It’s that time of the year for Copenhageners, after recovering from the Christmas chaos and New Year hangovers, to start planning this year’s holidays. As if bang on cue, here comes the annual holiday and golf fairs at the Bella Center.
Both events are aimed at offering numerous holiday options to visitors. Malia Hye, the exhibitions and sales group manager who is responsible for this year’s Holiday Fair, is extremely optimistic about the turnout for this year’s festival – its 30th since 1983, which will be opened by Copenhagen’s deputy mayor for culture, Pia Allerslev. According to Hye, last year’s event drew a whopping 39,086 guests and this year the numbers are expected to soar even higher.
Over three eventful days, the visitors can plunge into a world of diving, camping, sports and golfing getaways. With hundreds of exhibitors from Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Spain and even Asian countries like Thailand, the visitors will be spoilt for choice to pick their next holiday destination or activity. Be it personalised trip advice, lectures, presentations by experts, or tours aimed at women, the Bella Center has it all packed under one roof in exhibitions halls C1-C5. Adding to the excitement are photo competitions and an amazing opportunity to win a camping trailer. Last but not least, the Holiday Fair will hold holiday auctions – the proceeds from which will be given to the Dansk Folkehjaelp, a charity that supports low income families and children.
A new element to this year’s fair is the focus on holidays for the young. The popular young people’s travel agency, STA Travel, will be participating and invites visitors to look at their special offers and inspiring holiday packages. “It’s an event for all ages, genders and social backgrounds,” enthuses Hye. “Therefore the event is divided into multiple fairs that have something of interest for everyone.” And not even the very young are excluded from the fun. They will have their own play area called Lego World. Adding to the holiday spirit will be food stalls serving food based on holiday themes, such as sausages and sandwiches in the camping sections and healthy food in the sports section.
Running parallel to, and under the umbrella of the Holiday Fair, is the Golf Fair. For the seventh year in a row, this segment has gained a lot of interest, drawing crowds as large as 12-14,000, which explains why it is becoming more and more independent. The main aim behind the fair is to offer golfing holidays, golf club memberships and the opportunity to get more people involved in the sport. Like the Holiday Fair, the Golf Fair is also taking a proactive approach and getting visitors involved in activities.
Featured at the fair will be golf courses from Denmark, Sweden, northern Germany, Spain, Morocco, etc. Also on show will be holiday houses in Turkey, Spain, Thailand and other destinations that are built around golf courses. The chief organiser of the event, Carl Erik Hesseldal, adds that the nine new exhibitors who will be representing the holiday properties are a new feature to the fair.
Golfing enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the fair will also feature an appearance by Anders Dahl Christensen, a highly respected Danish golf coach. He’ll be at the fair offering advice and answering the queries of visitors. Alongside him will be a host of other golf pros and PGA trainers. According to Hesseldal, perhaps the most exciting and crowd-drawing aspect of the fair will be the competition to win a car at the SIM (simulator).
Holiday and Golf Fairs
Bella Center, Center Boulevard 5, 2300 Cph S;
Starts Fri, ends Sun, open Fri & Sat 10:00-18:00; Sun 10:00-17:00;
Tickets: over-12s 85kr, under-12s 40kr;
