![\"Mr](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Steen-in-color.jpg\")
Dubai\u2019s hospitality sector welcomed 11.6 million\u00a0guests in 2014, while revenues went up by nearly 10 percent, with total revenues\u00a0reaching $6.5 billion.
\nThe goal of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing is to attract\u00a020 millions of visitors until 2020, and to become most visited city in the world.
On this occasion, we had a pleasure\u00a0to talk to Mr Steen Jakobsen, the director\u00a0of the Dubai Business Events,\u00a0the official convention bureau for\u00a0Dubai.
\nPrior to joining the Dubai Convention\u00a0Bureau, Steen was a director of the\u00a0Copenhagen Convention Bureau for\u00a08 years. Steen is actively engaged in\u00a0the global meeting industry. He has\u00a0served on the Board of Directors of\u00a0International\u00a0Congress & Convention\u00a0Association (ICCA) since 2008.
\nIn 2011, he was Appointed 3rd Vice\u00a0President of ICCA. He has also served\u00a0on the Board of Directors of Green\u00a0Meeting\u00a0Industry Council (GMIC).
\nFrom 2003 \u2013 2007, Steen was chair\u00a0of BestCities Global Alliance and today\u00a0he serves on the Board of Directors\u00a0of BestCities Global Alliance.
1. When you say Dubai, the first thing\u00a0that crosses your mind is – luxury.\u00a0Where is the place of business events\u00a0and meetings in that story?
\nIt\u2019s no secret that Dubai is a destination\u00a0of choice for those seeking luxury\u00a0and glamour, but the city is keen\u00a0to show the world it also offers great\u00a0value to business and leisure tourists\u00a0alike.
\nDubai as a city is ever evolving, and\u00a0is actively moving beyond the superlatives\u00a0to establish itself as a vibrant\u00a0destination with a quality and\u00a0diverse\u00a0tourism offer and a range\u00a0of attractions to suit every type of\u00a0traveler.
\nOur tourism stakeholders\u00a0at present are making a big push to\u00a0build more mid-market hotels and\u00a0attractions in the city, and by doing\u00a0so, Dubai is maturing into its role\u00a0as a global city that is as welcoming\u00a0as it is accessible.
From hotels\u00a0to meetings venues and transport\u00a0options, the emirate is keen to show\u00a0it maintains world-class standards\u00a0in every category that it caters to,\u00a0from seven-star luxury to affordable\u00a0three-star value. In order for Dubai\u00a0to become a truly international city,\u00a0we need to attract more and more\u00a0visitors with a class-leading and wide\u00a0ranging offer for all budgets.
\n![\"Business](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Business-Events_DIFC_Couple-walking-and-talking.jpg\")
At present Dubai\u2019s infrastructure is\u00a0such that doing business in, and from\u00a0the city is easy. There are hundreds\u00a0of hotels which offer a plethora of\u00a0flexible business facilities \u2013 whether\u00a0that\u2019s simply a meeting room for 10\u00a0people or a convention for tens of\u00a0thousands.
\nAnd of course, this is all supported\u00a0with the expansive facilities offered\u00a0at the Dubai World Trade Centre \u00a0–\u00a0the host for over 50 per cent of all exhibitions\u00a0in the Middle East region.
\n2. Do you have strategy for attracting\u00a0meetings and events in a way to make\u00a0it more achievable? What are the main\u00a0markets for Dubai, when we talk about\u00a0it as a meeting destination?
\nAs the city\u2019s official convention bureau,\u00a0Dubai Business Events promotes\u00a0Dubai\u2019s business events offer\u00a0through a number of different activities,\u00a0and most recently began hosting\u00a0large scale study missions that\u00a0regularly bring international decision –\u00a0makers to the city so we can\u00a0showcase everything we offer.
\nThis strategy allows people who are\u00a0well placed to recommend Dubai\u00a0as a destination for major events to\u00a0meet with potential partners from\u00a0the public and private sectors and\u00a0get a feel for the energy in the city.
\nBringing decision makers into Dubai\u00a0and showing them the city first-hand\u00a0is an important part of our strategy\u00a0as it also dispels a lot of misconceptions\u00a0about the emirate quickly and\u00a0effectively, such as worries that Dubai\u00a0is too expensive for delegates or\u00a0that the city is somehow unsafe because\u00a0it is in the Middle East.
\nAnother equally important component\u00a0of our strategy is to go abroad\u00a0to meet decision makers and we do\u00a0this by participating in trade shows,\u00a0sales missions, and client workshops\u00a0in key markets around the world. In\u00a0addition, we have offices in four regions\u00a0\u2013 London, New York, Sao Paulo\u00a0and China \u2013 in Beijing and Shanghai.
\nThese offices are important in\u00a0terms of reaching out to decision makers\u00a0as well. As for where events\u00a0come\u00a0from, it is safe to say they\u00a0come\u00a0from all over the world and\u00a0many are global conferences initiated\u00a0by associations usually based in\u00a0Europe or North America.
In terms of volume, however, the\u00a0majority\u00a0of delegates come from the\u00a0GCC, followed by delegates from India\u00a0and increasingly from Africa.
\n3. What do you consider as main advantages\u00a0of Dubai for events and business\u00a0tourism?
\nIn terms of infrastructure, Dubai has\u00a0excellent air connectivity with two\u00a0international\u00a0airports connecting\u00a0hundreds\u00a0of destinations across six\u00a0continents.
\nHotels abound and meeting\u00a0venues\u00a0range from the cavernous\u00a0halls that\u00a0make up the Dubai World Trade Centre\u00a0(DWTC) to the numerous ballrooms\u00a0and meeting rooms that at\u00a0are present at almost every hotel in\u00a0the city.
\nIn addition, the local transport options\u00a0include the metro, taxis, buses\u00a0and chauffeured cars, as well\u00a0as the recently launched tram network,\u00a0making it extremely easy to\u00a0get around.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_4298.jpg\")
To cater to all kinds of visitors, Dubai\u00a0is increasing its already world-class\u00a0destination offering across attractions, infrastructure and services to\u00a0enhance the overall visitor experience.
\nThe emirate is also working to\u00a0leverage Dubai\u2019s position as the business\u00a0hub of the region and further\u00a0highlight Dubai\u2019s credentials as a\u00a0global business destination.
To do so, it is increasing coordination\u00a0across stakeholders,\u00a0improving\u00a0the current business\u00a0tourism offer\u00a0by grow existing events into mega\u00a0events, creating\u00a0new events in identified\u00a0sector gaps\u00a0and making Dubai a\u00a0dynamic hub for major conventions.
\nFurthermore, Dubai is increasing business\u00a0tourists\u2019 use of leisure touch\u00a0points and is encouraging visitors\u00a0to\u00a0extend the length of their stays and\u00a0return for leisure trips.
\nThe emirate\u2019s philosophy\u00a0in this regard\u00a0is that today\u2019s business visitor\u00a0is tomorrow\u2019s leisure\u00a0tourist.
\nFinally, the city is aiming to maintain\u00a0and increase the amount of independent\u00a0business travelers by adding\u00a0value to their visits, and making sure\u00a0that Dubai is the easiest place to do\u00a0business.
\n4. Can you tell us more about Dubai Association\u00a0Center?
\nDubai Association Centre (DAC) is a legal\u00a0entity which licenses the formation\u00a0of non-profit, professional associations\u00a0and trade bodies in Dubai.
\nIt was founded by Dubai Tourism,\u00a0the Dubai Chamber of Commerce &\u00a0Industry (DCCI), and the Dubai World\u00a0Trade Centre (DWTC) and will help\u00a0drive\u00a0the next stage in the emirate\u2019s\u00a0development as a center for the global\u00a0meetings industry. The establishment\u00a0of DAC is also part of a long\u00a0term plan to attract international\u00a0associations\u00a0to set up shop in the region\u00a0and consequently strengthen\u00a0Dubai\u2019s role as a knowledge hub across\u00a0all economic sectors.
\nWe have\u00a0successfully registered 12\u00a0internationally associations over the\u00a0past one year since the center was\u00a0formed, and are looking forward to\u00a0welcoming dozens more in the coming\u00a0period. Dubai\u2019s aspirations to\u00a0grow from a regional business and\u00a0events hub to an international one\u00a0will be further strengthened by a strong\u00a0knowledge economy which, in\u00a0turn, will naturally bring economic\u00a0benefits to the emirate.
\nDubai\u2019s geographic position between\u00a0cities such as New York or Washington\u00a0in the US, Brussels in Europe and\u00a0Singapore in Asia means it is uniquely\u00a0positioned to offer associations a\u00a0hub to serve Middle Eastern markets\u00a0as well as those in Africa, South Asia\u00a0and the CIS States (Commonwealth\u00a0of Independent States).
\nAll this, of\u00a0course, will steadily add value to the\u00a0emirate\u2019s meetings industry as many\u00a0more international associations with\u00a0offices in Dubai would be willing to\u00a0host their events here once they get\u00a0a feel for everything we have to offer\u00a0as a premier business events hub.
\n5. What was the most challenging\u00a0event for Dubai Business Events so far,\u00a0in terms of bidding and in terms of realization?
\nWe haven\u2019t had a \u201dmost challenging\u201d\u00a0event as such, but do face challenges\u00a0as a destination when bidding for\u00a0events.
\nA key challenge for us is changing potential visitors\u2019 perceptions\u00a0of Dubai.
![\"Metro\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_4376-High.jpg\")
The emirate is known\u00a0globally\u00a0as a world-class destination,\u00a0a place of record breaking firsts,\u00a0where\u00a0anything can happen and where\u00a0it often does.
\nWhat many people who haven\u2019t experienced\u00a0Dubai don\u2019t realize is, that\u00a0beyond the aspirational aspect, how\u00a0accessible it is from a logistical and\u00a0budgetary point of view for both leisure\u00a0and business travelers.
\nAlso, given our location,\u00a0we always\u00a0need to ensure that we are consistently\u00a0relaying what a stable and open\u00a0destination Dubai\u00a0is, with over 200\u00a0na\u00adtionalities living and working in\u00a0the emirate.
\nTo address these\u00a0concerns, all our\u00a0communications, be it direct liaison\u00a0during the bid process to wider communications,\u00a0reflect the diversity\u00a0and depth of our offer and the benefits\u00a0of Dubai as a holistic business\u00a0destination.
\n6. Your favorite dish in Dubai?
\nDubai has an amazing array of restaurants.\u00a0A visiting delegate would be\u00a0hard pressed to see even a small\u00a0fraction\u00a0of the best places this city\u00a0has to offer. With that being said,\u00a0choosing\u00a0a favorite dish is extremely\u00a0hard. La Serre Bistro & Boulangerie\u00a0at Vida Downtown Dubai hotel, however,\u00a0has an incredible breakfast\u00a0menu, which includes a delectable\u00a0scrambled eggs with smoked salmon.
\nThe post How to become a premier destination for events, meetings and conferences? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Dubai is known as a fastest growing destination in the world, running towards\u00a0the future. Tourism is playing very important role, strongly implemented into\u00a0overall economy and lifestyle. \nDubai\u2019s hospitality sector welcomed 11.6 million\u00a0guests in 2014, while revenues went up by nearly 10 percent, with total revenues\u00a0reaching $6.5 billion.\nThe goal of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing is to attract\u00a020 millions of visitors until 2020, and to become most visited city in the world.\nMr Steen Jakobsen\nOn this occasion, we had a pleasure\u00a0to talk to Mr Steen Jakobsen, the director\u00a0of the Dubai Business Events,\u00a0the official convention bureau for\u00a0Dubai.\nPrior to joining the Dubai Convention\u00a0Bureau, Steen was a director of the\u00a0Copenhagen Convention Bureau for\u00a08 years. Steen is actively engaged in\u00a0the global meeting industry. He has\u00a0served on the Board of Directors of\u00a0International\u00a0Congress & Convention\u00a0Association (ICCA) since 2008.\nIn 2011, he was Appointed 3rd Vice\u00a0President of ICCA. He has also served\u00a0on the Board of Directors of Green\u00a0Meeting\u00a0Industry Council (GMIC).\nFrom 2003 \u2013 2007, Steen was chair\u00a0of BestCities Global Alliance and today\u00a0he serves on the Board of Directors\u00a0of BestCities Global Alliance.\n1. When you say Dubai, the first thing\u00a0that crosses your mind is – luxury.\u00a0Where is the place of business events\u00a0and meetings in that story?\nIt\u2019s no secret that Dubai is a destination\u00a0of choice for those seeking luxury\u00a0and glamour, but the city is keen\u00a0to show the world it also offers great\u00a0value to business and leisure tourists\u00a0alike.\nThe emirate\u2019s philosophy\u00a0is that today\u2019s business\u00a0visitor is tomorrow\u2019s\u00a0leisure tourist.\nDubai as a city is ever evolving, and\u00a0is actively moving beyond the superlatives\u00a0to establish itself as a vibrant\u00a0destination with a quality and\u00a0diverse\u00a0tourism offer and a range\u00a0of attractions to suit every type of\u00a0traveler.\nOur tourism stakeholders\u00a0at present are making a big push to\u00a0build more mid-market hotels and\u00a0attractions in the city, and by doing\u00a0so, Dubai is maturing into its role\u00a0as a global city that is as welcoming\u00a0as it is accessible. \nFrom hotels\u00a0to meetings venues and transport\u00a0options, the emirate is keen to show\u00a0it maintains world-class standards\u00a0in every category that it caters to,\u00a0from seven-star luxury to affordable\u00a0three-star value. In order for Dubai\u00a0to become a truly international city,\u00a0we need to attract more and more\u00a0visitors with a class-leading and wide\u00a0ranging offer for all budgets.\nBusiness Events\nAt present Dubai\u2019s infrastructure is\u00a0such that doing business in, and from\u00a0the city is easy. There are hundreds\u00a0of hotels which offer a plethora of\u00a0flexible business facilities \u2013 whether\u00a0that\u2019s simply a meeting room for 10\u00a0people or a convention for tens of\u00a0thousands.\nAnd of course, this is all supported\u00a0with the expansive facilities offered\u00a0at the Dubai World Trade Centre \u00a0–\u00a0the host for over 50 per cent of all exhibitions\u00a0in the Middle East region.\n2. Do you have strategy for attracting\u00a0meetings and events in a way to make\u00a0it more achievable? What are the main\u00a0markets for Dubai, when we talk about\u00a0it as a meeting destination?\nAs the city\u2019s official convention bureau,\u00a0Dubai Business Events promotes\u00a0Dubai\u2019s business events offer\u00a0through a number of different activities,\u00a0and most recently began hosting\u00a0large scale study missions that\u00a0regularly bring international decision –\u00a0makers to the city so we can\u00a0showcase everything we offer.\nThis strategy allows people who are\u00a0well placed to recommend Dubai\u00a0as a destination for major events to\u00a0meet with potential partners from\u00a0the public and private sectors and\u00a0get a feel for the energy in the city.\nDubai is maturing into its\u00a0role as a global city that\u00a0is as welcoming as it\u00a0is accessible.\nBringing decision makers into Dubai\u00a0and showing them the city first-hand\u00a0is an important part of our strategy\u00a0as it also dispels a lot of misconceptions\u00a0about the emirate quickly and\u00a0effectively, such as worries that Dubai\u00a0is too expensive for delegates or\u00a0that the city is somehow unsafe because\u00a0it is in the Middle East.\nAnother equally important component\u00a0of our strategy is to go abroad\u00a0to meet decision makers and we do\u00a0this by participating in trade shows,\u00a0sales missions, and client workshops\u00a0in key markets around the world. In\u00a0addition, we have offices in four regions\u00a0\u2013 London, New York, Sao Paulo\u00a0and China \u2013 in Beijing and Shanghai.\nThese offices are important in\u00a0terms of reaching out to decision makers\u00a0as well. As for where events\u00a0come\u00a0from, it is safe to say they\u00a0come\u00a0from all over the world and\u00a0many are global conferences initiated\u00a0by associations usually based in\u00a0Europe or North America.\nIn terms of volume, however, the\u00a0majority\u00a0of delegates come from the\u00a0GCC, followed by delegates from India\u00a0and increasingly from Africa.\n3. What do you consider as main advantages\u00a0of Dubai for events and business\u00a0tourism?\nIn terms of infrastructure, Dubai has\u00a0excellent air connectivity with two\u00a0international\u00a0airports connecting\u00a0hundreds\u00a0of destinations across six\u00a0continents.\nHotels abound and meeting\u00a0venues\u00a0range from the cavernous\u00a0halls that\u00a0make up the Dubai World Trade Centre\u00a0(DWTC) to the numerous ballrooms\u00a0and meeting rooms that at\u00a0are present at almost every hotel in\u00a0the city.\nIn addition, the local transport options\u00a0include the metro, taxis, buses\u00a0and chauffeured cars, as well\u00a0as the recently launched tram network,\u00a0making it extremely easy to\u00a0get around.\n\nTo cater to all kinds of visitors, Dubai\u00a0is increasing its already world-class\u00a0destination offering across attractions, infrastructure and services to\u00a0enhance the overall visitor experience.\nThe emirate is also working to\u00a0leverage Dubai\u2019s position as the business\u00a0hub of the region and further\u00a0highlight Dubai\u2019s credentials as a\u00a0global business destination.\nTo do so, it is increasing coordination\u00a0across stakeholders,\u00a0improving\u00a0the current business\u00a0tourism offer\u00a0by grow existing events into mega\u00a0events, creating\u00a0new events in identified\u00a0sector gaps\u00a0and making Dubai a\u00a0dynamic hub for major conventions.\nFurthermore, Dubai is increasing business\u00a0tourists\u2019 use of leisure touch\u00a0points and is encouraging visitors\u00a0to\u00a0extend the length of their stays and\u00a0return for leisure trips.\nThe emirate\u2019s philosophy\u00a0in this regard\u00a0is that today\u2019s business visitor\u00a0is tomorrow\u2019s leisure\u00a0tourist.\nFinally, the city is aiming to maintain\u00a0and increase the amount of independent\u00a0business travelers by adding\u00a0value to their visits, and making sure\u00a0that Dubai is the easiest place to do\u00a0business.\n4. Can you tell us more about Dubai Association\u00a0Center?\nDubai Association Centre (DAC) is a legal\u00a0entity which licenses the formation\u00a0of non-profit, professional associations\u00a0and trade bodies in Dubai.\nIt was founded by Dubai Tourism,\u00a0the Dubai Chamber of Commerce &\u00a0Industry (DCCI), and the Dubai World\u00a0Trade Centre (DWTC) and will help\u00a0drive\u00a0the next stage in the emirate\u2019s\u00a0development as a center for the global\u00a0meetings industry. The establishment\u00a0of DAC is also part of a long\u00a0term plan to attract international\u00a0associations\u00a0to set up shop in the region\u00a0and consequently strengthen\u00a0Dubai\u2019s role as a knowledge hub across\u00a0all economic sectors.\nWhat many people who\u00a0haven\u2019t experienced Dubai\u00a0don\u2019t realize is, that beyond\u00a0the aspirational aspect,\u00a0how accessible it is from\u00a0a logistical and budgetary\u00a0point of view for both leisure\u00a0and business travelers.\nWe have\u00a0successfully registered 12\u00a0internationally associations over the\u00a0past one year since the center was\u00a0formed, and are looking forward to\u00a0welcoming dozens more in the coming\u00a0period. Dubai\u2019s aspirations to\u00a0grow from a regional business and\u00a0events hub to an international one\u00a0will be further strengthened by a strong\u00a0knowledge economy which, in\u00a0turn, will naturally bring economic\u00a0benefits to the emirate.\nDubai\u2019s geographic position between\u00a0cities such as New York or Washington\u00a0in the US, Brussels in Europe and\u00a0Singapore in Asia means it is uniquely\u00a0positioned to offer associations a\u00a0hub to serve Middle Eastern markets\u00a0as well as those in Africa, South Asia\u00a0and the CIS States (Commonwealth\u00a0of Independent States).\nAll this, of\u00a0course, will steadily add value to the\u00a0emirate\u2019s meetings industry as many\u00a0more international associations with\u00a0offices in Dubai would be willing to\u00a0host their events here once they get\u00a0a feel for everything we have to offer\u00a0as a premier business events hub.\n5. What was the most challenging\u00a0event for Dubai Business Events so far,\u00a0in terms of bidding and in terms of realization?\nWe haven\u2019t had a \u201dmost challenging\u201d\u00a0event as such, but do face challenges\u00a0as a destination when bidding for\u00a0events.\nA key challenge for us is changing potential visitors\u2019 perceptions\u00a0of Dubai.\nMetro\nThe emirate is known\u00a0globally\u00a0as a world-class destination,\u00a0a place of record breaking firsts,\u00a0where\u00a0anything can happen and where\u00a0it often does.\nWhat many people who haven\u2019t experienced\u00a0Dubai don\u2019t realize is, that\u00a0beyond the aspirational aspect, how\u00a0accessible it is from a logistical and\u00a0budgetary point of view for both leisure\u00a0and business travelers.\nAlso, given our location,\u00a0we always\u00a0need to ensure that we are consistently\u00a0relaying what a stable and open\u00a0destination Dubai\u00a0is, with over 200\u00a0na\u00adtionalities living and working in\u00a0the emirate.\nWe have successfully registered\u00a012 internationally\u00a0associations over the past\u00a0one year since the center\u00a0was formed, and are\u00a0looking\u00a0forward to welcoming\u00a0dozens more in the\u00a0coming period.\nTo address these\u00a0concerns, all our\u00a0communications, be it direct liaison\u00a0during the bid process to wider communications,\u00a0reflect the diversity\u00a0and depth of our offer and the benefits\u00a0of Dubai as a holistic business\u00a0destination.\n6. Your favorite dish in Dubai?\nDubai has an amazing array of restaurants.\u00a0A visiting delegate would be\u00a0hard pressed to see even a small\u00a0fraction\u00a0of the best places this city\u00a0has to offer. With that being said,\u00a0choosing\u00a0a favorite dish is extremely\u00a0hard. La Serre Bistro & Boulangerie\u00a0at Vida Downtown Dubai hotel, however,\u00a0has an incredible breakfast\u00a0menu, which includes a delectable\u00a0scrambled eggs with smoked salmon.\nThe post How to become a premier destination for events, meetings and conferences? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-07-10T14:14:44+02:00", "date_modified": "2017-12-18T13:52:22+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miona Milic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miona/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20240224-WA0003-e1728981138373.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Emirates-Air-Line-3-HI.jpg", "tags": [ "convention buerau", "dubai", "dubai business event", "meetings destination", "Convention Bureaus" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/serbia-is-among-the-worlds-top-50-destinations-by-icca/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/serbia-is-among-the-worlds-top-50-destinations-by-icca/", "title": "Serbia is among the world\u2019s top 50 destinations by ICCA", "content_html": "In the latest report by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) published on 11th May 2015 for the year 2014, Serbia has been ranked as 46th with a total of 67 meetings of international associations held last year.
\nThis is the fourth year in a row that Serbia is among the world’s top 50 destinations (46th place for the 2014) when it comes to number of held meetings of international associations. Annual comparison of states and cities in the world is one of the most eagerly anticipated publications within the industry, and one of the few reports that compare performance of destinations globally.
\nICCA based its rankings on a survey of qualifying events – events that are organized by international associations with at least 50 participants, take place on a regular basis and rotate between at least three different countries.
\nMeetings in this base include meetings of international associations that meet the following strict criteria: 1) attendance of at least 50 participants; 2) take place on a regular basis (one day events are not included) and 3) rotation between at least three different countries.
\nNovi Sad, the second largest and congress destination in Serbia, is placed 289th and is in the rank of city of Sarajevo and Split, which hosted 7 meetings during 2014.
\nSince the foundation of Serbia Convention Bureau in 2007, country has reached a progress in MICE industry, making business travels one of the most profit and most important sectors which contributes to the positive image of country in the world.
\nSerbia has strengthened its position as a meeting destination and thanks to the large number of recently opened hotels and the new national carrier Air Serbia, with its constantly growing network of direct flights.
\nSerbia Convention Bureau, together with partners from industry will present the offer of the country at the most important world fair for the meeting industry – IMEX in Frankfurt which will be held from 19th to 21st May.
\nThe post Serbia is among the world’s top 50 destinations by ICCA appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "In the latest report by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) published on 11th May 2015 for the year 2014, Serbia has been ranked as 46th with a total of 67 meetings of international associations held last year.\nThis is the fourth year in a row that Serbia is among the world’s top 50 destinations (46th place for the 2014) when it comes to number of held meetings of international associations. Annual comparison of states and cities in the world is one of the most eagerly anticipated publications within the industry, and one of the few reports that compare performance of destinations globally.\nAs for the category of cities, Belgrade is ranked 50th, with 50 meetings, in the same rank with Montreal, while Washington, Oslo and New York had one to three more meetings.\nICCA based its rankings on a survey of qualifying events – events that are organized by international associations with at least 50 participants, take place on a regular basis and rotate between at least three different countries.\nMeetings in this base include meetings of international associations that meet the following strict criteria: 1) attendance of at least 50 participants; 2) take place on a regular basis (one day events are not included) and 3) rotation between at least three different countries.\nNovi Sad, the second largest and congress destination in Serbia, is placed 289th and is in the rank of city of Sarajevo and Split, which hosted 7 meetings during 2014.\nSince the foundation of Serbia Convention Bureau in 2007, country has reached a progress in MICE industry, making business travels one of the most profit and most important sectors which contributes to the positive image of country in the world.\nSerbia has strengthened its position as a meeting destination and thanks to the large number of recently opened hotels and the new national carrier Air Serbia, with its constantly growing network of direct flights.\nSerbia Convention Bureau, together with partners from industry will present the offer of the country at the most important world fair for the meeting industry – IMEX in Frankfurt which will be held from 19th to 21st May.\nThe post Serbia is among the world’s top 50 destinations by ICCA appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-05-18T13:30:05+02:00", "date_modified": "2017-03-22T09:48:28+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/kongresni_biro_srbije_220414.jpg", "tags": [ "belgrade", "destination", "icca", "meetings destination", "MICE", "serbia", "serbia convention bureau", "News and events" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/great-transformation-for-undisputable-comeback/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/great-transformation-for-undisputable-comeback/", "title": "Great transformation for undisputable comeback", "content_html": "Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) is known as the world\u2019s first\u00a0convention and visitors bureau, which this year celebrates 119th birthday.
\n1. Considering that DMCVB is the world\u2019s\u00a0first convention and visitors bureau\u00a0established, could you tell us more\u00a0about this interesting fact?
\n![\"Mr](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Bill-Bohde_2014.jpg\")
For the destination marketing industry,\u00a0the first step was taken by Detroit based\u00a0Milton Carmichael, who was\u00a0also the first to take to the road to sell\u00a0his city as a convention site in 1896.
\nAnd, like many of our nation\u2019s pioneers,\u00a0Carmichael\u2019s entrepreneurial footsteps\u00a0paved the way for the rest of\u00a0the world.
\nSoon after taking note of Carmichael\u2019s\u00a0success, other aspiring destinations,\u00a0including Denver, Atlanta, St. Louis,\u00a0and others joined the efforts.
\nIn 1914, a handful of representatives,\u00a0soon to be called \u201cconvention secretaries\u201d\u00a0gathered in Detroit for what would\u00a0be the first organizational meeting\u00a0of the International Association\u00a0of Convention Bureaus (IACB).
\nFrom those first meaningful steps, the\u00a0IACB soon began to jog, then sprint\u00a0into history. Railroad and air travel opened\u00a0up new geographies, and funding\u00a0was allocated to boost competition.\u00a0Not long thereafter, tourism was\u00a0recognized as a viable and valuable\u00a0addition to a destination\u2019s formula for\u00a0success.
\nEven with set-backs resulting from\u00a0the Great Depression, World War II\u00a0and civil unrest, the nation\u2019s first destination\u00a0marketers found creative\u00a0ways to thrive, helping advance the\u00a0profession to the multi-billion dollar\u00a0industry it is today.
\n2. Detroit is known as the great comeback\u00a0city. Why?
\nNational and local publications, bloggers,\u00a0captains of industry and proud\u00a0local residents quietly began to refer\u00a0to Detroit as the \u201cnext comeback city\u201d\u00a0and that message has turned into\u00a0a drumbeat that we no longer igonre.
\nThe message grew organically and\u00a0publications ranging from the LA Times\u00a0to Meetings Focus Magazine have\u00a0dubbed Detroit as \u201cthe Comeback\u00a0City\u201d, the \u201cComeback Kid\u201d, a \u201cCity Reimagined\u201d\u00a0in recent articles. The word\u00a0\u201ccomeback\u201d has dual meanings.
\n![\"Detroit](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Detroit-International-Riverfront_Detroit-Riverfront-Conservancy.jpg\")
First, it touts the fact that Detroit is\u00a0undergoing a rapid transformation.\u00a0Secondly, it urges visits to \u201ccome back\u201d\u00a0to the city and the region if they\u00a0have not been or it has been some\u00a0time since their last visit. Evidence of\u00a0Detroit\u2019s Comeback can been seen throughout\u00a0the city.
\nHere are some examples:
\n\u00b7 The M-1 Rail project is underway\u00a0and will provide a catalyst for investment,\u00a0economic development and\u00a0urban renewal that positively impacts\u00a0the entire region through the\u00a0construction of a streetcar circulator\u00a0system running along. The rail\u00a0project is estimated to be complete\u00a0in early 2016.
\n\u00b7 The announcement of \u201cThe District\u201d\u00a0entertainment area spearheaded by\u00a0the Ilitch family. \u201cThe District\u201d will\u00a0be 50 blocks of thriving businesses,\u00a0parks, restaurants, bars and event\u00a0destinations.
\n\u00b7 A multitude of investments by Dan\u00a0Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans\u00a0and Rock Ventures, that included\u00a0moving his Family of Companies into\u00a0Detroit\u2019s central business district\u00a0in 2010 in an effort to help lead the\u00a0transformation of a great American\u00a0city. Since then, he has invested more\u00a0than $1.6 billion to purchase and\u00a0renovate more than 70 commercial\u00a0properties accounting for more than\u00a010 million square\u00a0feet in the city\u2019s\u00a0urban core.
\n3. What do you find as the main adventages\u00a0of Detroit as a meeting destination?
\nDetroit is a well rounded destination\u00a0that offers plenty of options for\u00a0meeting planners. The highlight of\u00a0the region is the new Cobo Center.
\nBuilt by the City of Detroit, it was originally\u00a0opened in 1960 and named\u00a0Cobo Hall in honor of former Detroit Mayor Albert E. Cobo.
\nThe newly remodeled and renovated\u00a0Cobo Center has been transformed\u00a0into a world-class convention and meeting\u00a0facility.
The $279 million expansion adds more\u00a0than 200,000 additional square feet\u00a0of new and reconfigured meeting\u00a0and banquet spaces: 100 breakout spaces\u00a0total. All told, Cobo Center now\u00a0has\u00a0723,000 square feet of exhibition\u00a0space: 623,000 of it contiguous\u00a0and 100,000 more along the Detroit\u00a0River. In addition, its rigging capabilities\u00a0rival those of any North American\u00a0facility.\u00a0Cobo Center now offers\u00a0all the latest technology assets, starting\u00a0with free WiFi via a robust bandwidth\u00a0available throughout the facility.
\n![\"Cobo](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Cobo-Ballroom.jpg\")
The in-house, centrally controlled\u00a0communications system has programmable\u00a0video displays outside every
\nmeeting room. Other assets include\u00a0a new 4,500-square-foot sound stage\u00a0and an on-site video studio with full\u00a0production services and satellite up-link\u00a0capabilities.
Detroit\u2019s connectively to the world\u00a0and our accessibility at Detroit Metro\u00a0Airport is a definite advantage.
\nWith one of the world\u2019s busiest air transportation\u00a0hubs, Detroit offers nonstop\u00a0flights to 150 destinations in the\u00a0world. Downtown Detroit has more\u00a0than 5,000 hotel rooms, including Detroit\u00a0Marriott at the Renaissance Center\u00a0(currently undergoing extensive\u00a0renovations) and Courtyard Detroit\u00a0Downtown Marriott.
\nIn addition, the Atheneum Suite Hotel\u00a0and Conference Center has 174 luxury\u00a0suites and is located near Greektown\u00a0Casino, restaurants, nightclubs and\u00a0more. In total, the Detroit area has\u00a0more than 40,000 hotel rooms.
\nSo whether visitors are looking\u00a0for\u00a0chic and luxurious, quaint and charming,\u00a0or comfortable and affordable,\u00a0they\u2019re sure to find their perfect match.
\nDetroit and its surrounding suburbs\u00a0offer dining options to satisfy\u00a0any appetite along with distinct, dynamic\u00a0attractions, many of which are\u00a0uniquely Detroit. Related to its reign\u00a0as the Motor City are the Ford Rouge\u00a0Factory Tour, Automotive Hall of Fame\u00a0and Woodward Dream Cruise.
\nRegional cultural destinations include\u00a0the Arab American National Museum,\u00a0Detroit Institute of Arts, Charles H.\u00a0Wright Museum of African American\u00a0History, Broadway In Detroit and many\u00a0more.
There are three top-notch casinos\u00a0and music plays daily at a variety of indoor\u00a0and outdoor venues, and at the\u00a0Motown Museum, Michigan Opera\u00a0House and Detroit Symphony Orchestra.\u00a0Detroit is home to four professional\u00a0sports teams, great college sports,\u00a0many scenic public golf courses, waterways,\u00a0lakes, parks and outdoor spaces.
\n![\"Campus](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/CampusMartiusTurner09_Paula_Turner.jpg\")
4. According to the ICCA Statistic Report,\u00a0USA is the first in the world by\u00a0the number of held meetings. What\u00a0is your share here? And cooperation\u00a0with neigbouring countries?
\nWhile our share of the international\u00a0meetings market is small in comparision,\u00a0Detroit is making strides become\u00a0more attractive to international\u00a0meeting planners. We have created\u00a0several forgein language videos to expose\u00a0the destination to international\u00a0travelers.
\nThe Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors\u00a0Bureau is currently working with\u00a0the State of Michigan and Brand USA\u00a0to promote the region as a destination\u00a0for leisure travelers, business travelers\u00a0and meeting planners.
\nDetroit is located on the Detroit River\u00a0which acts as an international border\u00a0crossing into Canada. We work very\u00a0closely with our Canadian friends in\u00a0Windsor, ON and have had several\u00a0meeting and convention groups that\u00a0have utilized hotels on both sides of\u00a0the river.
\n![\"Redwingsfan](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/RedwingsfanKid_Dave-Reginek-Detroit-Red-Wings.jpg\")
5. Could you single out the most important\u00a0or biggest event Detroit has\u00a0hosted?
\nHosting the Super Bowl in 2006\u00a0was the most important and biggest\u00a0event that Detroit has had the\u00a0honor to host. Perhaps there was no\u00a0other city in the history of the Super\u00a0Bowl that had more misperceptions\u00a0to overcome than Detroit in hosting\u00a0Super Bowl XL. Yet, when the teams,\u00a0visitors and national media left town,\u00a0nearly 2,000 stories had been written\u00a0and aired with an estimated 90 percent\u00a0of them portraying a positive or\u00a0neutral image of the city and the area\u00a0which played host.
\nThe day after the Super Bowl, Frank\u00a0Supovitz, former Senior Vice President\u00a0of Events for the National Football\u00a0League called Detroit\u2019s performance\u00a0\u201cabsolutely perfect\u201c and stated that\u00a0\u201cexpectations were clearly exceeded.\u201c He said, \u201cThis city has every reason to\u00a0be proud.\u201c
\nThe event attracted 100,000 visitors\u00a0to the region and was viewed by 900\u00a0million sports fans. The economic impact\u00a0generated by hosting Super Bowl\u00a0XL was $261 million.
\nThe post Great transformation for undisputable comeback appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) is known as the world\u2019s first\u00a0convention and visitors bureau, which this year celebrates 119th birthday.\nRegarding Detroit, as a meeting destination and its advantages we had the honor\u00a0to talk with Mr. Bill Bohde, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing.\n1. Considering that DMCVB is the world\u2019s\u00a0first convention and visitors bureau\u00a0established, could you tell us more\u00a0about this interesting fact?\nMr Bill Bohde\nFor the destination marketing industry,\u00a0the first step was taken by Detroit based\u00a0Milton Carmichael, who was\u00a0also the first to take to the road to sell\u00a0his city as a convention site in 1896.\nAnd, like many of our nation\u2019s pioneers,\u00a0Carmichael\u2019s entrepreneurial footsteps\u00a0paved the way for the rest of\u00a0the world.\nSoon after taking note of Carmichael\u2019s\u00a0success, other aspiring destinations,\u00a0including Denver, Atlanta, St. Louis,\u00a0and others joined the efforts.\nIn 1914, a handful of representatives,\u00a0soon to be called \u201cconvention secretaries\u201d\u00a0gathered in Detroit for what would\u00a0be the first organizational meeting\u00a0of the International Association\u00a0of Convention Bureaus (IACB).\nFrom those first meaningful steps, the\u00a0IACB soon began to jog, then sprint\u00a0into history. Railroad and air travel opened\u00a0up new geographies, and funding\u00a0was allocated to boost competition.\u00a0Not long thereafter, tourism was\u00a0recognized as a viable and valuable\u00a0addition to a destination\u2019s formula for\u00a0success.\nEven with set-backs resulting from\u00a0the Great Depression, World War II\u00a0and civil unrest, the nation\u2019s first destination\u00a0marketers found creative\u00a0ways to thrive, helping advance the\u00a0profession to the multi-billion dollar\u00a0industry it is today.\n2. Detroit is known as the great comeback\u00a0city. Why?\nNational and local publications, bloggers,\u00a0captains of industry and proud\u00a0local residents quietly began to refer\u00a0to Detroit as the \u201cnext comeback city\u201d\u00a0and that message has turned into\u00a0a drumbeat that we no longer igonre.\nThe message grew organically and\u00a0publications ranging from the LA Times\u00a0to Meetings Focus Magazine have\u00a0dubbed Detroit as \u201cthe Comeback\u00a0City\u201d, the \u201cComeback Kid\u201d, a \u201cCity Reimagined\u201d\u00a0in recent articles. The word\u00a0\u201ccomeback\u201d has dual meanings.\nDetroit International Riverfront – Detroit Riverfront Conservancy\nFirst, it touts the fact that Detroit is\u00a0undergoing a rapid transformation.\u00a0Secondly, it urges visits to \u201ccome back\u201d\u00a0to the city and the region if they\u00a0have not been or it has been some\u00a0time since their last visit. Evidence of\u00a0Detroit\u2019s Comeback can been seen throughout\u00a0the city.\nHere are some examples:\n\u00b7 The M-1 Rail project is underway\u00a0and will provide a catalyst for investment,\u00a0economic development and\u00a0urban renewal that positively impacts\u00a0the entire region through the\u00a0construction of a streetcar circulator\u00a0system running along. The rail\u00a0project is estimated to be complete\u00a0in early 2016.\n\u00b7 The announcement of \u201cThe District\u201d\u00a0entertainment area spearheaded by\u00a0the Ilitch family. \u201cThe District\u201d will\u00a0be 50 blocks of thriving businesses,\u00a0parks, restaurants, bars and event\u00a0destinations.\n\u00b7 A multitude of investments by Dan\u00a0Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans\u00a0and Rock Ventures, that included\u00a0moving his Family of Companies into\u00a0Detroit\u2019s central business district\u00a0in 2010 in an effort to help lead the\u00a0transformation of a great American\u00a0city. Since then, he has invested more\u00a0than $1.6 billion to purchase and\u00a0renovate more than 70 commercial\u00a0properties accounting for more than\u00a010 million square\u00a0feet in the city\u2019s\u00a0urban core.\n3. What do you find as the main adventages\u00a0of Detroit as a meeting destination?\nDetroit is a well rounded destination\u00a0that offers plenty of options for\u00a0meeting planners. The highlight of\u00a0the region is the new Cobo Center.\nBuilt by the City of Detroit, it was originally\u00a0opened in 1960 and named\u00a0Cobo Hall in honor of former Detroit Mayor Albert E. Cobo.\nThe newly remodeled and renovated\u00a0Cobo Center has been transformed\u00a0into a world-class convention and meeting\u00a0facility.\nThe $279 million expansion adds more\u00a0than 200,000 additional square feet\u00a0of new and reconfigured meeting\u00a0and banquet spaces: 100 breakout spaces\u00a0total. All told, Cobo Center now\u00a0has\u00a0723,000 square feet of exhibition\u00a0space: 623,000 of it contiguous\u00a0and 100,000 more along the Detroit\u00a0River. In addition, its rigging capabilities\u00a0rival those of any North American\u00a0facility.\u00a0Cobo Center now offers\u00a0all the latest technology assets, starting\u00a0with free WiFi via a robust bandwidth\u00a0available throughout the facility.\nCobo Center – Ballroom\nThe in-house, centrally controlled\u00a0communications system has programmable\u00a0video displays outside every\nmeeting room. Other assets include\u00a0a new 4,500-square-foot sound stage\u00a0and an on-site video studio with full\u00a0production services and satellite up-link\u00a0capabilities.\nDetroit\u2019s connectively to the world\u00a0and our accessibility at Detroit Metro\u00a0Airport is a definite advantage.\nWith one of the world\u2019s busiest air transportation\u00a0hubs, Detroit offers nonstop\u00a0flights to 150 destinations in the\u00a0world. Downtown Detroit has more\u00a0than 5,000 hotel rooms, including Detroit\u00a0Marriott at the Renaissance Center\u00a0(currently undergoing extensive\u00a0renovations) and Courtyard Detroit\u00a0Downtown Marriott.\nIn addition, the Atheneum Suite Hotel\u00a0and Conference Center has 174 luxury\u00a0suites and is located near Greektown\u00a0Casino, restaurants, nightclubs and\u00a0more. In total, the Detroit area has\u00a0more than 40,000 hotel rooms.\nSo whether visitors are looking\u00a0for\u00a0chic and luxurious, quaint and charming,\u00a0or comfortable and affordable,\u00a0they\u2019re sure to find their perfect match.\nDetroit and its surrounding suburbs\u00a0offer dining options to satisfy\u00a0any appetite along with distinct, dynamic\u00a0attractions, many of which are\u00a0uniquely Detroit. Related to its reign\u00a0as the Motor City are the Ford Rouge\u00a0Factory Tour, Automotive Hall of Fame\u00a0and Woodward Dream Cruise.\nRegional cultural destinations include\u00a0the Arab American National Museum,\u00a0Detroit Institute of Arts, Charles H.\u00a0Wright Museum of African American\u00a0History, Broadway In Detroit and many\u00a0more.\nThere are three top-notch casinos\u00a0and music plays daily at a variety of indoor\u00a0and outdoor venues, and at the\u00a0Motown Museum, Michigan Opera\u00a0House and Detroit Symphony Orchestra.\u00a0Detroit is home to four professional\u00a0sports teams, great college sports,\u00a0many scenic public golf courses, waterways,\u00a0lakes, parks and outdoor spaces.\nCampus MartiusTurner\n4. According to the ICCA Statistic Report,\u00a0USA is the first in the world by\u00a0the number of held meetings. What\u00a0is your share here? And cooperation\u00a0with neigbouring countries?\nWhile our share of the international\u00a0meetings market is small in comparision,\u00a0Detroit is making strides become\u00a0more attractive to international\u00a0meeting planners. We have created\u00a0several forgein language videos to expose\u00a0the destination to international\u00a0travelers.\nThe Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors\u00a0Bureau is currently working with\u00a0the State of Michigan and Brand USA\u00a0to promote the region as a destination\u00a0for leisure travelers, business travelers\u00a0and meeting planners.\nDetroit is located on the Detroit River\u00a0which acts as an international border\u00a0crossing into Canada. We work very\u00a0closely with our Canadian friends in\u00a0Windsor, ON and have had several\u00a0meeting and convention groups that\u00a0have utilized hotels on both sides of\u00a0the river.\nRedwingsfan Kid Dave Reginek Detroit Red Wings\n5. Could you single out the most important\u00a0or biggest event Detroit has\u00a0hosted?\nHosting the Super Bowl in 2006\u00a0was the most important and biggest\u00a0event that Detroit has had the\u00a0honor to host. Perhaps there was no\u00a0other city in the history of the Super\u00a0Bowl that had more misperceptions\u00a0to overcome than Detroit in hosting\u00a0Super Bowl XL. Yet, when the teams,\u00a0visitors and national media left town,\u00a0nearly 2,000 stories had been written\u00a0and aired with an estimated 90 percent\u00a0of them portraying a positive or\u00a0neutral image of the city and the area\u00a0which played host.\nThe day after the Super Bowl, Frank\u00a0Supovitz, former Senior Vice President\u00a0of Events for the National Football\u00a0League called Detroit\u2019s performance\u00a0\u201cabsolutely perfect\u201c and stated that\u00a0\u201cexpectations were clearly exceeded.\u201c He said, \u201cThis city has every reason to\u00a0be proud.\u201c\nThe event attracted 100,000 visitors\u00a0to the region and was viewed by 900\u00a0million sports fans. The economic impact\u00a0generated by hosting Super Bowl\u00a0XL was $261 million.\nThe post Great transformation for undisputable comeback appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-04-27T10:44:14+02:00", "date_modified": "2017-03-22T10:29:49+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Spirit-of-Detroit_Vito-Palmisano.jpg", "tags": [ "comeback city", "detroit", "detroit metro convetion & visitors buerau", "dmcvb", "meetings destination", "motor city", "Convention Bureaus" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/madrid-city-that-makes-work-meetings-a-pleasurable-time/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/madrid-city-that-makes-work-meetings-a-pleasurable-time/", "title": "MADRID \u2013 CITY THAT MAKES WORK MEETINGS A PLEASURABLE TIME", "content_html": "For a short period of time Madrid jump in ICCA rankings, from 13th place in 2009 to the 2nd place in 2013, just below Paris.
\n![\"David](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/David-P\u00e9rez.jpg\" "\\"David")
1. City of Madrid is the center of the dynamic country as it is Spain. Could you name three things that make Madrid different?
\nUndoubtedly the sun, the passion of its locals and the wide variety and good quality of its culture and leisure options.
\nAnyone who has been to Madrid will tell you how welcome they\u2019ve felt.
\nMaybe thanks to the city’s 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, or perhaps because of its age-old status as a cultural melting-pot and national capital or its strategic location between continents, the fact is Madrid has a fabulous vitality which infects everybody 24/7: visitors and of course locals who show their passion when enjoying their city’s day and night life.
\nThe selection of cuisine, shopping and leisure activities are a faithful reflection of the city’s lust for life, its respect for tradition and its commitment to the avant-garde and sustainability.
\nWith a huge variety of restaurants and shops for all tastes and budgets, an enviable cultural and sporting calendar, and all imaginable options for a great night out, Madrid is one of the most fun cities in the world.
\n![\"Steps](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/monumento_a_alfonso_xii_retiro.jpg\" "\\"Steps")
\n2. What are strengths of Madrid as a meetings destination?
Given its status as the country’s economic centre and home to 90% of large companies operating in Spain, the capital city is a global showcase for presenting products and new proposals.
\nIt has modern facilities for congresses and fairshows like the IFEMA trade fair centre and the Municipal Conferences Centre in the Campo de las Naciones business area or Caja M\u00e1gica in the Manzanares Linear Park. Madrid’s business facilities are complemented by its palaces, stations, theatres and all kinds of other unique buildings available to organizers who wish to surprise their invitees.
\nTravelling to the capital is easy and convenient thanks to its geographical position in the centre of Spain and its excellent access infrastructure: national motorways, high-speed trains and, above all, International Adolfo Su\u00e1rez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
\nOn arriving in the city, visitors will confirm the quality of the capital’s hotel sector, with around 80,000 beds, more than half of which are in four or five star hotels.
\nIn addition, the capital has the experience of the best professionals in the meetings industry. However, if Madrid has a distinguishing feature it is its ability to make work meetings a pleasurable time. In Madrid the line separating business and pleasure blurs, making it possible to hold meetings and close business deals while enjoying the city’s unbeatable entertainment, food and cultural agenda.
\n![\"Grand](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/gran_via_01b.jpg\" "\\"Grand")
3. Are there some weaknesses of Madrid as a meetings destination?
\nIf we keep in mind that the main feature on Madrid\u2019s offer for a meeting planner is the diversity and high level quality of professionals and services, we\u2019ll conclude for sure that everybody will find the most suitable option for their needs in Madrid; so we cannot speak on weaknesses, it would be better to mention the city\u2019s duty of improving MICE tourism market by new developments (congresses centres with more capacity or new and original activities for incentives, for example).
\n4. In your opinion, what is must-have for one destination to be successful in meeting industry?
\nThe transport network is the first one: Madrid has an international airport quite close to the city (12 kilometers), Adolfo Su\u00e1rez Madrid-Barajas, with a wide capacity of 70 million yearly passengers and more than 150 direct destinations; it is the main hub for Latin America, with a large potential growth in that market as well as in Asia.
\nBut if Madrid has a particularity in this sense is its high speed railway system, which connects the capital to all parts of Spain (more than 80 destinations) with more than 300 diary trains.
\nA high quality range of hotels is the second must-have for the meetings industry, and in the case of Madrid, that means more than 80,000 hotel beds (most of them 5, 4 and 3 stars establishments) of which the most relevant characteristic is the excellent value for money. \u00a0\u00a0Cutting-edge facilities and culture and leisure options must complete the meetings tourism destination offer.
\n![\"Prado](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/museo_del_prado.jpg\" "\\"Prado")
5. What are the 5 must-try incentives in the city of Madrid?
\nObviously, as the capital of the city and because of its historic location, Madrid is a melting pot of all different cuisines in Spain and even in the world, but if there is a reason why Madrid is better known it is for its gastronomic specialty called \u201ctapas\u201d: small dishes of Spanish traditions like jam\u00f3n serrano, callos or Spanish omelet served with a drink. One of the favourite activities is the tapas tour in the city centre, from the ancient Market of San Miguel to the centuries-old taverns of Cava Baja street.
\nAnother incentive activity that Madrid has to offer, and it is unique in the world, is to trip to one of the 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you can find within one hour driving from the city: Alcal\u00e1 de Henares, El Escorial and Aranjuez in the region and Toledo, \u00c1vila and Segovia in the surroundings, including perfectly preserved architecture, monuments and art from Roman times to our days.
\nMadrid R\u00edo, the new park in the banks of the Manzanares River, offers a wide variety of areas for sports and recreation along its ten kilometers stretch: a Segway tour from Matadero Art Centre to the Pr\u00edncipe P\u00edo Railway Station is one of the most amazing and amusing activities for the incentive trip participants visiting our city.
\n![\"Casa](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/casa_patas.jpg\" "\\"Casa")
Tough Flamenco is always associated with the South of the country, Andalousia, nobody interested in this passionate music and dance should lose the opportunity to attend a Flamenco show in Madrid, where the best \u201ctablaos\u201d (Flamenco dancing bars) in the world are located. And if you want something more original for your clients, try a Flamenco class.
\nOr maybe, combine a private visit to one of our important museums in the \u201cArt Walk\u201d with a shopping day along the Golden Mile, a famous shopping area home of the most prestigious stores in the world and a teambuilding activity in the pitch of Real Madrid football team in its Stadium, Santiago Bernabeu.
\n6. Madrid claimed fast to Top 5 ranking cities at ICCA statistic. What is the secret of your success?
\nThe commitment of institutions and private companies in the sector to promote the city internationally together as a leader destination for big international events.
\n![\"Atocha](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/atocha.jpg\" "\\"Atocha")
This, and a hard work from the Madrid Convention Bureau for making new contacts attending the most relevant events of the industry around the world, strengthening relationships with companies and associations and in summary, trying to be better known as the leader destination we\u2019re confident Madrid is.
\n7. Could you tell us the plans for the future to stay in top meeting destinations in the world?
\nPublic institutions and private companies must walk hand in hand to continue with the implementation of the current meetings tourism strategy, in the same way that Madrid Convention Bureau must keep and even increase its promotional activities, especially in those markets where our growth rate is potentially more interesting, like Asia or the East of Europe.
\nThe post MADRID – CITY THAT MAKES WORK MEETINGS A PLEASURABLE TIME appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "The Madrid Convention Bureau, with 25 years of experience, is promoting Madrid as a city capable of hosting national and international meetings and aiming to enable these events from a technical and institutional viewpoint. It currently groups some 200 members.\nFor a short period of time Madrid jump in ICCA rankings, from 13th place in 2009 to the 2nd place in 2013, just below Paris.\nDavid P\u00e9rez Noack, Director of Madrid Convention Bureau\n1. City of Madrid is the center of the dynamic country as it is Spain. Could you name three things that make Madrid different?\nUndoubtedly the sun, the passion of its locals and the wide variety and good quality of its culture and leisure options.\nAnyone who has been to Madrid will tell you how welcome they\u2019ve felt.\nMaybe thanks to the city’s 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, or perhaps because of its age-old status as a cultural melting-pot and national capital or its strategic location between continents, the fact is Madrid has a fabulous vitality which infects everybody 24/7: visitors and of course locals who show their passion when enjoying their city’s day and night life.\nThe selection of cuisine, shopping and leisure activities are a faithful reflection of the city’s lust for life, its respect for tradition and its commitment to the avant-garde and sustainability.\nWith a huge variety of restaurants and shops for all tastes and budgets, an enviable cultural and sporting calendar, and all imaginable options for a great night out, Madrid is one of the most fun cities in the world.\nSteps on the Monument to Alfonso XII, The Retiro Park, \u00a9 Escarabajo Amarillo\n\n2. What are strengths of Madrid as a meetings destination?\nGiven its status as the country’s economic centre and home to 90% of large companies operating in Spain, the capital city is a global showcase for presenting products and new proposals.\nIt has modern facilities for congresses and fairshows like the IFEMA trade fair centre and the Municipal Conferences Centre in the Campo de las Naciones business area or Caja M\u00e1gica in the Manzanares Linear Park. Madrid’s business facilities are complemented by its palaces, stations, theatres and all kinds of other unique buildings available to organizers who wish to surprise their invitees.\nTravelling to the capital is easy and convenient thanks to its geographical position in the centre of Spain and its excellent access infrastructure: national motorways, high-speed trains and, above all, International Adolfo Su\u00e1rez Madrid-Barajas Airport.\nOn arriving in the city, visitors will confirm the quality of the capital’s hotel sector, with around 80,000 beds, more than half of which are in four or five star hotels.\nIn addition, the capital has the experience of the best professionals in the meetings industry. However, if Madrid has a distinguishing feature it is its ability to make work meetings a pleasurable time. In Madrid the line separating business and pleasure blurs, making it possible to hold meetings and close business deals while enjoying the city’s unbeatable entertainment, food and cultural agenda.\nGrand Via, \u00a9 Madrid Visitors & Convention Bureau\n3. Are there some weaknesses of Madrid as a meetings destination? \nIf we keep in mind that the main feature on Madrid\u2019s offer for a meeting planner is the diversity and high level quality of professionals and services, we\u2019ll conclude for sure that everybody will find the most suitable option for their needs in Madrid; so we cannot speak on weaknesses, it would be better to mention the city\u2019s duty of improving MICE tourism market by new developments (congresses centres with more capacity or new and original activities for incentives, for example).\n4. In your opinion, what is must-have for one destination to be successful in meeting industry? \nThe transport network is the first one: Madrid has an international airport quite close to the city (12 kilometers), Adolfo Su\u00e1rez Madrid-Barajas, with a wide capacity of 70 million yearly passengers and more than 150 direct destinations; it is the main hub for Latin America, with a large potential growth in that market as well as in Asia.\nBut if Madrid has a particularity in this sense is its high speed railway system, which connects the capital to all parts of Spain (more than 80 destinations) with more than 300 diary trains.\nA high quality range of hotels is the second must-have for the meetings industry, and in the case of Madrid, that means more than 80,000 hotel beds (most of them 5, 4 and 3 stars establishments) of which the most relevant characteristic is the excellent value for money. \u00a0\u00a0Cutting-edge facilities and culture and leisure options must complete the meetings tourism destination offer.\nPrado Museum, \u00a9 Madrid Visitors & Convention Bureau\n 5. What are the 5 must-try incentives in the city of Madrid?\nObviously, as the capital of the city and because of its historic location, Madrid is a melting pot of all different cuisines in Spain and even in the world, but if there is a reason why Madrid is better known it is for its gastronomic specialty called \u201ctapas\u201d: small dishes of Spanish traditions like jam\u00f3n serrano, callos or Spanish omelet served with a drink. One of the favourite activities is the tapas tour in the city centre, from the ancient Market of San Miguel to the centuries-old taverns of Cava Baja street.\nAnother incentive activity that Madrid has to offer, and it is unique in the world, is to trip to one of the 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you can find within one hour driving from the city: Alcal\u00e1 de Henares, El Escorial and Aranjuez in the region and Toledo, \u00c1vila and Segovia in the surroundings, including perfectly preserved architecture, monuments and art from Roman times to our days.\nMadrid R\u00edo, the new park in the banks of the Manzanares River, offers a wide variety of areas for sports and recreation along its ten kilometers stretch: a Segway tour from Matadero Art Centre to the Pr\u00edncipe P\u00edo Railway Station is one of the most amazing and amusing activities for the incentive trip participants visiting our city.\nCasa Patas (Flamenco in Vivo), \u00a9 Madrid Visitors & Convention Bureau\nTough Flamenco is always associated with the South of the country, Andalousia, nobody interested in this passionate music and dance should lose the opportunity to attend a Flamenco show in Madrid, where the best \u201ctablaos\u201d (Flamenco dancing bars) in the world are located. And if you want something more original for your clients, try a Flamenco class.\nOr maybe, combine a private visit to one of our important museums in the \u201cArt Walk\u201d with a shopping day along the Golden Mile, a famous shopping area home of the most prestigious stores in the world and a teambuilding activity in the pitch of Real Madrid football team in its Stadium, Santiago Bernabeu.\n6. Madrid claimed fast to Top 5 ranking cities at ICCA statistic. What is the secret of your success? \nThe commitment of institutions and private companies in the sector to promote the city internationally together as a leader destination for big international events.\nAtocha train station, \u00a9 Madrid Visitors & Convention Bureau\nThis, and a hard work from the Madrid Convention Bureau for making new contacts attending the most relevant events of the industry around the world, strengthening relationships with companies and associations and in summary, trying to be better known as the leader destination we\u2019re confident Madrid is.\n7. Could you tell us the plans for the future to stay in top meeting destinations in the world?\nPublic institutions and private companies must walk hand in hand to continue with the implementation of the current meetings tourism strategy, in the same way that Madrid Convention Bureau must keep and even increase its promotional activities, especially in those markets where our growth rate is potentially more interesting, like Asia or the East of Europe.\nThe post MADRID – CITY THAT MAKES WORK MEETINGS A PLEASURABLE TIME appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2014-06-11T15:00:58+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-09T16:26:59+01:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/museo_del_prado.jpg", "tags": [ "madrid", "Madrid Convention Bureau", "meetings destination", "Convention Bureaus" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/zlatibor-an-attractive-mountain-destination-for-meetings-industry/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/zlatibor-an-attractive-mountain-destination-for-meetings-industry/", "title": "ZLATIBOR \u2013 AN ATTRACTIVE MOUNTAIN DESTINATION FOR MEETINGS INDUSTRY", "content_html": "\nAfter the visit and stay of king Petra I Karadjordjevic, the first accommodation facilities were built: the hotel \u201cKraljeva voda\u201d and the villa \u201cCigota\u201d.
\nAs the time was passing, Zlatibor was gradually becoming more arranged, the facilities were expanding, winter months started to catch up with the summer period in terms of turnover volumes, so the mountain had two successfully established seasons.
\nMedical, sport and recreational, congress and business tourism, country outings and country tourism are becoming increasingly significant.
Today, Zlatibor is a place rich in villas and weekend houses, excellent hotels, restaurants, summer bathing places, and a variety of facilities.
\nIn summer, the mountain represents an ideal location for preparations of sportsmen and family holidays, and in winter, it is suitable for skiing and snow enjoyment in the ski-centre Tornik.
\nApart from high circulation of tourists, as during the summer season so during the winter, Zlatibor is certainly one of the most important meetings destinations in Serbia.
Organization of congresses, conferences and seminars on Zlatibor is suitable throughout the year, as the mountain offers excellent technical and organizational conditions.
\n\n
![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/zlatibor_3.jpg\")
During the last few years, and at present, Zlatibor is being provided with new and modern congress capacities. Old hotels have been renovated, accommodation capacities have been expanded, conference halls have been enlarged and technically modernized; new congress centres opened their doors, and the opening of the biggest resort at Zlatibor is expected, too.
\n
Owing to its location which is in the heart of the western Serbia, this mountain is certainly unavoidable destination for business trips. It is situated 230 km far from Belgrade and the international airport Nikola Tesla, and 300 km far from Novi Sad or the Adriatic sea. Connections with the highway or the railway leading to all major destinations in the country are excellent.
\nWhat distinguishes Zlatibor and makes it so much well known, and what the majority of guests enjoy, are certainly fresh air and beautiful viewpoints. Walking paths with their ascents and descents, leading through meadows and woods, both for active sportsmen and those who practice sports just for the sake of recreation, make the distinguishing feature of this mountain.
\nThe most well-known arranged path is certainly the one leading from the centre to the monument on Glavudza or Sumatno hill, and it represents the favourite walking path of the visitors.
\nThe viewpoints that distinguish are Obadovo hill, 6 km north from the centre of Zlatibor, from which the view stretches to the wider area of the northern-east slopes of Zlatibor. Then, Cigota \u2013 viewpoint Jedini bor, from which the view encircles the entire plane of Zlatibor, as well as Tornik, 9 km from the centre of Zlatibor, and which represents the most dominant viewpoint from which the view goes far to the mountains of the central and western Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
\nApart from walking paths, there are bicycle paths as well, than trim paths and exercising sites for active relaxation. Because the terrain is gently ascending and descending, bicycle riding will offer a true pleasure to the lovers of this sport. Longer riding routes for mountain bikes can be taken from Zlatibor to Mokra Gora.
\nTrim trails and exercising sites equipped for jogging and gymnastics are located on the most beautiful locations by the lake in the centre, in the spa area of Zlatibor and on the hill Karaula, in the pine forest.
\nVarious exercising and stretching equipment is adapted to preparations of sportsmen and recreation of amateurs. On Karaula hill, there is a 700 m round trim trail, covered with sand and sawdust.
For those that enjoy extreme sports, owing to the suitable terrains and appropriate air currents, paragliding has been rapidly expanding on Zlatibor during the last few years. Favourite spots of paragliders are peaks Cigota and Tornik.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/zlatibor_91.jpg\")
As for the horse riding, it is possible to be practiced on two locations, Farma ranch and Zova ranch. Professional and recreational horse riding can be enjoyed by all generations.
\nUnder supervision of trainers and their advices and help, it is possible to learn and practice various riding skills, to participate in tourist and terrain riding, to ride in a coach, but also to ride it. At Zova ranch, even the youngest will be able to ride in an interesting ambience.
Ski centre Tornik includes renovated and expended four paths (Cigota, Tornik, Ribnica and Zmajevac) and installed the latest six-seat cable-car of the capacity of 3,000 skiers per hour, of the speed of five meters/sec, with 107 seats and 1,850 meters long.
\nSC Tornik represents the biggest ski resort on Zlatibor, 9 km far from the tourist centre Zlatibor.
In the very centre of Zlatibor, at Obudojevica, there is a space for recreation and winter sports with one ski-lift of anchor type, and a few baby ski-lifts. Renting of skis, show-boards, sledges, motor sledges and other ski equipment is possible on the paths as well. Because of the terrain configuration, there are excellent conditions for practicing of Nordic skiing and biathlon, and many tournaments of national and international character take place on Zlatibor.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/zlatibor_eng_12.png\")
The post ZLATIBOR – AN ATTRACTIVE MOUNTAIN DESTINATION FOR MEETINGS INDUSTRY appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "It was back in the year 1893 when the mountain welcomed its first tourists, who were accommodated in huts or rooms at homes of poor but hospitable inhabitants of Zlatibor.\n\nAfter the visit and stay of king Petra I Karadjordjevic, the first accommodation facilities were built: the hotel \u201cKraljeva voda\u201d and the villa \u201cCigota\u201d.\nAs the time was passing, Zlatibor was gradually becoming more arranged, the facilities were expanding, winter months started to catch up with the summer period in terms of turnover volumes, so the mountain had two successfully established seasons.\nMedical, sport and recreational, congress and business tourism, country outings and country tourism are becoming increasingly significant.\nLast year, 2013, was a year of a special jubilee – 120 years of organized tourism on Zlatibor.\nToday, Zlatibor is a place rich in villas and weekend houses, excellent hotels, restaurants, summer bathing places, and a variety of facilities.\nIn summer, the mountain represents an ideal location for preparations of sportsmen and family holidays, and in winter, it is suitable for skiing and snow enjoyment in the ski-centre Tornik.\nApart from high circulation of tourists, as during the summer season so during the winter, Zlatibor is certainly one of the most important meetings destinations in Serbia.\nCongresses and seminars on a high level \nOrganization of congresses, conferences and seminars on Zlatibor is suitable throughout the year, as the mountain offers excellent technical and organizational conditions.\n \nDuring the last few years, and at present, Zlatibor is being provided with new and modern congress capacities. Old hotels have been renovated, accommodation capacities have been expanded, conference halls have been enlarged and technically modernized; new congress centres opened their doors, and the opening of the biggest resort at Zlatibor is expected, too.\n\nOwing to its location which is in the heart of the western Serbia, this mountain is certainly unavoidable destination for business trips. It is situated 230 km far from Belgrade and the international airport Nikola Tesla, and 300 km far from Novi Sad or the Adriatic sea. Connections with the highway or the railway leading to all major destinations in the country are excellent.\nWhat to see? What to visit? What to do?\nWhat distinguishes Zlatibor and makes it so much well known, and what the majority of guests enjoy, are certainly fresh air and beautiful viewpoints. Walking paths with their ascents and descents, leading through meadows and woods, both for active sportsmen and those who practice sports just for the sake of recreation, make the distinguishing feature of this mountain.\nThe most well-known arranged path is certainly the one leading from the centre to the monument on Glavudza or Sumatno hill, and it represents the favourite walking path of the visitors.\n A recipe for 1 komplet lepinja (filled flatbread)\n– 1 flatbread\n– 1 egg\n– 1 tablespoon of ripe Zlatibor kaymak\n– 5 tablespoons of gravy (of lamb or pork roast \u2013 can be found in each grill and catering shop)\n* Cut the top of a flatbread (upper third). Spread the lower part with kaymak and add a bit of gravy. Whisk the egg and pour it over kaymak. Press it a bit and cover the top. Put it into the hot oven, and bake for 10 minutes. Once you take it out of the oven, pour it over with the warm gravy.\n\nThe viewpoints that distinguish are Obadovo hill, 6 km north from the centre of Zlatibor, from which the view stretches to the wider area of the northern-east slopes of Zlatibor. Then, Cigota \u2013 viewpoint Jedini bor, from which the view encircles the entire plane of Zlatibor, as well as Tornik, 9 km from the centre of Zlatibor, and which represents the most dominant viewpoint from which the view goes far to the mountains of the central and western Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.\n The Cured Meat Fair \u201cPrsutijada (Prosciutto festival)\u201d takes place each year in January, in a little town of Mackat. The fair is visited by 10,000 visitors from the entire country and abroad.\nApart from walking paths, there are bicycle paths as well, than trim paths and exercising sites for active relaxation. Because the terrain is gently ascending and descending, bicycle riding will offer a true pleasure to the lovers of this sport. Longer riding routes for mountain bikes can be taken from Zlatibor to Mokra Gora.\nTrim trails and exercising sites equipped for jogging and gymnastics are located on the most beautiful locations by the lake in the centre, in the spa area of Zlatibor and on the hill Karaula, in the pine forest.\nVarious exercising and stretching equipment is adapted to preparations of sportsmen and recreation of amateurs. On Karaula hill, there is a 700 m round trim trail, covered with sand and sawdust.\nFor those that enjoy extreme sports, owing to the suitable terrains and appropriate air currents, paragliding has been rapidly expanding on Zlatibor during the last few years. Favourite spots of paragliders are peaks Cigota and Tornik.\n\nAs for the horse riding, it is possible to be practiced on two locations, Farma ranch and Zova ranch. Professional and recreational horse riding can be enjoyed by all generations.\nUnder supervision of trainers and their advices and help, it is possible to learn and practice various riding skills, to participate in tourist and terrain riding, to ride in a coach, but also to ride it. At Zova ranch, even the youngest will be able to ride in an interesting ambience.\nSki centre Tornik\nSki centre Tornik includes renovated and expended four paths (Cigota, Tornik, Ribnica and Zmajevac) and installed the latest six-seat cable-car of the capacity of 3,000 skiers per hour, of the speed of five meters/sec, with 107 seats and 1,850 meters long.\nSC Tornik represents the biggest ski resort on Zlatibor, 9 km far from the tourist centre Zlatibor.\nIn the very centre of Zlatibor, at Obudojevica, there is a space for recreation and winter sports with one ski-lift of anchor type, and a few baby ski-lifts. Renting of skis, show-boards, sledges, motor sledges and other ski equipment is possible on the paths as well. Because of the terrain configuration, there are excellent conditions for practicing of Nordic skiing and biathlon, and many tournaments of national and international character take place on Zlatibor.\n\nThe post ZLATIBOR – AN ATTRACTIVE MOUNTAIN DESTINATION FOR MEETINGS INDUSTRY appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2014-03-14T12:41:08+01:00", "date_modified": "2017-03-20T12:26:35+01:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/zlatibor_8.jpg", "tags": [ "meetings destination", "meetings industry", "mountain", "zlatibor", "Destinations" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/mk-mountain-resort-successful-positioning-of-kopaonik-as-a-modern-meeting-destination/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/mk-mountain-resort-successful-positioning-of-kopaonik-as-a-modern-meeting-destination/", "title": "MK Mountain Resort \u2013 SUCCESSFUL POSITIONING OF KOPAONIK AS A MODERN MEETING DESTINATION", "content_html": "![\"Nikola](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Nikola-Avram-General-Manager-MK-Mountain-Resort.jpg\" "\\"Nikola")
Mr. Nikola Avram, General Manager of MK Mountain Resort shared with us his thoughts about business, awards, and plans for improving service of quality even further.
1. MK Mountain Resort is a leading meeting destination in Serbia. Can you tell us what the resort\u2019s key advantages are and what keeps MK Mountain Resort at the top of the list of meeting destinations?
\nAs leaders of the Kopaonik hotel offer, we try to keep up with the demands of the modern meeting industry. There are many reasons why Kopaonik has constantly been one of the most popular destinations for event organization. Amongst other important aspects, I would set apart quality of service and our open relationship with our clients.
\nGood results are most certainly due to the hotel\u2019s broad range of facilities and amenities, as well as to the exceptional possibilities created by the natural surroundings, which allow us to respond to nearly every request our clients may have.
\nThe resort has several smaller meeting rooms and a large hall with capacity for up to five hundred participants. These congress capacities with ![\"Grand](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Grand-Oaza-Spa-Wellness-center.jpg\" "\\"Grand")
large accommodation capacity also provide the possibility for organizing several events at the same time. A rare asset is the spacious sports hall with an area of 1,350 sqm, cleverly incorporated in Grand Hotel & Spa. The 1,800 sqm Spa Center, outdoor and indoor pools, the bowling center, and the large congress capacity are just a few of the elements that give us a comparative advantage.
Everything else is a matter of creativity, hospitality, and resourcefulness in anticipating and responding to client requests. And last but not least, there is direct marketing and targeted media presence.
\n2. The Best Business Destination Travel Award 2012 which your resort received in London is proof of your successful operation. What criteria did MK Mountain Resort have to satisfy to receive this award and what does it mean in terms of the further development of this destination?
\nThe Best Business Destination Travel Award is intended for companies whose products and services are among the best in the entire European meeting industry. The prize was awarded for the fifth consecutive year in London, and the jury included corporate travel executives, members of ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) and other influential members of the business travel industry.
\n![\"Havana](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Havana-bar.jpg\" "\\"Havana")
The main criteria for the selection of top destinations are quality and range of services, value for money, online media presence, web design, practical sustainability, ecological awareness, customer services, and business skill.
Our meeting offer was placed among other leading destinations in a prime business travel magazine, at the very top of the European meeting industry. Every award we receive is not only an incentive but also confirmation that we are on the right path in positioning Kopaonik as a modern meeting destination. Awards encourage us to continue investing resources and effort towards following European trends.
\n3. What are your plans for refreshing and improving the offer of MK Mountain Resort?
\nWe are planning a complete reconstruction of the largest congress hall, the introduction of state-of-the-art digital systems for event organization and monitoring. The new hall will be multifunctional, allowing the organization of demanding events such as car shows, which require non-standard access possibilities, specific height, lighting, and technical features of the show rooms. Investment in these features should give an extraordinary mark to the overall congress offer in Serbia, and should vouchsafe the leading position of Kopaonik in the meeting industry.
\n4. Since the start of 2013 MK Mountain Resort has hosted over 70 events of varying business profiles and complexity. ![\"MK](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/MK-Mountain-Resort-bowling.jpg\" "\\"MK")
Can you tell us which segments you find the most demanding and how you resolve practical issues?
Specific requirements are a part of every event since each event has to present the image of a particular company.
\nIn answer to our clients\u2019 requests we can place at their disposal the helidrome on Kopaonik, cable cars for sightseeing, we can make ice sculptures, position parts of the event scene into various natural surroundings, organize outdoor team building events, such as orienteering, alpinism, organize cocktails at historical sites in the National Park\u2026
\nThe excellent cooperation we have with JP Skijali\u0161ta, the National Park, and the Tourist Organization Ra\u0161ka contribute to efficient problem solving in many practical situations.
\nFrom client\u2019s sight:
\n\u201cThe 1st Serbian Glaucomatologists Congress was held in MK Mountain Resort from 17th to 19th May 2013, where esteemed physicians gathered to present the results of their research and exchange ideas with colleagues from the region. To the satisfaction of the organizing board and the technical organizers, the PanaComp Agency, the congress was perfectly organized, proof of which are 300 satisfied participants. We are grateful to the entire staff of MK Mountain Resort for their professional attitude, patience, hospitality, and readiness to respond to our demands. Our guests were extremely pleased with the accommodation and congress facilities, as with the restaurant services provided by experienced and pleasant staff and we hope that we will have the opportunity of repeating this delightful cooperation.\u201d – Jadranka Petrovi\u0107, MICE Director, PANACOMP \u2013 Zemlja \u010cuda d.o.o. Novi Sad
\n\u201cCooperation with MK Mountain Resort and their expert staff has for years now facilitated the organization of the Symposium of the Pharmaceutical Association of Serbia, which was traditionally held in May this year. In addition to the high quality of accommodation and catering services we would especially like to recommend the courtesy of the staff, their professional attitude and their resourcefulness in responding to the requirements and demands which a meeting such as ours presents. MK Mountain Resort is our long standing business partner.\u201d \u2013 Radmila Mari\u010di\u0107, Director, Smart Travel Agency Belgrade
\n\u201cMK Mountain Resort has fulfilled all our expectations for the organization of the extremely demanding Accountants School project, which we carried out together this year. The regional meeting of a large number of Mercator employees requires the implementation of high standards in terms of capacity, multifunctional meeting rooms, and use of high technology in setting up workshops. The key factor for successful results is not only the availability of new technology but the personal impression each of us was left with thanks to the warm and hospitable atmosphere, the expert, courteous staff that responded to our every request. Thanks to the all-round service they provide, MK Mountain Resort is justifiably numbered among the top business destinations on the home market and abroad.\u201d \u2013 Mr Tatjana Kne\u017eevi\u0107, Executive Director, Mercator Trade South Eastern Europe
\nThe post MK Mountain Resort – SUCCESSFUL POSITIONING OF KOPAONIK AS A MODERN MEETING DESTINATION appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Mr. Nikola Avram, General Manager of MK Mountain Resort shared with us his thoughts about business, awards, and plans for improving service of quality even further.\n1. MK Mountain Resort is a leading meeting destination in Serbia. Can you tell us what the resort\u2019s key advantages are and what keeps MK Mountain Resort at the top of the list of meeting destinations?\nAs leaders of the Kopaonik hotel offer, we try to keep up with the demands of the modern meeting industry. There are many reasons why Kopaonik has constantly been one of the most popular destinations for event organization. Amongst other important aspects, I would set apart quality of service and our open relationship with our clients.\nGood results are most certainly due to the hotel\u2019s broad range of facilities and amenities, as well as to the exceptional possibilities created by the natural surroundings, which allow us to respond to nearly every request our clients may have.\nThe resort has several smaller meeting rooms and a large hall with capacity for up to five hundred participants. These congress capacities with large accommodation capacity also provide the possibility for organizing several events at the same time. A rare asset is the spacious sports hall with an area of 1,350 sqm, cleverly incorporated in Grand Hotel & Spa. The 1,800 sqm Spa Center, outdoor and indoor pools, the bowling center, and the large congress capacity are just a few of the elements that give us a comparative advantage.\nEverything else is a matter of creativity, hospitality, and resourcefulness in anticipating and responding to client requests. And last but not least, there is direct marketing and targeted media presence.\n2. The Best Business Destination Travel Award 2012 which your resort received in London is proof of your successful operation. What criteria did MK Mountain Resort have to satisfy to receive this award and what does it mean in terms of the further development of this destination?\nThe Best Business Destination Travel Award is intended for companies whose products and services are among the best in the entire European meeting industry. The prize was awarded for the fifth consecutive year in London, and the jury included corporate travel executives, members of ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) and other influential members of the business travel industry.\nThe main criteria for the selection of top destinations are quality and range of services, value for money, online media presence, web design, practical sustainability, ecological awareness, customer services, and business skill.\nOur meeting offer was placed among other leading destinations in a prime business travel magazine, at the very top of the European meeting industry. Every award we receive is not only an incentive but also confirmation that we are on the right path in positioning Kopaonik as a modern meeting destination. Awards encourage us to continue investing resources and effort towards following European trends.\n3. What are your plans for refreshing and improving the offer of MK Mountain Resort?\nWe are planning a complete reconstruction of the largest congress hall, the introduction of state-of-the-art digital systems for event organization and monitoring. The new hall will be multifunctional, allowing the organization of demanding events such as car shows, which require non-standard access possibilities, specific height, lighting, and technical features of the show rooms. Investment in these features should give an extraordinary mark to the overall congress offer in Serbia, and should vouchsafe the leading position of Kopaonik in the meeting industry.\n4. Since the start of 2013 MK Mountain Resort has hosted over 70 events of varying business profiles and complexity. Can you tell us which segments you find the most demanding and how you resolve practical issues?\nSpecific requirements are a part of every event since each event has to present the image of a particular company.\nIn answer to our clients\u2019 requests we can place at their disposal the helidrome on Kopaonik, cable cars for sightseeing, we can make ice sculptures, position parts of the event scene into various natural surroundings, organize outdoor team building events, such as orienteering, alpinism, organize cocktails at historical sites in the National Park\u2026\nThe excellent cooperation we have with JP Skijali\u0161ta, the National Park, and the Tourist Organization Ra\u0161ka contribute to efficient problem solving in many practical situations.\nFrom client\u2019s sight:\n\u201cThe 1st Serbian Glaucomatologists Congress was held in MK Mountain Resort from 17th to 19th May 2013, where esteemed physicians gathered to present the results of their research and exchange ideas with colleagues from the region. To the satisfaction of the organizing board and the technical organizers, the PanaComp Agency, the congress was perfectly organized, proof of which are 300 satisfied participants. We are grateful to the entire staff of MK Mountain Resort for their professional attitude, patience, hospitality, and readiness to respond to our demands. Our guests were extremely pleased with the accommodation and congress facilities, as with the restaurant services provided by experienced and pleasant staff and we hope that we will have the opportunity of repeating this delightful cooperation.\u201d – Jadranka Petrovi\u0107, MICE Director, PANACOMP \u2013 Zemlja \u010cuda d.o.o. Novi Sad\n\u201cCooperation with MK Mountain Resort and their expert staff has for years now facilitated the organization of the Symposium of the Pharmaceutical Association of Serbia, which was traditionally held in May this year. In addition to the high quality of accommodation and catering services we would especially like to recommend the courtesy of the staff, their professional attitude and their resourcefulness in responding to the requirements and demands which a meeting such as ours presents. MK Mountain Resort is our long standing business partner.\u201d \u2013 Radmila Mari\u010di\u0107, Director, Smart Travel Agency Belgrade\n\u201cMK Mountain Resort has fulfilled all our expectations for the organization of the extremely demanding Accountants School project, which we carried out together this year. The regional meeting of a large number of Mercator employees requires the implementation of high standards in terms of capacity, multifunctional meeting rooms, and use of high technology in setting up workshops. The key factor for successful results is not only the availability of new technology but the personal impression each of us was left with thanks to the warm and hospitable atmosphere, the expert, courteous staff that responded to our every request. Thanks to the all-round service they provide, MK Mountain Resort is justifiably numbered among the top business destinations on the home market and abroad.\u201d \u2013 Mr Tatjana Kne\u017eevi\u0107, Executive Director, Mercator Trade South Eastern Europe\nThe post MK Mountain Resort – SUCCESSFUL POSITIONING OF KOPAONIK AS A MODERN MEETING DESTINATION appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2013-08-19T08:36:45+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-06T14:18:18+01:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Nikola-Avram-General-Manager-MK-Mountain-Resort.jpg", "tags": [ "kopaonik", "meetings destination", "mk mountain resort", "Interviews" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/city-of-barcelona-trusting-host/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/city-of-barcelona-trusting-host/", "title": "CITY OF BARCELONA \u2013 TRUSTING HOST", "content_html": "![\"Barcelona](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Barcelona-01.jpg\" "\\"Barcelona")
Barcelona was founded over two thousand years ago on the Mediterranean coast in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, between two rivers, a short distance from France. Since then, it has been the traditional gateway to Spain through which a number of cultures have entered to enrich the city.
In order to present Barcelona as a one of the top meeting destinations, we had the honor to speak with Mr Christoph Tessmar, Director of Barcelona Convention Bureau.
\n1. Barcelona is for years in top three meeting destinations, according ICCA statistics. In your opinion, what is it that most contributes to such an admirable position?
\n\n
Barcelona keeps in the top 5 positions as a meeting destination since 2001. ![\"Barcelona](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Barcelona-02.jpg\" "\\"Barcelona")
We reached also the 1st position in the past. We\u2019ll keep promoting Barcelona as a meeting and incentive destinations and trying to maintain the top positions in the future.
Barcelona has fabulous facilities and reliable professionals. We do have 4 conference centres. The hotel offer is equally abundant and modern, with meeting facilities up to 1.000 people. Barcelona also offers a handful variety of places and structures to organise meetings for large or small dimensions. It also gives a wide range of historical or charming venues, ideal for banquets, cocktails, exhibitions and products presentations, in modern and fully equipped structures.
\n2. Barcelona is host to one of the most significant meetings industry exhibitions \u2013 EIBTM, since 2004. Is this fact perhaps in some extent contributed to the popularization of the city as a meeting destination?
\nWithout any doubt, the fact that Barcelona is hosting EIBTM is very helpful. During these dates, EIBTM attendees have the opportunity to taste on site the great feeling of Barcelona
\n![\"Barcelona](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Barcelona-03.jpg\" "\\"Barcelona")
3. Which events would you especially extract or which events are you particularly proud of, hosted by this wonderful city?
We are proud of all the events held in the city from association conferences to IT, car launches, corporate meetings.
\nNevertheless we are also so proud that big conferences such as the European Cardiology, European Respiratory Society, Mobile World Congress, Diabetes (EASD), EIBTM keep on trusting in Barcelona to host their conferences
\n4. Barcelona has been selected as the first Mobile World Capital. What are the main benefits for the city from this selection?
\nA constantly flourishing city like Barcelona is the perfect location for the equally thriving and innovative mobile industry. Barcelona\u2019s nomination as Mobile World Capital confirms the city as a natural setting for generating more business and encouraging relationships and networking. Barcelona aims to be the ultimate platform where both professional and personal alliances are created and cultivated.\u00a0 It is a place to perfect strategies, promote brands and expand business enabling all to benefit from the selection of our city as Capital.
\n5. Also, what can attendees expect from Mobile World Congress ![\"Barcelona](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Barcelona-04.jpg\" "\\"Barcelona")
2013?
The city of Barcelona is proud to host, for the 8th\u00a0consecutive year, the GSMA Mobile World Congress. The highlight for this year\u2019s event is its new venue, the Fira Gran Via. It is a state of the art exhibit hall offering more than double the space, which allows for additional comfort and equally importantly, room for growth. Fira Gran Via is also equipped with the highest level of technology matching the expectations of the global mobile communications market. No doubt this year attendees will gain from a fresh perspective and take advantage of the infinite professional opportunities available at the GSMA Mobile World Congress, the world\u2019s premier mobile event.
\n6. What are the main plans for the future to keep the position of one of the best meeting destinations?
\nKeep maintaining Barcelona as a top meeting destination.
\n\nThe post CITY OF BARCELONA \u2013 TRUSTING HOST appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Barcelona was founded over two thousand years ago on the Mediterranean coast in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, between two rivers, a short distance from France. Since then, it has been the traditional gateway to Spain through which a number of cultures have entered to enrich the city.\nIn order to present Barcelona as a one of the top meeting destinations, we had the honor to speak with Mr Christoph Tessmar, Director of Barcelona Convention Bureau.\n1. Barcelona is for years in top three meeting destinations, according ICCA statistics. In your opinion, what is it that most contributes to such an admirable position?\n\nBarcelona keeps in the top 5 positions as a meeting destination since 2001. We reached also the 1st position in the past. We\u2019ll keep promoting Barcelona as a meeting and incentive destinations and trying to maintain the top positions in the future.\nBarcelona has fabulous facilities and reliable professionals. We do have 4 conference centres. The hotel offer is equally abundant and modern, with meeting facilities up to 1.000 people. Barcelona also offers a handful variety of places and structures to organise meetings for large or small dimensions. It also gives a wide range of historical or charming venues, ideal for banquets, cocktails, exhibitions and products presentations, in modern and fully equipped structures.\n2. Barcelona is host to one of the most significant meetings industry exhibitions \u2013 EIBTM, since 2004. Is this fact perhaps in some extent contributed to the popularization of the city as a meeting destination?\nWithout any doubt, the fact that Barcelona is hosting EIBTM is very helpful. During these dates, EIBTM attendees have the opportunity to taste on site the great feeling of Barcelona\n3. Which events would you especially extract or which events are you particularly proud of, hosted by this wonderful city?\nWe are proud of all the events held in the city from association conferences to IT, car launches, corporate meetings.\nNevertheless we are also so proud that big conferences such as the European Cardiology, European Respiratory Society, Mobile World Congress, Diabetes (EASD), EIBTM keep on trusting in Barcelona to host their conferences\n4. Barcelona has been selected as the first Mobile World Capital. What are the main benefits for the city from this selection?\nA constantly flourishing city like Barcelona is the perfect location for the equally thriving and innovative mobile industry. Barcelona\u2019s nomination as Mobile World Capital confirms the city as a natural setting for generating more business and encouraging relationships and networking. Barcelona aims to be the ultimate platform where both professional and personal alliances are created and cultivated.\u00a0 It is a place to perfect strategies, promote brands and expand business enabling all to benefit from the selection of our city as Capital.\n5. Also, what can attendees expect from Mobile World Congress 2013?\nThe city of Barcelona is proud to host, for the 8th\u00a0consecutive year, the GSMA Mobile World Congress. The highlight for this year\u2019s event is its new venue, the Fira Gran Via. It is a state of the art exhibit hall offering more than double the space, which allows for additional comfort and equally importantly, room for growth. Fira Gran Via is also equipped with the highest level of technology matching the expectations of the global mobile communications market. No doubt this year attendees will gain from a fresh perspective and take advantage of the infinite professional opportunities available at the GSMA Mobile World Congress, the world\u2019s premier mobile event.\n6. What are the main plans for the future to keep the position of one of the best meeting destinations?\nKeep maintaining Barcelona as a top meeting destination.\nS.G.\nThe post CITY OF BARCELONA \u2013 TRUSTING HOST appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2013-04-18T14:35:11+02:00", "date_modified": "2015-04-03T10:29:19+02:00", "author": { "name": "Svetlana Gavric", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/ceca/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ceca.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Barcelona-01.jpg", "tags": [ "barcelona", "barcelona convention bureau", "meetings destination", "Convention Bureaus" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/director-of-tourist-organization-of-belgrade-belgrade-as-a-center-of-convention-industry-in-the-region/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/director-of-tourist-organization-of-belgrade-belgrade-as-a-center-of-convention-industry-in-the-region/", "title": "Belgrade as a center of convention industry in the region", "content_html": "1. Today we keep hearing more about the potentials of Belgrade when it comes to convention or business tourism. According to You, what is the best asset for development of this type of tourism and the most important benefit for the city if it becomes a world-known convention industry destination?
\nBesides, we already have good references and facilities, there are investments in new, mainly hotel facilities, and in geographical aspect, we are interesting for many people from other continents which avoided our region in the previous decade. The accessibility i.e. distance of the airport from the city center of only 15km, as well as a convention center with still the largest meeting hall in the region also count.
\nMultiple economic effects from this tourist industry branch and its importance for the city are well-known, and when we talk about it, we refer mostly to the measurable effects such as spending on sojourn, accomodation and whole event organization services. In that respect, the so-called ROI analysis is very important for us in order to also determine the additional effects which have great importance and compose a ROI pyramid, which we will be intensively occupied with in the future, with a view to stimulation of convention industry in Belgrade and better understanding of its importance for the development of both city economy and, above all, science and education.
\n2. The Belgrade Convention Bureau was founded in 2007, and You have been Head of Tourist Organization of Belgrade since 2008. Considering that it is a short period of time for the serious task of positioning of Belgrade on the world tourist map, what was Your primary focus when You started to work on promoting of Belgrade and how much has been achieved during this period?
\nThe proces of founding of Belgrade Convention Center, or the service for performing of convention activities (MICE) at TOB, has started at mid 2005, within the project of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Services, and with the help of SEDP (USAID). All our activities in this area depart from the basic objective \u2013 development and promoting of Belgrade as convention destination for ensuring the largest possible number of international conventions, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, major events (sports, culture) and incentive trips for the city of Belgrade.
\nThe Belgrade Convention Bureau has been positioning Belgrade as international convention destination since its founding, providing the professional assistance to the organizations which make offers, or organize conventions, corporative meetings, incentive trips or exhibitions in Belgrade. The events and conventions that you mentioned, as well as many others, are very much a result of that, whether the BCB was directly involved in candidating Belgrade or when it comes to the so-called state meetings or major events realized by it.
\nThe candidateship of the destination for getting of conventions understands a wide range of skills in order to be successful. These include strategic planning, leadership, creativity, lobbying and presentation skills. A capability for realization of successful partnership with the client is also vital. The Belgrade Convention Bureau employees possess the knowledge and skills, as well as experience, for that. Therefore we believe that, side by side with adequate and strong promotion of Belgrade as convention destination, accelerated development of the city infrastructure and convention facilities, as well as education of everybody in the convention industry, Belgrade will become a regional leader in this field in the nearest future.
\nTo be more concrete, our job is to constantly analyze the convention industry market. To have enough information regarding the activites of our scientific and professional associations which take the biggest credits for the majority of the meetings in Belgrade. To give them support in lobbying and getting the conventions, to provide sufficient information and arguments for the partners to come to Belgrade by recognizing adequate partners, and then to forward to the professional convention organizers and agencies the jobs within their competence.
\nThe associations, board representatives and experts in different fields guarantee for the quality and professional and scientific credibility of the conventions.
\nThe task of the Belgrade Convention Bureau is also to serve as a platform for the convention industry of Belgrade, to represent the interest of this industry in Serbia and abroad. In these terms, we have regularly updated databases regarding all convention potentials in Belgrade (hotels, conference facilities, technical support, traffic and other accompanying infrastructure), as well as regarding the trends in the convention industry market in the region and in Europe, above all. Much has been done in the international promotion and placement of the convention potentials of Belgrade, and in cooperation with the Serbian Convention Bureau.
\n3. Belgrade is one of rare European and world cities in which the number of foreign tourists grew during 2009. In Your opinion, what contributed to it the most and what development of situation You expect in 2010?
\nFirst of all, the fact that we are a new destination to many. World tourist trends are going in the direction of the need for discovering new destinations. Belgrade is a new spot on the world tourist map. This especially relates to the young generation. On the other hand, those who were coming to our city and country a decade and so ago, have a need to recall it and to come again after so much time of our country\u2019s isolation. Also, a successful promotion of Belgrade \u2013 as city of culture, sports, city break place, convention destination for the future, and of Serbia internationally, have contributed to better familiarizing of European and world citizens with our tourist offer.
\n4. Belgrade was proclaimed \u2019\u2019cool\u2019\u2019 city and the number 1 party city in the short period of time. You engage a lot in promoting of Belgrade as City Break destination. What is the feedback from the suppliers (hotels, agencies, airlines) regarding the creation of competitive price in the international market?
\nI think that the current business circumstances, open sky, ever larger competition in every field \u2013 hotels, agencies, airlines \u2013 have brought to the fact that we can speak of favourable conditions for creation of competitive price in the international market. All the mentioned partners are interested in cooperation and I do not see any lack of understanding there.
\nWe in Tourist Organization of Belgrade did a lot in establishing of mutual partner cooperation in this area during the previous period.
\nWe can measure and present that through concrete results in the future, and above all visible in the number of arrivals and spending the nights in the following period and in total realized tourist turnover.
\n5. There are big potentials and planned projects for development of nautical tourism. How much the convention tourism is interconnected with the nautical one, and can we expect the arrival of some incentive group even by river to Belgrade (knowing that we expect around 60 thousand of foreign tourists coming by ship in 2010)?
\nAlthough we do not have any firm announcements of arrivals of these \u2019\u2019special\u2019\u2019 incentive cruise groups to Belgrade for now, considering the growing demand for such trips in the world, as well as Belgrade as convention and incentive destination, we can expect their arrivals.
\nNamely, there were significantly less requests for incentive trips in the past year than before, which corresponds to the existing world trend, due to reducing of corporate costs in order to overcome the economic crisis.
\nThe most famous world destinations for such trips are the Caribbeans, Mexico and Alasca. New and modern ships can provide the conditions for meetings of the corporate boards of 8 and more members as well as for holding of large conferences in duration of 3 to 5 days. When it comes to the incentive trips and the so-called \u201dTeam Building\u201d programs, usually the packages on \u2019\u2019all-in-one\u2019\u2019 basis are offered, which also influences smaller corporate budget for such trips because the seasonality of the hotel and destination prices is avoided.
\nPeople like to go cruising, and this is an opportunity to see more destinations and to experience something new and totally different at better prices. We hope that our DMCs will find interest and offer more programs for these trips from Belgrade, just like Austria or our neighbour, Hungary.
\n6. So far, Belgrade has attracted large international conferences, major events (EBRD, Eurosong, Univerzijada, ESGO, IHRA…) and has good references which can confirm the quality of organization of many events in the future as well. Do you see Belgrade as center of convention industry in the region?
\nYes, I do. I repeat, the convention facilities, available infrastructure and professional experience in this area give us the right to talk of ever better competitive position. Our cooperation in the past SouthEast Europe Convention Industry Market \u2013 Conventa, in Ljubljana, also speaks of the need of emphasizing the advantages of our region in the convention industry, and by that the potentials of Belgrade within the region.
\nThe fact that the majority of all the inquiries on meetings at the common stand in the presentations of the BCB at the biggest convention industry fairs in the world such as IMEX, EIBTM and CONVENTA refer to Belgrade as a destination for organizing the association meetings and conventions, tells that we became again recognizable in this area and it is our intention to use this, in cooperation with local partners and SCB, in the best way possible, above all through common candidateship of Belgrade, promotion, lobbying, exchange of experiences with the convention bureaus of the neighbouring countries and more active stimulation of domestic associations to engage themselves in the process of Belgrade candidating.
\nThe post Belgrade as a center of convention industry in the region appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "1. Today we keep hearing more about the potentials of Belgrade when it comes to convention or business tourism. According to You, what is the best asset for development of this type of tourism and the most important benefit for the city if it becomes a world-known convention industry destination?\nThe advantage of Belgrade as business meetings\u2019 venue is that we are a new destination.\nBesides, we already have good references and facilities, there are investments in new, mainly hotel facilities, and in geographical aspect, we are interesting for many people from other continents which avoided our region in the previous decade. The accessibility i.e. distance of the airport from the city center of only 15km, as well as a convention center with still the largest meeting hall in the region also count.\nMultiple economic effects from this tourist industry branch and its importance for the city are well-known, and when we talk about it, we refer mostly to the measurable effects such as spending on sojourn, accomodation and whole event organization services. In that respect, the so-called ROI analysis is very important for us in order to also determine the additional effects which have great importance and compose a ROI pyramid, which we will be intensively occupied with in the future, with a view to stimulation of convention industry in Belgrade and better understanding of its importance for the development of both city economy and, above all, science and education.\n2. The Belgrade Convention Bureau was founded in 2007, and You have been Head of Tourist Organization of Belgrade since 2008. Considering that it is a short period of time for the serious task of positioning of Belgrade on the world tourist map, what was Your primary focus when You started to work on promoting of Belgrade and how much has been achieved during this period?\nThe proces of founding of Belgrade Convention Center, or the service for performing of convention activities (MICE) at TOB, has started at mid 2005, within the project of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Services, and with the help of SEDP (USAID). All our activities in this area depart from the basic objective \u2013 development and promoting of Belgrade as convention destination for ensuring the largest possible number of international conventions, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, major events (sports, culture) and incentive trips for the city of Belgrade.\nThe Belgrade Convention Bureau has been positioning Belgrade as international convention destination since its founding, providing the professional assistance to the organizations which make offers, or organize conventions, corporative meetings, incentive trips or exhibitions in Belgrade. The events and conventions that you mentioned, as well as many others, are very much a result of that, whether the BCB was directly involved in candidating Belgrade or when it comes to the so-called state meetings or major events realized by it.\nThe candidateship of the destination for getting of conventions understands a wide range of skills in order to be successful. These include strategic planning, leadership, creativity, lobbying and presentation skills. A capability for realization of successful partnership with the client is also vital. The Belgrade Convention Bureau employees possess the knowledge and skills, as well as experience, for that. Therefore we believe that, side by side with adequate and strong promotion of Belgrade as convention destination, accelerated development of the city infrastructure and convention facilities, as well as education of everybody in the convention industry, Belgrade will become a regional leader in this field in the nearest future.\nTo be more concrete, our job is to constantly analyze the convention industry market. To have enough information regarding the activites of our scientific and professional associations which take the biggest credits for the majority of the meetings in Belgrade. To give them support in lobbying and getting the conventions, to provide sufficient information and arguments for the partners to come to Belgrade by recognizing adequate partners, and then to forward to the professional convention organizers and agencies the jobs within their competence.\nThe associations, board representatives and experts in different fields guarantee for the quality and professional and scientific credibility of the conventions.\nThe task of the Belgrade Convention Bureau is also to serve as a platform for the convention industry of Belgrade, to represent the interest of this industry in Serbia and abroad. In these terms, we have regularly updated databases regarding all convention potentials in Belgrade (hotels, conference facilities, technical support, traffic and other accompanying infrastructure), as well as regarding the trends in the convention industry market in the region and in Europe, above all. Much has been done in the international promotion and placement of the convention potentials of Belgrade, and in cooperation with the Serbian Convention Bureau.\n3. Belgrade is one of rare European and world cities in which the number of foreign tourists grew during 2009. In Your opinion, what contributed to it the most and what development of situation You expect in 2010?\nFirst of all, the fact that we are a new destination to many. World tourist trends are going in the direction of the need for discovering new destinations. Belgrade is a new spot on the world tourist map. This especially relates to the young generation. On the other hand, those who were coming to our city and country a decade and so ago, have a need to recall it and to come again after so much time of our country\u2019s isolation. Also, a successful promotion of Belgrade \u2013 as city of culture, sports, city break place, convention destination for the future, and of Serbia internationally, have contributed to better familiarizing of European and world citizens with our tourist offer.\n4. Belgrade was proclaimed \u2019\u2019cool\u2019\u2019 city and the number 1 party city in the short period of time. You engage a lot in promoting of Belgrade as City Break destination. What is the feedback from the suppliers (hotels, agencies, airlines) regarding the creation of competitive price in the international market?\nI think that the current business circumstances, open sky, ever larger competition in every field \u2013 hotels, agencies, airlines \u2013 have brought to the fact that we can speak of favourable conditions for creation of competitive price in the international market. All the mentioned partners are interested in cooperation and I do not see any lack of understanding there.\nWe in Tourist Organization of Belgrade did a lot in establishing of mutual partner cooperation in this area during the previous period.\nWe can measure and present that through concrete results in the future, and above all visible in the number of arrivals and spending the nights in the following period and in total realized tourist turnover.\n5. There are big potentials and planned projects for development of nautical tourism. How much the convention tourism is interconnected with the nautical one, and can we expect the arrival of some incentive group even by river to Belgrade (knowing that we expect around 60 thousand of foreign tourists coming by ship in 2010)?\nAlthough we do not have any firm announcements of arrivals of these \u2019\u2019special\u2019\u2019 incentive cruise groups to Belgrade for now, considering the growing demand for such trips in the world, as well as Belgrade as convention and incentive destination, we can expect their arrivals.\nNamely, there were significantly less requests for incentive trips in the past year than before, which corresponds to the existing world trend, due to reducing of corporate costs in order to overcome the economic crisis.\nThe most famous world destinations for such trips are the Caribbeans, Mexico and Alasca. New and modern ships can provide the conditions for meetings of the corporate boards of 8 and more members as well as for holding of large conferences in duration of 3 to 5 days. When it comes to the incentive trips and the so-called \u201dTeam Building\u201d programs, usually the packages on \u2019\u2019all-in-one\u2019\u2019 basis are offered, which also influences smaller corporate budget for such trips because the seasonality of the hotel and destination prices is avoided.\nPeople like to go cruising, and this is an opportunity to see more destinations and to experience something new and totally different at better prices. We hope that our DMCs will find interest and offer more programs for these trips from Belgrade, just like Austria or our neighbour, Hungary.\n6. So far, Belgrade has attracted large international conferences, major events (EBRD, Eurosong, Univerzijada, ESGO, IHRA…) and has good references which can confirm the quality of organization of many events in the future as well. Do you see Belgrade as center of convention industry in the region?\nYes, I do. I repeat, the convention facilities, available infrastructure and professional experience in this area give us the right to talk of ever better competitive position. Our cooperation in the past SouthEast Europe Convention Industry Market \u2013 Conventa, in Ljubljana, also speaks of the need of emphasizing the advantages of our region in the convention industry, and by that the potentials of Belgrade within the region.\nThe fact that the majority of all the inquiries on meetings at the common stand in the presentations of the BCB at the biggest convention industry fairs in the world such as IMEX, EIBTM and CONVENTA refer to Belgrade as a destination for organizing the association meetings and conventions, tells that we became again recognizable in this area and it is our intention to use this, in cooperation with local partners and SCB, in the best way possible, above all through common candidateship of Belgrade, promotion, lobbying, exchange of experiences with the convention bureaus of the neighbouring countries and more active stimulation of domestic associations to engage themselves in the process of Belgrade candidating.\nThe post Belgrade as a center of convention industry in the region appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2010-11-09T12:48:31+01:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-08T13:08:01+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miona Milic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miona/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20240224-WA0003-e1728981138373.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Jasna-Dimitrijevic.jpg", "tags": [ "belgrade", "convention industry", "meetings destination", "MICE", "serbia convention bureau", "Tourist Organization of Belgrade", "Experts opinions" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/interview-with-mr-sorin-munteanu-state-secretary-for-tourism-of-romania/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/interview-with-mr-sorin-munteanu-state-secretary-for-tourism-of-romania/", "title": "Interview with Mr Sorin Munteanu, State Secretary for Tourism of Romania", "content_html": "\u201cIt is not easy to convince tour operator or a hotel chain that your country is the right destination for their investment or that the investments are safe, but the satisfaction you get when the some project are implemented, is marvellous!\u201d \u2013 says Mr. Munteanu for SEEbtm.
\n\u201cRomania offers a rich tapestry of tourist attractions and vacation experiences unique in Central-Eastern Europe: medieval towns in Transylvania, the world-famous Painted Monasteries in Bucovina, traditional villages in Maramures, the magnificent architecture of Bucharest, the romantic Danube Delta, fairy-tale castles, the Black Sea resorts, the majestic Carpathian Mountains, spas and much more.
\nThe waters of the Danube, which flow into the Black Sea, form the second largest and best preserved of Europe’s deltas – The Danube Delta, which is an ideal location for incentives and home to more than 300 bird species, 160 kinds of fish and 800 plant families. Romania’s numerous castles perhaps best illustrate the country’s medieval heritage. Many castles and fortresses in Romania feature unique architectural elements and styles that reflect local traditions, customs and purpose.
\nWhile castles built from the 14th to the 18th Centuries are strong and austere fortresses built mainly for defence against invaders, those erected beginning in the late 1800s are imposing and luxurious. Once you visit my country, you will have nice memories which will persuade you to return and discover even more about its people, history and culture.\u201d
\n–\u00a0Are there many clients coming from South East Europe region to Romania, and do you find this market interesting for Romania and its tourism and business offer?
\n– I think that the tourists from the South East Europe countries are beginning to rediscover Romania and we do the same. There are some unique destinations and tourist attractions in the region which outstand in the international competition and make these countries very attractive, for leisure as well as for business tourism.
\n–\u00a0 In what percentage of regular incoming travel agencies is the business related to corporate tourism? Are there DMC agencies fully devoted to corporate and business travellers?
\nThere are some DMC and PCO which are fully dedicated to the MICE industry. It is difficult to rate the share of the business tourism in the whole tourism activity of Romania, but I can only say that in the last years this sector grew considerably and it still didn\u2019t reach its full potential.
\n![\"Sorin](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/ss_munteanu4.jpg\" "\\"Sorin")
–\u00a0How popular in Romania are incentives for foreign clients coming from all over the world?
\nFirst we have to know that the venues distribution in Romania is 60% in Bucharest and the rest in the country, therefore most of the events are organised in Bucharest. As for incentives, the ideal places are in Transilvania where the Dracula Theme is presented at its best and the Danube Delta.
\nThere are clients coming from Germany, Austria, Poland, UK, USA, the Nordic countries, France, etc.
\n– What is the most popular period of time when clients organize business events in Romania?
\nRomania is a year around destination, but I think that we can notice that the events take place during spring/ summer/ autumn. There are annually more than 350 exhibitions and fairs in Romania, and some of them are, of course, international.
\n–\u00a0Do corporations from Romania look for destinations in SEE region for their own organization of events, business meetings or conferences?
\nPrimarily multinational or national corporations organize their events in Romania. First of all, the price-quality ratio is very good and the agencies come always with new ideas. But, of course, there are good chances that those companies go also abroad for their events. It should stimulate even more the employers and also the economy in the region.
\n–\u00a0Do you think Romania and other SEE countries can be open for cooperation in the near future?
\nOf course. In my opinion, one of the keys for success is the cooperation among regions and/ or countries. We have some good examples from other European countries, for example for sport events, so I think we should analyse any kind of opportunity to work and act together, as we will be stronger and we all are going to benefit from it.
\nROMANIA’S ADVANTAGES ON THE REUNION MARKET![\"Castle](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Castle-Peles-in-Prahova-Valley.jpg\" "\\"Castle")
Romania has successfully been asserting itself in the past few years in the competition with classical events venues, based on a series of advantages which make it a reference country for the development of this industry in Eastern Europe:
\nProfessional specialising of more and more Romanian companies (PCOs, DMCs) which have the capacity of integrally taking over the organising process involved by a large event and becoming reliable partners for organisers and beneficiaries world-wide, who intend the use Romania as a destination for their events.
\nThe post Interview with Mr Sorin Munteanu, State Secretary for Tourism of Romania appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Mr. Sorin Munteanu, State Secretary for Tourism in the Ministry for Regional Development and Tourism of Romania shares with us challenges and goals he pointed out, in order to carry out lobby for Romania as a tourism destination at an international and national level.\n\u201cIt is not easy to convince tour operator or a hotel chain that your country is the right destination for their investment or that the investments are safe, but the satisfaction you get when the some project are implemented, is marvellous!\u201d \u2013 says Mr. Munteanu for SEEbtm.\n\u201cRomania offers a rich tapestry of tourist attractions and vacation experiences unique in Central-Eastern Europe: medieval towns in Transylvania, the world-famous Painted Monasteries in Bucovina, traditional villages in Maramures, the magnificent architecture of Bucharest, the romantic Danube Delta, fairy-tale castles, the Black Sea resorts, the majestic Carpathian Mountains, spas and much more.\nThe waters of the Danube, which flow into the Black Sea, form the second largest and best preserved of Europe’s deltas – The Danube Delta, which is an ideal location for incentives and home to more than 300 bird species, 160 kinds of fish and 800 plant families. Romania’s numerous castles perhaps best illustrate the country’s medieval heritage. Many castles and fortresses in Romania feature unique architectural elements and styles that reflect local traditions, customs and purpose.\nWhile castles built from the 14th to the 18th Centuries are strong and austere fortresses built mainly for defence against invaders, those erected beginning in the late 1800s are imposing and luxurious. Once you visit my country, you will have nice memories which will persuade you to return and discover even more about its people, history and culture.\u201d\n–\u00a0Are there many clients coming from South East Europe region to Romania, and do you find this market interesting for Romania and its tourism and business offer?\n– I think that the tourists from the South East Europe countries are beginning to rediscover Romania and we do the same. There are some unique destinations and tourist attractions in the region which outstand in the international competition and make these countries very attractive, for leisure as well as for business tourism.\n–\u00a0 In what percentage of regular incoming travel agencies is the business related to corporate tourism? Are there DMC agencies fully devoted to corporate and business travellers?\nThere are some DMC and PCO which are fully dedicated to the MICE industry. It is difficult to rate the share of the business tourism in the whole tourism activity of Romania, but I can only say that in the last years this sector grew considerably and it still didn\u2019t reach its full potential.\n\n–\u00a0How popular in Romania are incentives for foreign clients coming from all over the world?\nFirst we have to know that the venues distribution in Romania is 60% in Bucharest and the rest in the country, therefore most of the events are organised in Bucharest. As for incentives, the ideal places are in Transilvania where the Dracula Theme is presented at its best and the Danube Delta.\nThere are clients coming from Germany, Austria, Poland, UK, USA, the Nordic countries, France, etc.\n– What is the most popular period of time when clients organize business events in Romania?\nRomania is a year around destination, but I think that we can notice that the events take place during spring/ summer/ autumn. There are annually more than 350 exhibitions and fairs in Romania, and some of them are, of course, international.\n–\u00a0Do corporations from Romania look for destinations in SEE region for their own organization of events, business meetings or conferences?\nPrimarily multinational or national corporations organize their events in Romania. First of all, the price-quality ratio is very good and the agencies come always with new ideas. But, of course, there are good chances that those companies go also abroad for their events. It should stimulate even more the employers and also the economy in the region.\n–\u00a0Do you think Romania and other SEE countries can be open for cooperation in the near future?\nOf course. In my opinion, one of the keys for success is the cooperation among regions and/ or countries. We have some good examples from other European countries, for example for sport events, so I think we should analyse any kind of opportunity to work and act together, as we will be stronger and we all are going to benefit from it.\nROMANIA’S ADVANTAGES ON THE REUNION MARKET\nRomania has successfully been asserting itself in the past few years in the competition with classical events venues, based on a series of advantages which make it a reference country for the development of this industry in Eastern Europe:\n\nA new destination, prepared to impress its visitors with an unique combination of unspoiled nature, preserved culture and history, generously displayed in all the geographical regions.\nIdeally placed in the central- eastern European region, easily accessible by plane from all the major capital cities.\nPolitical and social stability\nDedicated infrastructure for hosting conferences and exhibitions, constantly and rapidly growing, modernising, diversifying and expanding, generating opportunities of foreign or Romanian- foreign investments, with efficient amortisation.\nMain hotel chains of multinational companies already present in Romania, in tight competition with the local offer of accommodation facilities from 3 to 5 stars.\nAdvance process of introducing international standards of the hospitality industry.\n\nProfessional specialising of more and more Romanian companies (PCOs, DMCs) which have the capacity of integrally taking over the organising process involved by a large event and becoming reliable partners for organisers and beneficiaries world-wide, who intend the use Romania as a destination for their events.\nThe post Interview with Mr Sorin Munteanu, State Secretary for Tourism of Romania appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2010-10-14T14:34:02+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-09T10:14:57+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miona Milic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miona/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20240224-WA0003-e1728981138373.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/ss_munteanu2.jpg", "tags": [ "INTERVIEW", "meetings destination", "romania", "Experts opinions", "MUST READ" ] } ] }