2_3_DiscoverGermany_Issue8:Scan Magazine 1
9/10/13
11:06
Page 26
Discover Germany | Travel
Weltenbummler - Messe Köln Inspiration for individual travellers For the creative minds behind Weltenbummler, less is simply more. The Trade Fair Event aimed at globetrotters and individual travellers combines a concise number of prestigious companies with workshops and talks at an elegant, appropriately sized venue. The two day event at Cologne’s Dock One takes place on 30 November and 1 December. Exhibitors are still welcome to register. TEXT: FRANZISKA NÖSSIG | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES
“Our trade fair is not aimed at all-inclusive holidaymakers but at people who enjoy individual travel options with an original touch,”Frank Baumann explains. His company expotec GmbH (Ltd) established Weltenbummler in 2011, thus answering to a noticeable trend away from mass tourism and towards high-quality, genuine travelling. In addition to this, Baumann’s new concept acknowledges that many trade fair visitors nowadays prefer to obtain expert advice and qualified support. “Having a smaller number of exhibitors means that visitors will get a chance to engage in more personal one-to-one conversations,”he says. At Cologne’s Dock One venue, a converted 19th century factory on the right bank of the River Rhine, this will be possible directly at the stalls as well as during public talks with professional globetrotters. Desert expert Achill Moser from Hamburg is invited, as are cyclists Maximilian Semsch (Munich) and Kurt Beutler (Switzerland). While Semsch toured Australia with his ebike, Beutler decided to cycle at an even
26 | Issue 8 | October 2013
slower pace – touring the world in ten years. Moreover, hands-on experience is guaranteed with workshops on photography and cooking. Professional photographers will share their tricks on how to capture oceans or deserts best on camera, and chefs will have visitors join them in preparing dishes from five continents. The trade fair will focus on Africa and Asia as travel destinations, and, with marching jazz bands and wine tastings, is predominantly aimed at academics and entrepreneurs from the Cologne area, says expotec manager Frank Baumann. His Weltenbummler concept originated in Hamburg in 2011 and, after establishing Cologne as a second location, will expand to Zurich and Nuremberg in 2014/15. Further innovations include Munich and Stuttgart on the list of permanent sites, and canoeing and sailing tours will be added to the portfolio of exhibitors. www.expotecgmbh.de/wDeutsch/messen_inland/weltenbummler_koeln