Opening Up Possibilities

Czech Tourism’s director for North America is floating the possibility of a reopened tourist board office in this country, saying he believes interest in this country in the Czech Republic justifies a re-established presence, reports Ian Stalker in this week’s digital edition of Canadian Travel Press.

Jiri Duzar notes the Czech Republic had a Toronto-based office but it was closed several years ago, a move he attributes to a wish by tourism authorities to reallocate finances to particularly promising markets.

Duzar now handles Canadian promotions from his New York office.

But Duzar notes that Canada sent 80,000 visitors to the Czech Republic last year, which compares well to the some 450,000 Americans who visited given the size of the US population.

Duzar adds he expects the number of Canadians visiting his homeland this year will see a further increase, in part because of its hosting this year’s world hockey championships.

“I think opening an office [in Canada] would mean a significant increase [in Canadian visitors],” he told Canadian Travel Press.

Duzar plans to propose re-opening the office to his colleagues during a board meeting next year and hopes that if it’s agreed to an office could be in place shortly after.

For the full story, check out this week’s digital edition of Canadian Travel Press by clicking here.