professor Miroslav Veskovic 15.45 Lecture of Dr. Rifai at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Science 17.00 Departure to Mali Stapar 18.30 Dinner hosted by President of Vojvodina Government Dr Bojan Pajtic 19.00 Signing Memorandum of Understanding in the field of development cultural water routes in Vojvodina water network and establishment of cross border projects with Croatia, Hungary and Romania in the same field between: Government of Vojvodina (Dr Bojan Pajtic) United Nations World Tourism Organization (Dr Taleb Rifai) University of Novi Sad (Dr Miroslav Veskovic) Danube Competence Centre (Daniela Schily) 20.00 Dinner 21.30 Departure to Belgrade
Conference topics: Product Development Marketing and Promotion SME Development Capacity Building Value Chain Analysis Local Economic Development More on the Conference on Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability of Rural Tourism you can learn from the following web site: www.merr.gov.rs or contact directly office of the State Secretary Mr. Goran Petković, PhD. President of the Organizational Board on the following info details: Government of Serbia Ministry of Economy and Regional Development Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 15, Belgrade Mr. Goran Petković, Phd State Secretary Tel: +381 11 2855 071 Fax: +381 11 2855 209 E-mail: turizam@merr.gov.rs E-mail: stela.petrovic@merr.gov.rs