The Prague brand is stronger than the Czech Republic. This needs to be used in the restoration of tourism, says the head of CzechTourism
The Prague brand is stronger than the Czech Republic, which, according to Herget, should be used. The long-term goal of the agency is to get tourists through the Czech capital and further into the country. Now, because of Hergeta, the situation has changed, and according to the crisis, they will be needed first and foremost in Prague.
“It is important to time it correctly when we are helping Prague as a city so that nice restaurants and hotels that Americans and Asians want to go to do not go bankrupt and then loosen up and put pressure on the regions,” said Herget.
According to Herget, rationality and emotionality will significantly split among foreign tourists due to the pandemic. It will be necessary to take both of these aspects into account in the campaigns. It will be necessary to influence the numbers and set the rules, but perhaps also people should imagine more places where they do not concentrate so much. Therefore, Prague can be a green city of life. Greenery and parks make up eight percent of its area, or almost four hectares, Herget said.
According to Herget, CzechTourism will launch a campaign to support the Czech Republic as soon as the situation eases, with an emphasis on Prague in the first phase. First, it will focus on the surrounding countries with a driving distance. However, according to Herget, the Czech Republic must not lose sight of the markets, which will remain hidden, even if the planning of direct flights is not so flexible and is planned for many years.
Immediate is not expected in this case, but it is an investment for the future. “The more direct lines you have, the more likely it is that wealthier clients will come to you,” added Herget.
The largest number of tourists to the Czech Republic traditionally come from Germany
The biggest tourists to the Czech Republic traditionally come from Germany, last year more than two million guests arrived from there. Last year, tourists from the United States of America ranked fifth in the number of visitors to the Czech Republic, followed by Russians. Korea finished ninth in the number of visitors who came to the country last year.
According to current assumptions, tourism consumption will drop by more than 50 percent to 139 billion crowns this year from last year’s 300 billion crowns. Last year, tourism accounted for three percent of the gross domestic product of the Czech Republic.