Author: Charlotte Gill

Make yourself at home

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

There are many good reasons for inviting important conferences, meetings, conventions or incentives to Vienna. Vienna – one of Europe’s leading conference cities – is centrally located in the heart of Europe and is easily accessable. It is compact, walkable, green, clean and safe. Vienna is the number-one city for art and music lovers, attracts gourmets with fine food and wine, fascinates fans of the imperial age, and inspires trend scouts for fashion, design and music. Vienna is more than just a city – Vienna is a way of life.

Vienna is a metropolis of fascinating diversity: it is a centuries-old cultural centre and a former imperial residence, a modern capital with a cosmopolitan flair at the heart of Europe, an economic cross-roads, a seat of the United Nations, and one of the world’s most popular conference venues. At the same time Vienna is also known as a city in which the “good life” tempts visitors to tarry over apple strudel and Sacher cake. There is something to be said for each of these aspects, and Vienna offers its visitors all of them. Perhaps it is music, the language that knows no barriers, that helps people feel at ease and somehow “at home” in the wonderful city of Vienna.

Perfect for meetings
With its three convention centres, magnificent palaces and museums, trendy event locations and more than 80 conference hotels Vienna offers venues for every taste and budget. The Austria Center Vienna is ideal for large conferences with related exhibitions, trade shows, international and national corporate meetings, and product launches. Located in the heart of Vienna, Hofburg Vienna is Europe’s first address for congresses and meetings as well as exhibitions and banquets. The Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center has large expanses of exhibition space, many conference halls and rooms as well as common areas for interaction.

More than 400 hotels with over 26,500 rooms in Imperial and modern styles meet any taste and preference. Recent hotel openings include The Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom with its breathtaking design by star architect Jean Nouvel and the Fleming’s Deluxe Hotel Wien-City with 197 rooms and 10 suites in exclusive and modern design. In 2012 the hotel openings of the Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna and ME Vienna by Sol Melià will also be celebrated.

Perfect for incentives
Vienna is also a perfect location for incentive trips. Programs range from exclusive events at Schoenbrunn Zoo to art workshops and waltz sessions in one of Vienna’s best-known and acclaimed dancing schools.

An outstanding infrastructure, excellent public transportation system and the professional assistance of the Vienna Convention Bureau contribute to Vienna’s top ranking amongst the leading conference destinations in the world. Special convention tickets for public transport networks, financial assistance for international congresses – Vienna certainly offers more.

Holding an event – be it a congress, conference, corporate meeting or incentive trip – calls for professional planning. The Vienna Convention Bureau is the neutral partner in Vienna, that provides knowledgeable and prompt support free of charge. n

CONTACT
Vienna Convention Bureau, Vienna Tourist Board
Phone: +43-1-211 14/500, 521-529
Fax: +43-1-214 61 17
Convention@vienna.info
www.vienna.convention.at

One in a million

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Zagreb, the capital of the Republic of Croatia, is one of the oldest European cities, with its history running back to the 11th century, and is yet one of Europe’s youngest metropolises. It is the administrative, economic, diplomatic and cultural capital of the country, with a population of almost one million. This “city of a million hearts” as locals call it, has always been attracting visitors’ attention. Lately, this interest has been growing faster than ever before, due to Croatia’s soon accession to the European Union. In addition, its central European location makes it easily accessible from all parts of Europe.

Zagreb is also the city of science and culture. Many excellent scientists and artists, who have enriched Croatian and world heritage, work here. The city has approximately fifty museums and galleries, as well as private art collections and about twenty theatres and musical venues.

From spring to autumn many events and exhibitions take place outdoors. They are a real treat for the visitors and they largely contribute to Zagreb’s special atmosphere. The most important cultural attractions and hotels, many of which are members of international hotel chains, are conveniently located in the heart of the city, all within 15 minutes walking distance.

Zagreb is renowned for its Gothic churches, Baroque palaces, Art Deco buildings, beautiful city parks, but is also famous for the fascinating atmosphere in the historic Upper Town and the numerous downtown outdoor cafes where the true pulse of the city becomes captivating. Other attractions include one of Europe’s most lively outdoor markets, Dolac, with its cheerful red parasols – it is here that the scents and the colourful diversity of fresh picked fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products make you remember those almost-forgotten and cherished tastes of your childhood.

Although a Central European city in geography, culture and baroque architecture, in many ways, Zagreb has a Mediterranean way of life. Its numerous downtown open air cafés give Zagreb the appearance of the biggest European café. Thanks to its many influences, the city has a special charm which offers visitors that unique hospitable feel generated by its proverbial and open-hearted inhabitants.

To be in the city centre and enjoy nature and greenery at the same time – this is all possible in Zagreb. Whichever way you go, Zagreb delights with its beautiful parks as the city boasts a long park tradition, and a particularly valuable natural heritage.

Zagreb and its surroundings, with its exceptionally preserved nature, lure numerous visitors to explore the mysteries of the region: the castles, romantic legends, vineyards, spas, local gastronomic delicacies and traditionally hospitable hosts. Zagreb has a thousand faces and each one is professional yet relaxed, modern, with a dash of a thousand years of longevity, cultural and economic, urban and adventurous… in short, Zagreb is the city that simply has to be discovered and rediscovered over and over again.

The wide range of accommodation and convention facilities in Zagreb combined with the old city core, rich historical heritage, vibrant cultural life, friendly people, relaxed atmosphere, exciting gastronomic adventures and fascinating surroundings make Zagreb the ideal destination for conventions, conferences, meetings and incentives.

The city houses a rich variety of venues for both small meetings and big congresses, and offers numerous exciting possibilities for setting up a memorable incentive or a fascinating event. High class congress hotels, halls in the very historical core of the city, numerous museums and galleries in addition to top quality PCOs and DMCs will make your congress an event talked about long after. Zagreb is a city where a captivating city atmosphere and making business make a perfect match.

CONTACT
Zagreb Tourist Board and Convention Bureau
Kaptol 5, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Mr. Zlatan Muftic´, director, Zagreb Convention Bureau
info@zagreb-convention.hr
www.zagreb-convention.hr

A piece of cake

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

My last experience of Vienna International Airport had culminated in a ride in the back of a black police van with an armed escort and subsequent frisking by Airport Security. Apparently even the Americans learn security skills from their uber-efficient Teutonic cousins. Friendly greetings on arrival were soon replaced by a clinical auf wiedersehen. Standing cruciform, my case in front of me, I was asked to open it with the kind of hesitancy that expressed the nervous anticipation on everyone’s mind.

A luggage X-Ray machine had picked up something worrying, its form powerful enough to ring alarm bells. An Austrian Art glass wrapped in socks and shirts, lovingly cocooned amongst the innards of my Samsonite Cubelite. Realising that the lead content of an Austrian glass candle holder had almost caused an international incident, I hastened to joke that “at least they hadn’t put the rubber gloves on”. “Believe me” replied the head honcho, “If you had experienced her less than delicate hands, you’d never want a sexual relationship again”.

Moments later, I found myself in the back of the same police van, as it whisked me back to the departure lounge to filter me back amongst my fellow passengers.

I love Vienna! It bubbles with a mixture of Austrian correctness, Imperial Splendour, the last gasp of an emotional dust that still exudes relief for the passing of war time horrors and Stalinist oppression, washed down with plenty of Mozart and oodles of cake. I make a pilgrimage to Demels every time I visit Vienna, checking the pastry chef’s latest creation as my taste buds greedily embrace the recipes of 200 years past.

Having an elegancy of sufficiency, walk off your indulgence with a trip to the Schatzkammer Treasure house nearby; this as much exceeds ones expectations of a museum as Demels does a service station coffee shop. If Indiana Jones opened a museum, this would be his blue print. Exhibits include the Spear of Destiny, lance of the Roman Cavalry officer which allegedly pierced the side of Christ. Even reserving judgement, the Emperor Charlemagne, The Hapsburgs and in its darkest days, Adolf Hitler all sought the lance as a » talisman of power. A few display cases away you’ll find the Golden Fleece and Charlemagne’s crown. You begin to wonder if this is a museum or a lost property office of history’s footnotes.

A short tram ride away, the Prata, most famously the back drop to the Third Man and James Bond film The Living Daylights rises above the city like an H G Wells alien. Climb aboard the antique garden sheds that hang from this huge Ferris wheel like Christmas decorations and treat yourself to the most wonderful view of the Vienna skyline.

Maybe Christmas is a time for Vienna to come into its own, as Christmas Markets appear and the scent of mulled wine vapours its way around the Rat Hause and beyond. It’s probably best not to indulge the more cringe worthy aspects of your sense of humour; as you buy a bag of chips and mulled wine from the local fritter meister who says it’s “ok he speaks English” when your German GCSE (ungraded) fails to impress. Don’t go all Lock Stock Mockney on them and ask for Vimto either, resist the temptation to shout Oi Oi Savaloy! This isn’t Wembley High Road on FA Cup day, this is Vienna and Vienna doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

When visiting somewhere so steeped in history I simply can’t bring myself to retire to a post-modernist crappola hotel at the end of my day with finger nail snagging bed spreads and lavatory pans that hang from the walls; Vienna screams old school and maybe the ‘Prince’ in me adores it just because that’s what it does best.

Where else can your shoes kiss the cobbles once trodden by Mozart, Mesmer, Jung, Gustav Klimt and Freud? Maybe Vienna analyses itself too much? If it does, it’s just its way and that’s part of the reason I love it. Like most capital cities, Vienna embraces the present and plans for the future, yet it still has an ability to amuse, enthuse and hold my attention in a way few northern cities manage, save maybe St Petersburg, Prague, Stockholm and parts of London. The best museums, the best cakes and if its shed more than a few tears for reasons a lad that grew up in Stanmore is only too aware of, it’s held itself together in a way that often sets it centre stage in an ever-changing world.

To understand the future, I look to the past and enjoy the present. Whether a romantic weekend away, full of carriage rides and sightseeing, a shopping trip for antiques and a cake-fest or as a family with parks and museums filling rainy afternoons or a cool respite from summer heat, or the grabbed moments of a full-on business trip allowing an hour’s solace, Vienna ticks the boxes and gets an ‘A’.

Andrew Blackall is an independent traveller, writer, broadcaster and director of factual and historical documentaries. He owns and runs The Lodge Avebury, a Vegetarian B&B inside a 5,500 year old Stone Circle.

The last hurrah

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

In a world where many thirty-somethings, myself included, have circumnavigated the planet at least once, what options will remain for life after work? We are constantly told ‘travel while you’re young’, but recent studies found that more adults will enjoy centenary celebrations. It is therefore appropriate to question where our travels will take us once our children and grandchildren have long fled the comfort of the nest.

Whether it is for work or pleasure, there is little doubt that our adventures will see our world getting increasingly smaller. Maybe trips to outer space will be on the agenda, though fuel costs may have to reduce somewhat before airlines can put a tourist on the moon.
Backpacking is not a pastime necessarily of the young, with many 50-year-olds taking to the road on adventures such as the infamous Route 66. And you can be sure it is not as expensive as leaving earth altogether.

An obvious choice is a cruise holiday, which has long held the stigma of being a retirement home on water, and in some cases a more financially viable one too. With business currently on the increase and new ships to be introduced each year, it seems one of the few sectors remaining afloat. With the option to travel to every corner of the globe, it allows us to leave no stone unturned. The number of itineraries available is increasing all the time and may offer a peek at destinations unexplored by the frequent business traveller.

Although you may dread the very idea of floating around the ocean with many other senior citizens, it is true that at a stage in your life where mobility may be difficult and boarding an aircraft challenging, this remains an option.

Seeing the under water world may also interest you. Even if you haven’t done it before, scuba diving can be something for retirement, when you have time on your hands and can explore at a slower pace. Having completed my very first dive on the Great Barrier Reef I can suggest that the results are well worth the heart palpitations alone. Australia’s reef is an impressive sight of glistening colours and eye-catching fish, just as pictures suggest. During my own exploration I was fortunate enough to meet, and feed, a large and friendly codfish adopted by the reef staff and nicknamed Wally. If taking care of creatures living in the blue ocean sounds like your worst nightmare, then your holiday of a lifetime is likely to be on dry land.

Ever visited the great Pyramids of Giza or the Sahara Desert? Although these certainly should be on your list, I suggest something even more awe inspiring: Petra, in Jordan. It is a vast, unique city that was carved into the rock face more than 2,000 years ago. Fondly given the name “a rose-red city half as old as time”, it was not discovered by the West until 1812.

When I was there, I was most impressed by the sheer size of the buildings around me, and could not imagine how a nomadic Arab tribe known as the Nabataeans managed to carve such grand creations into the soft rose sandstone with little more than a pick axe – and in 40 degree heat. Each sight faced me with a view similar to that of a film set and recreated scenes from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as well as Arabian Nights which were both filmed there. Covering many miles on foot was demanding, but I was able to travel in style by camel or donkey. I found myself wanting to see a bird’s eye view, and wondered at the expanse of the city from the sky. I decided to climb to the highest point, which although not an easy task, provided a panoramic view and another fabulous photo opportunity.

Seeing the world from above provides a whole different outlook on life, as I discovered flying over the glaciers of Alaska in a helicopter. Flying from Juneau and over Mendenhall Glacier with a view of ice spires, deep blue crevasses and melt water pools was truly breathtaking. I was able to indulge in scenery that is out-of-this-world (or at least almost out of this world, in the far north) and enjoy a taster of a part of the globe that remains untouched.

All of these experiences are possible today at the drop of a hat. We can always question the price of hotels, ticket prices, air fares and travel agents. A more poignant question for today’s thirty-somethings might be their financial capabilities in retirement and the existence of pensions. I would like to think that it is far better to embrace travel opportunities when young through business or pleasure. The advantage of the world becoming so much smaller is that we can explore and maybe re-explore many more countries, in an attempt to travel around the globe at least once.

Elaine Coles has worked for Carnival UK on P&O Cruises ships as an Assistant Cruise Director for seven years. She also works as a freelance TV Presenter. www.elainecoles.com

A lot of hot air

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

It arrived in the economic and political scene during George Bush’s terms in the White House, largely because scientific facts became obvious, followed closely by the denial lobbyists mainly at the behest of big business and big government. So where are we now and does it affect where we might travel to and why?

Well not a lot has actually changed. Yes, governments around the world have agreed on various mechanisms to reduce CO2 levels, but CO2 levels remain historically high and most of the graphs that measure levels around the world continue the upwards trend.

Not just CO2 either, but methane – another greenhouse gas – has the same kind of accelerating pattern. Indeed, actions now will take decades to reverse the current cycle – a bit like turning the Titanic in very slow motion. And yes, the anti lobbyists remain as steadfast as ever – some with no political or economic axe to grind, so it’s not all about big bucks – though most arguably is.

In order to put a perspective on climate change and map out how the future may look, it’s necessary to think about the past and how climate change has affected the Earth long before humans arrived on the scene. It’s certainly fair to say that climate change is something that has happened before on countless occasions; in fact climate change is an ongoing, everlasting process that has affected every single part of the Earth. Moreover, every single one of the major changes have been a natural process of one kind or another. I guess we are talking tectonic plate actions, volcanic disturbances, meteorite impacts and other processes that in the short or long term have literally changed the face of the Earth, the climate and day-to-day weather.

So nothing new there then you might think? Well all of that has occurred across billions of years and even within the ages of Man that runs into hundreds of thousands of years. Within that time the human population has reacted to climate change by leaving one place and inhabiting another – simply to survive and prosper (yep, we aren’t talking holiday choices here folks). Forever and a day vegetation, insects, animals and humans have packed their bags has the climate has changed and turned up somewhere more favourable to life……or (and it’s a big or), perished!

Sadly, that’s evolution and extinction for you, there have been far more numerous losers than winners when it comes to climate change. So the big picture is a very big picture at all, and in terms of where we might travel to see climate change at work at an accelerating level you need look no further than the ever-retreating Arctic ice shelf. It’s being eaten away as we speak and a similar thing is happening down below in the Antarctic. Inevitably, as sea levels rise we will lose some of our low lying-islands – with places such as Tuvalu, Kiribati and Vanuatu in the mid-Pacific on the front line. Time is probably short for them and maybe for you too, if you want to experience some of what is, before it becomes a what was.

Jim N R Dale is a Senior Risk Meteorologist for British Weather Services

Getting in the zone

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

The Euro is currently so important a subject – and so complex a subject – as to deserve the historical appellation question; it being, in terms of the demands it makes on European statesmen and women, the modern successor to the likes of the Eastern Question which exercised their imperial predecessors over a century ago. There are a number of approaches that can be taken to consider the issue: the natures of the bloc’s constituent members’ economies, the importance of its role as a political project, or broader geopolitical aspects, among others. A consideration of all of these helps us to better understand the nature of the issues facing the currency and, consequently, affecting those within it, as well as those, such as the UK, with a vital interest in its future.

First we might consider why the currency is under stress, and how these stresses, both political and financial, interplay with one another, as well as feedback on each other. European states are experiencing sovereign debt crises, that is to say they contracted too much debt when the global economy was – seemingly – benign, which, in the very different post-crash environment, is more expensive to support. Consequently the fiscal burden is greater, and the problem is compounded by a reliance on further debt – the structural deficits of which we hear so much – to sustain spending, predominantly on social programmes. This dynamic is best exemplified by Greece and Portugal, though prevalent throughout the euro zone, and indeed, you might argue, in Britain’s case, beyond.

The euro ostensibly placed such states in a fiscal straight jacket. In order to join they had to adhere to set fiscal criteria, except they didn’t. The rules were bent to allow Italy in the first place. This approach was also attested to by the lax financial management of the PIGS, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain. Markets offered to lend on the assumption that such states now had German levels of fiscal responsibility, and, rather than embarking upon economic policies aimed at making themselves more competitive they splurged on preferential spending for public sector workers’ pensions and pay. For their part, the Germans, the possessors of Europe’s strongest economy, had access to an expanded market. The situation the euro now finds itself in, however, is causing political difficulties for the German government. German public opinion is increasingly hostile to their country’s continuing issuing of blank cheques. Coincidentally the biggest the country has offered since that to Austria-Hungary in 1914. to spendthrift neighbours. Frau Merkel is experiencing stress within her coalition government, and the governing parties as a whole are significantly behind the opposition.

We might alight on the nature of decision- making within the European Union. The watchwords here are consensus and unanimity. Here the difficulty of a fiscally responsible, competitive north versus an indebted, uncompetitive south makes itself apparent. Add to that the fact that the political capital being expended by the various states is over bail-outs, which do not solve the problem, merely buy time for it to be solved, either via – as, depressingly, seems less likely – growth, or – seemingly more likely – default, be it technical or actual. Default is difficult, in the sense that any state which did default would be hammered by the markets; one economist set out the likely conditions of a Greek default as being conditions that can best be described as Greece joining the Eastern Bloc, capital flight, the inability to secure any significant lending, if any at all, and martial law. It might well be that should any state leave the Euro, reinstitute its own currency and devalue, in the long-run it would be in a better position; the devaluation serving to make it more competitive. This is a strictly economic reading of the matter, however, the Euro is not only a common currency it is also a political project, which is where irrationality creeps in.

It is interesting that the major decisions, whether on underwriting the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), or bail outs, or any European Central Bank purchase of bonds, ultimately depend on decisions made in nation state capitals. In addition to decisions arrived at, or deals made by, figures such as Merkel and Sarkozy, or any other European leader you may care to name, the various European Presidents, Van Rompuy, Barroso, or Jean-Claude Trichet, among others, really only have a cajoling, or persuading role in proceedings. In short, their role as Eureaucrats according with a culture designed by the European project’s pre-eminent founding father Jean Monnet, as well as the importance of certain of the constituent nation states, and the scale of the crisis the euro is presented with, necessarily limits what they can achieve. Trichet, himself, the President of the European Central Bank is due to be superseded by the respected erstwhile head of the Bank of Italy Mario Draghi at the end of next month.

Each stage of Europe’s collective economic response to the sovereign debt crisis has been undermined by the nature of Europe’s decision-making, markets acting faster than the time frame it takes for cajolery to take effect, and the fact that when decisions are finally made, the money allocated seems never to be enough to placate the markets EU leaders are seeking to mollify. It might also be said that failure to stanch the flood at Greece would lead, and indeed has led, to renewed pressure on other exposed European states, Italy the Euro’s third-largest economy among them, while French banks have also recently suffered pressure.

What of the euro’s status in the wider global economy? The dollar is pre-eminently the major reserve currency, though the euro also has an important role in this regard. At a time of general European austerity and retrenchment, however, it will not be playing an expansive role for the immediate future. Britain does have a vested interest in it as an economic project, being a trading nation, with its major trading partners in the euro zone, and also having its own native economic problems, would prefer to avoid any great shock, especially at a time when the global economy itself is so fragile.

What might we see? Some fracturing of the euro seems to be a distinct possibility, to borrow an idea from German history we might see, post-crisis, a Klein, as opposed to a Groß, euro, that is to say a currency reduced in size to the competitive northern European economies, possibly as a result of the strains of the sovereign debt crisis a currency under a more unified economic management there has been talk of a European treasury secretary, although this brings us back to the political import behind the currency, problematic for Britain’s traditionally Europhobic political culture. Crises, like hanging, tend to concentrate the mind wonderfully, and, in the current state of the euro, our political classes truly do have a question to think about.

Costume dramas

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Once it was so sartorially simple. You dressed up for formal travel and hotel stays, and got a dressing down if you were improperly attired. The rules weren’t clothed in mystery, and you used to know what was the right garb to wear and what not to wear on airlines and for business meetings.

Not any more. The dress code seems to have been rewritten by a bunch of monkeys on LSD. I’ve seen executives conduct meetings in flowered shirts and flip-flops, and was once greeted at an Oriental airport by a man in a sarong. I took him for the driver – in fact he was the CEO I was to do business with.

In a Business Class cabin now, the suit is as rare as the glamorous flight attendant with visible cleavage who pouts and whispers, “I’m Mandy – fly me.” The patterned silk tie has gone the way of the red telephone kiosk. I’m surprised someone has not declared it an endangered species and formed a charity to save it. How Tie Rack makes a profit is always a mystery to me.

It wasn’t always thus. I once saw an American record executive at Heathrow being politely told to change out of his (no doubt very expensive and tailored) denim jeans that tapered off into bare bronzed feet wrapped in Gucci loafers, before he’d be allowed in BA’s First Class.

A bare five years later I witnessed Radio Two DJ Chris Evans slouch into Virgin’s Upper Class cabin on a Los Angeles to London flight, wearing over shorts a scruffy overcoat that reached just above his bare knees, hairy legs and open-toed sandals.

There used to be a golden rule; overdress rather than underdress. I followed it in Brisbane – to my eternal regret. I was invited to a so-called dinner party with business colleagues. I turned up in crisp white shirt, double-breasted suit, Christian Dior silk tie, and highly polished black brogues.

I was more dressed than the salad. Remember those Bateman cartoons where everyone pointed open-mouthed in horror or amusement at The Man Who Had Committed A Social Faux Pas? That was me; The Pommie Who Turned Up at a Barbecue in a Suit. Someone had blundered on that hot Queensland night.

T-shirts, floppy hats, shorts, thongs and flip-flops were the dress code du soir. The mosquitoes buzzed, the humidity quickly overcame my Right-Guarded armpits, I felt like an overdressed monkey and swore someone shouted, “Throw that chimp on the barbie.”

What is it with businesses these days? Even when you get it right you can end up red-faced with embarrassment. On one trip up North I was asked to a company social function and told it was fancy dress. Not normally travelling with a Napoleon outfit or gorilla suit I was forced to hie round to a costumier and shell out for a British Army officer’s dress uniform, red-banded peaked cap and all.

It was a Major disaster. People kept asking if I could sell them a copy of the War Cry. Far from seeing me as the dashing young subaltern I’d fondly imagined I resembled, they thought I was a real-life Salvation Army officer!

Dress code standards have certainly slipped in the last few years, yet to be honest; sitting on an aircraft or in a hotel restaurant now in open necked shirt instead of having that stylish but strangling hangman’s noose round my neck, is akin to shedding a male burka.

But one can never tell when the tailoring Taleban will swoop. I’ve been taken aside – in of all places New York – and told I could not be admitted to a certain restaurant without a tie. They have a supply of them, thank goodness, but it’s a bit like dressing in a charity shop cast off, and it never matches the shirt.

Why can’t someone make up their minds? May I travel in jeans in Business Class – or not? And if I may – should I? If it’s casual Friday when I go visiting clients, do I also have to dress like I’m an extra from Blazing Saddles?

I confess that when I’m in a well-cut suit, good shirt, tie and polished shoes, I not only feel I look the part, but feel the part. If I’m slumming it in stuff I’d wear for a jog or to weed the garden, it takes the edge off my presentation.

We’ve got guides to business etiquette in foreign lands, so how about a guide to modern business travel dressing? What’s that? You think it’s not remotely important?

Where the grass is always greener

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

As Sweden’s second biggest city, Gothenburg has been able to develop at its own pace, without the greater demands and expectations placed on a capital. In the periphery, Gothenburg has grown to become the headstrong younger sibling who seems to steals all the attention.

Located on Sweden’s west coast, geographically in the middle of Scandinavia, Gothenburg has however always been a natural centre for trade, shipping and industry. Volvo, SKF and Hasselblad all have their head offices here. The port is the biggest in the Nordic region and the University of Gothenburg has the largest number of students in Sweden.

As a second city, cultural life has flourished without interference from expectations. Not least the music scene which bubbles with innovation, creativity and a renowned sense of collaboration. Hence it’s not so strange that one of Europe’s best music festivals chose to set up camp right in the city’s green heart, Slottskogen City Park. Way Out West, with its sensitivity and social engagement, has become a meeting point for world-renowned artists, the music business and Gothenburg’s cultural life. The festival is also Sweden’s only environmentally certified music festival. Everything from hamburgers to the stages’ electricity is sustainably produced.

Gothenburg has, however, not achieved its success for free. The city has worked hard and purposefully to bring events and conferences here. The public-private destination marketing company, Göteborg & Co, is an umbrella organisation for, among others, the Gothenburg Convention Bureau. Together, with the city’s politicians and businesses, they have laid the groundwork for drawing really big events to Gothenburg. But they have also kept their focus on sustainability. Even here, the spirit of collaboration is everything. Everyone – even Gothenburgers themselves – has been invited to be part of the city’s development. The latest example is the plans for Gothenburg’s 400th anniversary in 2021.

And even today progress towards these goals is being achieved. This year, Gothenburg has been appointed Europe’s Best Eco Tourism Destination 2011. “Perhaps it’s typically Swedish” wonders Lennart Johansson, manager for the Gothenburg Convention Bureau (GCB). He has just got word that Gothenburg has been appointed Europe’s Eco Tourism Destination 2011.

He continues; “Despite being among the world leaders in sustainable construction, waste management and re-usable energy, and today being at the cutting edge of environmental certification of hotels and events, the city doesn’t blow its own trumpet about it”.

Part of the explanation can lie in that much of what the rest of the world sees as a luxury is just part of the ordinary way of doing things in Sweden. Sweden has the cleanest drinking water in the world. In the sea outside of Gothenburg, the finest seafood is fished, a staple ingredient on every Gothenburger’s table. Every resident of the city is within cycling distance of forests and green areas, many of which lie right in town. Almost all household waste has been sorted since decades back and more than 90 percent of paper is recycled and 98 percent of 330ml glass bottles are re-used. Thus it’s no surprise that no-one here thinks it’s extraordinary that 74 percent of hotel rooms in Gothenburg are environmentally certified, despite the fact that top-ranking Copenhagen only has just 58 percent. “We’re going to change how we communicate and promote our success”, promises Lennart Johansson.

An example of how is the newly-started Green Gothenburg project, which organises study visits to the city’s waste management centres, energy companies and housing areas. Companies and organisations are invited to come and benefit from the current knowledge in environmental technology and sustainability that is available in the city. It’s a generous way to share learning but also to spread information about the services and facilities which Gothenburg can offer others.

The nomination for Best Eco Tourism Destination in Europe 2011 has come from business travellers and the title had stiff competition from major capitals such as Berlin and Vienna.

“For congress delegates visiting Gothenburg, it’s obvious that locals consciously work with sustainability. Your hotel is environmentally certified and if you take a taxi, it’s an environmentally-friendly vehicle. Plus you have the whole visual experience of how green Gothenburg really is, with its parks, closeness to the sea and the electric trams criss-crossing the city”, says Johansson.

The advantages of being a small city are many. The city’s – and also Scandinavia’s – largest congress venue, The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, lies right in the city, as do most of the hotels where delegates stay. Short walking distances mean that natural meetings are created between delegates on the streets, at the restaurants and cafés.

“Because Gothenburg is a compact city, it means that conferences receive a greater visibility and presence in the city, something which is quite unique to Gothenburg”, explains Lennart Johansson.

If you don’t have to commute, you have time to experience the city and its inhabitants. Sabrina Volle, Congress Manager at ESC (European Society of Cardiology) held a Heart Failure Congress in Gothenburg in May this year. She explains why she fell in love with the city: “Gothenburg has something for you. It really is true, whether you like good food, nightlife or good shops, you can find everything you expect. People are also really welcoming and I liked the fact that everything was within walking distance”.

Gothenburg Convention Bureau aims to be a global leader as a sustainable conference destination. Lennart Johansson compares their vision to how you might buy a car today: “If someone buys a car today, compared with a few years ago, then there’s no-one who would dream of buying a car that didn’t meet today’s environmental requirements. Things are going the same way for conferences and events. In the near future environmental factors will be part of the standard requirements rather than a unique selling point for us who are leading the way.”

To further take it to the next level, Gothenburg Convention Bureau has identified the business sectors concerned with events and conferences in the city and gathered them together in an advisory board. “The idea is that we can oversee development and work collaboratively to package Gothenburg as a sustainable city – Sustainable Gothenburg. Of the 16 CEOs we invited, not a single person turned down the chance to participate, and it shows that this issue is at the top of everyone’s agendas”, says Lennart Johansson

Guy Bigwood, MCI Group Sustainability Director and a consultant to the project has the same experience: “We have implemented similar projects at other destinations, but what is unique with Gothenburg is the level of leadership involvement, their commitment and the existing network that Gothenburg Convention Bureau has in the city. And Swedes tend to forget this, but Sweden has a great legacy and history in terms of environmental and social sustainability. Politicians and businesses have throughout the years made good decisions about things like transport and infrastructure and this has laid the groundwork for Sweden’s pioneering position today.”

Bridging the Gulf

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Gulf Air is the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain and one of the pioneering airlines in the region, having been established in 1950. Celebrating its 60th anniversary last year, Gulf Air today has grown to become one of most recognisable and respectable brands in the aviation industry. The Golden Falcon is etched in the minds of almost every traveller flying into or out of the region.

One of the prime objectives of Gulf Air is to connect Bahrain to the Middle East countries and the rest of the world. With a fleet of 34 aircraft, the airline currently flies to 51 cities in 33 countries and is proud of the fact that it operates the largest network in the Middle East with non-stop flights while providing seamless onward connections to other international destinations. For passengers from Europe, the Far East and the Indian subcontinent wishing to do business or visit key primary and secondary cities in the region, Gulf Air provides an unbeatable choice of flights at convenient timings in a brand new, compact yet luxurious fleet of aircraft,

Headquartered in Bahrain, Gulf Air feeds in nearly 70 percent of the Bahrain International Airport’s traffic and takes pride that most travellers are choosing to fly with Gulf Air. The Kingdom’s location is a great advantage for Gulf Air; strategically perched at the doorstep of Saudi Arabia – the region’s biggest country both in terms of area as well as market size – giving companies unparalleled access to the booming MENA markets – a 400 million-person market – and Gulf Air is the key link to access this huge potential market.

Reflecting the needs and aspirations of its customers and responding to the changing business scenario in the region, Gulf Air announced a new business strategy in November 2009 focusing on four core areas: network, fleet, product and cost.

Through creating a targeted, more focused international network, a superior, more consistent product, a modern more efficient fleet and aggressive cost rationalisation, the airline is aggressively seeking to differentiate itself from its competitors and establish its niche position in the market. The airline will strengthen its network through focusing on Bahrain and generate a new market of travellers by identifying and launching services to underserved and niche markets, while creating high-yield city pairs in medium and long-range destinations leveraging its unique position as the carrier with the largest Middle East international network. Gulf Air’s aim is to serve every Arab capital with at least a double daily service enabling business travellers and other busy people to travel to their choice destinations and return home the same day, besides connecting Bahrain to the world’s key financial hubs in the very near future.

As part of implementing the strategy, the airline identified and launched services to eight new destinations in 2011– the largest number of destinations opened since 1976; Isfahan, Addis Ababa, Milan, Geneva, Basra, Kabul, Copenhagen and Nairobi, with a further two destinations opening this year – Rome and Entebbe.

Gulf Air was the first airline in the GCC region to commence flights to Baghdad and Erbil –two key markets besides Basra (beginning December 2010) where some of the major Russian oil, energy and transport companies have invested heavily.

The airline has also embarked on a dynamic re-fleeting programme and as result the airline’s current average fleet age is just 6.4 years as against 11.7 years a year ago. By the end of 2011, more than two-thirds of its fleet will be new with an average fleet age of just three years, thus providing customers a choice of brand new planes with state-of-the-art livery and cabin products and services.

Gulf Air has also started introducing several new products and services to provide enhanced travel experience to its customers. Since November 2009 it has increased its baggage allowance by ten kilograms in all classes. Online check-in is now available across the majority of our network and the website is now multilingual with Arabic French and German versions besides English.

But perhaps the biggest enhancement on the product offering is the launch of Falcon Gold – the premium travel experience which offers the best of Gulf Air’s first-class service for the cost of a Business Class ticket. Falcon Gold passengers will be able to enjoy Gulf Air’s multi award-winning Sky Chef service, previously exclusive to First Class passengers, in addition to a new amenity kit onboard.

In addition, Gulf Air, in collaboration with Deutsche Bahn, Germany, introduced free train transfers to Frankfurt airport from any of the Deutsche Bahn destinations throughout Germany, at no additional cost for its passengers.

Similarly, Gulf Air passengers travelling to and from London Heathrow can travel between Heathrow airport and Paddington station in Central London by Heathrow Express train service at a concessional rate.

Recently, the airline has introduced several online features and facilities for its customers; gulfair.com has become one of the most popular websites for customers with easy-to-use features and the safest online payment system and ‘lowest fares guaranteed’ promise. Similarly, passengers who want to purchase travel insurance can do so at the click of a button at gulfair.com. Insurance packages are available from as little as BHD5,800, offering generous insurance benefits against emergency medical expenses, personal accidents, loss of travel documents, missed or delayed departures and flight cancellations.

Gulf Air has also partnered with CarTrawler, one of the most popular car rental service providers in the market to offer the best deals online for Gulf Air passengers who can book a car hire around the world on the Gulf Air network with rentals from as little as BHDnine per day.

As the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf Air continues to add value to the country’s business and tourism by playing a key role in its economic growth and prosperity, while promoting the Kingdom’s dynamic progress in the areas of business, sports, tourism as the ‘flying ambassador’ of the Kingdom across the globe.

Gulf Air has been the title sponsor of the Bahrain GrandPrix Formula One races since its first race in 2004,that has turned global attention to the Kingdom. Every year Gulf Air has been bringing thousands of motorsports lovers from across the globe to the Island nation to watch the annual sports extravaganza.

While proud of its past achievements and the current developments, the airline is looking ahead to the next sixty years and beyond with renewed sprit and commitment to serve the people and the economy of Bahrain and represent the Kingdom on the world stage with our new strategy.

The airline will continue with this momentum as its moves along implementing the new strategy to make the airline commercially viable by 2012. The aim is to make Gulf Air a business-friendly airline, providing a reliable, convenient, professional and value-driven service. It also aims to be a regional leader and the preferred choice for travel throughout the Gulf and Middle East, connecting more points throughout the region than its competitors.

The modern Golden Falcon image which Gulf Air sports now is a reflection of the personality of Gulf Air – bold, contemporary, innovative, entrepreneurial, and above all, a corporate statement that sets out the hallmark Arabian hospitality building on its strong geographic, historic and cultural links in the entire region.
As the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf Air is proud of the fact that the regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over the years are still central in defining the brand and service ethos within the contemporary and global environment.

As Gulf Air expands its operations to more destinations, it is aiming to be a business-friendly airline, providing a reliable, convenient, professional and value-driven service. It also aims to be a regional leader and the preferred choice for travel throughout the Gulf and Middle East, connecting more points throughout the region than its competitors.

A better philosophy

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

At the same time as completing over half-a-million dollars of refurbishment work on the award-winning Rehendi Presidential Suite, the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa also added three brand new Premium Beach Villas during 2011. All offer pool, state-of-the art facilities and maximum privacy, along with the new stunning one-bedroom Lagoon taking the villa count to 64.

To cater to guests’ needs a romantic dining venue, the Tree House, has also been built amongst the abundant jade trees. Being elevated from the ground, the Tree House overlooks the spectacular turquoise blue lagoon that is one of the largest in the whole of the Maldives. This setting is the perfect choice for a couple to watch the sunset and sip cold champagne whilst enjoying each other’s company.

Guests will also be delighted to note that the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives was voted as the ‘7th Best Overseas Resort’ and the only resort in the Maldives to be featured amongst the Top 10 of the Luxury Travel Magazine Gold List April 2011. The award closely followed Trip Advisor recognition, when the hotel was voted one of the Top Ten Luxury Resorts in Asia with the 2011 Traveller’s Choice Award.

Unique dining venues
Dotted along the pearly white sand beaches of the long-stretched Emboodhu Finolhu Island, the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa offers some of the most unique dining spots in the Maldives. Voted as one of the three most unusual dining venues in the Maldives, the Ocean Pavilion offers the ultimate private dining experience. Be transported by traditional Maldivian Doni to your own private over-water pavilion located in the middle of the beautiful lagoon. Romantically lit by lantern and candles the Ocean Pavilion provides the most intimate dining experience possible with nothing but the stars and the moon as company.

The aforementioned Tree House also offers a unique dining venue, nestled and hidden in the tree-tops to provide diners with a magnificent birds-eye view. Enjoy the magnificent sunset over the turquoise blue lagoon from above while sipping on your favourite cocktail or enjoying a romantic dinner.

The Jiva Grande Spa philosophy
The philosophy of ‘Jiva’ or ‘inner force’ is inherently rooted in India’s ancient approach to wellness. Inspired by ancient Indian healing wisdom, Jiva believes that a spa unfolds a holistic path of life that channels and nurtures one’s life force. The Jiva Grande Spa embraces a deep understanding of mind, body and spirit, their individual needs and interdependency.

Jiva’s approach to wellness is essentially formed through Ayurveda, the ancient body of knowledge of holistic wellness in the world. Ayurveda – a way of life that defines wellness as a state of physical and psychological well-being as well as a contented state of consciousness. Ayurveda believes there are four key aspects for the success of any treatment.

The first aspect us es a complimentary consultation with your ‘vaidya’. The expert physician prescribes a course of treatments after careful scrutiny of your lifestyle, medical history, needs, likes and dislikes. The second aspect of the treatment is your therapist, who is trained to channel the energy flow of guests. The aim is to bestow a prolonged sense of therapeutic benefits through healing.

The third aspect is the medicine that catalyses the healing process. Staying true to traditional wisdom, the hotel’s spas only use unaltered and authentic preparations and products in their pristine form. The fourth aspect of the treatment is the guest. As Ayurveda terms it, the guest is the beneficiary of the fourth vital limb of the treatment process. The desire of the guest to be in a state of wellness is central to the completion of the entire cleansing exercise.

Green initiatives
Luxury with a conscience may not usually be what springs to mind when it comes to running a five-star resort in the Maldives. The Taj Exotica has however risen to the challenge to protect the stunning flora and fauna of the Maldives’ single largest lagoon surrounding Emboodhu Finolhu island where the beautiful resort is located.

A range of initiatives have been applied to reduce the resort’s carbon footprint whilst ensuring that guests continue to have a luxury holiday experience reflected by luxury villa and suite accommodations, impeccable service, exceptional spa and recreational facilities and amazing cuisine.

The Taj exotica has meticulously analysed the maintenance of energy efficiency, water management, air quality and handling of noxious substances across the resort. The resort has also installed a unique hot water system, which instead of using electric geysers uses three diesel-generator cooking paths (DGCP) to assist in heat recovery and reduce diesel output. Since fresh water is very precious in the Maldives, water management plays an important role and the resort has initiated some unique measurements to control the daily water consumption. For example, the property has activated a rain water harvesting system, collecting 896,000 litres of water annually. In addition the resort boasts its own bottling plant on site. The Classic Crystal bottling-systems produces both sparking and still water and re-uses glass bottles, thus avoiding the use of thousands of plastic bottles each year.

Contrary to many other resort islands in the Maldives, the fauna on Emboodhu Finolhu island consists mainly of endemic species such as Jade Tree, Sea Hibiscus and the Malikuruva Rose. These species do not require any additional watering, therefore saving the resort 10,000 litres of water daily.

These green initiatives, along with the recycling of metal (which is unique in the Maldives), resulted in a daily saving of 1,045,987 watts of energy per day and a 22 percent reduction in carbon dioxide produced per guest, per night. The constant and caring commitment of the staff to the principles of environment sustainability has been recognised and endorsed by the prestigious Earth-Check Certified Silver Status – the second highest level of Earth-Check’s benchmarking, certification and performance improvement system in the travel and tourism industry.

Ocean sports
The Taj Exotica also proudly introduced its brand-new state-of-the-art Ocean Sports water sports centre. Opened on June 1st 2011, the new centre has re-defined the benchmark and quality of recreational water sports facilities in the Maldives.
The pristine turquoise coloured waters surrounding Emboodhu Finolhi island provide perfectly safe swimming and snorkelling conditions while at the same time offering the ideal environment to try out the state-of-the-art jet skis. Taking noise management to a new level, these modern vehicles have consigned the days of guests being disturbed to the past, with noise levels being further reduced by keeping these facilities away from guest rooms and beach and swimming areas. n

For more information please visit: www.tajhotels.com

Jewel of the desert

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

BECA was founded in 2006 and functions under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Its goal is to establish Bahrain in the international meetings arena and to promote Bahrain as a unique and preferred MICE destination. BECA has been very successful in challenging the expectations of visitors to Bahrain and ensuring that the Kingdom is the forerunning list of meeting planners not just in the Middle East but from around the world. BECA is the forerunner organisation in creating Bahrain’s MICE market and in cultivating partnerships with key MICE industry stakeholders in order to develop this business sector for Bahrain. BECA operates the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. Currently, BECA organises two major exhibitions every year – the annual Food and Hospitality Expo and Health and Wellness Expo. Both have doubled in size since their conception. BECA has also built several initiatives which have greatly contributed towards the development of the MICE market in Bahrain. One of these is Team Bahrain which was launched three years ago and is a specially chosen group of more than 40 representatives from the travel, tourism, hospitality and MICE sectors. At the Team Bahrain workshops, delegates get the opportunity to attend a presentation and participate in group discussions and debates on how to increase MICE business into Bahrain and how they can work together as industry colleagues.

A destination for the active contemporary business traveller
Bahrain’s location in the Gulf makes it one of the hub airports for many international airlines so it’s an easy flight from Europe, Asia and even the US. Gulf Air is the official carrier for events and partner of BECA in boosting Bahrain’s position as a leading destination for corporate meetings, incentive travel, conferences and exhibitions. Bahrain’s International airport is actually located just ten minutes from central Manama and its plethora of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls, making it easy for a first time visitor. All the hotels are just 5 -10 minutes drive from the major exhibition and meeting venues, so there’s no valuable time wasted in travelling to and from venues.

A venue of choice for world-class exhibitions and conferences
Many organisations hold their annual conferences in Bahrain especially because Bahrain continues to maintain its position as the Gulf’s leading international finance centre. Bahrain is close to Saudi Arabia (just an hour’s drive away) and businesses from Saudi Arabia hold their meetings in Bahrain as it is easier for clients and employees to reach Bahrain than Saudi. You will find many different nationalities in Bahrain and this means many different types of visitors and attendees for each meeting or event. BECA has hosted many exhibitions and conferences including the Jewellery Arabia; an annual major prestigious jewellery exhibition in the Middle East with more than 600 exhibitors and a record of about 32 countries – as well as 46,000 visitors out of which 41,000 are jewellery trade buyers and private collectors organised by Arabian Exhibition Management; Autumn Fair with 750 exhibitors from 27 countries which attracts over 191,000 visitors annually taking part in the event organised by Arabian Exhibition Management; Middle East Financial and Technology Exhibition & Conference (MEFTEC) organised by London-based Media Generation; Gulf BID & Gulf Interior organised by Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions Co.; Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE) and Mother & Baby Show, organised by Magnum Events and Exhibition Management; Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals (Petrotech) Conference & Exhibitions, organised by Arabian Exhibition Management; 2nd Food and Hospitality Expo, organised by BECA and the Gulf International Industry Fair, organised by Al Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions Co (BITE) by and Middle East Geoscience (GEO Science) Conference and Exhibition, which was organised by Arabian Exhibition Management.

Bahrain’s must-see attractions
Of course the Formula One track is the most famous attraction in Bahrain and it’s a fantastic day out. However, Bahrain also has a rich history and you can see this in the several museums and forts dotted around the island. The National Museum’s collection of historical artifacts and relics as well as the work of local artists are truly enriching, educational and interesting. The Arad Fort is a beautiful historical place to visit. The island’s pearling heritage and some of the conservation projects around the island such as Muharraq are well worth visiting. In 2012, the National Theatre which is sponsored by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa will be opened. Then, of course the famous souk – Bab Al Bahrain – which has some of the best products on offer for great value should not be missed.

The impact of F1 on business in Bahrain
The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir City, home to Formula One races, had earned the reputation of hosting one of the best organised and entertaining events in the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar. F1 has put Bahrain on the international map and impacted Bahrain’s economy in a very significant and positive way. It brings with it an incredible amount of travel and tourism business for Bahrain specifically airlines, hotels, restaurants and other venues as well as many employment opportunities during the race and then throughout the year.

Initiatives to enhance Bahrain’s tourism industry
Bahrain’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture is entering into more partnerships with the tourism sector to enhance the attractions for overseas visitors. For example, the very successful annual summer festival was held with different events all over Bahrain. The theme of this endeavor was to focus on the value of “giving joy, happiness, and hope” to the Kingdom. There are several similar projects and investment plans in place which are aimed to boost both the heritage and the tourism sector. Bahrain also holds the Spring of Culture every year which has developed in number. The most exciting development is that Bahrain has been announced as the Capital of Culture 2012 (within the Gulf Cooperative Council) which is also expected to positively impact the tourism sector without doubt. Bahrain’s tourism industry really has an exciting future.

Key developments for conference and exhibition space
A new expo city is planned for development at Sakhir City near the BIC. This will meet the future demand for meeting and exhibition space in Bahrain and will help promote the kingdom’s reputation as a destination of choice. The estimated cost for the Phase 1 is US$ 385 million and will be completed 2015. Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 has also played a large part in the planned developments for the new exhibition center as the government wants Bahrain to be seen as a key leisure, tourism and business destination in the Gulf. Bahrain already has a healthy and a diverse economy and is looking forward to the future with big plans.

Meetings friendly Bahrain
Generally speaking , Bahrain is a meetings-friendly country due to its size. It is a small island Kingdom and getting around is easy and low-cost compared to other GCC destinations. Whether organising a small corporate meeting or an annual exhibition, navigating around the island is not difficult or expensive and nothing is far away in terms of restaurants, recreational, entertainment & retail options as well as venues. Bahrain has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry which makes the country very knowledgeable and flexible when it comes to the delegates’ needs and requests.

A world of wonders

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is the authentic home to the best attractions and facilities in the whole Southern African region. The sector has recorded over two million tourist arrivals since 2009 and projects over three million visitors in 2012. In 2010 the Ministry of Tourism and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority launched the new ‘branding Zimbabwe’ image to position the destination as a “A World of Wonders” that features among other enticing resorts the mighty Victoria Falls or Mosiyatunya, internationally recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Another big attraction not to be missed is Great Zimbabwe, an enduring heritage site from which the country derives its name; Zimbabwe means ‘House of Stone.’

The United Kingdom remains the major source market for tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe. This is a result of the deep historical ties that exist between Britain and Zimbabwe from missionary and colonial years. Such connections cement networking with the travel trade and the media. However, Zimbabwe has promoted its tourism to attract visitors from the rest of the world. In particular, the Zimbabwe World of Wonders brand has worldwide recognition in mainland Europe, the USA, Latin America Asia and Africa. Since the formation of the inclusive government in 2008 and the adoption of the United States dollar as the official currency in the country, financial stability and economic recovery have boosted the confidence of travellers and business to Zimbabwe. The use of credit cards has made travel for the visitor easier as transactions in major international currencies are now viable. Tourist visas for many countries are easy to get at either from the point of origin or at the port of entry.

The major attractions Zimbabwe offers the visitor are multi-fold. It is this diversity of tourist activities that is unique to the country. On the one hand, visitors are spoiled for choice by the country’s natural heritage; the world famous Victoria Falls, the very ancient but magnificent Great Zimbabwe ruins built by the local Rozvi people in 1450-1500, Khami Ruins and the exquisite and scenic Eastern Highlands. On the other hand, the visitor is treated to some of the most pristine wilderness and wildlife remaining in the world. The fauna and flora are renowned as the best to view enabling the visitor to be at peace with nature and themselves, a truly unforgettable experience of a lifetime. The fauna is quite as diverse as it is captivating; elephant families, prides of lions, zebras, giraffes, wild dogs, hyenas, lizards, crocodiles, monkeys and baboons . Time and time again many visitors to Zimbabwe’s National Parks such as Mana Pools have experienced the old-age pass- time activity of game viewing through safe and well organised dawn-and-dusk game viewing activities in combination with picnics among wild animals. The flora is equally impressive; wild flowers, indigenous trees and an arresting under forest growth.

Zimbabweans are well known as excellent hosts. They have a reputation of making their visitor feel at home, something that is inbuilt in their culture. One American woman from California walked into the office behind her husband in tears. Her husband, a doctor, had seen pictures of Zimbabwe so decided to surprise his wife for their wedding anniversary with a visit to Zimbabwe. The wife did not like the idea now that she knew where she was going on arrival in London.

Two weeks later, however, she came back with a big hug and a kiss on both cheeks and she said that if she had all the money in the world, she would buy the people of Zimbabwe, for in 35 years of her marriage, her husband had never experienced such hospitality in all the places she visited. Her wish was to climb up the mountain and tell the world how beautiful Zimbabwe is. Indeed, visitors to Zimbabwe have gone back time and time and again Another visitor remarked, “You can never have enough of Zimbabwe”.

National parks
The Zimbabwe National Parks offer the visitor something to suit diverse tastes and budgets with the lodges and camping sites located in some of the most spectacular areas in the world. Indeed, the parks form the largest asset of the tourism industry and their full importance and potential has not been tapped into in terms of what they offer to the tourist. Examples of the Zimbabwe national park heritage include the Victoria Falls National Park, open to visitors throughout the year. It is located in north-western Zimbabwe and it protects the south and east bank of the Zambei river in the area of the world-famous Victoria Falls.

It covers 23.4km, extending from the larger Zambezi National Park about six km above the falls to about 12 km below the falls. A notable feature of the park is the rainforest which grows in the spray of the falls, including ferns, liana vines, and a number of trees such as teak and mahogany not seen elsewhere in the region. Visitors have the chance to view elephant, buffalo, white rhino, hippos and a variety of other antelope during drives and walking safaris. Crocodiles may be seen in the river, and Crocodile Ranches offer a safer view of these dangerous animals. Accommodation is provided in campsites in the Zambezi National Park and in the numerous resorts and hotels in and around the town of Victoria Falls, which forms part of the western boundary of the park.

The Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s biggest game reserve and situated to the West of the country, spanning the main road and railway line between the beautiful city of Bulawayo and the Falls. The park was demarcated and established in 1928. It covers nearly 15,000 square kilometres. It is also on the edge of the Kalahari Dessert, an area of erratic rains and scarce water resources, but holding unique vegetation to the severe weather conditions. The park hosts more than 120 different mammal species that include large herbivores and eight species of large carnivores. In fact, all of Zimbabwe’s protected species have an excellent survival rate in this park. For instance, the African wild dog thrives in the park to an extent not known elsewhere in the world and numbers have soared. Elephant figures have also increased exponentially in the area sparking conservation debates that pity vegetation against these majestic animals. Nonetheless, elephant conservation in Zimbabwe is a government priority.

Nyanga National Park
The geographical spread of national parks is not only limited to Western Zimbabwe because Nyanga National Park is located in the Eastern part of the country. This was of the first parks to be constituted in the country on high altitude and green hills and perennial rivers, a contrast to the Kalahari Sand Forests of Western Matabeleland. Seeing the park alone feels you with nostalgia because of the rolling wooded lands. A prominent feature of the park is Mount Nyanga, the highest point in the nation. Other areas worthy viewing are the Mutarazi Falls also Zimbabwe’s highest Falls, located to the South of the park. In addition the Honde Valley, Chimanimani and Vumba (mist) Mountains are important tourist attractions of the park. The cool green hills and grasslands are serviced by first-class country hotels, casinos and courses such as those of the Leopard Rock Hotel and a Botanical Garden offers some of the best views in Africa. The region is also well known for coffee plantation to which visitors are treated.

Matopo National Park
The Matopo National Park is situated in the Matopo Hills and is also known as the burial area of Cecil Rhodes, the man who colonised Zimbabwe in 1890. The defining aspects of the park are the granite kopjes and wooded valleys. The park covers some beautiful scenery that includes spectacular balancing rocks with notable ones being found at Tuli, Njelele, Maleme and Mpopoma River Valleys.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins
The Great Zimbabwe Ruins are a must-see for visitors to Zimbabwe. They were the capital city of the ancient Rozvi Kingdom, which existed from 1100 to 1500 but collapsed due to Portuguese interference. The monument was constructed by local Shona people and at its peak had a population of over 20,000 people. Its prominent features are the stone walls, which have endured many centuries intact despite being built with no mortar. Visitors are encouraged to allow a good four hours to tour the old city, which also involves climbing hills for ecstatic views of the Great Enclosure, the Conical Tower and Caves.

Great Limpopo Trans Frontier Park
Zimbabwe is also part of the the largest animal sanctuary in the world, which is linked with Mozambique and South Africa. The total area is said to be over 35,000 square kilometres. The Trans Frontier Park brings together the best natural wildlife conservation sites in Southern Africa. Various development schemes in the park continue to take place, especially infrastructure to cater for tourists. This tourism project has been hailed as a real success story for countries working in partnership and no doubt boosts tourist earnings and employment.

Investment in tourism
In Zimbabwe tourism investment opportunities exist in the construction industry for more hotels and lodges in nine designated Tourism Development Zones created specifically to meet the Government’s stated goal of increasing hotel rooms from 6,248 rooms in 2010 to 15,000 rooms by 2015. Investment opportunities are also available in the air service industry, the building of shopping malls, conference centres, transport, food, sport, entertainment and other industries. No doubt, Zimbabwe is a safe and secure tourism investment destination.

The Award received from Business Destinations is both testimony and a fitting tribute to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality, who have tirelessly worked with local and international parties in branding Zimbabwe.