Charo Trabado, Director General of GSAR Marketing

We’ve talked to Charo Trabado, Director General of GSAR Marketing, in order to weigh up the 18th edition of MITM Euromed, which took place in Cádiz. She asserts that the result has been quite positive and the destination chosen was a success.

What does GSAR Marketing make of this edition held in Cádiz? Have the objectives and expectations been fulfilled?

It’s been a resounding success, despite the difficulties faced to bring the people here because of the problems we had we international flights, but it seems that this airlift matter is going to be solved in July, since Vueling and Ryanair will be flying to Jerez de la Frontera.

Holding the 18th edition of MITM Euromed here has been a great idea as the buyers have had the opportunity to get to know the interesting things this province has to offer, with the incentive of knowing that there is going to be a fine international airlift soon. This province was an unknown place for most of them. Some of these visitors had already been to Andalusia, but they hadn’t visited Cádiz.

Cádiz is a destination that totally fulfills the needs and expectations of the buyers that attended the event. Beyond the cultural and historical richness of the province, if features gastronomy, beaches… It was a slam dunk for the destination, and the institutions are very happy with the result. The exhibitors have described this edition as one of the best they have attended.

The support provided by the institutions in the province and entrepreneurs from the region has played a key role to organize everything related to MITM Euromed. This time round, the post-event fam trips have been exclusively carried out in the province.

We made a worldwide promotion, not only of the fair, but the destination; counting on the support of the institutions is basic, indispensable, but private entrepreneurs are also important, and they have also worked to have this edition held here, since they understand that the promotion concept applied by GSAR Marketing on the destination and its worth to their own products, services, facilities…

During the opening press conference, Dr. Inmaculada Olivero, who’s the Tourism County Councilor of Cádiz, said that this was the right moment to hold this event. Do you think that Cádiz can stand as an important spot on the MICE sector’s map?

MICE tourism is important to all destinations. Cádiz wasn’t prepared to be a MICE destination, it lacked of infrastructures, training for the private industry and a group of factors. But they have realized that the sun-and-beach tourism is not enough and, taking into account the seasonality of the service, they are also focusing their efforts and product on the MICE sector.

Cádiz is presently an example of promotion and adaptation of a province to the needs and requirements of MICE tourism.

Where is the 19th edition of MITM Euromed going to take place?

There are several proposals on the table, not only in Spain, but other European destinations that are trying to attract the 2015 edition. I think that we’ll be able to tell you more on this after the summer.