ABSTRACT
Due to the vital role of tourism in many European countries and regions, a number of programs concerning tourism promotion have been implemented. Tourism societies, associations, bodies under public law, and privately organized tourism institutions have been established in order to strengthen tourism destinations. The general aim is to increase the added value of a region. The major tasks of these institutions are
to provide consumers with information on the destination;
to coordinate and execute sales-promoting measures;
to provide tourism advertising;
to support sales and distribution; and
to coordinate and execute market research projects.
