English Gateways to Regions Cities Joyful, Heritage and Happening Destination Manual #VisitCzechRepublic editionedition 2019 2018 Travel to the Czech Republic! Dear Colleagues and Partners, CzechTourism, an agency founded by the Ministry of CzechTourism Regional Development, operates in the field of tourism as a client-focused marketing agency with the goal of promoting the Czech Republic as an attractive destination for tourists. The basic objectives also include strengthening competitiveness and prestige of the “Czech Republic” brand, both on for you the international and domestic markets. CzechTourism traditionally cooperates with international, national and regional event organisers, and prepares professional seminars, workshops and training sessions. The successful presentation of the Czech The Institute of Tourism monitors the development and trends in tourism in the Czech Republic and abroad, cooperates Republic as a tourist destination with the academic sphere and evaluates the effectiveness and contribution of the agency activities for tourism in the Czech in domestic and foreign markets has Republic. been the mission of CzechTourism We manage the activities of an international network of twenty- three international representations that implement 360° and its foreign offices for 25 years. destination marketing on more than forty world markets. We focus on product management, implement the Czech Service Quality System project, promote and initiate marketing and commercial measures in the field of MICE and strive The most important products of tourism in the Czech Republic to continuously expand our partner portfolio. Cooperation are presented in the form of packages that can be offered to with public and private subjects and business partnerships in international tour operators in the long term, or they can be the Czech Republic and abroad are a priority for us. used as a source of inspiration to create your own products and packages. The Czech Republic is a country with one of Which areas of cooperation are we offering? This publication, designed as a practical tool and information the longest spa traditions in Europe, as well as a country that material for mutual business cooperation, has been created for offers many opportunities to enjoy sports, whether as active you: our partners. This year’s Destination Manual is dedicated participants, or passive spectators. The Czech Republic is a — Sourcing, supporting and coordinating marketing activities in domestic and foreign markets to the national products of tourism: cities, cycling tourism country with a rich cultural history and unique architecture, — Organization of over 80 trade fairs worldwide each year and therapeutic spas. Let me invite you not only to Prague, which you can enjoy in all the Czech regions. — 23 foreign offices operating in more than 40 countries a prominent tourist destination, but also to Brno, Ostrava, — Implementation of roadshows, workshops and round tables for B2B partners Olomouc, Karlovy Vary, Kutná Hora, Litomyšl, Liberec, or I believe that our publication will be a valuable tool for your — Coordination of press and fam trips – participation in hundreds of trips for foreign journalists Kroměříž. business activities. and tour operators in a year — Organization of regular meetings with the regional and B2B partners, support of significant events Monika Palatková — Publishing promotional materials about the Czech Republic – dozens of publications in various language versions Managing Director of CzechTourism — Supporting research and educational activities — Media presentation of the Czech Republic and the tourism industry Interested: www.czechtourism.com All CzechTourism edition in one place: www.czechtourism.com/trade-sites/ Cover photos: Olomouc, Brno www.czechtourism.com 1 Tourism is an important and dynamically Accommodation capacity in 2017 developing economic sector of the Czech Facilities Rooms Beds Total 9,007 205,324 526,788 Republic. The range of tourist attractions Hotel ***** 61 6,905 13,579 Tourism in the is wide and varied, with the quality of Hotel **** 653 39,725 80,221 tourism services ever improving. Plenty Other hotels and guesthouses 5,253 90,688 223,561 of enjoyment awaits not only lovers Campsites 515 9,091 33,473 of exploring, good food and unique Chalet parks and tourist hostels 973 17,334 61,405 Czech Republic experiences, but also sports enthusiasts, Others 1,552 41,581 114,549 business people or those seeking high- quality spa care. Arrivals to the CAE 2017 Average length of stay (days) Total 20,000,561 Total 3.66 Domestic 9,840,093 Domestic 3.74 Foreign 10,160,468 Foreign 3.58 Overnight stays Total 53,219,395 The product line Spas offers traditional treatment 6th Ranked the 6th safest destination out of 163 Domestic 26,962,382 processes of the oldest European spas in connection with the countries in the world Foreign 26,257,013 Product Lines natural therapeutic resources guaranteed by the indications list of the Ministry of Health – mineral springs, peat, natural gas, and climate. Czech spas are evenly distributed throughout 12 historical sites on the UNESCO Heritage List Foreign guests at collective accommodation establishments (CAE) The Czech Republic is represented by four product lines: the country, and thus offer a diverse range of treatment by country 2017 options. The Czech spa industry is characterised by world- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: 1) Cultural Tourism class experts and by high quality of treatment guaranteed by Country Number of guests Average length of stay 5 traditions (Slovácko Verbuňk, Shrovetide, 1. Germany 1,962,582 3.9 international certifications (EuropeSpa, EuropeSpa med, TÜV Falconry, Kings‘ Ride, Puppetry) 2) Active Tourism SÜD, ISO standards, etc.). The product Medical Tourism 2. Slovakia 681,917 3.0 represents a high standard of treatments provided in 3. Poland 575,643 3.1 3) Spas and Medical Tourism combination with short waiting times and affordable prices. 6 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves 4. Russia 548,318 5.7 (nearly 6 % of total area) 5. U. S. A. 540,572 3.4 4) MICE The Spas and Medical Tourism product line offers five 6. China 489,845 2.5 exceptionally interesting spa places within a very diverse Over 200 castles, chateaux 7. UK 470,106 3.5 The product lines are based on the main motivation of range: from the oldest spa in Central Europe, through the spa 8. Republic of Korea 415,555 2.6 our target segments, and align both with the demand of with the cleanest air in the Central European Region, sulphur 9. Italy 389,578 3.7 tour operators and the supply of our business partners and mud spas, to a spa lying in the highest Czech mountains. More than 40 protected historical towns and the regions themselves. The individual product lines All the recommended Czech spas are of the highest global 10. Austria 291,126 3.0 complement each other, and together they create a powerful renown with international quality certification. The offer of spa Sources: Czech Statistical Office (czso.cz); 33 spas synergetic effect with considerable pro-business potential. and wellness services is accompanied with interesting trips, Global Peace Index both educational and entertaining. This year’s Cultural Tourism product line primarily More than 100 golf courses Giant focuses on selected cities. Regional cities as gateways to The MICE product line is provided by the Czech Mountains the regions have a high potential in tourism, just like the Convention Bureau. Its main purpose is to promote the selected Prague district for this year. They offer a wide range of Czech Republic effectively as an ideal destination for holding 4 national parks and 26 protected Global Geopark landscape areas (nearly 16 % of total area) Bohemian adventure, from historic to modern architectural sites, through conferences and incentive events. Paradise 5 Opočno unusual expositions, fun parks, events and festivals, attractive countryside, regional gastronomy, to the opportunities to learn 12 mountain ranges higher than 1,000 meters Křivoklátsko 4 Chrudim Region Praha Hlinsko about the lifestyle of young and creative people in the Czech Kutná Litomyšl Republic. Hora 2 Over 40,000 km of walking trails Žďár nad Sázavou Olomouc The product line Active Tourism represents a top-class Telč range of services in the field of golf. Czech Mountains Holašovice Kroměříž Over 44,000 km of cycling routes Třebíč Brno and mountain resorts with very good infrastructure both 3 White Bohemian Český 1 Carpathians in summer and winter seasons offer a varied programme, Lower Vlčnov Forest Krumlov Strážnice especially for families with children. Czech Trails represent Over 480 km of ski slopes Morava Lednice a wide range of sports options, a dense network of walking Valtice and cycling markers, long-distance cycling routes Over 3,540 km of cross-country ski trails connected to the European network, and wine trails. 12 historical sites on the UNESCO Heritage List This year’s Active Tourism product line primarily focuses Over 320 km covered with artificial snow 5 UNESCO intangible heritage on selected regions that provide excellent opportunities for cycling tourism in the first place, and for hiking as well. They 1 – Slovácko Verbuňk Carrying capacity of 466,000 persons/hour 2 – Shrovetide door-to-door processions and masks in the villages are regions that attract with both the diversity and ruggedness of the Hlinecko area of the countryside, and with the historic sites and other leisure 3 – Ride of the Kings in the south-east of the Czech Republic