My name is Harry Trimbos. As Manager European Projects at the Tourist Board of South-Limburg, the Netherlands, I had the privilige to give a presentation on NECSTouR at the Conference on EU-China 2018 Year of Tourism that took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, on the 27th and 28th of April 2017. I was able to convey the clear message that not only is NECSTouR more that prepared to join the Joint Promotion Platform for the ECYT but essential in coördinating the communication and promotional efforts between the regions as to the ECYT.

The audience of 200 invitees consisted of representatives of hospitality companies, of tourism marketing and travel organisations, of the European Parliament, of national and local government bodies. And of course the special guests representing the interests of Chinese tourism: minister, ambassadors, a business delegation, Shanghai TV. We were given many inspiring presentations, amongst others by Mr. Tim Fairhurst/ETOA (European Tour Operators Association) and Mrs. Teodora Marinska/ETC (European Travel Commission).

As a case in point I could then present how the Tourist Board of South-Limburg, the Netherlands, together with NECSTouR and other European regions, are operating in a joint fashion to stimulate tourism in and towards our respective regions. And that we have already started working on a strategy to get our region ready for receiving Chinese tourists. As a Destination Marketing Organization we are working closely with our three stakeholders on the Provincial level, municipality level (18 cities) and local level ( our inhabitants and guests ).

We now hope to be given the go-ahead for this absolutely essential project ECYT 2018 in order to create the Joint Promotion Platform.

A big thank you to Mr. Andrey Novakov, Member of the European Parliament, Vice-chair of the REGI Committee, and his team for the professionalism with which they have organized this conference and have given all of us a very warm welcome.

Harry Trimbos

Manager European Projects

Tourist Board South-Limburg

Valkenburg aan de Geul

The Netherlands