Author: Charlotte Gill

Paris events, late summer 2013

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Paris Haute Couture
Salle Saint Jean
Until July 6

A city known for its fashion, Paris gave eccentric, sparkling birth to haute couture in the mid-nineteenth century. Explore the most creative and garish extremes of the industry at the Saint Jean town hall.
paris.fr/haute-couture

Music and cinema
Cité de la Musique
Until August 18

The Cité de la Musique tracks the intertwining history of music and cinema, focusing on famous director-composer duos and featuring film clips, interviews with key industry figures, photos and cinematic memorabilia.
citedelamusique.fr

The Decorative Revolution
Pinacothèque de Paris
Until September 8

The Pinacothèque de Paris celebrates the development of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, two of the city’s most iconic aesthetic movements, bringing together hundreds of objects that characterised these artistic styles.
pinacotheque.com

Pilgrimage
Notre Dame
All summer

Notre Dame, one of Paris’ oldest and most famous landmarks, celebrates its 850th anniversary. Join the festivities with a pilgrimage to the cathedral to learn about the building’s history and attend the pilgrims’ mass.
notredamedeparis2013.com

Turkey: a growing sports destination

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Hosting any global sporting event is a shot in the arm for a country or city. It puts them on the map and in the media spotlight, attracts foreign tourists who may never have otherwise visited and encourages the local government to spend money on infrastructure. And, of course, a further effect is often a boost to the property market.

That’s why Turkey is such an exciting place right now. It’s in the running to host the 2020 Olympics, hosts its first PGA Golf Open later this year in Belek, an increasingly important global golf destination, and next month stages its first FIFA tournament, namely the Under-20 (U20) 2013 Football World Cup.

Action in Antalya
Turkey’s largest tourist resort and gateway to its Mediterranean coastline, Antalya, is gearing up for a swell in international visitors – and with it the chance to showcase the lifestyle and properties it has to offer. Antalya’s Akdeniz University Stadium is one of the match venues chosen for the tournament, which takes place in Turkey from June 21 to July 13. England is one of the four teams that will be based in the city for its group stage matches, alongside Chile, Egypt and Iraq. Uzbekistan and Uruguay will also play against each other in Antalya.

As well as the England fans and U20 players, football legends Peter Taylor, who once managed the senior England team and is managing the U20 squad in 2013, and squad coach Stuart Pearce, who has 78 senior England caps, will have the chance to discover Antalya when they stay there during the tournament.

“This is a landmark event for Turkey, as it will be the first time a FIFA competition has been staged in the country, drawing prominent names in English and world football,” said Julian Walker, director at Turkish property specialist Spot Blue, to the Overseas Guides Company. “It’s part of Turkey’s snowballing status as a world-class sports destination and complements the hosting of its first European Tour Golf Open in Belek in November. And of course, a successful tournament will send clear signals about the credibility of Istanbul’s bid for the 2020 Olympics. So much positive global exposure for the country can only be a good thing for the country’s property market.”

Beach bargains
Thanks to its balmy year-round climate, Antalya is already equally popular with second homeowners and retirees from northern Europe, and football teams from around the world that use it as a winter training destination. The Lara Beach area of Antalya has modern tourist complexes geared towards football teams, including the Titanic Beach and Resort and Fame Residence Resort, both of which have on-site football pitches.

Foreign footballers or holidaymakers tempted to buy a property in Antalya will find their money goes further than other quality tourist destinations. At Lara Beach, Spot Blue is selling new-build two-bedroom apartments in the centre of the resort, and just five minutes’ walk from the beach and a 20-minute transfer from the airport, from just £86,117. Or investors could consider one of the remaining apartments on a new development a short walk from the seafront in Antalya’s Konyaalti district – prices start at £50,656 for a one-bedroom unit and there is the option of a five percent rental guarantee for two years.

“Konyaalti is popular with both foreign and local residents who want to combine the convenience of being on the edge of a city centre with access to beaches and tourist facilities – not unlike parts of Barcelona, another city that benefited hugely from hosting a global sporting event, the 1992 Olympics,” said Julian Walker at Spot Blue. “It’s next to Baki Beach and Konyaalti Beachpark, while the area boasts three hospitals, is home to the police station that handles foreigners’ affairs and boasts excellent shopping, including the Migros Shopping Center. Outside of Antalya, we also have some excellent buys in the resorts of Belek, Side and Alanya.”

Richard Way is Editor of The Overseas Guides Company. Find further information on Turkey here or call 0207 898 0549.

Tablet editions

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

B16DJBusiness Destinations is freely available on both iPad and Android tablets. Access the latest editions, and back issues in a format optimised for tablet reading.

To download the app for iPad, please click here.

To download the app for Android, please click here.

View the latest virtual edition here.

 

 

 

BD_Awards_2015Business Destinations has also announced its much-anticipated Travel Awards winners for 2015.
You can view all the winners on the site here or view the special awards supplement in your browser or tablet device.

To download the supplement for iPad, please click here.

To download the supplement for Android, please click here.

To read the supplement in your browser, click here.

 

Basis health watch

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Working hard and constantly travelling are not conducive conditions for decent sleep and regular exercise. This health-tracker makes healthy living easy by monitoring your body’s vital statistics and feeding them back to you with useful advice via the Basis website or your smartphone. A collection of sensors monitor motion, perspiration and skin temperature, while the optical sensor records heart rate. Users choose their focus – be it getting more sleep, losing weight, or simply waking up at the same time every morning. Basis then suggests manageable routine changes (take a walk during your coffee break, set a strict bed time) so you can achieve these goals. Oh, and it tells the time too.
mybasis.com, £127

Kuala Lumpur

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Stay
At the five-star G Tower Hotel, where business travellers can mix arty interiors with the latest work-inspired spaces in this ultra-modern abode in the heart of the bustling  commercial and embassy districts.

Octopus skewers from a street stall
Octopus skewers from a street stall

Eat 
Skewers of octopus, chicken and mushroom or tender pork belly dipped in spicy chilli sauce at one of KL’s numerous street food stalls in Bukit Bintang. If you’d rather sit and watch the crowds, nasi lemak, a rice dish with peanuts and anchovies, is a delicious snack served in street-side cafés.

Tea is poured from a height to create froth
Tea is poured from a height to create froth

Drink
A delicious and chilled (if not slightly bizarre) lychee drink called lin chee kang, which contains basil seeds, lotus nuts, gingko nuts, barley. If that’s not enough, it also comes served with a quail egg floating in the top. Frothed tea is experiencing a nostalgic revival in KL and the pouring ritual is quite a spectacle.

The Lake Gardens sit at the foot of the Petronas Towers
The Lake Gardens sit at the foot of the Petronas Towers

See
The central Lake Gardens – a vast and sprawling green space where peacocks and monkeys roam free. Located at the Islamic Arts Centre, visitors can escape the city bustle and enjoy some serenity. Finish off the day with a trip to the Petronas Towers.

Golden days for non-EU property investors?

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

As concerns in the UK mount over the possibility of Romanian and Bulgarian migrants flooding the country when labour restrictions are lifted next January, other nations are busy making it easier for foreigners to cross their borders.

Of course, there are various motives at work, but it makes for interesting times, especially if you’re an expat abroad. In the current economic climate, governments in Europe are keen to attract money to their shores from all corners of the globe. It just happens that the people currently spending most are from outside the EU, in particular Russia, the Middle East and China.

Paying on the door
Just look at London, where a recent report showed that overseas buyers accounted for 52 percent of all £2m-plus prime residential properties sold between March 2012 and March 2013. The surge in sales to foreign buyers was led by wealthy citizens from Russia, China, the US, the United Arab Emirates, India and the eurozone collectively.

Since non-EU citizens typically can’t freely move to an EU country, they can now effectively buy their way into some countries. Portugal’s new Golden Visa, or Golden Residence Permit, passed by the government there at the end of last year, is one example. In brief, a golden visa may be granted to non-EU citizens who invest in Portugal for a minimum of five years in one of the following ways: transferring capital that is equal to – or greater than – €1m; an investment that leads to the creation of at least 10 jobs; acquiring a property for €500,000 or more.

Residence permits that come with a golden visa are valid initially for a year but may be renewed for periods of two years after that, provided that the initial conditions are maintained. To obtain a renewal, applicants must prove that they have stayed in Portugal for at least seven days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period.

More recently, as of January 1 2013, anyone from a non-EU country who buys a property in Spain for more than €160,000 could obtain a residency permit to stay in the country – although this does not include a work permit.

Extending entry
Meanwhile, Turkey has also been taking great steps to open its doors to foreigners. Outside the uncertainty of the eurozone, strategically located between East and West and enjoying economic stability, Turkey is intensifying its campaign to attract more foreign homeowners and residents. Most recently, it announced plans to grant a one-year resident permit to all foreigners who purchase property there, an increase on the previous three-month permit.

While British people historically have had little difficulty obtaining residence permits in Turkey, Middle Eastern and other non-European nations have not always found it easy – this new legislation will be especially attractive to them.

Meanwhile, travel to and from Turkey for second homeowners and holidaymakers got easier this month with the introduction of a system that allows foreigners to obtain a tourist visa online before travelling, thereby avoiding lengthy queues at airports. The new e-visa replaces the ‘sticker’ and ‘stamp-type’ versions formerly issued at border controls.

Last year Turkey eased restrictions on the sale of land and real estate to foreign citizens and firms, by abolishing its reciprocity law, and the country is beginning to feel the benefits of this change.

One thing is for sure: as the world gets smaller, it gets more interesting. Living in suburban Britain in 2013 you could feasibly have foreign neighbours, while if you live in mainland Europe, there’s an increasing chance that them next door could be from an exotic, far-flung corner of the world too!

Words by Richard Way, Editor, The Overseas Guides Company, 0207 898 0549.

Reykjavik

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Stay
In the hustle and bustle of downtown Reykjavik at the Hotel Borg, restored to its full art deco glory to offer luxury, convenience and stunning views over the whole city. Originally built for Jóhannes Jósefsson, a famous Icelandic strong-man and adventurer, the hotel opened in 1930 and quickly became one of the city’s most notable buildings.

The Hilton-owned Hotel Borg
The Hotel Borg

Eat
Exquisite Nordic food at the fabulous Dill. All ingredients are sourced locally and prepared lovingly by chef and owner Gunnar Karl Gíslason. The dinner menu is a seven-course tour de force. Expect a fresh selection of masterpieces utilising carefully selected scallops, celeriac, mussels, beetroot and, of course, dill. View the whole menu here.

Dill serves fresh scallops
Dill serves fresh scallops

Drink
Cold Gull beer from Egill Skallagrímsson Brewery – voted best in the world – at Astro Bar where the kaleidoscopic multi-coloured lights are pretty show-stopping. Two dance floors mean you can stay here for the whole night. It gets busy though, so arrive early to enjoy this bar-cum-art installation.

Lucky visitors can spot the northern lights
Lucky visitors can spot the Northern Lights

See
The Northern Lights, climate permitting; various providers offer organised tours into the wilderness for those keen to catch a glimpse. But do not miss a trip to the Blue Lagoon. This thermal water spa surrounded by a lava field is like swimming on the moon. Both beautiful and relaxing.

The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon

Grand Hotel Villa Cora

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

At the centre of a historic park, on the hills of the Florentine suburbs, is the magnificent Grand Hotel Villa Cora. An aristocratic residence built at the close of the sixteenth century by Baron Oppenheim, the hotel offers an eclectic and often eccentric array of accommodation.

Villa Cora has long been the lodging-place of choice for the rich and famous, hosting Russian composer Tchaikovsky and Japanese Emperor Hirohito, among others. The main villa houses 30 suites and rooms, with the imperial suite dedicated to Princess Eugenia, wife of Napoleon III, and a former resident.

Away from the main house, the old stables have been transformed into Villino Eugenia, a charming guesthouse overlooking the Boboli Gardens. Finally, La Follie, with two rooms, sits on the edge of the park, offering total privacy.

Aside from the stunning rooms, Villa Cora boasts a marble-clad spa featuring a heated outdoor pool, tepidarium, sauna and hammam, as well as a range of massages and beauty treatments. The hotel also houses two restaurants. One is situated in the winter gardens and the other, a Middle Eastern themed affair with ajoining cigar room, is located in the cellars.

Book your stay or find out more here.

Florence Timeline

 

59BC

According to popular myth, Julius Caesar discovered the city as Florentia and made it into the official retirement location for his veteran soldiers.

1339

The city becomes the first in Europe to pave all of its streets. The old cobbles have since become an aesthetic trademark of the city.

1452

Leonardo da Vinci was born. His work and legacy came to epitomise the emergence of Florence as the birthplace of the European Renaissance.

1504

Michelangelo’s sculpture David was placed in front of the Palazzo della Signoria. It has since been moved indoors and replaced with a replica.

1944

German forces blew up all of the city’s bridges during a WW2 occupation, except Ponte Vecchio, which was deemed too beautiful to destroy.

1982

Declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, thanks to the stunning constructions of the Medici era and a host of other historical and artistic remains.

2010

Forbes rated Florence among the most beautiful cities in the world, highlighting in particular its spacious and café-lined piazzas.

Meet in the middle

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Imagine meeting in the middle of the world, in the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by snowcapped volcanoes and breathtaking Andean Mountains, and less than a two-hour flight from the lush Amazon rainforest, miles of pristine Pacific Ocean beaches and the legendary Galapagos Islands. Only Quito, the capital of Ecuador, the most bio-diverse country on earth, can offer such a unique and varied combination of attractions, making for the most memorable meetings and incentive travel programmes.

Situated in an Andean valley, 9,350ft above sea level and at the foot of the Volcano Pichincha, Quito was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1534 and established on top of the ruins of a once thriving Incan city. Home to 2.2 million residents, Quito is located at latitude 0°0’0” in the middle of the world. Its year-round mild spring-like weather makes any month of the year a good time to travel to Quito.

Equatorial entertainment
Quito’s colonial centre is the largest and best-preserved in the Americas. Stretching over 44 blocks, its cobblestoned streets are bustling with life and lined with countless historic churches, monasteries and convents, museums, shops, handicraft stores, street vendors, restaurants, cafés and world-class boutique hotels.

Other popular attractions include the Cable Car ride over Quito, rewarding visitors with a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding mountains and volcanoes, and the Middle of the World Monument where one can straddle the equator. La Floresta’s many gourmet restaurants serve new fusion cuisines, and the La Mariscal neighbourhood comes alive each night with Quiteños and visitors packing its restaurants, cafés and bars until the early hours of the morning.

Further afield, just a short drive outside the city, visitors will find countless day-trip options. In the Avenue of the Volcanoes an abundance of nature reserves offer hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, zip lines and more. Alternatively, visit a stunning rose farm, or shop at the world-famous Otavalo market, the largest indigenous outdoor marketplace in South America.

There are walks in a cloud forest teeming with more than 500 bird species, countless butterflies and orchids endemic to the region, as well as kayaking or rafting on rivers bordering the Amazon. In the village of Papallacta, relax in the rejuvenating natural hot springs fed from volcanic waters full of minerals and beneficial properties, and finish the trip with a steamed trout from a local restaurant.

Quorum Quito
Located along the equator line, the Quorum Quito Convention Centre and Alpha Point business centre are designed to meet the needs of the growing number of corporate, meeting and incentive travellers to Quito. It does this so well that Quorum Quito Business and Conventions is our Best Congress and Convention Centre, South America, 2013.

Situated in the heart of the Paseo San Francisco, the centre boasts an impressive and innovative entertainment and educational complex, with 208 shops and restaurants, an iMAX theatre, as well as a sports complex and an interactive museum for children.Quorum Quito and Alpha Point patrons will have convenient access to a range of shopping, dining, movies, performing arts and sports options, for post-business entertainment.

Located halfway between the centre of Quito and the new international airport, both accessible within 20 minutes, Quorum Quito was built with the goal of becoming a centre where successful ideas are born and shared; ideas that nurture corporations as well as individual economic development, while practicing corporate social responsibility and caring for the environment.

Covering nearly 90,000sq ft, Quorum Quito provides the ideal setting for conferences, exhibitions and social events. The convention centre features capacity for up to 3,000 delegates across 15 modular rooms capable of accommodating groups of as little as 25, up to 2,200. These rooms contain state-of-the-art technology; organisers will be provided with globally recognised brands that deliver technical efficiency for events, conventions and business meetings. The facility’s technology and infrastructure are even built in an environmentally responsible manner to ensure sustainability.

Conference rooms are acoustically insulated to ensure privacy and eliminate any outside distractions. Simultaneous audio and video translation is available, as well as closed circuit security, a designated exclusive parking lot for 2,500 vehicles and valet parking for attendees. Luxury and VIP transportation options for attendees can also be arranged.

Quorum Quito’s onsite services include a booth set-up for fairs and exhibitions, ready internet connectivity, and individual temperature controls in every room. Multilingual professional staff assist with the important flourishes, helping to organise gourmet catering – packages for which include breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring samples of Ecuador’s diverse cuisine – and décor services, transforming the venue to suit your theme. A variety of musical and entertainment options can be arranged and the facility will even provide security for your event.

Alpha Point
Adjacent to Quorum Quito, the Alfa Point business centre offers fully equipped offices and meeting spaces for the exclusive use of executives to conduct business and host fellow colleagues, clients and consultants. The 34,444sq ft business centre features 26 modern and private offices fully furnished and equipped with the latest technology to meet the needs of sales associates and presidents or CEOs of multinational corporations.

A further four private meeting rooms can be used separately or as one large space, also equipped with the latest technology, and featuring a capacity from four to 120 professionals. The business centre’s press room features computers, internet access and microphones for media. Delegates can also utilise the VIP room, which can accommodate up to 12 guests.

The onsite cafeteria offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a delivery service for those uninterruptable meetings. When there is time for a break, attendees can enjoy the Gourmet Shop, offering finely crafted artisanal products by local artists as well as delicious Ecuadorian chocolates and roses. For deeper relaxation visit the spa, featuring a capillary regeneration centre, a hair salon, make-up, pedicure and manicure services and a tanning salon with vertical tanning beds. There is also a traditionally designed barbershop.

Business travellers can make use of a host of other tailored services, such as the copy centre, shipping services, translation services, business school, fibre-optic broadband, audio-visual equipment in meeting rooms and a welcome desk where the staff speak eight different languages. Alpha Point further offers assistance with event production and management to ensure excellence and success.

Mother Russia

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

The Best Western Vega Hotel & Convention Centre, our Best Business Hotel, Russia, 2013, continues to maximise services for business and leisure guests visiting Russia’s capital. A beautifully designed new restaurant and hi-tech convention centre complement the hotel’s existing excellence, earning it a variety of travel and hospitality awards.

Gusi-Lebedi restaurant
Food is a crucial element of any hotel visit and excellent cuisine can elevate a standard trip to something truly memorable. The new Gusi-Lebedi restaurant at the Best Western Vega Hotel never fails to provide guests with something mouth-watering. It can seat 145 guests, has five dining zones located on different levels and is designed to celebrate different occasions, both for private and business functions. There are intimate settings for a romantic tête-à-tête, as well as comfortable tables for business dinners or larger banquets.

Situated in the ancestral land of the Romanov family, guests are in the authentic part of the city where locals shop and dine

Unique décor by Greta Denisova creates an original atmosphere that captures the intricate layers of modern Russian classicism, alongside the country’s traditional aesthetic style. Named after The Magic Swan Geese, one of the most famous Russian fairytales, the centerpiece of the restaurant is an impressive white handcrafted fireplace with a golden fresco – the symbol of the Gusi-Lebedi restaurant. An atmosphere of both grandeur and cosiness is created by a cascade of sparkling crystal chandeliers, with velvet sofas to relax on, carved mirror columns and oak wooden flooring throughout.

Even with such marvellous surroundings to live up to, the food does not disappoint. Guests get a chance to taste the most exquisite dishes prepared by the hotel’s celebrity chef Maxim Tarusin. The chef is well known for his traditional Russian cuisine, especially beef stroganoff; this most famous of Russian dishes is produced so exquisitely by Tarusin that it will surely soon be the signature dish of Gusi-Lebedi.

For a less traditional menu, the chef creates unique dishes of his own, such as Moscow borsch with duck, or battered pikeperch fish with mint apples. The menu is diverse and even offers a variety of European cuisines. The vast selection of fish and meat and hot and cold appetisers satisfies the most sophisticated palettes.

For happy hour, the cocktail area offers a variety of drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails and a selection of cigars. In cold weather guests can enjoy specially designed, hot winter drinks such as non-alcoholic mulled white and red wine spiced with honey, cinnamon, and cloves infused in orange, apple and lemon juice. Or simply go Russian and enjoy a glass of vodka.

The Gusi-Lebedi at Vega Hotel is one of Moscow’s great dining experiences, thanks to its ambience and exceptional cuisine. The restaurant also offers great value, making it affordable for every guest, bringing a bit of luxury in a unique place every time they choose to dine there.

Beyond convention
The Best Western Vega Hotel’s convention centre is one of the largest in Moscow. This modern space consists of 15 conference rooms, able to host events for up to 1,500 people. All of the rooms except one are located on the same floor and equipped with modern multimedia equipment leaving meeting organisers free from worry. A variety of conference packages are available, catering to all budgets, from economy to exclusive.

The restaurant complex of the hotel offers the ideal setting for corporate coffee and lunch breaks. Conference packages can be purchased including a wide selection of drinks and buffet-style snacks. There are also four restaurants to choose from and each offers European and Russian cuisine in beautiful interiors – an ideal break from the conference or meeting.

For the business travellers who want to sightsee in their free time, the Best Western Vega Hotel is in a premium location from which to explore Moscow. Situated in Izmailovo, the ancestral land of the Romanov noble family, guests are in the midst of the authentic part of the city where locals shop and dine. The Izmailovsky Park, known as ‘Peter the Great’s playground’, is one of the largest parks in Europe – two and a half times bigger than Central Park – and offers many unique sites to visit, such as the Vodka Museum in the Ismailovsky Kremlin and markets selling inexpensive, traditional Russian crafts. For museum lovers, the park holds many significant Peter the Great sites. The hotel is also only a few minutes away by metro from the city centre and Red Square.

Award-winning service
Best Western Vega Hotel & Convention Centre is the largest hotel in the Best Western family and has valuable experience of working alongside international organisations, government agencies, research and educational institutions, sporting bodies and major Russian companies. It has been recognised by Business Destinations as the Best Business Hotel in Russia, 2013.

The Best Western Vega Hotel not only meets the demanding business needs of large corporate bodies, but it also provides personalised care for every guest in residence. Such a high quality of service catering to individual needs is a great achievement for a hotel with almost 1,000 rooms and such a large convention centre.

The concierge service is always available to assist with any query – whether providing local information, booking airport transfers or making important international calls, a member of staff will be on hand around the clock. Have your hair perfected in the hotel salon or clothing mended swiftly by the onsite tailoring service – even bring small pets on the journey with you.

The hotel developed high standards by investing a significant amount of time and money into quality control, by training, motivating and rewarding its staff for high performance. Most importantly, guest feedback is valued and changes are made on a daily basis as a result of this feedback. This allows the hotel to go from strength-to-strength and continually exceed the expectations of visitors. bd

Further information
Tel: +44 (0) 7722 551 234
en.hotel-vega.ru

Face-to-face

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

The Editor of City AM, Allister Heath, recently announced that: “Internet is the new meteorite that extinguished the dinosaurs.” With the closure of Blockbuster and HMV signalling the death of the high street, the question remains: what role is left for face-to-face business interaction?

People have been predicting the death of business meetings since at least 2005, but conference and exhibition venue ExCeL London, Business Destinations’ Best Meetings and Conference Centre, Europe, 2013, experienced a record year in 2012 and is expecting at least four million visitors to come through the doors in 2013, including its 25-millionth guest.

ExCeL London is expecting four million visitors in 2013, including its 25-millionth guest

ExCeL London CEO David Pegler believes that whilst online conferences may replace some internal meetings, if you want to network, meet potential clients and close deals, you have to meet face-to-face. “You need to meet someone to build a meaningful relationship and for significant, strategic business partnerships, personal relationships are everything.

“For many business leaders the act of physically shaking hands is an important part of building a relationship and agreeing a new deal. The success of ExCeL in the last few years shows that that there is no real alternative to face-to-face meetings for sharing big ideas and making things happen.

“In Britain, we don’t manufacture a great deal anymore, but one thing we are good at is bringing people together. We showed in the Olympics what we could do and we are showing every year how meeting in London in particular can be a real catalyst for
economic growth.”

Personal matters
Psychology Professor Richard Arvey, from the University of Singapore, in a study entitled, ‘Why face-to-face business meetings matter’ found that, “face-to-face meetings have a variety of valuable psychological as well as business outcomes” and “eliminating face-to-face meetings as an option in communicating with employees would be a mistake”. Meeting in person is the best way to facilitate networking, allowing attendees to really engage with each other. It also enables individuals to build trusting relationships and increases the perceived level of transparency – all critical qualities to a successful business venture.

A survey by Forbes Insights of more than 750 business executives found that 84 percent preferred in person, face-to-face meetings and an Ipsos Observer search revealed 61 percent of business owners thought of conferences as a good place to network.

Further, a study by forecasting organisation Oxford Economics found that every dollar invested in business travel directly results in $12.50 in added revenues and $3.80 in new profits. This is clear evidence that business travel directly leads to an increase in both corporate and revenue profits.

Business capital
London is the perfect location for exhibition, conference, meeting or association events. Steeped in history, at the cutting edge of style, a leader in world economies, London is a truly cosmopolitan city and an unrivalled destination for events. London is the natural meeting point for the world’s business networks. It is a leading city in the global economy and a centre of international trade and finance.

If you’re looking for new business partners, investors, customers or sponsorship for your event, you have a wealth of organisations to approach. The city continues to nurture some of the finest research and technology developments in the world, while its influence through medical schools, universities and hospitals is second to none. It is a city of excellence in the fields of medicine, biotechnology, finance and media.

One of the most important reasons for London’s success is its ability to continuously reinvent itself. Change is constant in London and for decades England’s capital has been the launchpad for new fashions and trends. It’s a creative hub where there is always something new to do and see. If it happens, it happens in London first. Hotels, venues, restaurants and attractions constantly update, improve and refresh their offering, so no matter how many times you visit, London always pleasantly surprises.

London, like no other city, is truly global – able to do business with the East in the morning, the Americas in the afternoon, and Europe the whole day through. But London appeals to business in more ways than this – from its 2,500 hotels and over 200 museums and galleries, to some of the world’s best shopping, incredible pubs and bars, and 6,000 restaurants with cuisine from every corner of the globe. London also has the most comprehensive and iconic underground transport system in the world, and is investing billions to further improve it.

These are the reasons why London is such an enduring destination for businesses looking to hold conferences and events. Indeed, seven million business visitors come to London each year; they know that by holding an event there you can expect greater interest and higher delegate numbers. London has outstanding facilities, and experts in every area of business and conferencing.

ExCeL in London
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, recently said: “ExCeL London plays a vital role in bringing business tourism to the capital, generating over £1.6bn in economic impact. The venue’s position as one of London’s premier event venues has allowed the city to compete for some of the world’s leading conventions, exhibitions and events.”

ExCeL London is an award-winning events venue, offering 100,000sq m of flexible event space, including London’s first ever International Convention Centre. This includes a 5,000-seat auditorium, banqueting hall and multi-function conference suites. At ExCeL London every event, whatever the ambition, receives unparalleled attention. Staff genuinely care about what clients do and are committed to helping them achieve great things.

ExCeL works closely with its customers to find the right opportunities for growth and to encourage clients to push themselves in new and different directions. From the venue’s people to its space, ExCeL London knows what it takes to stay ahead, which is why it is always investing in the areas that matter most, so that every event has what it needs to succeed.

Business in London

75% of the world’s top 500 companies have an office in London
20% of Europe’s largest companies are based
in London
33% of the Fortune Global 500 have European HQs
in London
Top three global international financial centre
18 years of being voted Europe’s ‘Best Business City’

Peak time

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

The beautiful Verbier St Bernard, our Best Destination for Sports Tourism, Europe, 2013, welcomes you this summer with sports and culture filled alpine holidays complemented by snow, lush paths, raclette and all the delights of the mountains. This tourist area in the heart of the Alps encompasses Verbier, Val de Bagnes, Pays du St Bernard and La Tzoumaz, with exceptional panoramas every way you turn.

While Verbier remains the Eldorado of skiing and freeriding with its Four Vallées area, the family resorts all around offer fantastic alternatives. Here, amid undisturbed nature, fans of snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing or sledging will find exactly what they want. In summer, enjoy 950km of hiking paths as well as 500km of mountain bike trails.

The Grand Raid Verbier-Grimentz, an international mountain bike marathon, takes place on August 17

A wealth of fascinating cultural attractions await you, ranging from contemporary art to heritage sites. Among the not-to-be-missed items is the Col du Grand St Bernard – with its hospice and dogs – which will plunge you into the legend of this welcoming, spiritual place.

Another attraction of the region is its gastronomic delights, complemented by flavours from other parts. To enjoy the buzz right through the season, don’t miss Verbier’s international events such as the Verbier Xtreme and the Verbier Festival. From mountain huts to five-star hotels, Verbier St Bernard offers a wide range of accommodation from which to enjoy this plethora of activities.

Summer sounds
Summer is a fantastic time to visit Verbier St Bernard thanks to the endless events and activities spanning the season. From July 19 to August 4, Verbier Festival entertains the resort. Every year, the greatest classical music performers meet at the Verbier Festival for two weeks of pure enchantment. The event offers a wide range of shows, from the splendour of symphony masterpieces to the intimacy of recitals.

Although the festival is mainly devoted to classical music, it also opens the door to jazz and world music. It hosts various free concerts in bars and cafés, rehearsals and open workshops, concert presentations and conferences: music lovers and curious onlookers of all persuasions will be in seventh heaven. The 2013 event promises to be exceptional – the Verbier Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

On this occasion, the organisers are proud to announce the creation of the Verbier Festival Music Camp. This three-week educational programme, driven by conductor Daniel Harding, sources around 60 musicians between the ages of 15 and 17.
There are a legion of other events complementing the Festival: for young musical talents, The Verbier Festival Academy is offering masterclasses directed by stars from the international arena, and is now open to the public.

Participants get to exhibit their talent daily during a free concert. Make sure you see both orchestras leading the festival – the Verbier Festival Orchestra and the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra – who are offering several exceptional performances. Alternatively, however, the Fest’Off! Jazz concerts and jamming sessions get the beat going in the resort. In the streets or in the pastures, open your eyes and prick up your ears – the music is everywhere.

Endless activities
There are countless other offerings aside from classical concerts. Until July 6, the 3-D Foundation hosts several contemporary artists in Verbier. It will be open every day so guests can watch how the artists work.

For something more physically demanding, get involved with the Trail Verbier St Bernard on July 6 and 7. This long-distance running race passes through five valleys and seven communes. Choose from: La Boucle, 110km, Verbier, 7,000m gradient; La Traversée, 61km, 4,000m gradient; Liddes Verbier, 29km, 2,500m gradient. When August dawns, families visiting the resort have the Fête des Familles to look forward to, which is on the 15th of the month. In the pastures at La Chaux, there will be free concerts and entertainment for the little and the not so little. Then, from the 16th to the 25th the best Swiss and international riders descend on Verbier for the Jumping International de Verbier horse-riding competition, which many enjoy.

For fans of biking, the Grand Raid Verbier-Grimentz, an international mountain bike marathon, takes place on August 17, while the North Face Ultra Trail Du Mont-Blanc run from August 26 – September 1 in La Fouly, Champex-Lac, Orsières. This long-distance run is new in 2013 and covers a distance of 166km, with a 9,500m gradient. September brings the Verbier-Romandie classic tour, and the three-day long Verbier Bike Fest, from the 6th to 8th, which features concerts and spectacular motorbike demonstrations.

On September 21 is Désalpes in La Fouly, the traditional mountain festival celebrating the descent of cows to the plain, after four months grazing Alpine pastures. Bells hang from their necks and bright flower arrangements adorn their heads and horns. Traditional music is played in the streets and there will be a chance to sample and purchase local produce. Expect further herd processions from the Bagnes Capitale de la Raclette in Le Châble on September 21-22. This big village fair features AOC Raclette tasting of cheese from the surrounding pastures.

Summer in Verbier St Bernard is also the perfect time for walks with the famous St Bernard dogs, along with rides on the touristic Train des Combins, bread-making in medieval ovens, gastronomic harvesting and walks, as well as visits to and lectures on the area’s botanical gardens. bd

Further information
www.verbier.ch

Top ten summer activities

 

1 Col du Grand St Bernard

Visit the hospice and its museum, which covers the history of this shelter and stop-off point since its foundation. Use your visit to take a walk with the famous St Bernard dogs.

2 Golf

From May to November, discover the golf in Verbier. Two beautiful courses at 1,500m, with panoramic vistas await you.

3 Champex-Lac

Visit the magnificent ‘Flore-Alpe’ alpine garden for a combination of summer botany and romanticism. Whatever the weather, don’t miss a pleasant walk around the lake.

4 Hiking

More than 950km of hiking trails lead you through the beauty of the Alps. Try the Tour du Mont-Blanc, the Via Francigena (pilgrim way from Rome to Canterbury) or a didactic trail.

5 Mountain biking

Enjoy 28 groomed cross-country trails, try an electric mountain bike or take on the five downhill runs at the bike park. Unmissable trails include the Mont Blanc route and the Tour du Mont Fort.

6 Tandem paragliding

Get a good dose of fresh air on a paragliding excursion. Summer or winter, you’ll have an incredible time.

7 Mauvoisin Dam

Take a walk along the educational trail and discover, at 250m, the highest arched dam in Europe, giving spectacular views over Mauvoisin Lake and itssteep waterfalls.

8 Bagnes Cheese

Learn how cheese is made in Bagnes, all the way from pasture to dairy, and round the day off with a taste of traditional
AOC Raclette.

9 Mont-Fort

An incredible vista awaits you at the 3,300m summit of Mont Fort, encompassing the Mont Blanc, Matterhorn and Grand Combins ranges. Ascend by cablecar for sunrise and breakfast excursions in summer.

10 Freeride/heli-skiing

Give back-country skiing a shot, accompanied by a mountain guide. Take on the Vallon d’Arby or the Backside Mont-Fort for a powder-filled day. For an unforgettable experience try heli-skiing, with a helicopter flight and downhills in perfect snow.