Professional: Regional Travel Cards – Real Bargain?

Over one hundred destinations worldwide have launched their city cards or region passes offering attractive discounts and free extras to tourists. The cards purportedly help to increase both the tourist numbers as well as the visitor spend. Since many European cities launched such cards only recently it is still hard to say whether they are so profitable for the destinations or not. However, let’s see what some of the “smart cards” offer to the visitors as well as providers.

ARTICLES

The City Pass: What’s in It for the Partners?

Joe McClain

In 2004 Dublin Tourism introduced a City Pass for Dublin following the example of successful operations established in London, New York and over 35 major continental European destinations such as, Stockholm, Berlin and Copenhagen.  By introducing the City Pass visitor card for Dublin, the involved partners can benefit from the global exposure of the internet and a comprehensive, united marketing approach to tourism in the city. The introduction of ‘smart’ technology enables p...

Tailor Made Helsinki

Tomas Haupt

Helsinki Card was launched in 1983 as one of the first city cards in Europe. The Card was developed and produced by the Helsinki Tourist Association (today Helsinki Expert Oy). From the very beginning the Card holders have been entitled to unlimited free travel on public transportation and had free entrance to sights and museums – among various other benefits. Since 2007 also a free Audio City sightseeing tour has been inclusive in the Card with a great success. The tour has a recorded ...

Holland: City Pass for Amsterdam and Beyond

Cecilia Garland

Holland Pass is the all-in-one pass for any individual traveler visiting Amsterdam or other major cities in the Netherlands, such as Utrecht, The Hague, Rotterdam and other sights of interest. The pass offers savings and benefits at major museums, popular attractions, sightseeing tours, souvenir shops, public transport, bike rental, cheese and clog farms, mill museums, recommended restaurants, shopping tips and much more. In addition, pass holders enjoy convenience as they have the advantage ...

Zürich: The Unique Mix

Pat Hyland

Zürich offers shopping, culture, nightlife with sea breezes and an Alpine panorama – seasoned with the best quality of life in the world. International fashion labels, jewellery and watches delight lovers of luxury on the shopping mile Bahnhofstrasse, urbane Zürich brands inspire the fashion-conscious in the western part of the city. Arts & History As one of the leading cities in the art trade, Zürich opens its doors to art and culture with over 50 museums and more t...

Across the SalzburgerLand with a Single Card

William Law

The most beautiful sights and excursion destinations throughout the SalzburgerLand, all bundled together in a single all-inclusive card. Family vacations with the SalzburgerLand Card – that means more vacation for less money and an array of recreational opportunities that couldn’t be any broader.  How about trying your hand at gold-mining in Rauris, taking a steam-train ride with the Taurachbahn in the Lungau region, visiting the aquatic wonders of the WasserWunderWelt in Kri...