The company Turkish Airlines organized a successful business workshop and presentation of Croatia and Slovenia for its business partners and tour operators. The presentation was held on 12th October in Beirut, Lebanon, in cooperation with the Croatian National Tourist Board, Dubrovnik Tourist Board, Zagreb Tourist Board and several Croatian and Slovenian tour operators. The programme consisted of educational presentations which familiarized the participants with the Croatian and Slovenian tourist offer. After the presentations a business workshop was held as well.

Following the introduction made by the Turkish Airlines representative about flights connecting Croatia and Slovenia with the Middle East, the Director of Special Presentations and Study Tours Division at the Croatian National Tourist Board, Renata Deželjin, gave a presentation on the rich cultural heritage, natural beauties and tourist offer in Croatia. Zagreb, as a tourist destination especially attractive during the winter months, was presented by the Director of the Zagreb Tourist Board Martina Bienenfeld.

The Head of Communication Department of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board Sandra Milovčević familiarized the participants with the beauties and the tourist offer of Dubrovnik. Her presentation focussed on the Dubrovnik Winter Festival and the excellent connection between Dubrovnik and Beirut during the winter months thanks to Turkish Airlines flights with layovers in Istanbul. During the winter months, there are flights four times a week, whereas during the summer flights are available every day. At the end of the presentation of Dubrovnik there was a special surprise which thrilled the participants: a video of Lebanon's most famous singer Najwa Karem which was filmed in Dubrovnik.

The workshop was attended by approximately fifty Lebanese tour operators as well as agencies ‘Penta’ and ‘Abacus’ from Zagreb and ‘Amathus’, ‘Gulliver Travel’ and ‘Supertours’ from Dubrovnik. After the educational presentation there was also a raffle for the participants. The Dubrovnik and Zagreb tourist boards ensured accommodation for the winner (Valamar Hotels in Dubrovnik), whereas Turkish Airlines covered the expenses of airline tickets. The company also sponsored airline tickets for all the Croatian participants. The winners in the raffle were the representatives of the Lebanese agencies ‘Aelos Travel’ and ‘CTS Travel’.

For Dubrovnik and Croatia, the Middle East is a relatively new market, but a very interesting and promising one, especially during the winter months, thanks to Turkish Airlines. Dubrovnik and Istanbul are connected by direct flights four times a week during the winter and there is an excellent connection to Beirut (the layover lasting only 2 hours). The presentation of Dubrovnik in Beirut will most certainly contribute to the increase in the number of arrivals from this new market.