![\"fullsizerender\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/FullSizeRender-1.jpg\")
How is NTOS approaching to the promotion of Serbia as a meeting destination?
\nNext year it will be 10 years of the intensive investment of NTOS in promotion Serbia as a congress destination, especially through the operations of the separate sector – Serbia Convention Bureau.
\nBureaus major tasks are focuses on the implementation of the proactive destination management and sales on international meetings market.
\nBureau is actively cooperating with Partners in Serbia (hotels, venues, PCOs, DMCs), as well as with inter\u00adnational clients.
What are the major congress markets for NTOS and the bureau?
\nActivities are exclusively focused on international association and corporate markets.
\nWhen we are speaking about associations, Bureau through the Association Program and Congress Ambassadors Program is gathering our most recognized experts and together with them initiates the bidding process for international events.
Why are international meetings important for a destination?
\nEvery international event created important financial benefits for a destination. It is estimated that international event of 1.000 delega\u00adtes generates income of around 1 million euros for a destination.
\nOf course, NTOS during the bidding process is investing certain financial resources, but in comparison to the reached effects, these resources are very modest.
\nIn addition, in the year of organization of international congresses, Serbia becomes the center of Europe or world in given field.
\nOn that way, Serbia is positioning as a leader in knowledge and expertise, becomes meeting point of world top experts, and place of demonstrating domestic expertise.
\nOr to say, congresses are one of the platforms for reaching knowledge based society.
How are client deciding on destination?
\nCongress guests are different in their needs, motives for traveling and decision making process from the leisure segment. It is necessary to note that international clients are looking for destination with significant congress infrastructure and hotel capacities (4* or 5*).
\nAir connectivity is something that goes in favor of Serbia, having in mind development and expansion of our national air carrier. But what makes destination \u201cdifferent\u201d and \u201cextraordinary\u201d are unique experi\u00adences.
In the new era of modern lifestyle, concept of staying at non-urban environment, combination of tradi\u00adtion and culture, local and organic food, hospitality of local people are something that can make a destina\u00adtion to stand out from others. Good destinations are focused on service quality and on quality experience communication towards the final client.
\nWhat congress activities is NTOS focusing on in this year?
\nFirst is participation at IMEX Frankfurt. This year presentation of Serbia passed indeed great we had fantastic stand, while our industry Partners took over some activities as well. The fact that over 250 individual appointments with meeting planner has been organi\u00adzed, certainly proof the fact of great stand presentation.
\nIt is necessary to solve infrastructure limits and to improve management system.
\nSecond is bidding process, and already in this year 30 bids are in process or have been completed. Until the end of the year we are expecting results.
\nAnd third is organization of famtrips\u00a0for international meeting planners. This is very important since conditions are finally set, through the stronger cooperation within NTOS and private sector, to bring international clients to experience the quality of products.
\nWhat are possibilities for furt\u00adher development of Serbia as a congress destination?
\nSeveral years now Serbia is in the top 50 countries in the world (ICCA), but for further results, like increa\u00adsing the number of large events in Serbia, it is necessary to improve congress infrastructure and to solve issue of Sava Center.
\nIt is estimated that international event of 1.000 delegates generates income of around 1 million euros for a destination.
\nIt is necessary to solve infrastructu\u00adre limits and to improve manage\u00adment system.
\nNTOS continues the proactive work in attracting international events, and in the next period we are lo\u00adoking forward to the organization of new Congress Ambassador Day, as well as to preparations for next congress season.
The post Managing Customer Relations as a Key to Success of Serbia as a Meeting Destination appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "How is NTOS approaching to the promotion of Serbia as a meeting destination?\nNext year it will be 10 years of the intensive investment of NTOS in promotion Serbia as a congress destination, especially through the operations of the separate sector – Serbia Convention Bureau.\nBureaus major tasks are focuses on the implementation of the proactive destination management and sales on international meetings market.\nBureau is actively cooperating with Partners in Serbia (hotels, venues, PCOs, DMCs), as well as with inter\u00adnational clients.\nWhat are the major congress markets for NTOS and the bureau?\nActivities are exclusively focused on international association and corporate markets.\nWhen we are speaking about associations, Bureau through the Association Program and Congress Ambassadors Program is gathering our most recognized experts and together with them initiates the bidding process for international events.\nHaving in mind that Serbia is still seen as a new convention destina\u00adtion, key to success is development of the long-lasting relations and mutual trust with international clients.\nWhy are international meetings important for a destination?\nEvery international event created important financial benefits for a destination. It is estimated that international event of 1.000 delega\u00adtes generates income of around 1 million euros for a destination.\nOf course, NTOS during the bidding process is investing certain financial resources, but in comparison to the reached effects, these resources are very modest.\nIn addition, in the year of organization of international congresses, Serbia becomes the center of Europe or world in given field.\nOn that way, Serbia is positioning as a leader in knowledge and expertise, becomes meeting point of world top experts, and place of demonstrating domestic expertise.\nOr to say, congresses are one of the platforms for reaching knowledge based society.\n\nHow are client deciding on destination?\nCongress guests are different in their needs, motives for traveling and decision making process from the leisure segment. It is necessary to note that international clients are looking for destination with significant congress infrastructure and hotel capacities (4* or 5*).\nAir connectivity is something that goes in favor of Serbia, having in mind development and expansion of our national air carrier. But what makes destination \u201cdifferent\u201d and \u201cextraordinary\u201d are unique experi\u00adences.\nIn the new era of modern lifestyle, concept of staying at non-urban environment, combination of tradi\u00adtion and culture, local and organic food, hospitality of local people are something that can make a destina\u00adtion to stand out from others. Good destinations are focused on service quality and on quality experience communication towards the final client.\nWhat congress activities is NTOS focusing on in this year?\nFirst is participation at IMEX Frankfurt. This year presentation of Serbia passed indeed great we had fantastic stand, while our industry Partners took over some activities as well. The fact that over 250 individual appointments with meeting planner has been organi\u00adzed, certainly proof the fact of great stand presentation.\nIt is necessary to solve infrastructure limits and to improve management system.\nSecond is bidding process, and already in this year 30 bids are in process or have been completed. Until the end of the year we are expecting results.\nAnd third is organization of famtrips\u00a0for international meeting planners. This is very important since conditions are finally set, through the stronger cooperation within NTOS and private sector, to bring international clients to experience the quality of products.\nWhat are possibilities for furt\u00adher development of Serbia as a congress destination?\nSeveral years now Serbia is in the top 50 countries in the world (ICCA), but for further results, like increa\u00adsing the number of large events in Serbia, it is necessary to improve congress infrastructure and to solve issue of Sava Center.\nIt is estimated that international event of 1.000 delegates generates income of around 1 million euros for a destination.\nIt is necessary to solve infrastructu\u00adre limits and to improve manage\u00adment system.\nNTOS continues the proactive work in attracting international events, and in the next period we are lo\u00adoking forward to the organization of new Congress Ambassador Day, as well as to preparations for next congress season.\nThe post Managing Customer Relations as a Key to Success of Serbia as a Meeting Destination appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-11-01T10:43:27+01:00", "date_modified": "2016-11-01T10:53:31+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/RozaeS-direktor-Marija-L-102.jpg", "tags": [ "meeting destination", "serbia convention bureau", "Tourist organisation of Serbia", "Interviews" ] }, { "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/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" ] } ] }