Successful start for Stuttgart's holiday fair
- Written by Portal Editor
The travel experts' predictions for the tourism year 2025 seem to be more than coming true - at least after the first CMT weekend: Germans can hardly wait to travel.
"And the CMT is once again the trend barometer for the industry," says Roland Bleinroth, Managing Director of Messe Stuttgart.
Around 71,000 visitors came to the Stuttgart exhibition centre on the first weekend and found out about the latest holiday and caravanning trends. "An excellent start for this year's CMT and for our exhibitors. The atmosphere is overwhelming." Not only in the tourism sector, but also in the camping and caravanning halls. "The number of visitors here is also enormous, and interest in this type of holiday and the many new products remains very high," confirms Bleinroth on Sunday evening. The time to buy is ideal because "the desired vehicles are available, innovative, and the prices should also make customers feel positive."
Around 71,000 visitors at the CMT on the first weekend / Outdoor trade fair for bicycle and hiking trips as a crowd puller
This year's partners of the Stuttgart holiday fair are also in a good mood. The representatives of the CMT partner country India were more than impressed by the great interest in the tourist treasures of the subcontinent. The offers from this year's cultural partner, the European Capital of Culture 2025 Chemnitz with the Chemnitz. Zwickau.Region, also attracted many visitors and ensured beaming faces at the exhibition stand. Bookings have already been made in good numbers, after all, there are some special exhibition offers for vehicles, travel and accessories.
Great interest in the offers in the outdoor hall
There was a rush in exhibition hall 9, where the outdoor trade fair Bicycle and Hiking Travel is taking place until Monday, January 20th. "The atmosphere in our outdoor hall is great. Visitors are in lively contact with exhibitors and receive advice on current models and travel offers," says Alexander Ege, Director of the Stuttgart Holiday Fairs. The bicycle course is very well received: around 1000 test rides were counted on the fenced-in hall area over two days of the trade fair.
The mood at the stands of the partners of Bicycle and Hiking Travel is also positive. Kathleen Lumma, Managing Director of the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) Baden-Württemberg, summed up the trade fair: "The hall of the subsidiary trade fair Bicycle and Hiking Travel was packed - despite the S-Bahn problems. Here at the CMT you can find everything to do with cycling: from the perfect touring bike to equipment and navigation to breakdown assistance.
The atmosphere is great, it's worth a visit! You can be fully inspired and experience the world of cycling until tomorrow, Monday, in Hall 9." As for the trends, Lumma said: "Cycling has long meant more than just riding along the river with panniers. Whether on a mountain bike or gravel bike on natural paths or on guided tours in Southeast Asia - the possibilities are endless. But there are also many hidden gems to discover at home, be it in the Black Forest or on the Swabian Alb. There is always something new at the CMT Bicycle and Hiking Travel: sustainable bike manufacturers, individually adapted touring bikes and lots of fresh inspiration. It's worth a visit!"
Annette Schramm, General Manager of the Swabian Alb Association, could only agree: "The CMT is one of the most important dates of the year for us. Here we present our topics of hiking, home and nature, offer hiking advice and are available to answer all questions about our association. Since our founding in 1888, we have been the largest hiking association in Baden-Württemberg and one of the largest in Europe with over 80,000 members - with an offer that has something for everyone." The atmosphere at the trade fair was very nice, with particularly great interest in the hiking programs, hiking lodges and towers as well as in the hiking products. "Demand shows that hiking is still a big hit!" There are two major trends in hiking: "On the one hand, long-distance hiking, where long distances are covered in a sporty way, and on the other hand, wellness hiking, which combines mindfulness with nature experiences such as forest bathing. Awareness of nature conservation is also growing steadily. That's why we offer programs for topics such as orchards and flower meadows - nature conservation right on your doorstep."
This is how it continues This is how it continues
On Monday morning (January 20), the Baden-Württemberg Tourism Day, the largest tourism congress in the country, will take place. And in the afternoon, the Future Tourism Congress will celebrate its premiere. It offers insights into the latest developments and innovations in the tourism industry. Experts will discuss future trends, sustainable travel and technological advances that are set to revolutionize travel behaviour. For fans of golf, cruises and wellness, the stands for golf and wellness travel as well as cruise and ship travel (January 23 to 26) will be available from Thursday (January 23). The youngest subsidiary of the CMT, "Die Selbstausbau", will celebrate its premiere and will take place in parallel.
The CMT, the world's largest public trade fair for tourism and leisure, will run until Sunday, January 26, 2025. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; admission from 9 a.m. More information at https://www.messe-stuttgart.de/cmt/
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