13. PLACE2GO brings together exhibitors from three continents and a record B2B workshop

Na ovogodišnjem međunarodnom sajmu turizma PLACE2GO koji će se održati od 20. do 22. ožujka na Zagrebačkom velesajmu, nastupit će izlagači iz 25 zemalja, među kojima su i nove destinacije poput Egipta, Slovačke, Češke, Poljske i Gambije. Posjetitelje će razveseliti i povratnici, među kojima su Tajland i Malezija, kao i "stari" izlagači - Indonezija i Litva. Domaća publika ove će godine po prvi put imati priliku istovremeno posjetiti dva sajma turizma - PLACE2GO i Camping & Outdoor, čime Zagreb na nekoliko dana postaje mjesto susreta turističke industrije, putnika i ljubitelja aktivnog odmora.

Participants from 25 countries

In terms of the number of countries from which exhibitors and participants come, the fair returns to pre-pandemic levels this year. PLACE2GO will bring together exhibitors and B2B workshop participants from three continents - Europe, Asia and Africa - and in total, representatives from 25 countries will participate in the exhibition and business program.

"The return of the fair in terms of the number and structure of exhibitors to the level of 2019 was long and thorny. Croatia is a small market, so after the pandemic, foreign exhibitors first returned to the world's largest fairs. That is why our recovery took a little longer. This year we can say that we have reached that level again. Unfortunately, the world's circumstances are still very dynamic, so this year we also faced the consequences of the war in the Middle East, which is why some exhibitors had to cancel their attendance. We hope that the situation will stabilize and that at the next fair in 2027 we will again host exhibitors from Ukraine and the Middle East", said the director of the fair, Damjana Domanovac.

The organizers are particularly pleased that 110 Croatian exhibitors will participate in this year's fair, of which 46 are tourist boards. This, the organizers point out, is the fruit of the long-standing efforts of the organizing team in their efforts to achieve a balance between domestic and foreign exhibitors and further valorize the potential of domestic guests.

This year, the fair will once again be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Croatian National Tourist Board, the City of Zagreb, the Zagreb Tourist Board and the Croatian Chamber of Economy.

The biggest B2B workshop so far

The first day of the fair is traditionally reserved for business meetings of the tourism industry. This year, a record number of participants from Africa, Asia and Europe have registered, and the list of registered participants is growing daily as applications for business visitors are open until March 20th.

Business meetings will be held in a special pavilion 7A, as well as at the exhibition stands in the exhibition area, on March 20th from 10 am to 16 pm. Over the years, numerous business collaborations have begun at the PLACE2GO fair, which is why this event is ranked among the most important business tourism meetings in Croatia.

A rich program on the big stage

One of the trademarks of the fair this year will be a rich program of lectures and panels that will be held throughout all three days.

Friday is traditionally reserved for professional topics, so visitors will have the opportunity to hear an analysis of Croatian tourism results in 2025 and expectations for 2026, as well as discussions on the development of tourism in Zagreb and the growing interest of young travelers in green tourism in Slovenia.

Saturday and Sunday bring travel stories, experiences of bloggers and influencers from different parts of the world. Visitors will be able to listen to stories about the Philippines, the legendary American route Route 66 and Gambia, learn how to get to know Africa through volunteering, and how challenging but also inspiring it is to travel with children.

Traditionally, visitors can expect a rich prize competition, and the prize pool includes trips and various travel accessories.

Over 20 campers in pavilion 8

On Saturday and Sunday, camping and active vacation enthusiasts will also be in for a treat. In Pavilion 8, visitors will be able to view more than 20 campers, purchase camping equipment, and learn about the most beautiful green weekend destinations in Croatia and Slovenia.

At the fair, it will also be possible to arrange rafting, kayaking, quad bike trips or zip-line adventures, and visitors will also receive the first information about the upcoming ski season and the offer of ski equipment.

High school students host foreign exhibitors

The fair organizers, PLACE2GO doo, in collaboration with the Zagreb High School for Hotel Management and Tourism, have once again included students in the organization of the event. Twenty-five students majoring in hotel management will host foreign exhibitors and assist them in their daily tasks during the fair.

At the same time, students will have the opportunity to meet international exhibitors, their companies, and the way in which tourist destinations and products are presented on the global market.

Fair opening hours and tickets

The PLACE2GO fair is open to visitors for three days, from March 20th to 22nd - on Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 19 pm, and on Sunday until 18 pm. The Camping & Outdoor fair is held on Saturday and Sunday at the same time.

Tickets can be purchased via the Entrio platform or at the entrance to the fair, and prices range from 4 to 10 euros, depending on the category and number of days. Children under seven years of age and people with disabilities have free admission.

Source and photo: PLACE2GO