Kea successfully participated in the international exhibition of yachts and marine tourism, which was held in MESSE exhibition space, in Düsseldorf, Germany from 21 to 29 January 2017.

NRW-Ministerpräsidentin Hannelore Kraft und Düsseldorfs Oberbürgermeister Thomas Geisel eröffneten am Samstag um 9:30 Uhr die 48. boot in Düsseldorf. Die feierliche Zeremonie mit dem traditionellen Glockenschlag Glasen war ein stimmungsvoller Auftakt zur weltweit größten Wassersportmesse. Kraft betonte, dass NRW mit seiner Vielzahl an Seen und Flüssen und 250 Kilometern an Wasserstraßen hervorragend für den Wassersport geeignet ist. Als Beispiel für ein gelungenes Konzept für ein gelungenes Naherholungsgebiet nannte sie den Dortmunder Phoenixsee, der auf dem Gelände eines ehemaligen Stahlwerkes angelegt wurde. Der künstliche See ist heute mit seiner modernen Marina sowohl bei Seglern als auch Elektro-Motorsportlern und Paddlern ein beliebtes Freizeitparadies. Die Ministerpräsidentin wünschte Ausstellern, Besuchern und Messemachern „Glück auf“ und „immer eine Handbreit Wasser unter dem Kiel“. Um 9:50 läutete das offizielle „ribbon cutting“, der Schnitt durch das blaue Band, durch Kraft, Geisel, boot-Präsident Robert Marx und Messechef Werner Matthias Dornscheidt den offiziellen Start in die boot 2017 ein. Bis zum 29. Januar präsentieren sich in Düsseldorf 1.800 Aussteller aus 70 Ländern mit ebenso vielen Booten in 17 Messehallen.

According to the organizer’s announcement (via the Greek general director Mr Petros Michelidakis) 242,000 visitors from the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, Germany, Russia, but also from North and South America and other countries visited the trade stands.

The stand of Kea’s Municipality was installed in the hall No. 3 (diving section) out of a total of 9 halls, where 800 exhibitors from 70 countries set out products and services of to attract professionals and consumers interested in marine tourism. The main theme of Kea’s stand was diving activities, while emphasis was also placed on the promotion of the island as a thematic tourism destination.

Kea was impressively welcomed, and greatly recognized, thanks to the International Conference on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Britannic, which took place in Kea last September. Within those 9 days about 1,000 leaflets were distributed to visitors requesting information, and 1,000 more to passengers and stands of other exhibitors.

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Το the fair’s success contributed also the reference that Düsseldorf’s Mayor made to Kea, at the opening of the Exhibition, as well as the personal contacts of Kea’s Mayor, Yiannis Evangelou, both with him and with the Consul General of the Hellenic Republic in Dusseldorf, Mr Gr. Delavekouras. Both of them highly enhanced the promotion of Kea in Boot and the work that has been done in the thematic forms of tourism that are offered on the island, with emphasis on marine tourism and diving activities.

Diving centers and skilled organizers from Europe showed special interest in organizing tourist packages in Kea. Many media showed also interest in media coverage of a visit on the island. Great role also played articles on Kea and the International Conference on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Britannic, since many visitors discovered the island through these publications.

On the occasion of this interest, informative visits to Kea are planned during this year’s tourist season.

Read the press release from Press Department boot Düsseldorf here.

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