Visiting Prague and Dresden

I was able to spend a busy and very enjoyable few days in Central Europe with ETOA (European Tourism Association) last week. 

We started in Prague with an ETOA Board meeting in the remarkable surroundings of the Lobkowicz Palace, followed by the launch of the new Central Europe Marketplace 2027 – an exciting initiative bringing together destinations and tourism businesses from across the region which will take place next March. 

Then it was on to Dresden for our extended Advisory Council meeting, with the opportunity to get out into the city too, exploring some of its extraordinary cultural heritage and learning more about neighbouring Leipzig and the wider Saxony region.

One of the things I value most about ETOA is the opportunity it creates to bring people together. There are always plenty of practical challenges facing European tourism, but time spent in destinations, exchanging ideas and hearing different perspectives, is also a very good reminder of why we all work in this industry.

As President, it is a privilege to be part of those conversations, and particularly to spend time with the people and places that make European tourism what it is.

Thank you to everyone who hosted us so generously along the way, to the ETOA team, and to my fellow Board and Advisory Council members for a fascinating few days.