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On 7 and 8 March the Trafford Centre will host “Enjoy the Sardinia Experience”: two open days for getting a taste of all the island’s charm. 64 firms selected to represent the best of Sardinia: from its wine & food to its archaeological and natural heritage, from sports to wellness Manchester, 6 March 2009 – Manchester and then Paris and Stuttgart: these are the stopovers included in a plan to favour tourism in Europe promoted by the Tourism Section of the Manufacturers’ Association of Northern Sardinia, in conjunction with the Sardinia Regional Tourism Department for the event in Manchester and with the main public authorities of Northern Sardinia for the stopovers in Paris and Stuttgart. 3 key European stages leading up to a final event to be launched in Sardinia at the end of April, and which are aimed at capturing the attention of the international press and boosting the flow of tourists to what is considered one of the wildest and most alluring regions of the Mediterranean. Manchester, which already hosted a promotion event in 2008 in collaboration with the municipalities of Alghero and Olbia and the Province of Olbia Tempio, is inaugurating the 2009 tour as a focal point of the British market, which for Sardinia represents an extremely important source of demand with large potentialities for growth. Today Britain ranks second after Germany as far as international arrivals in the region are concerned, but accounts for a share of only 12% of total foreign demand. The policy of developing incoming tourism has already led to an upgrading of infrastructure in recent years, with reinforced links between the three Sardinian airports and major cities in Britain (London, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool), and Sardinian airport operators are actively seeking to attract new airlines. In addition to maintaining and developing new air routes toward the cities of Sardinia, the promotion plan aims to confront the international downturn in demand by consolidating the market shares achieved up to today in terms of tourist flows from abroad and from Great Britain in particular. Luisanna Depau, Sardinia’s outgoing Regional Councillor for Tourism: “In the past 4 years we have witnessed a constant growth in tourism: in 2007 we were the Italian region with the highest percentage increase and growth continued in 2008, despite a world economic situation that wasn’t particularly favourable. 2009 has begun with an equally delicate economic situation, so our main objective is first of all to consolidate tourism flows from abroad. It should not be forgotten, however, that the tourism industry has seen a general trend in the spending propensity of consumers which seems to protect purchases of goods tied to leisure time, relaxation and well-being, of individuals and their families. This consideration, together with the strong development of international links planned for 2009, makes us especially optimistic about the possibility of attracting new There were over 12 million visitors to the island in 2008 (+1.1% vs. 2007) and a total of nearly 12 million passengers who passed through the main Sardinian airports, led by Cagliari, which reached a level of +10% compared to the previous year. Cinzia Callegari, President of the Tourism Section of the Manufacturers’ Association of Northern Sardinia: “the north central area of the United Kingdom is already well linked to our island by various airports from which numerous airline companies operate (Jet2.com, EasyJet, RyanAir, British Airways) and in the upcoming months two additional flights will be started up by Jet2.com from Manchester and Edinburgh. This means that in just over two hours of flying people can reach an island capable of satisfying every travel experience and welcoming travellers with the finest hotel and restaurant facilities and the widest variety of offerings.” Stefano Lubrano, President of Confindustria Nord Sardegna: "in an extremely negative economic period, Sardinian businesses are facing up to the international tourism market, and more specifically the British market, with an awareness that consolidating positions in such an important market requires investment and a focus on strategic areas like Manchester". Visitors to the Trafford Centre will be welcomed by 64 Sardinian firms that will offer a two-day full immersion into the fascinating appeal of one of the most enchanting and surprising islands in the world. From its long stretches of white sand lapped by a crystal-clear sea to its wild inland landscapes, from its rich archaeological and cultural heritage to its natural, protected beauties, from its cities, capitals of the 8 Sardinian provinces, to its towns and villages replete with charm and suggestiveness that time has left unchanged, from its forests, ideal places for trekking, to its caves and grottoes, from its lakes and pools, classified by the Ramsar International Convention as natural sites to be protected, to its national parks, set up to facilitate excursionists’ walks: with its thousand faces and landscapes, Sardinia can offer an incomparable travel experience, right in the heart of the Mediterranean. For those who like to indulge in food & wine travel experiences, the tradition of Sardinian cuisine offers an equally varied choice: simple, but rich in a variety of masterfully combined natural ingredients, Sardinian cuisine satisfies even the most demanding palates with a burst of flavours and aromas for every season. Sports and wellness define other itineraries with highly excellent, extremely varied offerings. The island’s thermal waters boast a thousand-year history which is rooted in the Nuraghic civilisation, devoted to the worship of water, and extends up to today’s society, devoted to well-being. In Sardara, Fordongianus, Benetutti and Tempio, Sardinia offers visitors the pleasure of a holiday centred on relaxation and wellness, with highly attractive spas and thermal facilities guaranteeing the highest standards of service. The ideal setting for every type of sport, Sardinia leaves travellers spoilt for choice: from golf to sailing, from scuba diving to snorkelling, from horseback riding to trekking, to excursions on fishing boats. Sardinia can boast some of Italy’s most beautiful golf courses, like the Pevero Golf Club in Porto Cervo, which landscape architect Robert Trent Jones considers his personal masterpiece, and which is without doubt among the most beautiful in the world for the stupendous panorama it offers; the Is Arenas Golf & Country club, designed by architect Robert van Hagge, and the Golf club Is Molas, in the south of the island, just a few kilometres from the sea of Pula, considered by experts to be one of the few authentic championship courses existing in Italy. Sailing fans undoubtedly recognise Sardinia as being among the most famous shrines of this sport worldwide. On this island aficionados can find ideal conditions for sailing – jagged coasts, small coves waiting to be discovered, a tourist harbour offering a wealth of services and above all constant winds – as well as some of the most important sailing events, which each year draw thousands of top-level professionals and yachts. In recent times fishing tourism has also become increasingly popular: it offers tourists a chance to stay on fishing boats as guests, alongside the crew, and fully experience the emotions of an activity marked by direct contact with the sea. The varied morphology of the coastline and the different quality species that Sardinia’s sea offers, accompanied by a great culture of fish cuisine, make fishing tourism a unique occasion, not to be missed if one wishes to fully savour the flavours of Sardinia. Finally, there is an extremely lively array of cultural events: from the season of the Cagliari Opera House to the Tavolara Film Festival which, together with the “Time in Jazz” festival in Berchidda, livens up the island in the summer. For any further information: Carl Byoir & Associates +39 02 3314593 Annalisa Nunziata – annalisa.nunziata@carlbyoir.com |
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