Smart Idea

Erlebniswelt Musikinstrumentenbau® Vogtland is nominated for the German Tourism Award

Two business sectors, two associations, two target groups and one smart idea. These ingredients were combined in the Vogtland region and convinced the high quality jury of the German Tourism association to denote the region as a musical holiday area. The association considers the Erlebniswelt Musikinstrumentenbau® Vogtland to be innovative, customer-oriented, economical, of high quality and sustainable. Behind the more sonorous title of the joint project between Musicon Valley e.V. and the tourism association Vogtland e.V. is the idea to offer special study trips for musicians, music organisations and orchestras. Erlebniswelt Musikinstrumentenbau® Vogtland is the first organization to offer trips that bring together music fans and manufacturers in this completely new way.

"Our first question was: how can we bring the producer closer to the customers? Second, how can orchestras and the musical societies be brought into the region and how could we teach the manufacture of music instruments to them in a fun and effective way?" says Frank Bilz, marketing director of Musicon Valley and idea generator of the project. "It was obvious to discuss the question of how we could include special visits and educational experiences into a tour package with the tourism specialists Michael Hecht and Bärbel Borchert from the association Vogtländischer Tourismusverband" explains Simone von der Ohe, CEO of Musicon Valley e.V. Each of the two associations care for the marketing of the two business sectors: the musical instruments industry and tourism.

"The cooperation of both associations started about ten years ago and was a role model for other companies in this region." said county commissioner Dr. Lenk as Chairman of the tourism association. "The region Vogtland is the centre of the German musical instrument industry - almost all of the instruments of an orchestra are manufactured according to the traditional craft. It was obvious to use the manufacture of musical instruments as a unique tourism feature. With the knowhow of both associations we achieved a big break. This proves that a small region can play a role in the German tourism industry with creative and innovative ideas. It is a big honour to get among the top 8 of Germany with the project from the region Vogtland and to become a nominee for the German Tourism Award" Dr. Lenk said with thanks to all fellow campaigners of the project.