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Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina participated at the 9th Danube Salon during ITB 2024 in Berlin

Promoting Tourism and Cooperation at the Danube Region Event

April 10th, 2024
Snejana Melnic, News from Berlin
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During the world's largest tourism trade fair, ITB 2024, the 9th Danube Salon took place in Berlin, showcasing Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, among other countries. This event was held at the provincial representative office of the Federal German State of Baden-Württemberg, located at Tiergartenstrasse 15, 10785 Berlin.

The salon attracted around 400 guests from various sectors, including Berlin's public, social, political, and economic spheres as well as the broader Federal Republic of Germany. This gathering is part of an annual series held during ITB Berlin, aimed at facilitating and promoting tourist exchanges between Danube countries.

The opening of the 9th Danube Salon 2024 in Berlin was marked by an address from Florian Hassler, State Secretary in the Ministry of State, representing the state of Baden-Württemberg to the EU and special envoy for the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. Following the opening speech by Dr. Kai-Olaf Lang from the Foundation for Science and Politics, a panel discussion was moderated by Mrs. Marieluise Beck of the Center for Liberal Modernity.

This year's Danube Salon focused on the theme "Shaping the future of the Danube region: Why EU enlargement is important for the EU". The participation of Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina at the event underscored their commitment to deepening economic, cultural, tourism, and scientific cooperation within the Danube region. The presence of Ambassadors Gordan Bakota from Croatia and Damir Arnaut from Bosnia & Herzegovina, alongside embassy staff, highlighted the importance of this event.

Notable attendees included Romeo Draghicchio, the director of the Croatian National Tourist Board in Germany, and Miodrag Lončarević, the director of the Tourist Organization of Republika Srpska, BiH. The 9th Danube Salon aimed to present the countries of the Danube region and foster cooperation in economy, tourism, education, and culture.

The event is part of a nine-year tradition organized by the representative office of Baden-Württemberg in Berlin, coinciding with ITB Berlin. It serves as a platform for countries along the Danube, including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina, to showcase their tourist attractions and potential.

The Danube Salon emphasizes the importance of the Danube, the second-longest river in Europe and a vital international waterway. Highlighting the Danube's role in history and its significance today, the event underlines the river's importance to the countries it flows through or borders, including Croatia, which boasts a 137-kilometer stretch of the river.

This event continues to play a crucial role in promoting the Danube region. It offers a unique opportunity for countries to showcase their cultural and natural heritage while encouraging cooperation across multiple sectors.

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News from Berlin