Vakantiebeurs 2015 in 10 selfies

Vakantiebeurs_2015_10With 117,000 visitors the Dutch Travel Convention Vakantiebeurs 2015 exceeded the organizers expectations (reported by nu.nl). It certainly felt crowded on some of the public days. As a travel professional and blogger this convention is my traditional start of the travel year. The convention consists of two parts: a two day professional conference and five public visitor days. Over the last years the Vakantiebeurs has slowly converted from a boring travel brochure exchange into a destination by itself. Together with my 14-year old daughter we turned our visit into a worldwide travel adventure in four hours, taking the challenge to capture the event in ten selfies. We were assisted by a selfie contest, with nine selfie spots posted at the convention floors, using the #selfievakantiebeurs hashtag. It wasn’t even easy to find all spots, but ultimately we even found one extra under water! So here we go on a virtual tour of Vakantiebeurs 2015 in 10 selfies:

Vakantiebeurs 2015

Although it was cold outside, the warmth of the desert was just around the corner, represented by a camel in the sand, but also by lots of Middle Eastern and other desert destinations.

Although it can be cold outside, the warmth of the desert is just around the corner, represented by a camel in the sand and a plastic cactus, but also by lots of Middle Eastern and other desert destinations.

The big five can be found at the South Africa pavillion. Most hunters were attracted by the big African food stand in the back of the hall.

The big five could be found at the South Africa pavillion. Most hunters were attracted by the big African food stand in the back of the hall though.

It is not far from Africa to South America, where the Inca Gate provided access to tour operators specializing in this continent.

It is not far from Africa to South America, where the Inca Gate provided access to tour operators specializing in this and other far away continents.

The Dutch Antilles are one of the biggest intercontinental destinations for Dutch tourists. Half the city of Willemstad was reconstructed at the convention, including the famous  flamingo's.

The Dutch Antilles are one of the biggest intercontinental destinations for Dutch tourists. Half the city of Willemstad was reconstructed at the convention, including the famous flamingo’s.

The corridor between two halls represented the bright colors and nice smells of China, bringing visitors in the mood for a trip to Asia.

The corridor between two halls represented the bright colors and nice smells of China, bringing visitors in the mood for a trip to Asia.

The culture halls were decorated with Central American and Southern European street scenes, inspiring people for cultural visits and city trips.

The culture halls were decorated with Central American and Southern European street scenes, inspiring people for cultural visits and city trips.

A large percentage of travellers prefers outdoor activities on their trips, represented by a climbing wall.

A large percentage of travellers prefers outdoor activities on their trips, represented by a climbing wall.

One of the most exciting experiences of the convention was the scuba diving tank, where the duikschool.nl PADI diving schools got scuba diver wannabe's into the tank.

One of the most exciting experiences of the convention was the scuba diving tank, where the duikschool.nl PADI diving schools got scuba diver wannabe’s into the tank.

It is winter season after all! The skihut provided the necessary ski resort atmosphere, although the Austrian booth probably attraced more people with their beer, sausages and folk music.

It is winter season after all! The skihut provided the necessary ski resort atmosphere, although the Austrian booth probably attraced more people with their beer, sausages and folk music.

The back of the convention was converted into a warm, cozy and dark 'Camping by Night' adventure. Sitting around the campfire between tents and campervans made people wish they were already in France on a warm summer night.

The back of the convention was converted into a warm, cozy and dark ‘Camping by Night’ adventure. Sitting around the campfire between tents and campervans made people wish they were already in France on a warm summer night.

Vakantiebeurs 2016

Unfortunately Vakantiebeurs 2015 is over. Thanks Emma for being my selfie-model. Sorry we didn’t win any of the prizes…

The Vakantiebeurs 2016 will be held at Jaarbeurs Utrecht from Tuesday 12 to Sunday 17 January 2016. See you there!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *