Author: Helen de Beer

Sibelius Hall

Posted on by Helen de Beer

Sibelius Hall, an impressive wooden concert hall and congress centre, was built on the Vesijärvi waterfront in spring 2000. This unique meetings and events venue is one of the largest public wooden buildings ever constructed in Finland, and the industrial history of the structure is combined with modern, visually stunning architecture.

The centre’s array of exceptional rooms and venues is home to many events all year round, from annual company celebrations, dinners and award galas to birthday parties and weddings. Even during its brief lifespan, Sibelius Hall has hosted hundreds of high-level meetings, festivals and events.

The industrial history of the structure is combined with modern, visually stunning architecture

Unforgettable views
On the high ceiling of Sibelius Hall’s Forest Hall, lying in the nook of large tree branches, there is a star chart that allows you to see where the stars were twinkling when Maestro Jean Sibelius was born more than 150 years ago.

From there, guests can take a look through the hall’s grand glass wall at the sights of today: the sun shines and sets over Lake Vesijärvi; the wind blows across the waters; the rhythm of the harbour can be heard; and the night lights of the city can be seen dancing on the shores. This is why Forest Hall is often said to be the heart of Sibelius Hall, combining its various sections.

The view over Lake Vesijärvi in particular makes Forest Hall a unique exhibition and trade fair facility throughout the year, with the capacity to host up to 1,500 people. Sibelius Hall’s beautiful Main Hall, meanwhile, is known internationally for its excellent acoustics. The Wall Street Journal placed Sibelius Hall on its list of five of Europe’s best concert halls in 2015, while according to The Guardian it is the one of the 10 best concert halls in the world. In addition to being a uniquely oval-shaped concert hall, the Main Hall serves as a meeting and conference facility, providing an atmospheric setting.

Around the clock
The congress wing of Sibelius Hall has five versatile meeting facilities capable of hosting between 20 and 140 people, all with beautiful views over the lake.

Located in the old part of the Sibelius Hall is the Carpenter’s Workshop, which acts as a multifunctional facility: on the street level it is an intimate yet effective facility that can be turned into anything between a lounge and an exhibition venue. It also has a fixed stage and a bar.

This venue is not suitable only for conferences, lectures and exhibitions, but also private concerts and parties. As the sun sets over Lake Vesijärvi, the hall’s doors open for an evening of exhilarating live music performances. This old factory hall was refurbished into a music club and now has an ambience any music lover will approve of.

High up in the old part of Sibelius Hall, an impressive window view opens from the centre’s VIP sauna into the Forest Hall. It provides additional capacity for events and meetings of up to 16 people.

Located at street level, the Lastu Restaurant serves lunch and also provides a setting for events and intermission catering. The essence of the food is a combination of the best local ingredients merged with visually stunning finish. In each of these venues, Sibelius Hall’s highly professional staff ensures the requirements of your event are met in the finest detail.

For more information:
sibeliustalo.fi

Europarque

Posted on by Helen de Beer

In Portugal, the most westerly European country, business travellers can visit Europarque. Located just 30km south of Oporto, Europarque was one of the most referred to tourist destinations in the world last year. The centre is strategically located at the junction of all major national roads, giving visitors easy access to Portugal’s neighbouring country, Spain.

Europarque, which boasts more than 20 years of experience in the hosting and organisation of multidisciplinary corporate events, offers a range of unique features and functionalities. Covering a total area of more than 150,000sq m, Europarque is a congress centre tailored to fit the specific needs of each individual client and event.

Europarque is a congress centre tailored to fit the specific needs of each individual client and event

Joining forces
The mission of Europarque is to host and organise events by attracting new investments and business players from an array of sectors. The centre aims to not only attract people to Santa Maria da Feira, where Europarque is located, but also to the country itself, thus increasing entrepreneurial opportunities nationwide.

Europarque operates within an area where businesses of the most diverse sectors co-exist, unquestionably highlighting the excellence of each represented brand or company. The sectors in question range from health to education to the food industry.

The centre offers an auditorium with the capacity to host more than 1,400 people, a 7,200sq m pavilion, and meeting rooms with exceptional potential and versatility. All of these elements come together to form a unique variety of spaces, ranging in size from 70sq m to 7,200sq m, which are capable of hosting both small and large events, including fairs, exhibitions, conferences and performances.

It even provides separate areas that are not only suitable for training and workshops, but also offer an open space for cocktails, banquets and much more. These are also possible simultaneously due to the perfect acoustic isolation. Additionally, there is free parking for more than 1,500 cars.

Europarque’s infrastructure, although imposing, proudly displays an extraordinary architectural structure with both discreet design features and larger, spacious areas with exceptional sun exposure and natural lighting. Furthermore, Europarque overlooks a lake and river and boasts its own restaurant, which opened only recently and has been widely commended for its excellent food and service. It has already become part of the most varied gastronomic itineraries in the north of Portugal.

Lago, the centre’s outdoor area, welcomes all visitors to a wonderful area where they may enjoy moments of relaxation, sports and various outdoor activities.

For customer support, Europarque has established several strategic partnerships in order to aid services and foster excellence in hosting and organisation. Having protocols with highly qualified and versatile entities in services such as catering, audiovisual, logistics, stands, transfers, hosting, ticketing and many others, the customer support team is the heart of the whole process of organising each and every type of event.

Modern meets traditional
Focused on the future, Europarque, with its new image, aims to display modernism, youthfulness and elegance in its venue and surroundings. The centre believes these are key factors to ensure the harmonious coexistence of entrepreneurs who use this location daily for business, product and/or service marketing.

Europarque, with its incomparable indoor and outdoor spaces and dimensions not to be found anywhere else in Portugal, presents a renewed and innovative image for the future. It also boasts the advantage of being located near the most important national roads, while also being just 20 minutes away from the International Airport of Oporto.

The centre strives for complete success in each and every event it hosts and promotes. Europarque therefore invites you to visit its facilities on business and to take pleasure in its natural landscape, as well as enjoy the incomparable gastronomy and traditions of the country with some of the oldest borders in Europe.

For more information:
europarque.pt

Mandarin Oriental, Geneva

Posted on by Helen de Beer

Nothing is quite as delightful as strolling through Geneva’s Old Town. Even in the coldest months, there is a warmth to the place that is simply infectious.

Through its winding, cobbled streets, one never has to go too far before stumbling across quaint boutiques offering the finest products the region has to offer. While having a sip of delicious wine or a bite of delectable Swiss chocolate, you are faced with the beauty of the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps, a breathtaking sight that makes life all the sweeter.

The joy that is Geneva does not end with its astonishing peaks; leisure and business travellers alike can also relish the incredible sight that is Lake Geneva, one of the biggest lakes on the continent. Adding to the spectacle is the unmissable Jet d’Eau, a fountain that soars 140m into the sky and has become one of the city’s most loved landmarks.

Home to approximately 930 multinational companies, Geneva is a global meeting hotspot

Global connections
Home to approximately 930 multinational companies and more than 120 NGOs, Geneva is a global meeting hotspot based in the heart of Europe. Among these firms are master chocolatiers and numerous high-end jewellery and fashion brands – including, of course, the finest watchmakers in the world. As such, Geneva is a unique luxury shopping paradise – just one of its many draws.

Geneva is also widely renowned for its exceptional gastronomy, boasting a multitude of award-winning restaurants as well as various food festivals that attract visitors from across the continent. Such attractions make Geneva the ideal location for business meetings, events and conferences, with any such rendezvous automatically becoming a pleasure to participate in. Furthermore, with more than 100 direct flights coming into Cointrin International Airport each day, Geneva is one of the best air-connected destinations in the region.

Crème de la crème
Located at the very heart of this paradise for business travellers is the Mandarin Oriental, Geneva. The hotel, which can be found within a bustling shopping and business district on the bank of the River Rhône, is the perfect example of Swiss tradition at its best. Its incredibly high standards of luxury and service set this space apart, offering its guests the utmost comfort and convenience.

With 189 spacious rooms, including suites with private terraces that look out at the majestic Mont Blanc, the Mandarin Oriental, Geneva has fast earned a reputation as a key convention centre in the region. Its status among Europe’s best MICE destinations was firmly consolidated in 2013 when the hotel was completely renovated, bringing in a fresh look and state-of-the-art technology that leave its business delegates in want of nothing.

With fine dining restaurants that attract people from far and wide, visitors can enjoy the hotel’s European-style Café Calla or its renowned Indian restaurant, Rasoi by Vineet. For those seeking a delectable cocktail in a stylish ambience of grown-up glamour, there is the MO Bar, a sleek, modern bar that sets a light mood for business parties after a full day of meetings.

Having a variety of stylish function spaces on offer, the Mandarin Oriental, Geneva can accommodate any type of business event, from large networking functions to more intimate affairs. With soundproof meeting rooms and private entrances to its designated function areas, the hotel offers all its guests discretion and peace of mind. With its hi-tech facilities, fine leather seating and ample natural light, you would be pushed to find a better working space in the business hub that is Geneva.

For more information:
mandarinoriental.com/geneva

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Posted on by Helen de Beer

Hong Kong’s reputation as an international financial centre stretches back to the 1960s, and the city has acted as a lynchpin for the entire region ever since. Much of this can be credited to its relationship with mainland China: as Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, it remains the world’s biggest offshore RMB exchange centre, with 70 percent of the currency’s transaction value being based in the city.

Hong Kong is also a world leader in IPOs and mergers and acquisitions activity. As of October 31, 2016, the number of companies listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange had reached 1,955 – more than double the number based on the mainland.

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre stands out as a beacon of contemporary style and architectural splendour

Centre stage
Naturally, Hong Kong’s corporate persona is world famous, yet it is not the only identity this city has to boast. Thanks to Hong Kong being home to some of the world’s best restaurants, breathtaking rooftop bars and an expansive arts scene, the city has also made a name for itself as a cultural hub for the entire region.

Retail is yet another facet of this fascinating city, as it is a major shopping destination, most famous for its bespoke tailors and night markets. This incredibly vibrant city draws in visitors from far and wide, while it also remains a favourite among expats from around the globe. Whether there for business or play, there is an unending stream of possibilities in this cosmopolitan paradise.

With such a backdrop, it’s no wonder that Hong Kong is one of the globe’s most popular business destinations, and an increasingly significant port of call for MICE players. Though there is a plethora of venues to choose from in Hong Kong, there is one that stands out. The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) is situated on the magnificent Victoria Harbour, standing out as a beacon of contemporary style and architectural splendour amid the port’s frontier.

With 306,000sq m of meeting and exhibition space, together with a formidable staff team of 950, HKCEC is a powerhouse as far as event venues go. Along with a wide choice of spaces and rooms to fit the needs of any occasion, HKCEC also has an impressive offering of restaurants for visitors to enjoy. Congress Plus, for example, offers international cuisine made with healthy and sustainable ingredients. When diners are not being entertained by award-winning chefs at live cooking stations, they have the incredible view of Victoria Harbour to enjoy.

Supporting services
Adding to its long list of offerings, HKCEC also has various supporting services for its clients, affording them the opportunity to be as hands-on (or off) as they please. The venue’s five restaurants and two additional ‘event mode’ restaurants provide catering services, offering a variety of cuisines and styles to suit any taste. Housekeeping and security services are also available, while HKCEC’s in-house technical support provides the latest technology and expertise – an essential for any forward-thinking business hosting an event.

With so much on offer in terms of support, it is easy to see why HKCEC has secured such a fine reputation both in the region and beyond. Within this stylish building are numerous possibilities to suit any type of function, making this venue one of the best the MICE industry has to offer worldwide.

For more information:
hkcec.com

Riga

Posted on by Helen de Beer

With more than 800 years of history and ideally situated between its Baltic and Scandinavian neighbours, Riga offers a rich cultural heritage, complemented by low costs and exceptional service. Located just a short distance from more than 80 European destinations, the Latvian capital attracts in excess of 300 weekly flights from the continent’s major airports. Riga International Airport is located just nine kilometres from the city centre and is accessible within 15 minutes via a short transfer.

The city prides itself on its blend of historical meeting halls and modern conference venues. With more than 80 hotels – with a total of 13,000 beds available – Riga is well equipped to host large congresses, conferences and official delegations. The next two years will see more than 750 hotel rooms, as well as a number of conference and professional multi-purpose meeting venues, added to Riga’s already plentiful accommodation offering.

As a requirement, all hotels in the capital offer free Wi-Fi and a full buffet breakfast. A number of hotels also boast Green Key certificates, with the modern Radisson Blu Hotel Latvia and Daugava Hotel perfectly catering to the needs of associations, conferences and planners.

With a combination of Nordic attitudes, historical beauty and affordable living, Riga is a truly unique destination

Affordable and service-orientated
Riga has become synonymous with high-quality hospitality, with its well trained employees famed for their discreet and delicate nature. As well as offering exceptional customer service, Riga hotels present great value for money, providing ideal locations that accommodate even the smallest of budgets. Whether travelling in a small incentive group or a large conference delegation, Riga can provide high-quality service at low prices.

The Latvian capital also boasts a number of exceptional meeting venues, with the Great Guild House – constructed in the 14th century – and the one-of-a-kind Riga Latvian Society House among the city’s most popular destinations. The new National Library of Latvia, which is made entirely of steel and glass, is a popular alternative for those seeking a more modern, contemporary feel.

A wide range of services
Outside the conference room, Riga offers an array of attractions that combine influences from Germany, Sweden and Russia. While indulging in the city’s rich heritage, guests are encouraged to try some modern Latvian cuisine, which offers a variety of delectable flavours sourced from fresh, local ingredients.

Here at Meet Riga – the city’s official conventions bureau – we provide excellent services for international travel planners, meeting planners and media representatives. We have partnerships extending throughout Riga, including but not limited to: all major hotels; conference and events venues; destination management companies; professional congress organisers; meeting and incentive agencies; commercial airline airBaltic; chartered buses; and a number of car rental companies.

With its combination of Nordic attitudes, historical beauty and affordable living, Riga is a truly unique destination. Meet Riga offers a full range of services to help you plan your next event, providing inspiring ideas for both the professional and the social aspects of your trip.

For more information:
MeetRiga.com

Hilton Vilamoura

Posted on by Helen de Beer

Sunlight, the warm Mediterranean climate, rustic mountains and some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches – everything in the Algarve is a source of energy, and offers you the chance to recharge your batteries. Amid the stunning landscapes, the old embraces the new. Hilton Vilamoura – a Quality of Life Reserve destination – boasts the facilities, resources and professionals to cater to even the most demanding events, making it the prime destination for any business trip.

With a population that has mixed freely with numerous cultures for centuries, the people of the Algarve embrace all who visit, ensuring guests have a truly memorable stay at the Hilton Vilamoura. For many, this is a way of life, and the reason guests keep coming back.

The Hilton Vilamoura pays testament to the surrounding region, with a mix of Mediterranean white, blue and terracotta coating the Moorish architecture

A Moorish setting
Just 25 minutes from Faro International Airport and based in the heart of the Algarve, the Hilton Vilamoura resort is both easy to reach and perfectly placed. Nested in a tranquil area and neighboured by renowned golf courses, the hotel pays testament to the surrounding region, with a mix of Mediterranean white, blue and terracotta coating the Moorish architecture.

The resort offers 176 units, all flying under the flag of Hilton’s five-star service and facilities. With a conference hall spanning 1,100sq m, the Hilton Vilamoura ensures all visitors have access to a private floor dedicated to business. The suite is made up of eight meeting rooms as well as several multi-function spaces. All rooms are fully equipped and connected to an outdoor patio, showcasing the resort’s signature waterfalls and providing the perfect setting for inspirational meetings.

A personal touch
Guests are encouraged to explore the resort’s restaurants and bars, make use of the pools, and get to know the 10 distinctive venues on offer, all fitted for different group sizes and a variety of functions. If that wasn’t enough, the Hilton also provides easy access to a range of activities. Portugal’s largest spa is located on-site, while Hilton’s beach concession, golf shop and gym are all readily available.

But it is not just the facilities that make the hotel special. Like every great story, it is the characters at the Hilton Vilamoura that bring experiences to life. The team is dedicated to every single group and guest who walks through the doors, working restlessly to ensure each visit is memorable. According to a UK-based pharmaceuticals company on its third visit at the hotel: “The team was an absolute star from initial enquiry to throughout the event. Always a tremendous welcome and genuinely pleased to serve us. This was the best Hilton experience I have had on repeat business.”

With a firm belief that one size doesn’t fit all, and that with a smile, everything feels better, the staff members have become experts in sharing unique Algarvian hospitality with all who visit. A willingness to go the extra mile and provide dedicated support from start to finish without losing the personal touch – such as knowing how guests take their coffee – makes for the ultimate guest experience.

For more information:
hilton.com/vilamoura

The Carlton Hotel St Moritz

Posted on by Helen de Beer

The Carlton Hotel is a haven of luxury located in the centre of St Moritz. Declared Switzerland’s Best Ski Hotel at the World Ski Awards for three years in a row between 2013 and 2015, the Carlton Hotel St Moritz is a hub of indulgence in every way.

Exclusivity and privacy are the defining characteristics of the hotel, which is open for the winter season from mid-December until the beginning of April every year. This luxury five-star establishment beguiles the senses with its offering of extravagant colours, luxurious décor and culinary creations of the very highest standard.

Exclusivity and privacy are the defining characteristics of the Carlton Hotel

Winter sun
The hotel boasts 60 suites and junior suites, each created by Swiss interior designer Carlo Rampazzi to incorporate the very finest materials and furnishings. These suites, which range in size from 35 to 386sq m, offer plenty of space, light and the utmost in modern comforts and technology. All of the five-star hotel’s suites are south facing and offer spectacular views of Lake of St Moritz, with some of the suites’ balconies and terraces delivering heavenly vantage points for many of the world-class events that take place locally, including the Snow Polo World Cup and the White Turf horse racing event.

The Carlton Penthouse, the largest suite in the entire St Moritz region, offers three spacious, light-filled bedrooms and en suite bathrooms. The vast living and dining area includes an open fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen, while the suite’s five terraces boast panoramic views across the valley. The hotel’s common areas – such as the lobby, which is located on the bel étage of the Carlton Hotel St Moritz and holds two magnificent fireplaces – also offer ample space and luxurious furnishings, providing guests with an array of different locations in which to relax, read and savour the stunning natural surroundings.

In the hotel’s two restaurants, culinary delights of first-class quality are on offer, allowing guests to further indulge and unwind during their stay. At Restaurant Romanoff, Executive Chef Gero Porstein produces authentic Swiss cuisine amid elegant surroundings, while three-Michelin-starred chefs Enrico and Roberto Cerea serve delicious, authentic Italian cuisine at Da Vittorio – St Moritz.

The Carlton Bar and Lobby, with its vast sun terrace, offers the ideal setting for guests wishing to unwind with a glass of champagne, Engadine afternoon tea, or a delicious lunchtime speciality from the grill.

For every occasion
The Carlton Spa extends over three floors and covers more than 1,200sq m. The spa features six different treatment rooms wherein guests can enjoy a multitude of beauty treatments and massages beneath a series of stunning ceiling frescoes.

Offering its own unique wedding packages, the Carlton Hotel is the perfect location for a white winter wedding. While the surrounding Swiss Alps provide an incredible backdrop and enchanting scenery for any special occasion, the hotel staff provides an unrivalled service that takes care of the whole event, allowing couples to enjoy every element of their big day; before, during and after.

A stay at this gem in the St Moritz crown offers far more than just a pleasant visit with all the usual amenities: the exclusive number of suites and junior suites allows the Carlton Hotel’s team – along with General Managers Dominic and Laurence Bachofen – to personally attend to the individual needs of each and every guest, thereby guaranteeing complete satisfaction from every visitor.

With their personable and professional approach, sincere commitment and proficiency in several languages, the hotel’s discreet staff helps to create a familiar and intimate atmosphere in the Carlton Hotel St Moritz. With every element of the hotel ingrained with the key principles of hospitality, the exclusive St Moritz member of the Tschuggen Hotel Group ushers its guests towards an entirely new experience of wellbeing, enjoyment and relaxation.

For more information:
carlton-stmoritz.ch/en

Stanglwirt Resort

Posted on by Helen de Beer

Combining luxury with a rustic ambience, tradition with innovation, and green philosophy with pure indulgence, the five-star Stanglwirt resort brings together apparent contrasts to create a unique and incomparable holiday experience.

Proverbial Tyrolean hospitality is synonymous with the Stanglwirt name, which was first registered as an inn more than 400 years ago. According to Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List 2017, the Stanglwirt is one of the 142 best hotels in the world, as well as being the only Austrian hotel to be featured on the list. Recently, the Condé Nast community awarded the family-managed hotel with the Readers’ Choice Award 2016, naming it one of the top 10 resorts in Europe.

From farm to five stars
Since 1722, the wellbeing of Stanglwirt guests has been placed in the hands of the Hauser family. Luxurious hotel facilities of the highest international standard have been developed from this farmstead lodging, which covers a total area of 12 hectares.

Kaiser stone is a distinctive characteristic of the wellness worlds, creating an oasis of wellbeing complete with grottos, caves and waterfalls

Owner and ‘green visionary’ Balthasar Hauser and his family have shown that as hoteliers, they can implement their visions without renouncing their roots. A commitment to ‘bio’ or organic qualities in the Stanglwirt has nothing to do with frugality – wholesome food is produced on the 100-hectare farm, while the already legendary Stanglwirt mountain cheese matures in its own alpine dairy. Equipped in charming Tyrolean style and furnished with premium organic materials such as native Swiss stone pinewood and fabrics made from pure sheep’s wool, linen and cotton, the 171 rooms and suites offer an unforgettable wellbeing experience.

The Wilder Kaiser mountain ridge, where the resort and bio-hotel is located, is more than just an impressive setting and excursion destination. Kaiser stone is a distinctive characteristic of the wellness worlds, creating an oasis of wellbeing complete with small and large grottos, caves and waterfalls.

Activities in the Alps
The resort is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment and extension of its wellbeing worlds. Stanglwirt’s brine pool – the largest in any hotel in Europe (210sq m indoors and outdoors at a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius) – has been open since 2012, as well as its 25m international sports swimming pool with OMEGA time measurement and a variety of relaxation areas with open fireplaces and cosy, luxurious loungers. Guests can also enjoy a spacious event sauna complete with panoramic views of the Wilder Kaiser. This outside area has a spectacular natural swimming lake, at an impressive size of 517sq m.

In 2015, the adventurous 1,000sq m Children’s Waterworld – which includes a 120m waterslide and its own pool-cinema – was opened. The hotel’s entire wellbeing extension will be finalised in 2017 with the completion of an exclusive spa. To provide energy to these new wellbeing worlds, the five-star resort utilises natural mountain water from its own spring, which comes from the Wilder Kaiser and is heated using solar power and geothermal energy.

The broad range of leisure activities also includes eight outdoor and six indoor tennis courts run by the renowned Peter Burwash International Tennis School, making the Stanglwirt one of the most famous tennis resorts in Europe. In the hotel’s 500sq m indoor fitness garden, guests get to take part in free courses such as yoga and pilates, with guidance from professional medical fitness coaches. Keen horse riders will be inspired by the sophisticated Lipizzaner horses from the hotel’s own private stud farm.

In the summer months, guests can improve their golf game on the complimentary on-site driving range, which includes the Stanglwirt’s own Golf Sport Academy, as well as on the 12 international 18-hole-golf courses within the region. In winter, the Stanglwirt ski school organises daily beautiful ski safaris to the wonderful skiing areas SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental and the Kitzbühel/Kirchberg ski area.

For more information:
stanglwirt.com

Laico Hotels and Resorts

Posted on by Helen de Beer

It’s an exciting time for Africa’s business travel industry. In recent years, the continent has attracted international attention as a promising emerging market, as nations throughout Africa have tapped into their abundant natural resources and unlocked their economic potential. Indeed, the International Monetary Fund has predicted sub-Saharan Africa would enjoy an economic growth rate of four percent for 2016, rising further to 4.7 percent in 2017.

With this promising outlook, the continent offers an abundance of attractive business opportunities for international investors, from its vast oil reserves to its precious raw materials. And, as an ever-increasing number of corporate travellers flock to Africa’s dynamic capital cities, high-end hotel chains have been rapidly expanding across the continent.

Global attention is shifting towards Africa and its thriving business climate

At Laico Hotels and Resorts, we are dedicated to providing international professionals with a high-quality travel experience. Our city centre accommodations are all ideally situated near international airports, and boast a comprehensive range of facilities that allow corporate travellers to relax and unwind between business meetings. Recently, we have added two new resorts to our growing portfolio of four and five-star properties, as we look to cater to the thriving African business travel market.

New destinations
Our first new location can be found in the small, tropical country of Guinea-Bissau, situated on west Africa’s Atlantic coast. Ideally located just minutes away from the lively and colourful city centre, the Ledger Plaza Bissau is the nation’s largest and most luxurious resort.

Boasting more than three hectares of lush gardens and beautiful contemporary design, the hotel is an oasis of tranquillity. As the only five-star resort in the country, the Ledger Plaza Bissau is the ideal destination for business events. Each of the hotel’s spacious, elegantly designed conference rooms come fully equipped with the latest in sound and lighting technology, while the indulgent resort spa offers a range of treatments and massages to help visitors relax during their stay.

The bustling city of N’Djamena provides the location for our second new resort. Once a small, colonial town, the Chadian capital is now a modern, dynamic city with plenty to offer tourists and business travellers alike. Located just next to the nation’s main parliament, the Ledger Plaza N’Djamena holds the record of being the tallest building in Chad. With its spectacular green gardens and sleek indoor space, our hotel provides the perfect setting for both indoor and outdoor events. Along with our famous Tibesti restaurant and our popular nightclub, the Blue, the resort also offers a contemporary events space, which can accommodate up to 350 guests.

Increased investment
By launching new luxury resorts in Guinea-Bissau and Chad, Laico Hotels and Resorts hopes to tap into the two nations’ growing economic potential. Guinea-Bissau is a fast-developing nation, with increasing numbers of commercial flights connecting the capital to the rest of Africa and beyond. As a former Portuguese colony, the nation shares cultural and commercial interests with the Portuguese-speaking world, and is a popular holiday destination for travellers coming from Angola, Portugal, the Cape Verde islands and even Brazil.

With regards to Chad, many international investors expect the nation’s economy to perform well in the mid to long term, despite the current crisis stemming from the drop in crude oil prices. Indeed, many international airlines are now scheduling flights to the Chadian capital, connecting the city of N’Djamena with business hubs around the world. As global attention shifts towards Africa and its thriving business climate, Laico’s collection of luxury hotels and resorts provide the ideal destination for corporate travellers visiting the continent.

For more information:
laicohotels.com

Dubrovnik

Posted on by Helen de Beer

The individuality of Dubrovnik lies in its history and cultural heritage, while its modern lifestyle mirrors a strong spiritual identity, historical imprint and presence within European culture. Rich history is alive in every part of the city – at the same time a museum municipality and a live stage, it represents a perfect junction between the past and the present.

Located at the southern tip of Croatia, every corner of this Pearl of the Adriatic hides a treasure. Protected by UNESCO World Heritage status since 1979, Dubrovnik is surrounded by 1,940 metres of unique medieval ramparts preserved in their original form, which are open to visitors as one of the city’s main attractions.

A growing business
The city’s congress and incentive segments have gradually been developing since the tourism industry in Dubrovnik first began to grow. This is generally considered to have happened in 1887, with the opening of the Imperial Hotel, as records show the first international conference was held in Dubrovnik that same year.

Dubrovnik offers numerous possibilities to those choosing it as a destination for business combined with leisure

From then onwards tourism developed at a faster rate, and since the early 1970s it has been growing in a more organised way. Hotels with first-rate conference facilities were built in increasingly prominent positions along the city’s coastline, and today there are 45 such hotels in Dubrovnik, including 12 with five-star ratings.

Something for everyone
As a congress and incentive venue that is growing in status year on year, Dubrovnik offers numerous possibilities to those choosing it as a destination for business combined with leisure. The city’s convention facilities offer more than 8,000 seats across various hotels and other conference venues. Furthermore, Dubrovnik’s rich history, ideal geographic location, mild climate and tradition of excellence in tourism make it Croatia’s undisputed convention centre. At present, the city hosts more conventions, congresses or corporate incentive programmes than any other city in the country.

Dubrovnik offers numerous possibilities for those choosing it as a business destination, with its array of five-star hotels – or, indeed, four or three-star hotels – which can be excellent settings for meetings and events of any size or occasion. Thanks to their unique ambience, premises like Fort Revelin, the Marin Drzic Theatre, Sponza Palace, Rector’s Palace, the International Centre of Croatian Universities, the former monastery of St Clare and countless other sites have served as special meeting and event venues for many business occasions.

The convention bureau within the Dubrovnik Tourist Board was established in order to assist the organisers of international business meetings, congresses and incentives with the facilitation and realisation of their projects. The bureau offers advice throughout the organisation process for gatherings and special events, and it also helps organisers to select and book an appropriate venue or location, to prepare offers, and to organise relevant inspection trips. It also provides free promotional materials on Dubrovnik.

For more information:
tzdubrovnik.hr

Sofitel Lyon Bellecour

Posted on by Helen de Beer

In the heart of the Lyonnais peninsula, in the centre of the Golden Square, the cubic contemporary architecture of the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour has stood out as the prized address for Lyonnais and international customers for more than 50 years. It was the first hotel in Lyon to receive five stars, and ever since the establishment has kept improving in order to maintain its ranking.

The Sofitel Lyon Bellecour comprises 164 rooms, including 36 junior suites and three 80sq m prestige suites. These rooms offer optimum comfort, boasting every facility imaginable and a service dedicated to customers’ every need. The modern yet cosy design incorporates the traditional Lyonnais silk in all colours and materials.

The cubic contemporary architecture of the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour has stood out as the prized address for international customers for more than 50 years

Refined dining
This delicate touch accompanies guests on their journey up to the eighth floor, where the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour houses one of Lyon’s finest restaurants, Les Trois Dômes. Here guests can enjoy breathtaking views in a refined environment, in a restaurant that has been awarded Michelin star status for the past 11 years. Chef Christian Lherm – in position since 2012 – offers a seasonal cuisine with a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. He enjoys cooking fresh, high-quality products, which his passion and savoir faire turns into savoury works of art.

The restaurant’s wine menu, which places special emphasis on regional varieties, has more than 450 wines on offer. This variety allows the sommelier to advise the best harmony between wines and dishes while respecting personal tastes. The pastry chef’s exquisite desserts contribute to making the excellent reputation of the restaurant’s cuisine.

On the ground floor, Le Silk Brasserie is the place to be for people who enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city. Between morning shopping and afternoon sightseeing, it is ideal to have a delicious lunch in a friendly and modern atmosphere. Chef Guichonnet offers a very fashionable ‘bistronomic’ cuisine, which combines simplicity and modernity, while the staff enjoys giving advice on which bottle of wine best goes with the chosen dishes. Homemade desserts are prepared every day by Les Trois Dômes’ pastry chef, including seasonal fruit tarts and typical French pastries.

All day long, the Light Bar, which is the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour’s Lobby Bar, welcomes business meetings or friends having tea. Sweet or savoury food is available for those wanting a quality quick bite. For those in search of a cup of tea or an aperitif, the Light Bar is the ideal place for a meeting in the town centre.

In the evening, the lounge bar Le Melhor – meaning ‘the best’ in the Lyonnais dialect – serves the city’s best cocktails in front of one of the most amazing views of Lyon and the Rhône river. The barmen mix their passion with their customer care to create dozens of new recipes on a frequent basis. The iPad menu offers more than 20 different cocktails, although the barmen are also fond of surprising the most adventurous taste buds by creating bespoke cocktails for those who can provide characteristics they like.

Meeting in Lyon
For businessmen and women, the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour boasts the largest seminar capacity in downtown Lyon, with 12 adaptable and fully equipped rooms. From a private panoramic dining room and large, 350-person capacity plenary rooms to simple board meeting rooms, Sofitel Lyon Bellecour’s inspired meeting concepts answer every need with ultra-personalised care and service, complemented by a high-quality catering offer. Every cocktail, lunch or dinner served in the meeting rooms are produced by the hotel’s Michelin-starred chef.

Last but not least, the hotel’s wellbeing area, So FIT, offers a steam room, a shower experience path, tonic and relaxing massages, facial and body hi-tech Biologique Recherche treatments, as well a fitness centre with personal trainers available by appointment.

For further information:
sofitel.com

The Philippines

Posted on by Helen de Beer

Tourism has truly emerged as one of the Philippines’ ‘feel good’ industries, as it continues to have a significant impact on both the public and private sectors. For the period of January to October 2016, tourist arrivals in the country reached a total of 4.9 million, showing 11.65 percent growth on the previous year. This consistent growth in foreign arrivals made the country’s target of six million visitors for 2016 highly attainable.

The impact of the MICE sector on the country’s overall tourism industry is noteworthy. Taking charge of facilitating MICE events, the Philippines’ Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board have had their fair share of cooperating and working with industry partners.

The impact of the MICE sector on the Philippines’ overall tourism industry is noteworthy

With the major events organised in 2016 including the ASEAN Tourism Forum in January, Madrid Fusion Manila and the World Streetfood Congress in April, the Philippine Travel Exchange in September, and the Travel Blog Exchange Asia-Pacific in October, international and local MICE organisers and delegates are discovering the country’s capability to host large-scale events.

Pioneering industry
Manila, Cebu and Davao have now been established as key MICE destinations. These places offer not only the best of tourism products and services with vast opportunities for business, but they also boast consistently growing local economies which have attracted investors to build hotels and meeting facilities.

Manila is widely regarded to have pioneered the Philippines’ – and, some would argue, Asia’s – MICE industry with the establishment of the Philippine International Convention Centre, which set the trend for neighbouring countries. The SMX Convention Centre is another world-class facility for exhibitions, local trade events, conventions and corporate functions. Its proximity to the SM Mall of Asia integrates business with recreation, shopping and entertainment. The World Trade Centre, Manila is also a convenient place for conventions and exhibitions. Through each of its exemplary MICE venues, Manila takes centre stage with a distinct combination of character, professionalism, history and style.

Island growth
Cebu is a favourite getaway destination for those seeking a combination of functionality and excitement. Far from being a simple leisure destination, Cebu is now a prime destination for MICE with its improved facilities, the presence of an international airport, global hotel brands, and convention halls of international standards. Cebu is acknowledged as a fully equipped MICE destination, with its most popular hotels including Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Radisson Blu Cebu and Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa.

The dynamic economy, human resources, infrastructure, favourable business environment, responsive local government and high quality of life in Davao City make it a sought-after destination for leisure, trade, investment and MICE. It has a wide range of accommodations, resort properties, meeting facilities, shopping malls, restaurants and health and wellness centres that define modern living in a safe and green environment. Most importantly, with the convenience provided by the SMX Convention Centre Davao and Marco Polo Hotel Davao, the province has become a preferred destination for meetings, conferences and corporate events in South Philippines.

Another city that is expected to experience a MICE boom is Iloilo. In the last two decades, Iloilo has silently achieved great progress: it has built new roads, multiple spaces for commerce, and a modern airport that services regional travellers. With the establishment of the Iloilo Convention Centre in 2015, the expected growth of the MICE industry in the city will further support tourism, transport and manufacturing industries.

The Philippines’ beaches, distinctive rock formations and stalactites, underground caves and rivers, exuberant festivals, friendly people and collection of 7,107 islands highlight the very best of the country’s offerings. The Philippines is positioned on the crossroads of international trade and commerce in the Asia-Pacific region, making it an ideal destination for MICE.

For further information:
tpb.gov.ph