ANWB Reizen/Fox has had a good Trade Day, but there is no need for a second Trade Day, says Gert-Jan Bressers, director of Tours at ANWB Reizen/Fox. ‘I was pleased to hear that the number of visitors to the Vakantiebeurs had increased again. This is an important signal to the market and consumers during this period. The Trade Day was very good for us given the relaunch of the Fox brand and the fact that we were able to reflect on this with our relations. In addition, there was also a lot of enthusiasm for the drinks at the ANWB stand, so we look back on that with a good feeling.’ Bressers: ‘We still have to evaluate the consumer days properly, but they seem positive. We have had many good conversations at both ANWB and Fox, very focused on orientation and already see the first bookings coming out of that this week. This time, our approach was not aimed at direct conversion at the fair, despite the fact that there were good bookings. In addition, we are also very satisfied with the feedback from old and potential new customers on the relaunch of Fox during the consumer days. We see that there is a demand for the brand and our product. The bookings have started very well, despite the fact that we have only been live for almost a month. I do wonder whether the grant will remain sustainable in this form in the future, but that is a subject that we will take into account in our own evaluation.’ When asked what he thinks of a second Trade Day, Bressers says: ‘In my view, there is no need to create a second Trade Day. You see that many suppliers are often still at the fair on Thursday and it is fine to talk to suppliers during the first consumer day. Especially along the edges of the days, when it is not so busy at the fair. And ultimately, I think that the approach of the fair should be aimed at consumers and not at supplier conversations. You have plenty of other opportunities to do that during the year.’
Will ANWB/Fox be able to recoup its investment in three consumer days instead of four? Bressers: ‘In my opinion, every organisation has to reconsider this every year, comparing the objectives you want to achieve with the costs of such an event. I can’t say anything about that for the future.’ Also read: Fox’s comeback.Photo: Gert-Jan Bressers with Anja van Overbeeke and Bo van Loon, jointly responsible for sales & marketing (Archive photo TravMagazine).
