![\"bigstock-modern-luxury-hotel-reception-75630250\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-Modern-luxury-hotel-reception-75630250.jpg\")
They provide basic information on methods of operation, possibilities and services the company provides. Also, they are there to resolve every possible issue, doubt or uncertainty. Pretty often, they are the only representatives of a company a guest or a client communicates with. Hence the saying that a receptionist is the face of the company.
\nWhen guests visit a hotel, they can\u00ad not see the efforts and hard work of every back-office department.
\nMost commonly, guest can perce\u00adive only the service and welcome they receive upon their arrival, stay and check-out. It is the task of a receptionist to find the best way to welcome their guests and present them with the entire offer and services the hotel provides.
Reception work requires specific skills and abilities, and basic skills that make a good receptionist are:
\nCommunication with clients and other departments is the key skill a receptionist must have. Positi\u00adve attitude, friendly approach to clients, understanding and ability to present the services hotel offers clearly are a must. Receptionists are at client\u2019s service at all times,
\nso they should know how to listen and meet client\u2019s wishes, both in person, and on the telephone.
\nCommunication has to be formal, in line with hotel\u2019s rules and policies. The receptionist must provide cli\u00adents with all necessary information at any point. A good receptionist is always at service.
\nReceptionists have to speak at least one foreign language, preferably several.
Receptionists often have to multi\u00ad task. It is not unusual to have larger group of guests checking in, several telephone lines ringing, and an inquiry arriving by e-mail.
\nThey know how to hold it together under pressure, and not to panic. In such circumstances, it is crucial to prioritize, so that guests feels served and as if they always
\ncome first.
\nEven though these situations are stressful, it is the duty of a recepti\u00adonist to stay calm, welcoming and above all, polite.
A receptionist must know how to use all needed computer programs. Operating the hotel system and\u00a0doing all supporting administrative tasks is everyday job of a recepti\u00adonist.
\nCopying documents, sending e\u00adma\u00adils and faxes, creating and updating excel sheets or filling documents are just some of their duties.
Working with people requires a lot of patience and tolerance. Receptionists deal with clients that have different demands and expec\u00adtations on daily basis. If a guest is unsatisfied with some service, they\u2019ll come to the receptionist.
\nThese situations can be unpleasant, but the staff has to have an answer to every problem that may come up, and offer solutions in order to maintain client\u2019s satisfaction. Receptionist\u2019s duties are seemingly simple, but the truth is that this job is very complex and demanding, and given the fact that it involves everyday interaction with people, it is also stressful.
\nResourcefulness, responsiveness, communication, responsibility, independence in work, organizati\u00adonal skills, compulsory knowledge of foreign languages, and computer skills are just some of necessary qualifications a receptionist has to have.
\nMost often, guests\u2019 impressions of a hotel are greatly related to the hospitality of its staff and the service they get, what makes the receptionist an important link of hotel\u2019s business operations.
The post Essential Skills a Good Receptionist Must Possess appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "A receptionist is the first person one comes across, the person that welcomes you upon visiting a hotel, another hospitality facility or a company.\nThey provide basic information on methods of operation, possibilities and services the company provides. Also, they are there to resolve every possible issue, doubt or uncertainty. Pretty often, they are the only representatives of a company a guest or a client communicates with. Hence the saying that a receptionist is the face of the company.\nWhen guests visit a hotel, they can\u00ad not see the efforts and hard work of every back-office department.\nMost commonly, guest can perce\u00adive only the service and welcome they receive upon their arrival, stay and check-out. It is the task of a receptionist to find the best way to welcome their guests and present them with the entire offer and services the hotel provides.\nReception work requires specific skills and abilities, and basic skills that make a good receptionist are:\n\nCommunication skills\n\nCommunication with clients and other departments is the key skill a receptionist must have. Positi\u00adve attitude, friendly approach to clients, understanding and ability to present the services hotel offers clearly are a must. Receptionists are at client\u2019s service at all times,\nso they should know how to listen and meet client\u2019s wishes, both in person, and on the telephone.\nCommunication has to be formal, in line with hotel\u2019s rules and policies. The receptionist must provide cli\u00adents with all necessary information at any point. A good receptionist is always at service.\nReceptionists have to speak at least one foreign language, preferably several.\n\nOrganizational skills\n\nReceptionists often have to multi\u00ad task. It is not unusual to have larger group of guests checking in, several telephone lines ringing, and an inquiry arriving by e-mail.\nThey know how to hold it together under pressure, and not to panic. In such circumstances, it is crucial to prioritize, so that guests feels served and as if they always\ncome first.\nEven though these situations are stressful, it is the duty of a recepti\u00adonist to stay calm, welcoming and above all, polite.\n\n\nOperational and administrative skills\n\nA receptionist must know how to use all needed computer programs. Operating the hotel system and\u00a0doing all supporting administrative tasks is everyday job of a recepti\u00adonist.\nCopying documents, sending e\u00adma\u00adils and faxes, creating and updating excel sheets or filling documents are just some of their duties.\n\nProblem-solving abilities\n\nWorking with people requires a lot of patience and tolerance. Receptionists deal with clients that have different demands and expec\u00adtations on daily basis. If a guest is unsatisfied with some service, they\u2019ll come to the receptionist.\nThese situations can be unpleasant, but the staff has to have an answer to every problem that may come up, and offer solutions in order to maintain client\u2019s satisfaction. Receptionist\u2019s duties are seemingly simple, but the truth is that this job is very complex and demanding, and given the fact that it involves everyday interaction with people, it is also stressful.\nResourcefulness, responsiveness, communication, responsibility, independence in work, organizati\u00adonal skills, compulsory knowledge of foreign languages, and computer skills are just some of necessary qualifications a receptionist has to have.\nMost often, guests\u2019 impressions of a hotel are greatly related to the hospitality of its staff and the service they get, what makes the receptionist an important link of hotel\u2019s business operations.\nNational Receptionists\u2019 day in the US\nNational Receptionists\u2019 Day is an annual event in America, and it is observed on the second Wednesday in May.\n It was created to give recognition to receptionists, as well as to raise awareness on the valuable contributions they make in the business world.\nThe post Essential Skills a Good Receptionist Must Possess appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-10-31T15:43:39+01:00", "date_modified": "2017-12-13T16:22:58+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miroslava Jeremic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miroslava/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miroslava.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-Young-couple-upon-arrival-at-h-59265461.jpg", "tags": [ "receptionist", "skills", "Hot topics" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/food-truck-trend-events/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/food-truck-trend-events/", "title": "Food Truck Trend at Events", "content_html": "The precursor of today\u2019s food trucks was the chuckwagon, made in 1866 by Charles Goodnight, a Texas cattle rancher. After the American Civil War, cowhands herded cattle in remote parts of the country and were in need of food stocks that could provide supplies for months at a time. It occurred to Charles to adjust a military wagon to fit the needs of cattle herders. He added a so-called \u201cchuck box\u201d to the back of a wagon, with interior shelving and drawers for storing provisions, and a board which served as cooking surface. The wagon was also stocked with a water barrel and a sling for firewood.
\nIn the 30s, the chuckwagon was followed by food carts selling hotdogs on the streets of cities and large university campuses (Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Cornell), popularly called \u201cdog wagons\u201d. In 1950, the first ice cream carts appeared. This was the start of America\u2019s street food industry, which gradually spread to the rest of the world.
\nFood trucks are a good choice for various types of promotions, presentations, team building activities, and other events, especially those held outdoors.\nToday, food trucks are most commonly associated with pop-up restaurants, temporary diners which typically use social media to notify their clients of their movement and their current location. Pop-up restaurants are popular in the U.S., Australia, and Great Britain.
\nFood trucks are also gaining popularity in event organization. The advantages and possibilities offered by these vehicles in event planning are vast. If, for instance, you are organizing a several-hours-long seminar or lecture at a hotel or some other indoor facility, you can organize lunch in front of the hotel, location and weather permitting. Food and drinks would be prepared in the trucks, providing various means of cooking and creating an outdoor restaurant. Additionally, food trucks allow event organizers the possibility of arranging events outside of hotels and other event facilities, outdoors in natural surroundings or in other locations outside the city.
\nIn this way, participants are offered a concept that is unusual, stimulates interaction, and allows them to leave the meeting room and enjoy an innovative and out of the ordinary way of catering. The event thus gains special significance and becomes something that will stay in the participants\u2019 minds long after other gatherings.
\n![\"Food](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Food-Truck-1.jpg\")
Food trucks are a good choice for various types of promotions, presentations, team building activities, and other events, especially those held outdoors. Trucks can be branded and tailored to suit a particular event and/or company. Other advantages of food trucks are their functionality and their equipment for cooking and serving food and drinks.
\nIn the U.S., food trucks are often used for catering at indoor events, when the theme and branding of the event allow it. There are many instances of their use not only for complete catering of events but also for serving ice cream, desert, coffee, beer, etc.
\nIn recent years, food truck festivals have become part of the big city lifestyle concept. While these festivals are not new in America, in Europe they appeared only a few years ago. Food truck festivals garner large numbers of visitors as they are usually free of charge. The food presented and served there can vary widely, from Asian cuisine, to craft beer, ice cream, various deserts, and standard fast food menus. The biggest and most popular festival of this type in Europe is organized in Brussels. It has approximately 100,000 visitors, who come to enjoy culinary skills presented on about 100 food trucks. The festival grounds spread over 3 km in the center of Brussels. This trend is still unknown in Serbia and while beer and coffee festivals are organized regularly, they do not normally involve the use of food trucks.
\nThe post Food Truck Trend at Events appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "A food truck is a large vehicle equipped to cook and sell food. Originating from the United States, the first food trucks are thought to have appeared in the 17th century.\nThe precursor of today\u2019s food trucks was the chuckwagon, made in 1866 by Charles Goodnight, a Texas cattle rancher. After the American Civil War, cowhands herded cattle in remote parts of the country and were in need of food stocks that could provide supplies for months at a time. It occurred to Charles to adjust a military wagon to fit the needs of cattle herders. He added a so-called \u201cchuck box\u201d to the back of a wagon, with interior shelving and drawers for storing provisions, and a board which served as cooking surface. The wagon was also stocked with a water barrel and a sling for firewood.\nIn the 30s, the chuckwagon was followed by food carts selling hotdogs on the streets of cities and large university campuses (Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Cornell), popularly called \u201cdog wagons\u201d. In 1950, the first ice cream carts appeared. This was the start of America\u2019s street food industry, which gradually spread to the rest of the world.\nFood trucks are a good choice for various types of promotions, presentations, team building activities, and other events, especially those held outdoors.\nToday, food trucks are most commonly associated with pop-up restaurants, temporary diners which typically use social media to notify their clients of their movement and their current location. Pop-up restaurants are popular in the U.S., Australia, and Great Britain.\nFood trucks are also gaining popularity in event organization. The advantages and possibilities offered by these vehicles in event planning are vast. If, for instance, you are organizing a several-hours-long seminar or lecture at a hotel or some other indoor facility, you can organize lunch in front of the hotel, location and weather permitting. Food and drinks would be prepared in the trucks, providing various means of cooking and creating an outdoor restaurant. Additionally, food trucks allow event organizers the possibility of arranging events outside of hotels and other event facilities, outdoors in natural surroundings or in other locations outside the city.\nIn this way, participants are offered a concept that is unusual, stimulates interaction, and allows them to leave the meeting room and enjoy an innovative and out of the ordinary way of catering. The event thus gains special significance and becomes something that will stay in the participants\u2019 minds long after other gatherings.\nFood Truck\nFood trucks are a good choice for various types of promotions, presentations, team building activities, and other events, especially those held outdoors. Trucks can be branded and tailored to suit a particular event and/or company. Other advantages of food trucks are their functionality and their equipment for cooking and serving food and drinks.\nIn the U.S., food trucks are often used for catering at indoor events, when the theme and branding of the event allow it. There are many instances of their use not only for complete catering of events but also for serving ice cream, desert, coffee, beer, etc.\nIn recent years, food truck festivals have become part of the big city lifestyle concept. While these festivals are not new in America, in Europe they appeared only a few years ago. Food truck festivals garner large numbers of visitors as they are usually free of charge. The food presented and served there can vary widely, from Asian cuisine, to craft beer, ice cream, various deserts, and standard fast food menus. The biggest and most popular festival of this type in Europe is organized in Brussels. It has approximately 100,000 visitors, who come to enjoy culinary skills presented on about 100 food trucks. The festival grounds spread over 3 km in the center of Brussels. This trend is still unknown in Serbia and while beer and coffee festivals are organized regularly, they do not normally involve the use of food trucks.\nThe post Food Truck Trend at Events appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-06-27T14:19:18+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-06-27T14:37:19+02:00", "author": { "name": "Miroslava Jeremic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miroslava/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miroslava.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Food-Truck.jpg", "tags": [ "events", "food truck", "TRENDS", "Trends" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/sustainable-tourism-2016/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/sustainable-tourism-2016/", "title": "Sustainable Tourism 2016", "content_html": "So far, the conference was held in Segovia (2004), Bologna (2006), Malta (2008), New Forest (2010), La Coruna (2012) and Opatija (2014).
\nTourism ceased to be the privilege of a few long time ago, and it took a very important place in the development of economy, knowledge, education and human welfare and lifestyle. Nowadays tourism significantly contributes to the new forms of economic development. Our knowledge of the world now includes a strong component due to tourism, since it introduces different cultures, customs and impressions we take from a journey.
\nNevertheless, it led to certain problems regarding ecological changes and social costs. Many destinations oriented their entire economies towards tourism, so they could increase their incomes. That resulted with negative impact on the destination, its culture and identity.
\n![\"sustainable](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/predlog-za-velinu-slikuu.jpg\")
Natural ecosystems became true rarity. Scientists more and more talk about \u201csocial ecosystems\u201d, and that is rather challenging for tourism and ecology. Ecology is deeply influenced by technology and development of society. Cities are rapidly changing which leads to the industry development. Opposite to that, rural environments are being abandoned.
\nTourism has great impact on these problems and has to be able to meet the challenges of the \u201cnew age\u201d.
\nGoal of the conference on sustainable tourism is to find ways to protect natural and cultural landmarks. Also, great deal of attention is paid to the development of new solutions and capabilities to reduce the negative effects of tourism. For strategies and goals to become sustainable, entire society has to become more involved in these projects.
\nSome of the main topics covered are: ecological problems, climate changes, ecotourism, destination management, eTourism. Also, topics included and sport tourism, tourism and technology, medical tourism, city tourism, rural tourism, industrial tourism, heritage tourism, tourism development impact, marine tourism, etc.
\n\n
The post Sustainable Tourism 2016 appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Sustainable Tourism 2016, the seventh international conference on sustainable tourism, is to be held from May 18th to 20th in Valencia. The conference is organized by renowned British Wessex Institute of Technology.\nSo far, the conference was held in Segovia (2004), Bologna (2006), Malta (2008), New Forest (2010), La Coruna (2012) and Opatija (2014).\nTourism ceased to be the privilege of a few long time ago, and it took a very important place in the development of economy, knowledge, education and human welfare and lifestyle. Nowadays tourism significantly contributes to the new forms of economic development. Our knowledge of the world now includes a strong component due to tourism, since it introduces different cultures, customs and impressions we take from a journey.\nNevertheless, it led to certain problems regarding ecological changes and social costs. Many destinations oriented their entire economies towards tourism, so they could increase their incomes. That resulted with negative impact on the destination, its culture and identity.\n\nNatural ecosystems became true rarity. Scientists more and more talk about \u201csocial ecosystems\u201d, and that is rather challenging for tourism and ecology. Ecology is deeply influenced by technology and development of society. Cities are rapidly changing which leads to the industry development. Opposite to that, rural environments are being abandoned.\nTourism has great impact on these problems and has to be able to meet the challenges of the \u201cnew age\u201d.\nGoal of the conference on sustainable tourism is to find ways to protect natural and cultural landmarks. Also, great deal of attention is paid to the development of new solutions and capabilities to reduce the negative effects of tourism. For strategies and goals to become sustainable, entire society has to become more involved in these projects.\nSome of the main topics covered are: ecological problems, climate changes, ecotourism, destination management, eTourism. Also, topics included and sport tourism, tourism and technology, medical tourism, city tourism, rural tourism, industrial tourism, heritage tourism, tourism development impact, marine tourism, etc.\n\nThe post Sustainable Tourism 2016 appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-04-27T14:53:43+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-10-21T11:30:06+02:00", "author": { "name": "Miroslava Jeremic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miroslava/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miroslava.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/predlog-za-veliku-sliku.jpg", "tags": [ "ecology", "pick", "sustainable tourism", "tourism", "Hot topics" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/european-water-polo-championships-belgrade-2016/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/european-water-polo-championships-belgrade-2016/", "title": "European Water Polo Championships Belgrade 2016", "content_html": "[quote_box_center]January 10th to January 23rd saw Belgrade\u2019s Kombank Arena host to the European Water Polo Championships, with 16 men\u2019s and 12 women\u2019s national teams participating in the competition. A total of 100 games have been played at the European Championships \u2013 56 in men\u2019s and 44 in women\u2019s category \u2013 played for the first time at a single swimming area.[/quote_box_center]
\nThe Serbian team won the gold medal in men\u2019s competition by defeating the Montenegrin team in the finals by 10:8, defending its title of the European champion from 2014 in Hungary. The Hungarian women\u2019s team deservedly took gold.
\nThe tradition of competing in men\u2019s category can be dated back to 1926, when the first water polo championship took place in Budapest, while women\u2019s competition first started in 1985 in Oslo. This year\u2019s competition is the 32nd in men\u2019s and the 16th in women\u2019s category.
\n![\"European](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-21.jpg\" "\\"European")
In addition to the gold medal, the European Water Polo Championship was of great importance to Serbia and the organizers in terms of event organizing. In addition to the organizers, the organizational and executive boards, the championship was organized with the help of 400 volunteers. All of them together contributed to the success of this big event.
\nThis included the construction of two Myrtha Pools System inox pools, with the pool decks around the pools of 1,500 square meters in surface, one for competitions (size 34x21x2m) and one warm-up pool (size 25x15x2m). Both pools were manufactured and installed by the Italian company\u00a0Piscine Castiglione.
\nPool installation started on December 27th and ended on January 3rd, when the filling of the pools with water started. The hydrant network poured around 1,300 cubic meters of water in the two pools. Filling the pools with water, and then heating them, took 36 hours. The competition pool was equipped with a new water flow system that disinfects and purifies water, after which the pools are refilled with it.
\nThe dismantling of the pools took four days, and May is set to see both pools installed in Vrnjacka Banja, where the National Water Polo Center is planned for construction.
\nThe 2016 European Water Polo Championships received widespread media attention. The Championships was attended by more than 337 accredited reporters and media representatives, as many as 167 of them being from abroad.\u00a0 The European Water Polo Championships broke the record in TV ratings, also \u2013 the live broadcast on the small screen was watched by as many as 2,761,691 viewers.
\n![\"European](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-2a.jpg\" "\\"European")
The crowds visiting Kombank Arena broke the record on the first day of the championship already, when the game between Serbia and Croatia was attended by 11,000 spectators, which was also the venue\u2019s maximum capacity. The Serbian water polo players were cheered on by crowds of similar size also at the rest of the games.
\nDue to the great interest in the finals of the European Championshipa, additional capacities were installed inside Kombank Arena, so the final game was attended by 18,473 people. This number of visitors has set a new world record and surpassed the previous one, which was set at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 when the final water polo game between Hungary and Russia saw 17,000 spectators.
\nAfter a very successful run of the European Water Polo Championships, the hosts proved that Belgrade is able to fulfill all demands and requirements that are necessary in organizing events this big.
\nThe post European Water Polo Championships Belgrade 2016 appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "[quote_box_center]January 10th to January 23rd saw Belgrade\u2019s Kombank Arena host to the European Water Polo Championships, with 16 men\u2019s and 12 women\u2019s national teams participating in the competition. A total of 100 games have been played at the European Championships \u2013 56 in men\u2019s and 44 in women\u2019s category \u2013 played for the first time at a single swimming area.[/quote_box_center]\nThe Serbian team won the gold medal in men\u2019s competition by defeating the Montenegrin team in the finals by 10:8, defending its title of the European champion from 2014 in Hungary. The Hungarian women\u2019s team deservedly took gold.\nThe tradition of competing in men\u2019s category can be dated back to 1926, when the first water polo championship took place in Budapest, while women\u2019s competition first started in 1985 in Oslo. This year\u2019s competition is the 32nd in men\u2019s and the 16th in women\u2019s category.\nEuropean Water Polo Championships Belgrade 2016\nIn addition to the gold medal, the European Water Polo Championship was of great importance to Serbia and the organizers in terms of event organizing. In addition to the organizers, the organizational and executive boards, the championship was organized with the help of 400 volunteers. All of them together contributed to the success of this big event.\nKombank Arena was completely redecorated for the occasion and transformed into the biggest swimming grounds.\nThis included the construction of two Myrtha Pools System inox pools, with the pool decks around the pools of 1,500 square meters in surface, one for competitions (size 34x21x2m) and one warm-up pool (size 25x15x2m). Both pools were manufactured and installed by the Italian company\u00a0Piscine Castiglione.\nPool installation started on December 27th and ended on January 3rd, when the filling of the pools with water started. The hydrant network poured around 1,300 cubic meters of water in the two pools. Filling the pools with water, and then heating them, took 36 hours. The competition pool was equipped with a new water flow system that disinfects and purifies water, after which the pools are refilled with it.\nThe construction and installation of the pools were investments worth EUR 1,25 billion.\nThe dismantling of the pools took four days, and May is set to see both pools installed in Vrnjacka Banja, where the National Water Polo Center is planned for construction.\nThe 2016 European Water Polo Championships received widespread media attention. The Championships was attended by more than 337 accredited reporters and media representatives, as many as 167 of them being from abroad.\u00a0 The European Water Polo Championships broke the record in TV ratings, also \u2013 the live broadcast on the small screen was watched by as many as 2,761,691 viewers.\nEuropean Water Polo Championships Belgrade 2016\nThe crowds visiting Kombank Arena broke the record on the first day of the championship already, when the game between Serbia and Croatia was attended by 11,000 spectators, which was also the venue\u2019s maximum capacity. The Serbian water polo players were cheered on by crowds of similar size also at the rest of the games.\nDue to the great interest in the finals of the European Championshipa, additional capacities were installed inside Kombank Arena, so the final game was attended by 18,473 people. This number of visitors has set a new world record and surpassed the previous one, which was set at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 when the final water polo game between Hungary and Russia saw 17,000 spectators.\nAfter a very successful run of the European Water Polo Championships, the hosts proved that Belgrade is able to fulfill all demands and requirements that are necessary in organizing events this big.\nThe post European Water Polo Championships Belgrade 2016 appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-02-22T13:09:39+01:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-23T12:27:56+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miroslava Jeremic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miroslava/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miroslava.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-1.jpg", "tags": [ "European Water Polo Championships 2016", "WATER POLO", "Hot topics" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/27275/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/27275/", "title": "Infographic: Each member of portal kongresniturizam.com gain 250 business contacts in the past year", "content_html": "“Taking into account that only a small organization of events without overnight stays, on average, a minimum of \u20ac 1,000.00, with bed average 5 to 15,000.00 EUR, and major events across the 20-30000.00 EUR and more, we are talking about the great potential of congress tourism in the region only in one year, “said Ivan Milic, co-founder and sales director of the Best Solutions, comprised of portal www.kongresniturizam.com.
\nAnalyzing the statistics of specialized B2B portal for organizing events in Southeast Europe – www.kongresniturizam.com also come to the interesting profile of persons involved in the organization of events in the region. Those are people between 24 and 45 years, where the largest number of portal users aged between 25 and 34 years (33.5%). It is interesting that both genders almost equally participate in the organization, even slightly more males with 54.15%, while females make up 45.85% of users. There is a high percentage of users who return to the portal (30.72%), while the percentage of new users is 69.28%.
\nMost users searching portal are from Serbia (59.21%), followed by Montenegro (8.52%), Croatia (8:46%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (6.6%) and Macedonia (3.04%). As for the cities, the majority of users of the portal www.kongresniturizam.com are from Belgrade and 36%.
\nEven 68% of users of the portal come through organic search, while 11% of them come directly.
\nThe post Infographic: Each member of portal kongresniturizam.com gain 250 business contacts in the past year appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "With 57,679 business customers in 2015, the 230 members of the portal www.kongresniturizam.com had the opportunity to generate, on average, each more than 200 contacts for various types of events, seminars, conferences, promotions and team building.\n“Taking into account that only a small organization of events without overnight stays, on average, a minimum of \u20ac 1,000.00, with bed average 5 to 15,000.00 EUR, and major events across the 20-30000.00 EUR and more, we are talking about the great potential of congress tourism in the region only in one year, “said Ivan Milic, co-founder and sales director of the Best Solutions, comprised of portal www.kongresniturizam.com.\nAnalyzing the statistics of specialized B2B portal for organizing events in Southeast Europe – www.kongresniturizam.com also come to the interesting profile of persons involved in the organization of events in the region. Those are people between 24 and 45 years, where the largest number of portal users aged between 25 and 34 years (33.5%). It is interesting that both genders almost equally participate in the organization, even slightly more males with 54.15%, while females make up 45.85% of users. There is a high percentage of users who return to the portal (30.72%), while the percentage of new users is 69.28%.\nMost users searching portal are from Serbia (59.21%), followed by Montenegro (8.52%), Croatia (8:46%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (6.6%) and Macedonia (3.04%). As for the cities, the majority of users of the portal www.kongresniturizam.com are from Belgrade and 36%.\nEven 68% of users of the portal come through organic search, while 11% of them come directly.\nThe post Infographic: Each member of portal kongresniturizam.com gain 250 business contacts in the past year appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-02-12T16:26:50+01:00", "date_modified": "2017-12-18T11:57:10+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miroslava Jeremic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miroslava/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miroslava.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/kongresniturizam-com-2.jpg", "tags": [ "Analytics", "B2B", "infographic", "portal", "statistics", "Statistics" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/leader-of-montenegro-tourism-development/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/leader-of-montenegro-tourism-development/", "title": "Leader of Montenegro tourism development", "content_html": "[quote_box_center]Mr Zarko Radulovic is co-owner of Montenegro stars within the operating 3 hotels:\u00a0Splendid Conference & Spa Resort 5 *, Montenegro Beach Resort 4 * and Blue Star\u00a0Hotel\u00a04 *.
\nThe company for the first 10 years has hosted more than a quarter million\u00a0visitors from 121 countries of the world, and continues to maintain the cosmopolitan\u00a0spirit. At the same time, Mr Radulovic is one of the founders of the Council of foreign\u00a0investors in Montenegro, but also the president of the Montenegrin tourist association\u00a0that gathers about 80 % of the tourism industry of Montenegro.[/quote_box_center]
\n1. How did you decide to establish Montenegro\u00a0Stars Hotel Group and how\u00a0did you get this idea in the first place?
\nJust like most things in life \u2013 the best\u00a0things come about spontaneously.\u00a0I can say that the Montenegro Stars\u00a0project also just happened! My partner\u00a0came up with the idea, and today\u00a0I am certain that it\u2019s a good thing\u00a0that Montenegro Stars happened \u2013\u00a0both for us and for Montenegro.
\n\u201cThe important is\u00a0that the energy exists.\u201d
\n2. Hotel Splendid hosted over 100 events\u00a0between September and June,\u00a0and this hotel is considered to be the\u00a0key MICE destination in Montenegro.\u00a0How much do the hotels from your\u00a0group help the development of Montenegro\u00a0as a meetings destination?
\nThe fact that we have a multifunctional\u00a0hall that is the biggest of its\u00a0kind,\u00a0until recently it also had the\u00a0latest\u00a0audio and visual equipment,\u00a0the number of events that take place\u00a0there,\u00a0as well as the fact that it\u00a0gathers the most influential people\u00a0of today from different areas of life\u00a0and business are perhaps the best illustration\u00a0of our role and place.
\nWe created the infrastructure for\u00a0the development of MICE tourism,\u00a0we showed\u00a0that the potential was\u00a0there, strengthening both the reputation\u00a0of Budva and the destination\u00a0itself. MICE tourism is developing\u00a0more\u00a0and more year after year and,\u00a0without\u00a0any intent to sound pretentious,\u00a0I think it\u2019s safe to say that Montenegro\u00a0Stars\u00a0has contributed significantly\u00a0to this development.
\n![\"Zarko](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/ZARKO-RADULOVIC-REC.jpg\")
\u00a03. What sets the offer of your hotels\u00a0apart from other hotels?
\nAll hotels offer the same product, more\u00a0or less. Once you try the product,\u00a0you can tell whether you made the\u00a0right choice or not. I believe that most\u00a0consumers of our products and services\u00a0have a positive experience\u00a0with\u00a0Splendid. However, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s\u00a0because Splendid is the best hotel.
\nThere\u2019s no doubt that Splendid has\u00a0excellent\u00a0hardware, but its software\u00a0is much better \u2013 and its software are\u00a0its people. If there\u2019s anything I\u2019m\u00a0proud of it\u2019s the people I work with\u00a0at the company, thanks to whom our\u00a0guests here can experience the full\u00a0advantages of staying at the hotel.
\n4. Every guest matters, but are there\u00a0any markets or guests from certain\u00a0destinations\u00a0that are the most important\u00a0to you?
\n![\"KONOBARI](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/KONOBARI-PLESU-ZA-GOSTE-NA-ZABAVI-.jpg\")
They are all important \u2013 it\u2019s impossible\u00a0to discern any differences. Still,\u00a0I may slightly favour the guests who\u00a0come during winter, which doesn\u2019t\u00a0mean that I like them more.
Simply, when you\u2019re in this business,\u00a0whether you like it or not, if you love\u00a0this job your default reaction becomes\u00a0your desire to do everything to\u00a0make your guest satisfied, and this\u00a0satisfaction\u00a0is what makes you happy.
\nThis is what makes me fulfilled\u00a0and gives me encouragement, because\u00a0I can tell that when they leave\u00a0they are extremely satisfied, at least\u00a0by the comments that we read every\u00a0day on the most influential global\u00a0websites for tourism and travel.
\nThe thing that we value even more\u00a0and that motivates us most to keep\u00a0improving the quality of our services\u00a0is the fact that 35-40% of these\u00a0guests return to our hotels next year\u00a0already.
\n5. Are there any corporate events that\u00a0you would like to mention by name?
\n![\"OSCE](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/osce-conference2.jpg\")
It\u2019s really hard to give an answer to\u00a0this question. All past events \u2013 and\u00a0there\u00a0are over 100 of different events\u00a0taking place every year at the hotel\u00a0\u2013 were challenging in their own\u00a0ways.
\nOur main goal is for both us and our\u00a0customers to be satisfied after every\u00a0event.
There is maybe one that stands\u00a0out above others. It was a birthday\u00a0party of one of the most influential\u00a0bankers in the world.
\nThanks to his guests, around 85% of\u00a0global capital was at Splendid at the\u00a0time.
\nOf course, I can\u2019t give you the\u00a0name for obvious reasons, but the\u00a0name itself is less important than\u00a0the concept of the event itself.\u00a0I will always remember it for the theme\u00a0party and the way we were organising\u00a0it for months: Casino Royal –\u00a0James Bond. Half the hall was set\u00a0up as a restaurant, while the other\u00a0half was separated by a curtain and\u00a0transformed into the Casino.\u00a0After dinner \u2013 when the curtain fell \u2013\u00a0the once-in-a-lifetime show began.\u00a0We turned on the lights and the magnificent\u00a0Casino appeared, the same\u00a0one that the viewers saw in the James\u00a0Bond film.
\nOne interesting fact was that we had\u00a0Mads Mikkelsen \u2013 the actor who\u00a0played the main bad guy, Le Chiffre,\u00a0in the film \u2013 sitting at the roulette\u00a0table, and he was inviting guests to\u00a0join him and try their luck.\u00a0This is an event that is worth mention\u00a0as one of those that \u2013 no matter\u00a0how demanding or challenging \u2013 always\u00a0give you a chance to show how\u00a0much you can actually do.
\n6. Do you have any plans for new investments?
\nWe always have plans for new investments,\u00a0because we are always coming\u00a0up with new innovations…\u00a0Once, while Splendid was still under\u00a0construction 12 years ago, I was\u00a0asked when I would finish the hotel\u00a0and I replied, \u201cNever!\u201d That\u2019s how\u00a0things are in the hotel business \u2013 the\u00a0job is never finished. There\u2019s always
\nsomething to improve or change…\u00a0That\u2019s why investments are necessary,\u00a0and there certainly will be more\u00a0of them.
7. Where do you get the energy to do\u00a0your job?
\nEven I can\u2019t explain where. I think\u00a0that the feeling of great responsibility\u00a0to the people I work with (the\u00a0company employs 570 people over\u00a0the year, and up to 850 during summer)\u00a0is what makes me find that\u00a0extra\u00a0energy that is enormous, and\u00a0I can\u2019t quite explain where I get it\u00a0from. I manage to find it every day,\u00a0but that\u2019s less important. The important\u00a0thing is that the energy is\u00a0there.
\n8. You\u2019ve met many world-famous\u00a0influential people. Are there any anecdotes\u00a0you can tell us about?
\nOnce I said that Montenegro was\u00a0going\u00a0to be such a distinguishable\u00a0travel\u00a0destination in 10-15 years that\u00a0when someone would want to\u00a0explain\u00a0what it actually looked like,\u00a0they would say that Monaco is a bit\u00a0like Montenegro. That was perhaps\u00a0overly optimistic, a bold comparison\u00a0with a cheerful message \u2013 but this\u00a0message\u00a0found its way. As far as to\u00a0Prince Albert of Monaco.
\n![\"Zarko](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/PRINC-ALBERT-OD-MONACA.jpg\")
Last year,\u00a0Prince Albert made an official visit\u00a0to Montenegro. He also came to Splendid.\u00a0When we were being introduced,\u00a0he told me, \u201cOh, you\u2019re Mr\u00a0Radulovic,\u00a0the one who compared\u00a0Montenegro\u00a0to Monaco? Well yesterday\u00a0I went to Zabljak and Kolasin,\u00a0and today I saw the coast, and I can\u00a0say that you\u2019re right.\u201d Montenegro\u00a0undoubtedly has potential, a winning\u00a0and everlasting charm, and I am\u00a0certain that it has a chance to even\u00a0surpass Monaco one day.\u00a0We are diligently working on it every\u00a0day, and we will continue to do so in\u00a0the future.
\n9. How would you describe your perfect\u00a0day?
\nBeing a Montenegrin, and we are\u00a0known to be lazy by default, a perfect\u00a0day could look like this: lying in\u00a0a comfortable deckchair by the pool\u00a0with a good book at about 33 degrees\u00a0and NO PHONES!!!\u00a0HOWEVER, I know that I would ask\u00a0both to have my phone and to start\u00a0working the next day already.
\nIn short, for me as a Montenegrin,\u00a0this perfect day can last literally just\u00a0for a day. Even on Sundays \u2013 under\u00a0the condition that I\u2019m not at work \u2013\u00a0I feel a bit uneasy, like I\u2019m missing\u00a0something.\u00a0It must be that we \u201clost our track\u201d\u00a0somewhere along the way and got\u00a0used to working hard instead of putting\u00a0our feet up.
\nThe post Leader of Montenegro tourism development appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "[quote_box_center]Mr Zarko Radulovic is co-owner of Montenegro stars within the operating 3 hotels:\u00a0Splendid Conference & Spa Resort 5 *, Montenegro Beach Resort 4 * and Blue Star\u00a0Hotel\u00a04 *.\nThe company for the first 10 years has hosted more than a quarter million\u00a0visitors from 121 countries of the world, and continues to maintain the cosmopolitan\u00a0spirit. At the same time, Mr Radulovic is one of the founders of the Council of foreign\u00a0investors in Montenegro, but also the president of the Montenegrin tourist association\u00a0that gathers about 80 % of the tourism industry of Montenegro.[/quote_box_center]\n1. How did you decide to establish Montenegro\u00a0Stars Hotel Group and how\u00a0did you get this idea in the first place?\nJust like most things in life \u2013 the best\u00a0things come about spontaneously.\u00a0I can say that the Montenegro Stars\u00a0project also just happened! My partner\u00a0came up with the idea, and today\u00a0I am certain that it\u2019s a good thing\u00a0that Montenegro Stars happened \u2013\u00a0both for us and for Montenegro.\n\u201cThe important is\u00a0that the energy exists.\u201d\n2. Hotel Splendid hosted over 100 events\u00a0between September and June,\u00a0and this hotel is considered to be the\u00a0key MICE destination in Montenegro.\u00a0How much do the hotels from your\u00a0group help the development of Montenegro\u00a0as a meetings destination?\nThe fact that we have a multifunctional\u00a0hall that is the biggest of its\u00a0kind,\u00a0until recently it also had the\u00a0latest\u00a0audio and visual equipment,\u00a0the number of events that take place\u00a0there,\u00a0as well as the fact that it\u00a0gathers the most influential people\u00a0of today from different areas of life\u00a0and business are perhaps the best illustration\u00a0of our role and place.\nWe created the infrastructure for\u00a0the development of MICE tourism,\u00a0we showed\u00a0that the potential was\u00a0there, strengthening both the reputation\u00a0of Budva and the destination\u00a0itself. MICE tourism is developing\u00a0more\u00a0and more year after year and,\u00a0without\u00a0any intent to sound pretentious,\u00a0I think it\u2019s safe to say that Montenegro\u00a0Stars\u00a0has contributed significantly\u00a0to this development.\nZarko Radulovic\n\u00a03. What sets the offer of your hotels\u00a0apart from other hotels?\nAll hotels offer the same product, more\u00a0or less. Once you try the product,\u00a0you can tell whether you made the\u00a0right choice or not. I believe that most\u00a0consumers of our products and services\u00a0have a positive experience\u00a0with\u00a0Splendid. However, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s\u00a0because Splendid is the best hotel.\nThere\u2019s no doubt that Splendid has\u00a0excellent\u00a0hardware, but its software\u00a0is much better \u2013 and its software are\u00a0its people. If there\u2019s anything I\u2019m\u00a0proud of it\u2019s the people I work with\u00a0at the company, thanks to whom our\u00a0guests here can experience the full\u00a0advantages of staying at the hotel.\n4. Every guest matters, but are there\u00a0any markets or guests from certain\u00a0destinations\u00a0that are the most important\u00a0to you?\nThey are all important \u2013 it\u2019s impossible\u00a0to discern any differences. Still,\u00a0I may slightly favour the guests who\u00a0come during winter, which doesn\u2019t\u00a0mean that I like them more.\nSimply, when you\u2019re in this business,\u00a0whether you like it or not, if you love\u00a0this job your default reaction becomes\u00a0your desire to do everything to\u00a0make your guest satisfied, and this\u00a0satisfaction\u00a0is what makes you happy.\nThis is what makes me fulfilled\u00a0and gives me encouragement, because\u00a0I can tell that when they leave\u00a0they are extremely satisfied, at least\u00a0by the comments that we read every\u00a0day on the most influential global\u00a0websites for tourism and travel.\nThe thing that we value even more\u00a0and that motivates us most to keep\u00a0improving the quality of our services\u00a0is the fact that 35-40% of these\u00a0guests return to our hotels next year\u00a0already.\n5. Are there any corporate events that\u00a0you would like to mention by name?\nOSCE konferencija\nIt\u2019s really hard to give an answer to\u00a0this question. All past events \u2013 and\u00a0there\u00a0are over 100 of different events\u00a0taking place every year at the hotel\u00a0\u2013 were challenging in their own\u00a0ways.\nOur main goal is for both us and our\u00a0customers to be satisfied after every\u00a0event.\nThere is maybe one that stands\u00a0out above others. It was a birthday\u00a0party of one of the most influential\u00a0bankers in the world.\nThanks to his guests, around 85% of\u00a0global capital was at Splendid at the\u00a0time.\nOf course, I can\u2019t give you the\u00a0name for obvious reasons, but the\u00a0name itself is less important than\u00a0the concept of the event itself.\u00a0I will always remember it for the theme\u00a0party and the way we were organising\u00a0it for months: Casino Royal –\u00a0James Bond. Half the hall was set\u00a0up as a restaurant, while the other\u00a0half was separated by a curtain and\u00a0transformed into the Casino.\u00a0After dinner \u2013 when the curtain fell \u2013\u00a0the once-in-a-lifetime show began.\u00a0We turned on the lights and the magnificent\u00a0Casino appeared, the same\u00a0one that the viewers saw in the James\u00a0Bond film.\nOne interesting fact was that we had\u00a0Mads Mikkelsen \u2013 the actor who\u00a0played the main bad guy, Le Chiffre,\u00a0in the film \u2013 sitting at the roulette\u00a0table, and he was inviting guests to\u00a0join him and try their luck.\u00a0This is an event that is worth mention\u00a0as one of those that \u2013 no matter\u00a0how demanding or challenging \u2013 always\u00a0give you a chance to show how\u00a0much you can actually do.\n6. Do you have any plans for new investments?\nWe always have plans for new investments,\u00a0because we are always coming\u00a0up with new innovations…\u00a0Once, while Splendid was still under\u00a0construction 12 years ago, I was\u00a0asked when I would finish the hotel\u00a0and I replied, \u201cNever!\u201d That\u2019s how\u00a0things are in the hotel business \u2013 the\u00a0job is never finished. There\u2019s always\nsomething to improve or change…\u00a0That\u2019s why investments are necessary,\u00a0and there certainly will be more\u00a0of them.\n\u201cIf there\u2019s anything I\u2019m proud\u00a0of it\u2019s the people I work with\u00a0at the company, thanks to whom\u00a0our guests here can experience\u00a0the full advantages of\u00a0staying at the hotel.\u201d\n7. Where do you get the energy to do\u00a0your job?\nEven I can\u2019t explain where. I think\u00a0that the feeling of great responsibility\u00a0to the people I work with (the\u00a0company employs 570 people over\u00a0the year, and up to 850 during summer)\u00a0is what makes me find that\u00a0extra\u00a0energy that is enormous, and\u00a0I can\u2019t quite explain where I get it\u00a0from. I manage to find it every day,\u00a0but that\u2019s less important. The important\u00a0thing is that the energy is\u00a0there.\n8. You\u2019ve met many world-famous\u00a0influential people. Are there any anecdotes\u00a0you can tell us about?\nOnce I said that Montenegro was\u00a0going\u00a0to be such a distinguishable\u00a0travel\u00a0destination in 10-15 years that\u00a0when someone would want to\u00a0explain\u00a0what it actually looked like,\u00a0they would say that Monaco is a bit\u00a0like Montenegro. That was perhaps\u00a0overly optimistic, a bold comparison\u00a0with a cheerful message \u2013 but this\u00a0message\u00a0found its way. As far as to\u00a0Prince Albert of Monaco.\nZarko Radulovic and Prince Albert de Monaco\nLast year,\u00a0Prince Albert made an official visit\u00a0to Montenegro. He also came to Splendid.\u00a0When we were being introduced,\u00a0he told me, \u201cOh, you\u2019re Mr\u00a0Radulovic,\u00a0the one who compared\u00a0Montenegro\u00a0to Monaco? Well yesterday\u00a0I went to Zabljak and Kolasin,\u00a0and today I saw the coast, and I can\u00a0say that you\u2019re right.\u201d Montenegro\u00a0undoubtedly has potential, a winning\u00a0and everlasting charm, and I am\u00a0certain that it has a chance to even\u00a0surpass Monaco one day.\u00a0We are diligently working on it every\u00a0day, and we will continue to do so in\u00a0the future.\n9. How would you describe your perfect\u00a0day?\nBeing a Montenegrin, and we are\u00a0known to be lazy by default, a perfect\u00a0day could look like this: lying in\u00a0a comfortable deckchair by the pool\u00a0with a good book at about 33 degrees\u00a0and NO PHONES!!!\u00a0HOWEVER, I know that I would ask\u00a0both to have my phone and to start\u00a0working the next day already.\nIn short, for me as a Montenegrin,\u00a0this perfect day can last literally just\u00a0for a day. Even on Sundays \u2013 under\u00a0the condition that I\u2019m not at work \u2013\u00a0I feel a bit uneasy, like I\u2019m missing\u00a0something.\u00a0It must be that we \u201clost our track\u201d\u00a0somewhere along the way and got\u00a0used to working hard instead of putting\u00a0our feet up.\nThe post Leader of Montenegro tourism development appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-11-23T16:22:51+01:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-26T16:47:22+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miroslava Jeremic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miroslava/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miroslava.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/SPOLJA-EVENT-pan1.jpg", "tags": [ "hotel", "montenegro", "Interviews", "WHERE AND WHY" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/festivals-as-a-part-of-tradition-and-customs/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/festivals-as-a-part-of-tradition-and-customs/", "title": "Festivals as a part of tradition and customs", "content_html": "[quote_box_center]Beside entertainment, festivals are a meeting point of culture, customs and traditions\u00a0of a particular destination. In accordance to that, such events provide authenticity\u00a0and recognizability for locations where they are held, as well as memorable\u00a0experiences and impressions for visitors. Let us introduce you with European\u00a0festivals that stands out by its creativity.[/quote_box_center]
\nLa Tomatina
\nThis festival is annual\u00a0event that takes place on the\u00a0last Wednesday in August, and this\u00a0year the 70th tomato throwing festival\u00a0was held.
\nLa Tomatina takes place in Bu\u00f1ol, a\u00a0small town near Valencia. Since there\u00a0is a great interest in this event,\u00a0since\u00a02013 official ticketing limited\u00a0the number of participants to just\u00a020,000, because this town does not\u00a0have enough capacity to host more\u00a0lovers of this unusual festival. During\u00a0the festival, all local shops, stores\u00a0and windows are covered with plastic\u00a0shields, protecting them from the\u00a0tomato \u201cfight\u201d.
\nInteresting fact
\nBu\u00f1ol is not famous for tomato\u00a0growing; furthermore, it is\u00a0famous for cement, so tomatoes\u00a0are specially imported\u00a0for\u00a0this occasion.
Festival dates since 1945, and no\u00a0one is really sure how it all began.
\nThere\u00a0are different speculations and\u00a0versions, and the most interesting\u00a0story\u00a0is the one on how the citizens\u00a0were unhappy with the local authorities,\u00a0and during the town celebration\u00a0they started to throw tomatoes\u00a0on councilmen as a sign of protest,\u00a0which\u00a0continued in years to follow.
\nFestival always starts on 11 a.m. when trucks loaded with tomatoes are parked in the city central square, Plaza del Pueblo.
\nTechnically, the festival starts when one of the visitors climbs to the top of a two-story high, greased-up wooden pole and reaches the coveted ham at the top. However, since this is a tough job, anxious participants usually begin their tomato fights sooner.
\n![\"12-08-30-Tomatina-galeria-13-1152x720\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/12-08-30-Tomatina-galeria-13-1152x720.jpg\")
The rules of the festival or \u201ctomato fight\u201d\u00a0are strict and participants have\u00a0to follow them. After one hour the\u00a0fighting ends no more tomatoes can\u00a0be thrown.\u00a0The cleaning process starts immediately\u00a0after the festival, and visitors\u00a0often\u00a0jump into the Bu\u00f1ol River to\u00a0wash\u00a0away the \u201cfight\u201d traces.
\nThe Scottish Highland Games
\nThe Scottish Highland Games is the\u00a0most\u00a0popular event in Scotland, both\u00a0for local residents and for visitors\u00a0from different countries.
\nGames are held from May until September\u00a0on many locations in Scotland,\u00a0but also on many other locations in\u00a0the world, where Celtic and Scottish\u00a0culture and tradition are honored.
\nThe Games developed in Victorian times,\u00a0after Scotland achieved independence.\u00a0They originally consisted of\u00a0sport and athletic competitions, and\u00a0the thing they were recognizable and\u00a0remained by is the famous \u201cTossing\u00a0the Caber\u201d. In musical competitions,\u00a0the most common is the competition\u00a0in drumming.
\nToday, all games involve competitions\u00a0in drums, flutes, and \u201cpipes\u201d, highland\u00a0dancing competitions, caber\u00a0tossing and a variety of sporting contests.
\nHighland Dancing
\nHighland Dancing, with Highland Fling\u00a0as the most popular dance, was\u00a0originally danced only by men, and\u00a0it reflected the imitation of deer courtship.
\u00a0In the late 19th century, Jenny\u00a0Douglas was the first woman to\u00a0apply for the dancing contest and in\u00a0the following years, women contests\u00a0were held.
\nHighland Dancing is a very\u00a0demanding dance that requires\u00a0much\u00a0exercise and experience to perfect\u00a0it.
\n![\"MAN9734\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/MAN9734.jpg\")
Tossing the Caber
\n\nTossing the Caber is the oldest and\u00a0the most popular athletic discipline.\u00a0The caber is a large wooden log, 5 or\u00a06 meters long and weighing up to 60\u00a0kg. The participants have a demanding\u00a0task to lift the caber, balance it\u00a0and throw it as far as possible.
\nThrowing the Hammer
\n\nThrowing the Hammer is another trademark\u00a0of Scottish competitions.\u00a0The Hammer is a metal bowl weighing\u00a07 or 10 kg, attached to the end of\u00a0a shaft, and it is similar to the hammer\u00a0throw as seen in modern-day\u00a0track and field competitions.
\nThe winner is the person who throws\u00a0the hammer to the greatest distance,\u00a0and women are allowed to participate.
\nDuring the summer, Highland gatherings\u00a0take place across Scotland, with\u00a0Braemar Gathering as the finale\u00a0held at Braemar on the first Saturday\u00a0in September and is traditionally\u00a0attended by the British Royal Family.
\nThe largest games are Cowal Highland\u00a0Gathering, better known as the\u00a0Cowal Games, held in August in the\u00a0town of Dunoon. These games bring\u00a0together the largest number of visitors,\u00a0around 20,000 with about 3,500\u00a0participants.
\nThe Scottish Highland Games are spread\u00a0around the world, since the Scottish\u00a0migrants retained the tradition,\u00a0culture and customs.\u00a0The Games\u00a0are also popular in America\u00a0and Canada.
\nIl palio di Siena
\nIl Palio di Siena is famous traditional\u00a0horse race that takes place on July\u00a02nd and August 16th in Sienna, Italy.
\nIl Palio that takes place in July is named\u00a0Palio di Provenzano in honor of\u00a0the Madonna of Provenzano.\u00a0The Palio held on August 16th is named\u00a0Palio\u00a0dell\u2019Assunta, in honor of\u00a0the Assumption\u00a0of Mary. The race circles\u00a0the famous Piazza del Campo.
\n![\"Palio](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/iStock_000016179992_Medium-copy-e1441992701701.jpg\")
The Siena is divided in 17 rivalry city\u00a0wards (contrade) joined by the\u00a0shared\u00a0passion to win Il Palio. Every\u00a0county functions as a separate town.\u00a0The rivalry among the \u201ccontrade\u201d is\u00a0passed from one generation to another\u00a0since the 12th century. The honor\u00a0and fame of the county that wins\u00a0Il Palio has a far greater significance\u00a0to residents of Sienna, than just winning\u00a0a horse race.
\nMore than win
\nThe winning at Il Palio is more\u00a0than just winning a horse race,\u00a0it is the honor and fame of\u00a0the county.
The jockeys ride bareback. The race\u00a0itself lasts for about 90 seconds, or\u00a0three circles around Piazza del Campo.
\nIt is common for some of the jockeys\u00a0to be thrown off their horses\u00a0while making the treacherous turns\u00a0in the piazza, and indeed, it is usual\u00a0to see unmounted horses finishing\u00a0the race without their jockeys.
\nThe most successful contrada is Oca\u00a0(the Goose) that won 63 races.\u00a0The contrada that has been the longest\u00a0without a victory is nicknamed\u00a0Nonna\u00a0(grandmother).
\nThe counties prepare for this event\u00a0thorough\u00a0the year \u2013 they develop\u00a0their\u00a0strategies, jockeys train very\u00a0hard,\u00a0donations are being collected,\u00a0media campaigns conducted, all so\u00a0that fame and glory would be justified,\u00a0and Il Palio won, since it represents\u00a0the essence of Sienna and its\u00a0residents.
\nThe post Festivals as a part of tradition and customs appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "[quote_box_center]Beside entertainment, festivals are a meeting point of culture, customs and traditions\u00a0of a particular destination. In accordance to that, such events provide authenticity\u00a0and recognizability for locations where they are held, as well as memorable\u00a0experiences and impressions for visitors. Let us introduce you with European\u00a0festivals that stands out by its creativity.[/quote_box_center]\nLa Tomatina\nLa Tomatina is the largest food festival,\u00a0and it represents the world\u2019s\u00a0largest food fight.\nThis festival is annual\u00a0event that takes place on the\u00a0last Wednesday in August, and this\u00a0year the 70th tomato throwing festival\u00a0was held.\nLa Tomatina takes place in Bu\u00f1ol, a\u00a0small town near Valencia. Since there\u00a0is a great interest in this event,\u00a0since\u00a02013 official ticketing limited\u00a0the number of participants to just\u00a020,000, because this town does not\u00a0have enough capacity to host more\u00a0lovers of this unusual festival. During\u00a0the festival, all local shops, stores\u00a0and windows are covered with plastic\u00a0shields, protecting them from the\u00a0tomato \u201cfight\u201d.\nInteresting fact\nBu\u00f1ol is not famous for tomato\u00a0growing; furthermore, it is\u00a0famous for cement, so tomatoes\u00a0are specially imported\u00a0for\u00a0this occasion.\nFestival dates since 1945, and no\u00a0one is really sure how it all began.\nThere\u00a0are different speculations and\u00a0versions, and the most interesting\u00a0story\u00a0is the one on how the citizens\u00a0were unhappy with the local authorities,\u00a0and during the town celebration\u00a0they started to throw tomatoes\u00a0on councilmen as a sign of protest,\u00a0which\u00a0continued in years to follow.\nFestival always starts on 11 a.m. when trucks loaded with tomatoes are parked in the city central square, Plaza del Pueblo.\nTechnically, the festival starts when one of the visitors climbs to the top of a two-story high, greased-up wooden pole and reaches the coveted ham at the top. However, since this is a tough job, anxious participants usually begin their tomato fights sooner.\n\nThe rules of the festival or \u201ctomato fight\u201d\u00a0are strict and participants have\u00a0to follow them. After one hour the\u00a0fighting ends no more tomatoes can\u00a0be thrown.\u00a0The cleaning process starts immediately\u00a0after the festival, and visitors\u00a0often\u00a0jump into the Bu\u00f1ol River to\u00a0wash\u00a0away the \u201cfight\u201d traces.\nThe Scottish Highland Games\nThe Scottish Highland Games is the\u00a0most\u00a0popular event in Scotland, both\u00a0for local residents and for visitors\u00a0from different countries.\nTossing the Caber is the oldest\u00a0and the most popular athletic\u00a0discipline.\nGames are held from May until September\u00a0on many locations in Scotland,\u00a0but also on many other locations in\u00a0the world, where Celtic and Scottish\u00a0culture and tradition are honored.\nThe Games developed in Victorian times,\u00a0after Scotland achieved independence.\u00a0They originally consisted of\u00a0sport and athletic competitions, and\u00a0the thing they were recognizable and\u00a0remained by is the famous \u201cTossing\u00a0the Caber\u201d. In musical competitions,\u00a0the most common is the competition\u00a0in drumming.\nToday, all games involve competitions\u00a0in drums, flutes, and \u201cpipes\u201d, highland\u00a0dancing competitions, caber\u00a0tossing and a variety of sporting contests.\nHighland Dancing\nHighland Dancing, with Highland Fling\u00a0as the most popular dance, was\u00a0originally danced only by men, and\u00a0it reflected the imitation of deer courtship.\n\u00a0In the late 19th century, Jenny\u00a0Douglas was the first woman to\u00a0apply for the dancing contest and in\u00a0the following years, women contests\u00a0were held.\nHighland Dancing is a very\u00a0demanding dance that requires\u00a0much\u00a0exercise and experience to perfect\u00a0it.\n\nTossing the Caber\n\nTossing the Caber is the oldest and\u00a0the most popular athletic discipline.\u00a0The caber is a large wooden log, 5 or\u00a06 meters long and weighing up to 60\u00a0kg. The participants have a demanding\u00a0task to lift the caber, balance it\u00a0and throw it as far as possible.\nThrowing the Hammer\n\nThrowing the Hammer is another trademark\u00a0of Scottish competitions.\u00a0The Hammer is a metal bowl weighing\u00a07 or 10 kg, attached to the end of\u00a0a shaft, and it is similar to the hammer\u00a0throw as seen in modern-day\u00a0track and field competitions.\nThe winner is the person who throws\u00a0the hammer to the greatest distance,\u00a0and women are allowed to participate.\nDuring the summer, Highland gatherings\u00a0take place across Scotland, with\u00a0Braemar Gathering as the finale\u00a0held at Braemar on the first Saturday\u00a0in September and is traditionally\u00a0attended by the British Royal Family.\nThe largest games are Cowal Highland\u00a0Gathering, better known as the\u00a0Cowal Games, held in August in the\u00a0town of Dunoon. These games bring\u00a0together the largest number of visitors,\u00a0around 20,000 with about 3,500\u00a0participants.\nThe Scottish Highland Games are spread\u00a0around the world, since the Scottish\u00a0migrants retained the tradition,\u00a0culture and customs.\u00a0The Games\u00a0are also popular in America\u00a0and Canada.\nIl palio di Siena\nIl Palio di Siena is famous traditional\u00a0horse race that takes place on July\u00a02nd and August 16th in Sienna, Italy.\nIl Palio that takes place in July is named\u00a0Palio di Provenzano in honor of\u00a0the Madonna of Provenzano.\u00a0The Palio held on August 16th is named\u00a0Palio\u00a0dell\u2019Assunta, in honor of\u00a0the Assumption\u00a0of Mary. The race circles\u00a0the famous Piazza del Campo.\n\nThe Siena is divided in 17 rivalry city\u00a0wards (contrade) joined by the\u00a0shared\u00a0passion to win Il Palio. Every\u00a0county functions as a separate town.\u00a0The rivalry among the \u201ccontrade\u201d is\u00a0passed from one generation to another\u00a0since the 12th century. The honor\u00a0and fame of the county that wins\u00a0Il Palio has a far greater significance\u00a0to residents of Sienna, than just winning\u00a0a horse race.\nMore than win\nThe winning at Il Palio is more\u00a0than just winning a horse race,\u00a0it is the honor and fame of\u00a0the county.\nThe jockeys ride bareback. The race\u00a0itself lasts for about 90 seconds, or\u00a0three circles around Piazza del Campo.\nIt is common for some of the jockeys\u00a0to be thrown off their horses\u00a0while making the treacherous turns\u00a0in the piazza, and indeed, it is usual\u00a0to see unmounted horses finishing\u00a0the race without their jockeys.\nThe most successful contrada is Oca\u00a0(the Goose) that won 63 races.\u00a0The contrada that has been the longest\u00a0without a victory is nicknamed\u00a0Nonna\u00a0(grandmother).\nThe counties prepare for this event\u00a0thorough\u00a0the year \u2013 they develop\u00a0their\u00a0strategies, jockeys train very\u00a0hard,\u00a0donations are being collected,\u00a0media campaigns conducted, all so\u00a0that fame and glory would be justified,\u00a0and Il Palio won, since it represents\u00a0the essence of Sienna and its\u00a0residents.\nThe post Festivals as a part of tradition and customs appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-10-22T13:02:32+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-29T11:50:26+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miroslava Jeremic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miroslava/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miroslava.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/La_Tomatina_Spain.jpg", "tags": [ "festivals", "hot topics", "il palio", "la tomatina", "scottish highland games", "Hot topics" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/the-international-eventex-2016-is-open-for-registration/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/the-international-eventex-2016-is-open-for-registration/", "title": "The International Eventex 2016 is Open for Registration", "content_html": "Eventex represents an annual event dedicated to meetings and event professionals providing the leading industry expertise. Registrations are opened for international meeting and event professionals.
\nFor this edition, Eventex provides a various program delivered by global experts from the meeting and event industry. Also, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy in other activities including dining, cultural angle and smart networking.
\n\n
The first two days of Eventex 2016 are scheduled for acquiring new skills: 6 exclusive masterclasses led by experienced trainers from UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany and USA will ensure a five-star education. The main topics of the masterclasses are: meeting and event design, event ROI, experience marketing, content marketing, incentive travel, audiovisual and event technology.
\nThe third day will be dedicated to conferences with speakers as well as with best-selling authors from around the world.
\nThe post The International Eventex 2016 is Open for Registration appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "The 8th edition of Eventex 2016 will be held from 16th to 18th March in Sofia, Bulgaria.\nEventex represents an annual event dedicated to meetings and event professionals providing the leading industry expertise. Registrations are opened for international meeting and event professionals.\nFor this edition, Eventex provides a various program delivered by global experts from the meeting and event industry. Also, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy in other activities including dining, cultural angle and smart networking.\n\nThe first two days of Eventex 2016 are scheduled for acquiring new skills: 6 exclusive masterclasses led by experienced trainers from UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany and USA will ensure a five-star education. The main topics of the masterclasses are: meeting and event design, event ROI, experience marketing, content marketing, incentive travel, audiovisual and event technology.\nThe third day will be dedicated to conferences with speakers as well as with best-selling authors from around the world.\nThe post The International Eventex 2016 is Open for Registration appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-10-14T15:31:56+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-29T16:44:43+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miroslava Jeremic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miroslava/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miroslava.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Copy-of-Eventex-main-logo.jpg", "tags": [ "bulgaria", "eventex 2016", "eventprofs", "meetings industry", "Trade Shows" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/opening-of-hotel-w-belgrade-planned-for-2019/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/opening-of-hotel-w-belgrade-planned-for-2019/", "title": "Opening of hotel W Belgrade planned for 2019", "content_html": "The hotel, situated on the bank of the Sava, will consists of 120 units, all-day dining venue, bars and W living room. Conference and meetings space of W Belgrade will occupy 450 square meters. Additional facilities in which guests will be able to enjoy are Away Spa, FIT modern fitness center and a glamorous WET pool with a bar. W hotel brand is recognized by its philosophy Whatever / Whenever, which includes the satisfaction of all desires and requirements of guests whatever they want and whenever they want.
\n\n
The president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Mr. Michael Weil, expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation with Belgrade Waterfront, as well as contributing in development of the tourist potential and the influx of tourists in Belgrade.
\nIn addition to the W Belgrade hotel, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, will also build W Residence, which will consists of two towers with 165 luxury apartments.
\nThe post Opening of hotel W Belgrade planned for 2019 appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and Belgrade Waterfront announced cooperation regarding the opening of the hotel W Belgrade and W Residences in Belgrade. Hotel opening is planned for 2019.\nThe hotel, situated on the bank of the Sava, will consists of 120 units, all-day dining venue, bars and W living room. Conference and meetings space of W Belgrade will occupy 450 square meters. Additional facilities in which guests will be able to enjoy are Away Spa, FIT modern fitness center and a glamorous WET pool with a bar. W hotel brand is recognized by its philosophy Whatever / Whenever, which includes the satisfaction of all desires and requirements of guests whatever they want and whenever they want.\n\nThe president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Mr. Michael Weil, expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation with Belgrade Waterfront, as well as contributing in development of the tourist potential and the influx of tourists in Belgrade.\nIn addition to the W Belgrade hotel, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, will also build W Residence, which will consists of two towers with 165 luxury apartments.\nThe post Opening of hotel W Belgrade planned for 2019 appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-10-12T15:05:54+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-29T16:51:54+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miroslava Jeremic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miroslava/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miroslava.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/w-hotel.jpg", "tags": [ "belgrade", "hotel", "starwood", "w belgrade", "NEWS" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/hotelbrain-expanded-its-business-on-the-serbian-and-montenegrin-market/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/hotelbrain-expanded-its-business-on-the-serbian-and-montenegrin-market/", "title": "HotelBrain expanded its business on the Serbian and Montenegrin market", "content_html": "HotelBrain, the biggest white flag hotel management company in Greece, expanded its business on the Serbian and Montenegrin market, with a headquarters in Belgrade. Gala opening was held on 1st October at hotel Leopold I in Novi Sad. HotelBrain under its management includes 120 hotels at 38 destinations in Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Cyprus, and now in Serbia and Montenegro.
\nAfter efforts of Mr Nikola Senesi, HotelBrain partner in Serbia and Montenegro, the contracts about hotel management cooperation were signed with hotel Park in Novi Sad, hotel Leopold in Novi Sad, as well as the development project and hotel management project with boutique hotel Vila Park in Novi Sad.
\n![\"HotelBrain](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/HotelBrain-Brosura-12.jpg\")
As it is increased growth in demand for hotel management services in the Balkans, Mr Panos Paleologos, president and owner of HotelBrain company, stated that he it is fully prepared to expand his expertise at this markets.
\nHotelBrain has been awarded twice by Tourism Award and World Travel organizations, and September 2015 won the prestigious World Travel Award for leading hotel management company in Europe.
\nThe post HotelBrain expanded its business on the Serbian and Montenegrin market appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "HotelBrain, the biggest white flag hotel management company in Greece, expanded its business on the Serbian and Montenegrin market, with a headquarters in Belgrade. Gala opening was held on 1st October at hotel Leopold I in Novi Sad. HotelBrain under its management includes 120 hotels at 38 destinations in Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Cyprus, and now in Serbia and Montenegro.\nAfter efforts of Mr Nikola Senesi, HotelBrain partner in Serbia and Montenegro, the contracts about hotel management cooperation were signed with hotel Park in Novi Sad, hotel Leopold in Novi Sad, as well as the development project and hotel management project with boutique hotel Vila Park in Novi Sad.\n\nAs it is increased growth in demand for hotel management services in the Balkans, Mr Panos Paleologos, president and owner of HotelBrain company, stated that he it is fully prepared to expand his expertise at this markets.\nHotelBrain has been awarded twice by Tourism Award and World Travel organizations, and September 2015 won the prestigious World Travel Award for leading hotel management company in Europe.\nThe post HotelBrain expanded its business on the Serbian and Montenegrin market appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-10-08T13:12:54+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-30T10:47:25+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miroslava Jeremic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miroslava/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miroslava.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/HotelBrain-Brosura-12.jpg", "tags": [ "hotel", "hotel management", "hotelbrain", "montenegro", "serbia", "NEWS" ] } ] }