19.04.2018 Egészségére! Odysseia-in & Via Vino at IWINETC 2018 in Budapest

Egészségére! This is one of the very few words I know in Hungarian language, however it is an essential one, beacuse it means… Cheers! Moreover, it was relevant for the purpose of my third visit in Hungary – the major international wine tourism conference!

The country is located only 800km/500miles away from Bulgaria and is popular with its completely incomprehensible language! In addition Hungary was unknown wine travel destination for me – well, at least in the wine area we have something in common and namely the local variety Kadarka, known also in Bulgaria as Gamza…

We, Odysseia-in and Via Vino participated for third time in a row in the leading global event for the wine and culinary tourism industry – The International Wine Tourism Conference (IWINETC). After Catalunya (2016) and Sicilia (2017) this time was Budapest’s turn. The 10th Annual event was held on 10 & 11 April 2018 (+ Workshop on 12 April) in the capital of Hungary.

A few words about IWINETC…

The 3 day event delivers thought provoking professional education, an extensive exhibition area to discover wine travel destinations around the world and their wines, a focused business environment for tour operators to meet wine tourism experience providers and a chance to discover the wine tourism highlights of the host destination. Attended by approximately 300 professionals from more than 50 countries, it involves a programme of around 25 talks, workshops, panel discussions, tastings and symposiums as well as a vibrant social programme.

And it all started unsurprisingly on a boat on the Danube river! Adding a glass of Furmint and so many great people it turned into a pleasant kick-off of this intensive event in the bautiful city of Budapest…

I said above intensive and I mean it! Lots of discussions, panels, talks, networking events, exhibitors, exciting wines for tasting – not only from Hungary, but from Greece, Armenia, Spain, Italy, etc. Among the highlights I would like to mention the highly professional approach and presentation of Hungary as a wine and culinary travel destination lead by Zsombor Gal, the session “How to Thrive in the New Tourism Economy” – Felicity Carter (Australia), Treasure Hunting in Hungary (the traditional tasting of local wines, moderators: Ronn Wiegand MW & Agnes Herczeg).

Last but not least – the organization of the whole event was simply perfect. Thumbs up for Anthony Swift with his team and the Hungarian Tourism Board!

Of course, we found time to have a sip of excellent Hungarian wines and relax a bit, talking to friends from all over the world. By the way, Budapest is nowadays a quite busy tourist city (a huge change since my last visit more than 15 years ago)!

I attended the conference as a delegate, but also participated in the B2B Workshop in partnership with the new pearl of the Bulgarian wine map – Zornitza Family Estate – the first and only up to now Bulgarian member of Relais & Châteaux!

Bulgaria (I was the only representative from my country at the Workshop) has been presented thanks to Odysseia In & Via Vino Bulgaria; among friends, colleagues and partners from different regions – all of us enlightening this double magic, called WINE & TRAVEL around the world… During the lunch we had the pleasure to taste varous wines from distinctive wineries in Hungary, Armenia, Italy, Portugal, Greece and of course – Bulgaria (I have brought Syrah from Zornitza Family Estate and Mavrud from Manastira Winery – there is a limit of the bottles a delegate is allowd to bring).

During IWINETC I met wine travel agents from USA, Spain, Singapore, India, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Canada, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Georgia… And hopefully I have introduced successfully my country as an emerging and exciting wine and food travel destination. Now more people have a clue about the rich cultural heritage of our country, the long wine & culinary traditions and Via Vino various wine tours!

On the last day we had a day trip to Pannonhalma Archabbey (UNESCO Heritage Site) – Monastery + Winery. The latter surprised me positively thanks to its excellent wines! Surrounded by the nice and friendly Gerogian delegation, we had great time and a tasty gourmet lunch in the local modern restaurant. Special thanks to our partners from Wine a’More Travel agency and Timea Racsko for guiding us!