Over 15 000 trade visitors attended the Zoomark International fair in Bologna in November. Of these, 30 per cent were foreign visitors from 82 countries. 450 exhibitors, 60 per cent of them from abroad, were in attendance, according to Promopet. The company worked with BolognaFiere to organise the show, which was staged in November instead of on the originally planned dates in May on account of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Zoomark fair held two and a half years ago in May 2019 attracted 26 000 visitors, but only limited comparisons can be made with the latest edition due to the changed situation. The continuing pandemic was the main reason for the failure to attract visitors to the November 2021 show in the same numbers as in 2019. Due to the restrictions imposed on travel as a result of Covid-19, only a few people from the USA and Asia were able to make the trip to Bologna, while high infection rates in Germany and eastern Europe also reduced the number of travellers to Italy from these countries. In these circumstances, the Zoomark organisers were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the show, the only international physical fair for the pet supplies sector in 2021 and one which marked something of a return to normality for the sector.
The good mood prevailing at the three-day show was an indication of just how much exhibitors and visitors have longed for an international event at which they could be physically present. Praise has been given to the satisfactory and professional organisation of Zoomark International under coronavirus conditions, say the organisers.
