German travel agents to hold conference in Palma in 2004

THE German Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (DRV) will hold their annual convention in Palma, probably halfway through October next year, announced Joan Flaquer, Minister for Tourism yesterday. “It's magnificent news. In 2004, it will be 10 years since the last DRV conference was held here”, confirmed Flaquer speaking from the Balearic parliament offices. Speaking not only about DRV, but also referring to ABTA (The Association of British Travel Agents), the minister was confident that each time one of the Balearic tourist industry's major client markets held a conference on the island, “it has been accompanied by a significant regeneration of activity in the sector”. Flaquer placed great importance on the fact that the German Travel Agents' congress was being planned whilst Germany was “experiencing economic recession”, a parallel situation to the decline of German tourism in the Balearics. “It will be of major promotional significance that more than 2'000 travel agents from Germany will attend the conference in 2004”, said Flaquer. “We are convinced that this will relaunch the popularity of the Balearics for the much-valued German client market”. The minister reported that initially, DRV were thinking of organising this event in Vienna. A decision to alter the site of the conference resulted in German tour operators approaching the Balearic government for talks on the conference being held in Palma.