ITB Berlin News 2019 - Day 1 Edition

42 SPECIAL FEATURE

42 SPECIAL FEATURE TRANSPORT AVIS BUDGET GROUP ACQUIRES TURISCAR WE ARE PRESENTING IMPORTANT INNOVATIONS TO THE GLOBAL PUBLIC IN LINE WITH THE MOBILITY OF THE FUTURE. Regine Sixt Senior Executive Vice President, Sixt International Avis Budget Group, Inc. comes to ITB Berlin sporting a new shop front in Western Europe. Late in 2018, the group acquired Turiscar Group, the leading organisation in Portugal with two distinct brands: Turiscar, a well-respected rental provider primarily in the corporate market, including light commercial vehicles; and a sister brand, Turisprime, focused on leisure and tourism business. The acquisition adds approximately 3,000 vehicles to Avis Budget Group’s network in Portugal and is a key step in strengthening its commitment to the local market. Mark Servodidio, President, International, Avis Budget Group commented: “Following the recent acquisitions of Morini in Italy and ACL in the UK, this acquisition marks another step in our international expansion strategy and demonstrates the pace and momentum in the region and we look forward to continuing this progress” Hall 9 / Stand 101a-b SIXT: Changing the mobility paradigm Mobility is currently undergoing a massive change - and so is the understanding of mobility. We asked Regine Sixt, Senior Executive Vice President, Sixt International how her company is adapting. Our customers no longer want fixed and separate products, but rather highly flexible solutions that reflect their current mobility needs. Sixt has the particular strength to offer this kind of mobility from a single source and to make it easily accessible. Our customers can rely on receiving premium services at all times. How is Sixt developing on the international scene? Our international expansion is constantly progressing - whether in Europe, the USA or other parts of the world. We are expanding our presence and our services, always with the aim of achieving optimum customer benefit. So travellers around the world can be confident that they will find our orange and black colours at their preferred destination and arrive comfortably and safely at their destination. Chauffeured Services are becoming more important in the mobility market. What is the Sixt approach? We recognised this development at an early stage and are pursuing an integrated approach. Whether chauffeur service, transfer service, ondemand service or Ride Hailing - our customers can fall back on Sixt for any need, simply at any time and from any place. In this way, we always offer the best solution for the current need. What are you primarily promoting this year at ITB Berlin? Of course, as every year, we present our premium services, which keep travellers mobile worldwide. At the same time, we are presenting important innovations to the global public in line with the mobility of the future. You are all cordially invited to visit our stand. Our employees and I are very much looking forward to you Hall 9 / Stand 121 ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 6 th March 2019 www.itb-berlin-news.com

SPECIAL FEATURE CYCLING TOURISM 43 © TMV Gaensicke © TMV Gaensicke Get on your bike! Promoting the Baltic Sea Cycle Route and joint efforts to promote EuroVelo10 @ ITB Berlin 2019 BALTIC SEA CYCLE ROUTE – CONTINUOUS CYCLING WITHOUT LIMITS ON HIGH QUALITY CYCLING ROUTE This year’s ITB Berlin Convention will play host to a special session aiming for the Baltic Sea Cycle Route to become a well-connected, high quality and internationally recognised cycle route by 2030 and to strengthen natural and cultural resources. Indeed, according to a study commissioned by the European Parliament in 2012, cycle tourism trips in Europe amount to more than 2.2 billion annually and have with e 40bn a considerable impact on EU economy. Bike tourism is one of the most important branches of tourism industry in Europe that is based on exploiting landscape and cultural resources. Appropriate tools to measure the impact of cycling tourism in the Baltic Sea region do not exist yet. However, a noticeable increase in the demand for bicycle tourism products lead partners across borders to a closer touristic exchange. The rapprochement process aims to develop joint efforts to promote the Baltic Sea Cycle Route in order to improve connectivity, quality and visibility of the cycle path. In 2018, comprehensive data on the Baltic Sea Cycle Route in Denmark, Germany and Poland were collected and evaluated. The available data provides information on the status quo of the Baltic Sea Cycle Route and serves as basis for future strategic objectives and actions around the Baltic Sea. The survey and in connection collected data is an experience in the running system for cycle tourism and is going to deliver future recommendations. As a result, the development of a strategy paper for the entire Baltic Sea Cycle Route was put on track defining a vision for the year 2030 and the necessary requirements to implement it. The experts debate aims to make the Baltic Sea Cycle Route better known and reveal ideas on how to become a model for internationalisation of cycle tourism routes. It indicates how working on common challenges can bring mutual benefits for the cycle tourism industry in and between Baltic Sea regions. Even EuroVelo routes provide an opportunity to connect seaside regions and create an interesting tourist offer based on their cultural attractiveness, displaying their identity and history. A particular focus is on better connectivity between countries, improved and more equally distributed quality standards Category: Deep Dive Panel Discussion Date: March 6, 2019 Time: 11:00 am - 11:45 am Location: City Cube Hall A International Tourism Fair (ITB) 2019 / Berlin PODIUM GUESTS • Marta Chelkowska Director, Departement of Tourism in the Marshal’s Office of Pomorskie Voivodeship / President Pomorskie Tourist Board • Jesper Pørksen Director, Dansk Cykelturisme • Carolin Ristau Marketing and Public Relations, Mecklenburger Radtour • Ádám Bodor Advocacy and EuroVelo Director, European Cyclists’ Federation • Moderation: Fong Choo Leong Bicycle Tourism Officer, German Cyclists’ Association (ADFC) ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 6 th March 2019