Hurtling through the air at accelerating speeds, eating clouds of sugar, plummeting down synthetic mountains, and racing tiny plastic jockeys in the hope of winning a stuffed caricature – nothing is quite like the childhood joy of spending a day in a theme park. Such happy memories fill most of us with a fond nostalgia for rollercoasters that carries on right through to adulthood.
Given the partiality that we have for theme parks, it is perhaps unsurprising that a new trend has emerged in the business world, which is broadening the scope of these fun-filled spaces. In the search for unique business destinations for meetings, conferences and team building days, a growing number of companies has begun venturing into these thrilling playgrounds. Consequently, several large theme parks are now marketing their sites as the ideal places to foster better working relationships or host an unforgettable event, which has opened up a whole new realm of business for this particular segment of the entertainment industry.
Beyond the boardroom
Being able to offer both unique experiences and versatility is the holy grail of the MICE industry. As a result, when a new opportunity arises that can provide something different and functional in addition to being exciting, event managers go flocking.
“We do of course host a lot of meetings on the site, but the fantastic part of being a theme park resort venue is that delegates can break out of these indoor functions and enjoy the rides and attractions, waterpark, Enchanted Forest Tree Tops Quest high ropes course, Extraordinary Golf golf course and even our onsite spa”, said Karen Johnson, Conference Office Sales Manager at Alton Towers Resort, one of the most popular theme parks in Europe. “There’s nothing worse than a room of dozing delegates, so we do try and get people outdoors and active to keep them alert and motivated on their corporate away days.”
Alton Towers promises to provide tailor-made packages for companies, which include fun and engaging training games such as treasure hunts, in addition to leadership programmes. While participating in such activities helps to boost company morale, improve bonding and give companies an edge that helps them with talent acquisition and retention, what makes theme parks unique as a MICE destination is the rides themselves.
“There is research suggesting that adrenaline is highly beneficial for meetings and events: for example, the high altitude and extreme speed of a rollercoaster releases heaps of endorphins”, Johnson told Business Destinations. “And there’s no arguing against the fact that a happy employee is a successful and productive employee.”
Business add-ons
In response to their growing popularity as a MICE destination, several amusement parks are expanding their corporate facilities and range, as well as increasing privileged access for business visitors. For example, Chessington World of Adventures – a UK theme park that receives more than two million visitors a year – has introduced team building packages where clients can gain VIP access to the park’s biggest attractions.
“Our Sea Life Package offers a drinks reception among our aquatic residents in a completely unique venue, while our Trail of the Kings drinks reception package will see you mingle among our jungle giants – from lions, tigers and gorillas to lynx”, Sarah Brammar, Head of Corporate Sales at Chessington, told Business Destinations. “We are constantly reviewing our offering to ensure we can offer meetings and events that have the wow factor and a unique appeal. From adding in a VIP giraffe hand-feeding experience before your day of meetings begins, or concluding the day by putting a rhino to bed with our Rhino Snores VIP Experience – there’s something to suit all group sizes and all budgets.”
According to Johnson, offering flexibility and a wide range of activities is crucial to business acquisition for theme parks. Alton Towers can cater for anything from day meetings for 10 delegates to a takeover of the entire park for over 6,000 guests. In fact, offering large spaces is a key factor in attracting event organisers: Disneyland Paris offers themed evenings for 15,000 guests, with a heavy focus on providing bespoke experiences for potential corporate customers, while the Europa Park in Rust, Germany boasts facilities for an incredible 100,000 business delegates. However, in order to compete with the stiff competition from the rest of the MICE world, theme parks cannot rely solely on their pre-existing attractions: instead, they must continue to add that little something extra.
“A great example is our brand new Rollercoaster Restaurant”, said Johnson. “It wasn’t enough to introduce a standard dining option, but instead we have launched the UK’s first restaurant where food is delivered from the kitchen to your plate via 400 metres of twisting rollercoaster tracks.”
In April, Alton Towers also launched Galactica, the world’s first virtual reality rollercoaster: “[It’s] something that keeps us at the forefront of the virtual reality trend that is becoming ever more apparent and relevant across all sectors, using the most cutting-edge technology to create the most realistic and multidimensional ride experience in existence. It’s that twist on normality that sets us apart and keeps us exciting and interesting for business customers compared to our competitors.”
Offering something more
The growing tendency to use theme parks for business trips ties into the rising trends of promoting happiness and wellbeing for employees, and doing away with the stuffy corporate image. Nowadays, companies are required to offer more to their staff than just the four walls of an office and the traditional nine-to-five: they need to provide stimulation, memorable experiences and perks, all while encouraging an amiable atmosphere that is conducive to productivity and innovation. Naturally, this kind of treatment does not stop within an organisation, but needs to go far beyond it as well in order to garner successful partnerships, gain invaluable long-term custom and earn an industry-wide reputation.
What’s more, in a world where colleagues of all levels are encouraged to socialise with one another and more CEOs are doing away with their stiff suits, theme parks provide the perfect playground for business events. With endorphin levels at a high and the reminiscence of happy childhood memories, rollercoasters and fairground games can bring out the best in us. In fact, a day at a theme park can do so much more than just any average day out, so it’s a wonder the corporate world only relatively recently started taking advantage of these unique spaces in their mission to impress and inspire.
In 2013, Time magazine’s then-Middle East Bureau Chief, Aryn Baker, wrote an article entitled Saudi Arabia to Tourists: We Are Just That Not Into You, in which she discussed the country’s disinterest in a regional tourism boom. In the article, she remarked on the kingdom’s reluctance to introduce a tourism visa and an unwillingness to welcome visitors on grounds other than religion or business. “With $288bn in oil revenues”, Baker wrote, “it’s not like Saudi Arabia is desperate for foreign currency.”
More than three years later, and the country is only now reconsidering its closed-door policy on tourism. Estimated to have contributed approximately $12.7bn to the economy – or 1.7 percent of GDP – in 2013, tourism’s slice of the pie grew to around $13.3bn and five percent of GDP by the end of the following year. Nonetheless, the market for non-religious tourism continues to be virtually non-existent, and while efforts to boost the sector have so far come up short, the kingdom would do well to consider embracing tourism in the wake of the oil price collapse.
Business confidence has fallen sharply, banking liquidity is tightening while interest rates are rising, and government spending is declining, according to Olivier Najar, Country Risk Analyst – MENA at BMI Research. As a result, Saudi Arabia will enter a protracted period of subdued growth from 2016, with Najar forecasting annual real GDP growth of 2.3 percent on average between 2016 and 2020, compared to five percent between 2011 and 2015.
The Saudi economy is at a crossroads, and with its stake in the world economy shrinking, it must diversify or suffer severe, long-lasting and irreversible consequences
“Given that the current economic slowdown is a direct consequence of low oil prices, the objective to diversify the Saudi economy away from its overreliance on oil (and the public sector) is a positive”, Najar told Business Destinations. “The reforms have the potential to stabilise the country’s growth outlook, and budget balance, over the longer term.” The Saudi economy is at a crossroads, and with its stake in the world economy shrinking, it must diversify or suffer severe, long-lasting and irreversible consequences.
“Saudi Arabia is in a unique position in its history, in which it has the economic incentive, the financial resources, and the political will to enact true reform”, Oliver Cornock, Managing Editor of the Oxford Business Group, told Business Destinations. “Now Saudis increasingly recognise the need to right the fiscal ship, precisely because the oil price is where it is, and many I’ve spoken to are eager for a reinvigorated, dynamic economy which will offer jobs, and better quality ones at that.”
Inflection point
Today, more than ever, there is the opportunity for policymakers to inject a dose of dynamism into the economy and, in doing so, free the Saudi population from the shackles of oil dependence. According to Cornock: “Even with an eventual recovery in oil prices, population growth, internal oil consumption and rising government expenditures, particularly in the form of long-term liabilities such as healthcare and pensions, the kingdom’s economic future is contingent on the development of a non-oil economy and especially an autonomous private sector growth.”
Saudi Arabia houses 18 percent of the world’s proven petroleum reserves and tops the global pile in terms of exporters. As a result, the collapse in global oil prices has exerted a heavy toll on its economic wellbeing. Occupying around a half of its gross domestic product and 85 percent of its exports, its dependence on oil – while responsible for a surge in prosperity in recent times – threatens to spark a collapse of elephantine proportions.
Over the last century and a quarter, the global economy has burned through roughly half of its proven oil reserves and, according to Peak Oil, consumes 85 million barrels of the black stuff a day. Of this total, Saudi Arabia churns out around 10.5 million barrels a day and shows no sign of letting up, despite encouragement from its fellow OPEC members and the rest of the world to curtail production. Failing that, the kingdom must begin to at least consider its options aside from oil.
It’s not a wholly novel situation, with Saudi Arabia having already struggled with low oil prices in the 1990s and early 2000s, when prices at one point reached single digits, according to Cornock. “Indeed, it was during these periods that the notion of diversification of revenue streams began to come to the fore.”
Soaring oil prices throughout the mid-2000s, however, meant these plans were put on the back burner, leaving Saudi Arabia to play catch up by investing in areas that had been neglected in the past.
As dismal as it is predictable, Saudi Arabia’s worsening financial circumstances and failing consumer confidence demand the ruling royal family pay heed to sectors aside from oil. Here is an economy that hinges on the inherent volatility of oil prices, and while the going is good when oil sells high, when it sells low – which it looks like it will for the foreseeable future – times are tough.
The Masjid al-Harãm, or Grand Mosque, is one of Saudi Arabia’s most popular religious attractions
Vision 2030
The country can mitigate the gathering storm through aggressive reform measures if it so chooses. Gone are the days when Saudi Arabia could rely on oil revenue and public spending alone for prosperity – the nature of the challenge demands policymakers look further afield in stemming the decline.
Aside from investment in non-oil sectors, Saudi Arabia must lead the transition away from its government-led economic model and pursue a much more market-orientated approach. “With a large population and significant financial outgoings, not least on welfare and subsidies, the importance of diversification and economic reform has never been so clearly understood”, according to Cornock. “Economic growth has been too reliant on public sector spending at the expense of the private sector.”
According to researchers at McKinsey: “In the labour market, greater workforce participation by Saudi men and women is essential to achieve higher household income. Faster productivity growth requires better business regulation and more openness to competition, trade and investment. Improved efficiency of spending and new revenue sources, possibly including taxes and higher domestic energy prices, can help ensure fiscal sustainability.”
More than a quick departure, the reforms require that Saudi Arabia embraces a more inclusive environment and, crucially, a more competitive one, where sectors aside from oil are actively supported and allowed to flourish.
Surprising as it may sound, this recommendation appears not to have fallen on deaf ears: in April, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a raft of economic and social reforms aimed at freeing the kingdom from its dependence on the black stuff. “Our vision is built around three themes: a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation”, according to the official announcement. “Our precious country deserves the best. Therefore, we will expand and further develop our talents and capacity… We are determined to reinforce and diversify the capabilities of our economy, turning our key strengths into enabling tools for a fully diversified future.”
This ambitious plan goes by the name of Vision 2030 and, if successful, will lift millions of individuals out of the doldrums and bolster the country’s non-oil sectors no end. Few – if any – of the policies are completely new, but they reflect the country’s determination (and that of the Gulf countries generally) to shake its reliance on oil exports and expand the role of the private sector.
The country’s tourism infrastructure is relatively weak, and attempts to reach a wider spectrum of visitors have had only limited success
With around two thirds of its population under the age of 30, the kingdom’s human capital potential is – for the time being, at least – terribly underutilised. An estimated 29 percent of under-30s are unemployed, and an emphasis on privatisation – much like that laid out in Vision 2030 – should in theory create the kind of jobs these potential workers need. To date, two thirds of the national workforce is employed by the public sector, and – to compound the issues facing an already underdeveloped private sector – 80 percent of it is made up of expatriate workers. The decision to slash the number of government positions and cut back on spending, therefore, should go some way towards shaking the public sector’s grip on the jobs market. The privatisation of select state assets and services, meanwhile, should attract more talent and investment, and therefore help to right the imbalance between the public and private sectors.
Not merely contained to matters of an economic persuasion, Vision 2030 encompasses a much broader shift in priorities. Social values, according to the announcement, “will be based on moderation, tolerance, perfection, discipline, justice and transparency, and our focus will be on achieving growth of these values and areas”. These principles, while seemingly unrelated, feed into the kingdom’s vision to create a more inclusive and productive society.
Tourism drive
Equally ambitious is the country’s revised commitment to tourism – namely, its determination to raise visitor numbers fivefold by the year 2030, which again chimes with the country’s ambitions to expand on the role of the private sector.
The focus on tourism is in some senses surprising, especially considering the country’s strict interpretation of Islamic law and reputation as being an inhospitable locale for Westerners. Still, the kingdom plans to inject a healthy $46bn into the sector by 2020 and give attractive coastal areas and key historical sites a going over, in the hopes that doing so will cause international tourists to put aside their reservations and pay a visit. “It is a promising area and one in which the current government has placed a great deal of hope”, according to Cornock.
One of Saudi Arabia’s advantages, Cornock continued, is that it is home to the two holiest sites in Islam: Mecca and Medina. As a result, Saudi Arabia is by no means an unpopular tourist destination, though certainly more could be done to broaden the spectrum of inbound tourists. The Saudi Government has therefore made it a priority to grow Umrah visitors from eight million to 30 million by 2030, by expanding the infrastructure in both locations to support more pilgrims.
In addition, it will begin the roll-out of the Post-Umrah programme, unveiled by Prince Sultan bin Salman, Head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), which will allow pilgrims to stay up to 30 days in Saudi Arabia and travel to other parts of the kingdom, either for additional religious travel or general tourism, shopping and business.
The Al-Soudah region is home to some of the country’s best scenery and an abundance of wildlife
“These two initiatives alone have the power to generate billions for the economy”, said Cornock. “Saudi Arabia has historical sites, such as the UNESCO-designated Madain Saleh, which I have had the pleasure of visiting and can attest is a magnificent place. It also has majestic desert, mountains with forests and beaches that boast world-class diving and snorkelling. Further expansion of the tourism industry could include opening up these areas to a greater number of visitors. The key, as ever, is to balance this with cultural considerations.”
Slow progress
With the SCTH preoccupied with plans to develop a string of museums and heritage sites, plans to push the tourism agenda will exert a heavy burden on developers. A lot of sites require little in the way of development, although there’s no doubt billions of dollars in added investment will do a great deal to bolster the kingdom’s appeal. Mecca and Medina aside, the country’s tourism infrastructure is relatively weak, and attempts – however muted – to reach a wider spectrum of visitors have had only limited success.
According to Najar: “Tourism is a key area of Vision 2030, as the Saudi Government aims to make economic, as well as political and reputational, gains from opening some parts of the country… We believe that projects focused on developing religious tourism will be developed fast, but this will not impact the Saudi state and society. Sea resorts and other more secular-oriented tourism projects will face more hurdles, particularly from the conservative religious establishment. We believe that the Vision 2030 reforms have the potential for a major evolution of the Saudi society – and state – but this will take many years, and will be gradual.”
Certainly one area that shows great promise is business tourism, which, judging by rising investment in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region generally, the country would do well to capitalise on. Seeing the opportunity to build better hotels and conference facilities, it makes sense the hundreds of thousands of people already doing business of some form or another in Saudi Arabia would see it as a fitting location.
Reports compiled in 2014 suggested Saudi Arabia was missing out on as many as two million airline seats a year due to a lack of capacity. Furthermore, what few tour operators did exist catered mostly to religious tourism – and this was but the tip of the iceberg for Saudi Arabia’s underdeveloped tourism sector. Speaking to The Washington Post, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, Toby Matthiesen, noted: “The realities of Saudi Arabia are, however, such that it is inconceivable that the kingdom can really become a tourist destination without fundamentally altering the religious and social policies in place.”
Saudi Arabia’s willingness to open the door to a broader spectrum of arrivals is, in a sense, a milestone for a nation that has in the past too readily shut out visitors. Should the country follow through with its reform programme, it would herald a new dawn not just for tourism, but for Saudi Arabia’s economy in general.
Saudi Arabia’s key sites
Masjid al-Harãm
Any discussion of Saudi Arabia is hardly complete without mention of the Masjid al-Harãm, or Grand Mosque. The mosque is the largest in the world and, within the Kaaba, houses Islam’s holiest shrine. The building has been subject to numerous phases of development since it was first built in the seventh century, and its oldest remaining parts date as far back as the 16th. The size of the building today is such that it can accommodate close to one million people.
Dumat al-Jandal
When translated, Dumat al-Jundal literally means ‘Dumah of the Stone’. The ancient city dates back to around the 10th century BC, and is another of Saudi Arabia’s pre-Islamic wonders. The ruins are located in the northwestern part of the country and hark back to a time when this relatively quiet part of the country was a hub for Arabian arts and culture. The architecture of the remaining buildings is testament to this, and those who travel here will be treated to the remains of a mysterious former city.
Al-Soudah
Al-Soudah, or ‘the black one’, is a mountainous region so named for the black clouds that often hover over the area. Home to some of the country’s best scenery and an abundance of wildlife, Al-Soudah is located close to Saudi Arabia’s highest peak. For many, its forests and dramatic valleys are among the country’s most impressive natural wonders. Although Saudi Arabia is not necessarily regarded as a diverse and thriving ecosystem, Al-Soudah is proof the country is vastly overlooked by tourists.
Mada’in Saleh
Mada’in Saleh is often touted as Saudi Arabia’s most impressive pre-Islamic archaeological site. The ‘capital of the monuments’, as it is sometimes called, dates back to the Nabataean civilisation and is reminiscent of the former empire’s more famous capital, Petra, which is today located in Jordan. The area is home to more than 100 tombs, and the exquisite detail and artistry of the facades reflects the expertise of the masons of that time. In 2008, the site became Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, despite its reputation as a cursed place.
Tourism in the US state of Colorado has long been associated with the breathtaking mountain views and rugged natural plains. Straddled by the Rocky Mountains, the state has drawn tourists wanting to marvel at natural wonders such as Estes Park, which is located over 7,000ft above sea level. Now, however, a new breed of tourism is attracting visitors to the area: marijuana tourism.
The US is famous for its ill-fated decision to ban the production, distribution and consumption of alcohol in the 1920s. What became known as the Prohibition Era has been regarded almost universally as a bad decision, having merely encouraged smuggling and empowered organised crime. Now, many in the US are beginning to see the country’s long criminalisation of marijuana in similar terms. However, the dramatic and iconic images of near-immune mobsters and corrupt government officials that have come to characterise popular historical memories of the folly of alcohol prohibition have so far failed to accompany the criminalisation of marijuana in the US.
Nonetheless, the US’ (and much of the world’s) long ban on marijuana has itself cost untold numbers of lives, with criminal organisations battling over segments of the billion-dollar black market industry. Based on this – and, of course, the sheer popularity of the drug within the US – many states have started to push for various degrees of legalisation or decriminalisation of the drug. Colorado has been one of the first to do so, and it appears the move may be behind a great boost to tourism in the state.
The sale and production of legal marijuana in Colorado is now estimated to be worth more
than $1bn
Long road to legality
Marijuana was first criminalised in Colorado in 1917, with the use and cultivation of the drug becoming an offence. These were the US’ first state-specific laws against cannabis. Further criminalisation of the substance continued throughout the 20th century, before the first serious change to the legal status of marijuana came in the year 2000: in November, over half of Colorado voters approved Amendment 20, which allowed the use of marijuana in the case of state-approved patients with medical consent from a doctor.
Gradually, the number of dispensaries began to build up as the laws surrounding medical marijuana distribution were relaxed. By 2009, the city of Denver had tens of so-called ‘pot clinics’ – although a further boom in usage saw additional legislation authorising some new state-wide regulations in 2010. Finally, full legalisation came in 2012 with the passing of Amendment 64. Colorado’s constitution thereafter guaranteed the “personal use and regulation of marijuana”, setting the ground for Colorado’s now-booming marijuana industry. The sale and production of legal marijuana in the state is now estimated to be worth more than $1bn, with many of the arguments from the pro-cannabis legalisation camp in other parts of the world – aside from the libertarian ‘live and let live’ arguments – hinging on the economic benefits of the industry and the potential tax revenue it would bring.
One additional side effect – perhaps unanticipated by many – has been a surge in tourism related to the drug. Surrounded by states in which the drug remains fully or at least partially prohibited, Colorado has become the perfect holiday destination for those wishing to partake in the use of marijuana without any legal risk. According to Mike Elliott, Executive Director of the Marijuana Industry Group, the oldest and largest marijuana industry association in Colorado, marijuana legalisation has undoubtedly had a positive impact on the state. Speaking to Business Destinations, he said: “Colorado has experienced record tourism since marijuana was legalised in 2012.” Elliot has seen this first-hand, noting that members of his organisation have “heard from customers time and time again that one of the reasons they chose to visit Colorado is the legalisation of marijuana. State studies also show that legalised marijuana is bringing more people to Colorado”.
Every incoming tourist is a boost not just to the industry, but also to the wider state. Tourists need to book hotels and pay for food and drink, and as Elliott noted, “every additional tourist has a positive impact. Not only do tourists visit marijuana shops, but they explore all the great amenities Colorado has to offer”. Likewise, while these ‘pot tourists’ are exclusively visiting the state in order to experience the drug, during their stay they are likely to visit many of the other tourist attractions that the area has to offer.
Drawbacks to the law
There are, however, a few problems that could be holding the industry back. One major issue is the fissure between state and federal law: although marijuana is legal in Colorado, it still remains illegal under federal law. This means shops selling the substance have often found financial institutions reluctant to work with them, lest they be pursued by federal law officials for carrying out transactions for the sale of what is still technically a section I banned substance. This has meant that, other than through a few loopholes, cash is the only form of payment accepted in ‘pot shops’ in the state.
Similarly, whereas places such as Amsterdam have cultivated a relaxed café culture, where visitors who are interested in benefiting from the Netherlands’ liberal marijuana laws can enjoy publically smoking the drug, such a culture is not possible in Colorado. As Elliott told Business Destinations: “It’s important for people to understand that open and public consumption of marijuana remains illegal.” With people therefore compelled to use the drug indoors, the appeal of pot tourism may be hindered.
The Denver 420 Rally is the world’s largest celebration of cannabis culture
However, attempts are being made to try and work around this cumbersome rule. According to Elliott: “Entrepreneurs are stepping up to answer the needs of tourists who want to use cannabis.” For instance: “There is a discussion about allowing social clubs where it will be legal to use cannabis.” Various people in the industry have been vocal in their advocation of this. Business Destinations also spoke to Michael Eymer, CEO and Founder of Colorado Cannabis Tours. He argued: “The state could allow for ‘420-friendly’ clubs, restaurants and other brick and mortar establishments to open, as well as removing restrictions on where dispensaries can advertise.”
Another issue has been that many hotels are hostile towards those who smoke cannabis. Unwitting tourists may easily book themselves into a hotel that does not tolerate the now-legal drug. However, according to Elliott, an increasing number of establishments are specifically catering to those who want to smoke marijuana during their stay. Eymer pointed out that his company helps tourists find suitable accommodation: “Our guests book 420-friendly hotel rooms through us, as well as taking our various activities to consume legally and safely.”
Marketing the state
Despite these regulatory problems, the marijuana tourism trade in Colorado is thriving. However, how far this will develop and continue at such a pace seems unclear: the state itself seems reluctant to market itself as a destination for tourists to smoke cannabis legally. Business Destinations reached out to a number of regional tourism boards for towns in Colorado to discuss the growing marijuana tourism trade, yet none responded. According to Elliott, the state is not yet ready to market itself as a pot tourism destination, despite the potential it has for increasing the existing tourism boom.
“If the state chose to do so, it could actively market the fact that marijuana is legal here”, he said. “I don’t think they are ready to go there yet, but as more states legalise marijuana I think that is more likely to happen.” But Colorado, it would appear, is still uneasy about pushing itself in such a manner.
It is worth pointing out that, in the referendum on marijuana legalisation, while the pro-legalisation side won a clear majority, the opposition was not insignificant. Many Coloradans are still uncomfortable with the legalisation, perhaps not wishing to gain the reputation of being ‘the Amsterdam of the Rockies’.
However, if marijuana tourism is going to continue to boom, this title should be snatched up as soon as possible. Competition is growing: across the US there is a continued push for marijuana legalisation. With more of the 50 states in the union likely to join the legalisation club soon, Colorado could soon lose its draw as a pot tourism destination, with it no longer being a place of legal consumption in a desert of prohibition.
As Eymer told Business Destinations, “by far the largest amounts of tourists come from illegal states in the US, such as Texas, Florida, Ohio [and] New York”. Yet if these states were to make marijuana legal, Colorado’s draw would be gone – unless, of course, Colorado managed to market itself as the place for marijuana consumption. Many states now allow gambling, yet Las Vegas is still widely considered to be the place to go for casinos and gaming. Likewise, nightclubs and alcohol are prevalent across the nation, but anyone seeking the best of American nightlife will venture to Miami. While Colorado is one of the few legal states for marijuana, it has the potential to position itself – or perhaps just one city within the state, such as Boulder or Denver – as the place to go to enjoy legal marijuana, before it becomes just one of a handful of similar destinations.
The interior of the Sistine Chapel measures 40 metres by 13 metres. During peak season, up to 2,000 people can cram in at the same time in order to gaze up at the famous ceiling: that’s 2,000 people in 520sq m of space, or just 26sq cm per person – a tight squeeze by anyone’s reckoning. This phenomenon is not just causing physical discomfort: high foot traffic and overcrowding are causing the interior of the chapel to suffer too.
As Professor Antonio Paolucci told The Telegraph in 2010: “[Every person] who visits the Sistine Chapel each year brings in dust on their clothes and shoes. They shed tiny particles of skin and, of course, they breathe. All this produces an accumulation of dust on the frescoes which cover the chapel’s walls. They are not going to start crumbling tomorrow, but over a long period of time there is a danger that they will be damaged.”
For such priceless relics of human endeavour, this is an unacceptable state of affairs. And it’s not just limited to the Vatican: across the world, tourist sites are becoming increasingly crowded and unpleasant, causing irreparable damage to the fragile relics and works of art, and making the experience actively unpleasant for all involved. Just visiting Prague’s Old Town in the summer months is an ordeal rather than a pleasure, and trying to see the more popular sections of the Great Wall of China is an exercise in futility.
The ability to explore any part of the world from one’s own home is a classic sci-fi dream. However, it will still be a tough sell for most people
Of course, solutions have been proposed, but they tend to involve visitor quotas, higher ticket prices or enforced periods of closure. Such tactics are not possible with most public sites, and they tend to deprive municipal authorities and local economies of vital income that is often used to fund the upkeep of the attractions in the first place.
A persistent drone
Thankfully, the tech world is on the cusp of a novel solution, and one that does not restrict public access or work against the revenue incentive: drone tourism. “In drone tourism, a tourist no longer needs to physically travel to a destination”, explained Dr Helmut Hlavacs of the University of Vienna, who is working to make the idea a reality in the near future. “Rather, at the desired location, a provider offers a flying or driving drone, which is equipped with a video camera and microphones. The drone sends video and audio feeds live over the internet to the tourist, who is sitting at home with a virtual reality visor.”
Of course, seeing a tourist site on what is effectively a screen is nothing new, and the primary concern would be a loss of agency: being shown a location second-hand is not the same as being able to look around for yourself, at your own leisure. A drone feed, however, is live, and thanks to the wonders of even the most affordable virtual reality devices on the market, personalised action is entirely possible. “Drone tourists can roam around by instructing the drone to move around, e.g. tilting the head would tilt the drone’s camera, thus dramatically increasing the subjectively felt sensation of presence. The consumer would feel like they were really there, at the site in question”, Hlavacs told Business Destinations.
However, it is not simply the authenticity of the experience that would serve to reduce overcrowding at popular destinations. In fact, the idea of numerous drones fighting for room among swarms of tourists is, if anything, worse than the current situation. The solution would not be to admit drones and people together: rather, it would be to make use of currently vacant time slots. Imagine exploring the glory of the Colosseum at dawn, its stone tinged red with the early morning light. A tempting vision, certainly, but one far beyond the willpower of the average tourist, who would have to rouse themselves in the dark and make their gloomy way across the city to get there in time.
For the drone tourist, however, all that is needed is to slip on a virtual reality headset from the comfort of their bed – a much more pleasant prospect. Were the idea to really take off, innovative lighting arrangements could even be considered, allowing drone tourism to take place at night.
Access permitted
So, who is all this for? The first answer is: everybody. The ability to explore any part of the world from one’s own home is a classic sci-fi dream. However, it will still be a tough sell for most people, particularly with the uptake of virtual reality headsets fairly low at present. Flying is becoming faster and cheaper, and a ‘why me?’ attitude is likely even if people do understand that fewer people should be visiting certain tourist sites.
A more likely initial market, then, lies with those unable to travel easily. Even with accessibility infrastructure, many disabled people find it prohibitively difficult to travel long distances, and some tourist sites are simply inaccessible to those who require wheelchairs or crutches. Drone tourism seems tailor-made for such individuals, providing the freedom to explore without the stress of ensuring safe access.
The benefits extend to costs too; travel is often more expensive for those with specific needs, whereas the low overheads for drone tourism should allow for cheap prices. For the consumer, all that is needed is a virtual reality headset – and these are relatively affordable already. As Tony Danova said in an article for Business Insider: “VR headsets are a fairly low-cost consumer electronics category.” Compatibility shouldn’t be an issue either, as “Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, or even Google Cardboard” headsets can be used, according to Hlavacs.
Of course, the burgeoning industry must be careful not to overstate the connection here – its message must not be that the solution to overcrowding is to push away those with disabilities. Rather, it should be stressed that the two benefits are mutually exclusive: drone tourism will reduce the volume of visitors to specific sites, and it will also offer a means of travel to those who are unable, currently, to do so.
If these two positives form the backbone of promotion, drone tourism will have a bright future. Hurdles are likely to appear, of course, not least the uncertain regulatory regime for drone use in different countries, and the organisational hurdles of arranging flight paths and airspace for competing firms. But these difficulties can be overcome if there is palpable consumer desire – and, if humanity’s previous hunger for technologies that make the world a smaller place is anything to go by, this will not be in short supply.
Las Vegas is generally seen as the global capital of the gambling industry. At a push, Monte Carlo could also contend for that title, while old favourites such as Atlantic City also hold a place on the list of the world’s historic gambling centres. In recent years, however, the Chinese island of Macau has gained increasing prominence. Up until 2013, Macau was regularly touted as the new centre of the global gaming industry, with a CNN article from that year noting: “Macau has cemented its status as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the gambling industry.” According to the article, Macau’s casino revenue in 2013 was $45bn, up by nearly 20 percent from 2012. Las Vegas, by contrast, pulled in around $6.2bn in 2012, according to The Las Vegas Review-Journal. Since the island was opened up to foreign casinos in 2002, Macau has seen its total number of operating casinos surge, alongside visitor and revenue totals. This growth, however, is now under threat.
In The Communist Manifesto – a text with which Macau’s far-off rulers in Beijing should be familiar – Karl Marx noted, in reference to economic life under capitalism: “All that is solid melts into air.” Similarly, Macau’s supposedly undisputed heavyweight champion position in the world gambling industry may too be melting into air: since 2014, the revenue accrued by the Macau gaming industry has tumbled, although the island continues to maintain its top position in terms of status and income. In January 2016, the total revenue of the island’s casinos for the previous year were reported by Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau to be down by 34.3 percent. This has left Macau’s gaming industry revenue at a five-year low of $28.92bn.
For many corrupt party officials and businessmen in China, Macau was the place to either wash dirty cash, or frivolously gamble it away
This was a second year of losses for Macau, and represents an end to the winning streak the island had enjoyed since the 2002 liberalisation. According to The Sydney Morning Herald: “Macau casino operators have had more than $130bn wiped off their market value in the last two years.”
By contrast, Nevada as a whole saw its actual revenue increase – albeit marginally – by 0.9 percent to $11.1bn in 2015. However, Las Vegas itself saw a 0.4 percent dip in revenue, leaving it with a revenue total of $6.348bn. While these figures suggest takings are far from lacklustre, the original Sin City – which as recently as two years ago was being touted as being eclipsed by the East – has maintained its revenues at a fairly steady level, while Macau has seen its own numbers plummet. The Chinese island now seems to be in serious trouble, and its long march to global gaming dominance has been halted, for now.
Corrupt cadres
A number of reasons have been cited for the slowdown in Macau, but, alongside a general decline in economic growth in China, the key reason is the mainland-led crackdown on corruption within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and associated business figures.
Corrupt officials have existed within the party since the founding of the People’s Republic of China – and indeed, long before. However, the prevalence of corruption has a shorter history: as The New York Times noted in 2014, party members “have been stealing more since the early 1990s, thanks partly to a large increase in infrastructure spending. Lucrative contracts for roads, ports and railways are opportunities for them to enrich themselves or their cronies. Investment in infrastructure, real estate and other fixed assets rose from an average of 36 percent of GDP during 1980-91 to more than 41 percent during 1992-2011”.
Successive administrations have been aware of this problem and have attempted to address it. According to Daniel A Bell, author of the book The China Model: “Former President Hu Jintao warned that corruption ‘could prove fatal to the party, and even cause the collapse of the party and the fall of the state’, and his predecessor Jiang Zemin said that ‘corruption is the cancer in the body of the party and the state. If we let it be, our party, our political power and our socialist modernisation cause will be doomed’.” However, very little was done to stamp down on these issues until current President Xi Jinping launched his far-reaching anti-corruption campaign in 2013. This initiative has vigorously pursued corruption within the party, and Macau has heavily felt
the results.
Macau Tower at night
Tackling issues from the top
For many corrupt party officials and businessmen in China, Macau was the place to either wash dirty cash, or frivolously gamble it away. However, in the face of the recent anti-corruption drive, their ranks are now depleting.
As a US cable released by Wikileaks noted in 2009: “Massive flows of money and relatively weak controls over financial transactions make Macau a target for those seeking to launder illicit funds.” While noting that a number of illicit funds from around the world regularly make their way into the island’s gaming industry, the message went on to note that mainland China’s gamblers “account for a large share of the lucrative VIP gaming market, betting literally billions of dollars despite Chinese Government-imposed capital controls that restrict Chinese residents to taking just a mere $50,000 worth of currency out of China each year”. This primarily takes place through what are termed ‘junket operators’, through which access to private VIP gambling rooms is facilitated.
On the surface, attempts to crack down on corruption and ostentatious lifestyles among state officials may not be able to impact the fortunes of Macau; a small island with a GDP per capita that ranks alongside Norway’s and among the top five in the word. However, with the number of party members who are potentially corrupt – ranging from President Xi’s tigers down to the flies – growing alongside those in the party who had previously flaunted their great wealth, the concept becomes much more plausible.
The CCP is one of the largest institutions in the world, and until 2015 was the largest political party globally. India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) eclipsed the CCP in terms of size that year, although the CCP still maintains nearly 88 million members. At the same time, the CCP is the official state party (and in practice, the only ‘real’ party in the country), with key institutional and civil servant roles requiring membership, as opposed to the BJP, which exists within a multiparty democratic system and so is not as firmly wedded to the state.
This has given rise to a large pool of Chinese party members in key state functions – locally or otherwise – within which corruption can readily be found. In 2015, 300,000 officials were charged and punished for corruption, with 200,000 of those found guilty receiving ‘light’ punishment. Some 82,000 others were afforded severe penalties. Included among these were 100 of the once-untouchable elite of the party – the so-called tigers – according to International Policy Digest. Officials from almost every province, from top ranking to lowly civil servants, have found themselves cornered by the campaign.
The Chinese Government has repeatedly stated its policies are now geared towards raising the living standards of Chinese people. A corrupt state has the potential to disrupt this
These numbers are staggering in and of themselves. However, in addition to this mass of people who have been removed from positions that once afforded them access to illicit funds are various family members and acquaintances who will also likely have benefited from corruption through a benevolent sharing of the spoils of power.
Seemingly, these numbers are only a drop in the ocean compared to the party’s 88 million other members. However, if only 10 percent of the party is corrupt (or at least drawing out money in illicit ways), that still totals 8.8 million corrupt communist cadres. If one were to add to this the spouse of each such member, that number reaches nearly 18 million. If one child per member plus an additional acquaintance or family member were also added, that number reaches 34.6 million – the population of a reasonably sized country.
Macau for the middle classes
As the threat of a purge by the state continues, this huge pool is more likely to call an end to – or at least cut back on – the acquisition, spending or washing of funds they have illegally acquired from their roles. Considering that politicians are already reported to be delaying legitimate economic projects for fear of falling foul of the drive, the decision of many officials to stay away from Macau’s casinos (which they are officially banned from entering) is not so hard to understand. Furthermore, the attempt by the party to enforce members to live a more austere lifestyle is encouraging seemingly non-corrupt party members (and, again, their codependents) to further reduce the amount being spent on luxuries – including high-stakes games in Macau.
Already the effects of this have been felt around the world, with European luxury brands reporting declining sales in 2015, and blaming – in part – a decline in transactions from CCP members. Luxury items produced within China have also taken a hit. As The Economist noted last year: “Since 2013, the anti-corruption campaign of Xi Jinping, China’s president, has made conspicuous consumption politically suspect and reined in the practice of lavishing gifts on officials.”
Yet, to simply view Macau’s declining revenue as some sort of demise would be a mistake: the island acquired its position as a top destination for high-rolling gamblers both from within and outside the CCP in the period of time between China (and an elite few Chinese) becoming wealthy and proper governance being instated. The splurge of investment spending, relentless economic development and privatisation of industry – which began in 1992, when Deng Xiaoping defied until-then conventional party wisdom by telling his countrymen that “to get rich is glorious” – created a China awash with cash. However, members of state did not have the necessary oversight to ensure those getting rich were not doing so illicitly. For this reason, following its opening up to the rest of the world, Macau and the revenues it pulled in became inflated beyond any reasonable measure.
The dome of Grand Lisboa, a 47-floor hotel and casino in Macau
However, this corruption-fuelled bubble is now being deflated. From Atlantic City to Las Vegas, many gambling-friendly regions – having initially operated as a playground of criminality for corrupt members of both the private and public sector, and those who operate in between – have, amid a sea of prohibition, begun to clean up their operations.
Macau is now tidying up, too: as the China-focused news website The Shanghaiist has noted, many Macau casinos are already “building new attractions which will target the mass market, appealing to tourists and families rather than the high rollers who look less likely to be contributing to the city’s economy in the near future”.
Macau may not return to its former glory any time soon, but if that status were to come at the expense of an attempt to rid Chinese politics of the corruption that has come to engulf it, the island should not aim to do so. A less corrupt state is a better functioning state, and a better functioning state is key to economic development.
China has experienced impressive economic development in the past few decades. However, at its present point of growth, it must look towards fostering an internal market – the state must back away from the extensive growth model it has enjoyed so far and move towards an intensive one, if it is to avoid the so-called middle income trap. Indeed, the Chinese Government has repeatedly stated its policies are now geared towards raising the living standards of Chinese people. A corrupt state has the potential to disrupt this.
If China manages to achieve its goal of fostering wider prosperity, the result may be a rising number of middle-class Chinese wishing to vacation in Macau, just as middle-class Americans did in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. However, key to this is the fact that China – despite its residents’ supposed love of gambling – still bans gaming on the mainland. As a result, Macau will hopefully become the holiday destination of an increasingly wealthy middle class, rather than the playground of the super rich it has been until now.
Haiti has had many identities in its history. Once known as San Domingo, the wealthiest colony of the pre-revolutionary French Empire, the country soon became the site of the first successful slave uprising in the modern era, when in the late 18th century the enslaved inhabitants of the island rose up against their owners. After years of war – first against the nation’s domestic slave owners, and then against various failed expeditions by the French – Haiti established itself as the first black-ruled modern political republic in 1804.
Such a title made it both a pariah on the international stage and a beacon of freedom for many others around the world, but this ultimately resulted in it being heavily penalised by the remaining European powers in the region, with it being subjected to forced sanction payments by its former ruler, France. However, throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Haiti became an area of interest to many Americans, and gained a reputation as a mysterious place filled with revolutionary intrigue.
The rise and fall
Haiti initially started to see a boom in its tourism industry in the post-war era. Many tourists flocked to the capital, Port-au-Prince, for its waterfront, which had recently been developed to be able to accommodate regional cruise ships. Tourists came to see Haitian art and so-called ‘voodoo shows’, while Americans – as was the case with much of the Caribbean at the time – came to gamble.
By the 1970s, tourism to the island had reached 150,000 visitors annually – no mean feat in what were only the early years of mass international tourism. Even a newlywed Bill and Hillary Clinton frequented the island for a vacation. However, political volatility and an eventual civil war destroyed the tourism industry in Haiti for the remainder of the 20th century.
While a boom in tourism would not necessarily reverse Haiti’s economic fortunes, it would certainly relieve them
Now, however, the industry is set to return: according to numerous ‘where to go’ guides, Haiti should rank highly on any prospective tourist’s list of must-see destinations. One recent article on the Huffington Post website described it as a destination for the “perfect family holiday in 2015”, while The Independent placed it among its top 10 travel destinations for the year.
But it is not just travel journalists noticing the country’s tourism potential: the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) also seems to see something of a tourism revival for the country. At the end of 2014, the IDB, citing the country’s inviting beaches, rich landscape and cultural history, “approved a $36m grant to foster tourism around Haitian historic, cultural and natural resources along the country’s southern coastline that will create tourism-related jobs for the region’s low-income residents”.
The Haitian state itself has also been busy heavily promoting and investing in tourism. As one article from Foreign Affairs magazine noted, the Haitian Government has been “wooing investors with tax breaks and the promise of internationally funded infrastructure upgrades”, also noting “the government has developed a plan that includes a new airport, a series of hotels, and an 18-hole golf course”.
If Haiti is set for a bout of renewed tourism, it could not come at a better time. The country is still rebuilding itself following its shattering 2010 earthquake. Despite the £14bn (in today’s money) punitive punishment – or so-called ‘independence fee’ – that France, at the barrel of the gun, forced the beleaguered but victorious Haitian founders to pay, the country had not fared too badly until recently: until the 1960s, its score on the Human Development Index was roughly on a par with that of Australia and Canada.
Since then, however, Haiti has plummeted down every ranking of human prosperity or wellbeing, often coming near the bottom globally. It has also gained the title of the poorest country in the western hemisphere. The reasons for this decline are numerous, ranging from unfair trade policies with the US to political corruption, violence and instability. Whatever the primary cause, the result is the same: Haiti and many Haitians are desperately poor, and a boom in tourism could set about redressing that.
Repairing the damage
A revival in tourism will result, firstly, in an increased influx of foreign hard currency to the island. As is the case with many Central and Caribbean American states, tourists from the US and Europe often opt to bring and spend US dollars, rather than deal with either hard-to-obtain or very nearly valueless local currencies. Most bars, restaurants, transport operators and stores will regularly accept the sought-after US dollar, and so, beyond the immediate benefits afforded to Haitians employed in such jobs, the influx of hard currency will also benefit the economy in general.
Haiti produces very few domestic exports, a major source of its economic woes, and this means that it is reliant upon importing what it consumes. With the Haitian currency valued at so little, access to dollars will facilitate trade. Trading in dollars – now in increased supply thanks to tourists – will allow Haitians to import essentials at a far lower cost. A revival of tourism should hopefully provide this boost while, ideally, encouraging higher-paid jobs in other sectors of the economy.
One of Haiti’s famously colourful buses
A boom would also mean a large number of members from Haiti’s reserve army of labour would be needed to either build new hotels or upgrade existing ones. As the IDB noted: “In the picturesque beach town of Port Salut, for example, there are few hotels that would be deemed attractive and comfortable to most foreign tourists.” At the same time, existing businesses will see, presumably, an uptick in demand, from taxi drivers to local street stall sellers.
As the IDB further pointed out: “The tourism programme has the potential to generate much-needed income for low-income residents of Haiti’s southern region, who could be employed as tour guides and hotel workers, start their own small businesses, or fish, produce, and distribute food for local markets that feed workers and tourists alike.”
While a boom in tourism would not necessarily reverse Haiti’s economic fortunes, it would certainly relieve them, and perhaps offer the start of greater economic regeneration. Haiti shares the same island as the Dominican Republic, and while the Dominican Republic is also a relatively poor nation, it is significantly better off than Haiti: while Haiti, out of 183 countries, ranks 165th with a GDP per capita of $1,732, the Dominican Republic is 84th, with the much higher figure of $13,262, according to the World Bank (2014 rankings). Crucially, the Dominican Republic has, and continues to sustain, a thriving tourism industry.
Myths to be addressed
In order to develop Haitian tourism, however, a number of points of action must be taken: first, the idea of Haiti as a violent and lawless place needs to be addressed. As Haiti’s Tourism Minister, Stephanie Vlleddrouin, has said: “One of biggest challenges [is] the perception of Haiti worldwide… and how to change this image.”
Haiti has a similar crime rate to that of Long Beach, California. This actually makes it a much safer destination than many other popular Caribbean tourist destinations, and immensely safer than many Central American nations and tourist hotspots, including Mexico and Honduras. And while it is true Haiti is prone to an occasional flair-up of political turmoil, such as a recent spate of protests over its presidential election, street crime is relatively low. Tourists are naturally advised to avoid such rallies, but following the news is a simple way to avoid becoming entangled in any such politically fuelled (albeit low-level) violence.
Haiti is far from unique in this regard, with its violent political demonstrations hardly more common than they are in popular European destinations such as Athens. Of course, Haiti does have a governance issue, which does engender such protests, but as with many of Haiti’s troubles, economic growth is the solution, and boosting tourism will be a key factor in achieving this.
As the gambling Mecca of the world, Las Vegas has long had a reputation for sordidness, often being referred to in the same breath as the word ‘sin’. This status began during the city’s formative years, emanating from the instrumental role organised crime syndicates played in establishing its opulent casinos and indulgent attractions.
The city itself, with all its neon lights and ceaseless activity, is unlike any other. Its surrounding areas all look towards a buzzing core – the famous Las Vegas Strip – while the majority of its inhabitants work in the tourism industry. The whole city is geared towards receiving and catering for the millions of visitors who descend on it each year.
For decades, gambling was the mainstay of the city and the reason most people would visit. As its popularity swelled, so did the number of casinos, slot machines, free drinks and light-less days. Once such a reputation is earned, it is almost impossible to shake – and yet, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is attempting that very feat in a bid to reimagine and diversify the Vegas that we all know and love – or indeed, hate.
The new face of Sin City
Along with the rest of the country – and the world, in fact – Las Vegas suffered from a serious setback following the crash of 2008: with 67,000 properties having to shut up shop, Nevada was forced to deal with the biggest foreclosure rate in the whole of the US. After reeling from the loss, the state and the LVCVA embarked on a fresh approach and a huge marketing drive to promote a different image for Sin City. As such, in recent years Las Vegas has found a new lease of life and is attracting a far broader range of visitors than ever before.
Las Vegas suffered a serious setback following the crash of 2008. Nevada was forced to deal with the biggest foreclosure rate in the whole of the US
The success of this campaign is evidenced by last year’s record-breaking figures, which saw an incredible 42.3 million domestic and international visitors flood into Las Vegas. What’s especially interesting is that, during 2015, gambling revenue on the strip declined, accounting for only 34.9 percent of the city’s total revenue, according to the Gaming Control Board.
“While gaming continues to play an important role in Las Vegas’ visitation landscape, more than half of the destination’s current tourism revenue is generated by non-gaming experiences”, said Chris Meyer, VP of Global Business Sales at the LVCVA, in reference to the restaurants, accommodation, entertainment and other leisure activities within the city.
Importantly, 2015 does not appear to be an anomaly, given that gambling revenue for the strip has fallen for the second year in a row, indicating an ongoing trend could now be in full swing. This is demonstrated further by a recent visitor profile survey published by the LVCVA, which showed only 10 percent of those interviewed came to Las Vegas primarily to gamble.
In response, “several resort hotels, including properties like Vdara, Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, are currently operating as non-gaming venues”, Meyer told Business Destinations. Furthermore, “many traditional casino-hotels have also introduced towers and entrances that completely remove the need to walk through a casino floor in order to reach your room”.
The Fremont East Experience, Las Vegas
While gaming may still be the lifeline of Las Vegas, the push for diversification is clear, with events and trade shows constituting a significant part of this shift. And so, with more and more companies visiting the city each year thanks to its high-spec facilities, abundant choice and large spaces – not to mention its world-class entertainment options – the MICE industry has now become deeply ingrained in Las Vegas’ culture. Last year alone, 21,000 events were held in Las Vegas, which together drew in a whopping 5.9 million attendees. As Meyer told Business Destinations, such numbers mean the city has now been “recognised as the number one trade show destination in North America for a record 22 consecutive years”.
The MICE appeal of Las Vegas is helping the city’s ambition to become a world leading business destination. According to Meyer: “It’s huge for us, and a vital part of the Las Vegas economy, generating an estimated $9.3bn impact. The industry also supports 66,500 jobs, supporting $2.7bn in local salaries and wages.” In line with this increasingly important draw for tourists to Las Vegas, the LVCVA is spending $2.5bn to improve the 3.2 million sq ft Las Vegas Convention Centre District, with a $20m refurbishment already having been completed.
Meyer continued: “It’s so important to focus on the meetings and event industry, as it is predominantly these delegates that fill our hotel rooms midweek and spend more time in the city during their visit than our leisure travellers typically do. It’s not surprising that people are choosing the city to hold their meetings and events – after all, where else in the world can you experience the Grand Canyon, a world-class show and fantastic nightclubs and dining experiences, all in one day?”
Where to stay
Bellagio Hotel 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South 702 693 7111 bellagio.com
Perhaps best known for its world-famous Bellagio fountains – made up of more than 1,000 individual jets that soar up to 460ft into the air – the Bellagio Hotel is one of Las Vegas’ most prominent icons. Opened in 1998 at an original cost of $1.6bn, the hotel offers nearly 4,000 guest rooms, including 512 luxury suites. An extensive renovation was completed in 2015 at a cost of $165m, bringing the classic Las Vegas emblem up to date with state-of-the-art technology and stunning contemporary interiors. Further facilities include more than 100,000sq ft of gaming space (including 2,400 slot machines), five outdoor pools and two wedding chapels.
Vdara Hotel and Spa 2600 West Harmon Avenue 866 745 7111 vdara.com
The striking 57-storey tower that is home to Vdara Hotel and Spa offers 1,495 suites, ranging in price from $149 to $2,000 per night and offering spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip. Opened in 2009, the internationally inspired hotel offers the Las Vegas experience to visitors who prefer to enjoy the excitement of the city in an exclusive, non-gaming environment. Boasting a well-equipped spa and salon, 16,500sq ft of meeting space, a business services centre, valet parking services and a rooftop pool, Vdara continues to be one of the top-ranked hotels in Las Vegas.
Going downtown
Las Vegas’ downtown area is particularly crucial to the bid to mould a new cultural image for the city. In recent years, a great deal of investment has been poured into this area with the aim of rejuvenating and transforming it into a tourist attraction in its own right. Reinforcing this shift are the numerous start-ups that have been entering the area, together with a host of trendy restaurants and bars.
“The recent renaissance of Downtown Las Vegas (DTLV) is really exciting as we see the arts and culture investment pump new life into the veins of the area”, Meyer said. “When the Golden Gate Hotel opened at One Fremont Street in 1906 it really was the birth of the Las Vegas we know today. This deep-rooted history gives DTLV its unique identity, setting it apart from the Las Vegas Strip.”
The Fremont Street Experience is a terrific example of DTLV’s development, featuring street shows, special events and free concerts throughout the year that never fail to draw in an eclectic crowd. In 2012, the National Museum of Organised Crime and Law Enforcement (otherwise known as the Mob Museum) opened, offering tourists an intriguing insight into the impact the mob has had on both the city and the country. Moreover, now adding to the appeal of the street is the SlotZilla: a zip line that was installed in 2014 and was the first of its kind, allowing thrill-seekers to take off from a 12-storey-high slot machine to fly 1,700ft through a dazzling canopy of lights.
“One major success story for the area is the Smith Centre for the Performing Arts, home to the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra and Nevada Ballet Theatre”, said Meyer. “The Smith Centre also hosts the finest performances, from Broadway shows to world-class concerts, which has hugely helped put Las Vegas on the map as a cultural destination.”
Under the reign of owner and chef Saipin Chutima and her husband Bill, Lotus of Siam has become one of Las Vegas’ foremost northern Thai restaurants. With traditional recipes and a distinct cooking style passed down through generations, Chutima has created a menu consisting of hearty Thai-style stews and curries enriched with northern herbs and spices. Some of Lotus of Siam’s most popular dishes include its traditional garlic prawns, grilled salmon with red onions and peppers served in a homemade tangy sauce, and sai oua; northern Thai-style sausage made with ground pork, fresh herbs and an impressive amount of spice.
Joe’s Seafood Prime Steak & Stone Crab 3500 Las Vegas Boulevard South 702 792 9222 joes.net
More than 100 years since Joseph ‘Joe’ Weiss set up Joe’s Stone Crab on the front porch of his house in Miami Beach, Joe’s remains one of the US’ most beloved restaurants. The Las Vegas restaurant, opened in 2004, is famous for its fresh stone crab sourced from the Gulf of Mexico, crispy fried shrimp, jumbo lobster tails and Florida key lime pie. The restaurant also serves a variety of prime steaks and grilled meats, ranging from marinated skirt steak with shishito peppers and lime butter to double-cut Colorado lamb chops, served with mint chimichurri.
Investing in DTLV In the hope of further revitalising the area, CEO of online clothing and shoe store Zappos, Tony Hsieh, took a huge gamble by relocating to Las Vegas in 2010, investing around $350m in the process. Following his creation of the Downtown Project – a group of over 300 companies and entrepreneurs working to make DTLV a place of innovation and inspiration – Hsieh began the ground-breaking rebranding of DTLV with the idea of the Container Park: the popular space is filled with shipping containers and modular cubes that have been repurposed into boutique shops, cafés, galleries, bars, restaurants and other small businesses, while there is also a play area for children and an outdoor space that showcases a variety of live events.
Hsieh has also invested millions into acquiring properties, land, apartments, accommodation units and retail and office spaces, thus turning a neglected area into one that now thrives with economic activity.
“Another $50m went to Vegas Tech Fund [now called VTF Capital], with investments in more than 100 tech companies, and… the last $50m [was invested] into arts and culture, education and healthcare initiatives”, said Maria Phelan, Director of Public Relations at the Downtown Project. “For the most part, our holdings are located in and around the Fremont East Entertainment District, and our goal and purpose is to help make DTLV a place of inspiration, entrepreneurial energy, creativity, innovation, upward mobility and discovery, through the three Cs of collisions, co-learning and connectedness, in a long-term, sustainable way.
Although Vegas’ gambling identity has certainly not faded away, it is no longer the one and only face of the city
“Downtown Project was able to make a large infusion of capital in a relatively short period of time – it was officially founded in January 2012 – and that has catalysed quite a bit of change. The area has certainly gotten safer: Downtown Project has invested in a number of businesses that are family friendly, and in a lot of individual entrepreneurs and innovators. Now we’re starting to see other individuals and developers taking an interest in the area and making their own investments.
“Everything in DTLV is changing so quickly that it will likely look very different in just a few short years. As the area becomes more popular and the various districts grow and develop, both tourists and locals are realising there is a vibrant community away from the Strip, with its own set of unique, fun businesses and experiences. In addition to the Fremont East Entertainment District, DTLV is home to the 18b Art District, the municipal, legal, and justice corridors, Symphony Park and more, and we’re happy to see all of those areas growing and becoming more successful all the time”.
Another strategic move played by Downtown Project was to buy the rights to the popular music festival First Friday, in addition to backing the Life is Beautiful festival. This enabled the group to tap into the theme of Las Vegas now being a place of inspiration and creativity, and as such enhanced the city’s departure from its days as a sordid playground.
In fact, millennials and families have become a target audience for this revitalised city. According to Meyer: “Our average visitor is skewing slightly younger than in previous years. Millennials visiting Las Vegas are drawn by the sunshine, famous DJs, music festivals, day clubs and nightlife. Our entertainment offering is also a key attraction for this age group, with headlining acts such as Britney Spears, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez kicking off residencies on the Strip and appealing to this younger demographic.”
Where to meet
Las Vegas Convention Centre 3150 Paradise Road 702 892 0711 lvcva.com
Covering a total area of 3.2 million sq ft (including two million sq ft of exhibition space) and hosting thousands of events annually, the Las Vegas Convention Centre is one of the busiest such facilities in the world. Situated adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip, the centre is located within three miles of over 100,000 guest rooms and most of the city’s major attractions, making it an ideal location for events of any size. The centre is well known for its wide range of facilities, such as its 144 meeting rooms (which alone equate to more than 241,000sq ft of event space) and grand lobby area.
Sands Expo & Convention Centre 201 Sands Avenue 702 733 5556 sandsexpo.com
Located adjacent to the world-famous Venetian and Palazzo hotels, the Sands Expo and Convention Centre offers more than 7,000 suites, along with exquisite restaurants, entertainment, shopping and nightlife, all under one vast roof. Boasting more than 2.25 million sq ft of flexible meeting and exhibition space, Sands is able to provide an impressive array of services to meeting organisers and attendees, including catering and cleaning services, audio-visual expertise, and electrical and plumbing assistance. Sands’ catering team offers an immense, customisable menu and is capable of hosting groups of up to 13,000 people at one time.
Paradise city
Las Vegas also has a budding food culture, which is growing with fervour year upon year, as evidenced by the number and variety of new restaurants popping up. According to Meyer: “Long gone are the days of dining in 24-hour buffets. Las Vegas now plays host to some of the finest restaurants in the world, and every year more and more top chefs are putting their name to the city in the form of a new dining concepts and restaurants. Of course buffets still exist, but even these restaurants are starting to adopt a higher quality in cuisine. Celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, Wolfgang Puck, Alan Duchasse, Daniel Boulud, Joël Robuchon, Nobu Matsuhisa and Julian Serrano all have restaurants in the city – just to name a few.”
As Meyer mentioned, the city’s emerging food scene offers far more than just traditional dining, with several key events emerging throughout the social calendar. One such example is the popular wine and gourmet festival, Uncork’d by Bon Appétit, which showcases a line-up of renowned chefs, cookery workshops, gastronomic experiences, themed feasts and intimate dinners. With food culture taking on a life of its own in recent years across the entire globe, tapping into this escalating trend is another element of the city’s new direction. Moreover, outdoor recreation spaces are also appearing in unlikely places. For example, the LINQ opened at the centre of the Strip in 2014, offering an open-air resort that features shops, restaurants, bowling alleys, bars and, at its core, the High Roller – the world’s tallest observation wheel.
Container Park, in Downtown Las Vegas
In April of the same year, MGM Resorts International revealed the Park, a tranquil area of plazas and promenades in between the New York-New York Hotel and the Monte Carlo that is filled with trees, desert landscaping, water features and artwork. Echoing this growing trend further is the recent announcement made by Wynn Resorts of its own outdoor recreation area, the Wynn Paradise Park; a 38-acre lagoon lined with white sand beaches that will offer visitors a chance to experience an array of water sports. It is projects such as these that help to provide an entirely different appeal for Vegas as a destination.
A change of direction
Las Vegas has always been unique: it is a city that never sleeps, beckoning travellers from all across the globe. Although its gambling identity has certainly not faded away, it is no longer the one and only face of the city.
The LVCVA, along with numerous investors, hotel groups and leisure companies, set about a highly ambitious plan not so long ago to instigate a transition for Las Vegas; one that would entail an evolution of sorts. And it appears to be working: as the Disneyland of the MICE industry, the highly popular destination is a huge attraction for corporate travel, while it has also become a cultural hotspot, showcasing an abundance of the arts.
What’s more, the city and its supporters are cleverly tapping into highly popular global trends, such as the foodie scene and a renewed interest in outdoor activities, attracting a vast range of people from all countries and age groups.
The new and improved city really does have something for everyone, and what’s more, it is no longer just the city of sin. Las Vegas is now cool – really cool.
Las Vegas city diary
SlotZilla zip line Fremont Street From $20
One of Las Vegas’ most popular new attractions, SlotZilla gives visitors the chance to hurtle down the glittering Fremont Street on a 1,700ft-long zip wire, landing at the historic Golden Gate Casino. At 12 stories tall, the multimillion-dollar SlotZilla – the zip wire’s starting point – is the largest slot machine in the world.
Fremont Street Experience light shows Free
The gigantic, 1,500ft-long video screen at the famous Fremont Street Experience is the biggest in the world. Made up of more than 12.5 million LED lamps, the screen displays a free six-minute show every hour from dusk onwards, lighting up the entire strip with the most spectacular audio-visual displays imaginable.
Neon Museum 770 Las Vegas Boulevard North $18
The Neon Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of Las Vegas’ world-famous neon signs. The site includes the outdoor exhibition space known as the ‘neon bone yard’, a visitor centre inside the former La Concha Motel lobby, and the North Gallery, which houses a rare supply of rescued signs.
Banger Brewing tours 450 Fremont Street Free
Dedicated to the art of creating great tasting, locally brewed craft beer, Banger Brewing is one of the city’s most vibrant breweries. Established by five friends with a shared love of drinking beer in the city they love, the brewery offers free tours along with a variety of special events, such as an ‘all you can drink all day’ deal for $30.
Mob Museum 300 Stewart Avenue $19.95 in advance
The Mob Museum is devoted to preserving and conveying the history of the Las Vegas mob. Providing a world-class interactive journey from the birth of the mob to the shadows and whispers that still fill today’s headlines, the museum provides an authentic look at the continuing battle between the mob and the law.
The Tank 129 East Fremont Street $30
Touted as the best pool in Downtown Las Vegas, the Tank is a $30m complex complete with its own 200,000 gallon shark tank. Private tours of the shark tank are available once a week, while the Tank’s three-storey waterslide – which features a clear passage through the shark enclosure – is open daily.
The Berlin Wall 200 North Main Street Free
Chunks of the Berlin Wall have found their way across much of the world, but the men’s bathroom in Main Street Station Hotel – where large chunks of the wall are on display – offers perhaps one of the most unusual chances to see it up close. Women may also ask to be escorted into the bathroom for a closer look at the memorial.
National Atomic Testing Museum 755 East Flamingo Road $22
Nevada’s history as a testing site for atomic bombs is explored at the National Atomic Testing Museum. Showcasing some of the rarest artefacts tied to this controversial programme, which began in 1951 and still runs to this day, the museum displays large nuclear reactors and personal atomic weapons across 8,000sq ft of exhibition space.
The Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Centre is among the most well-known hotel brands in the city – and in Turkey in general – as well as being one of the oldest. Business Destinations spoke to Joerg U Limper, General Manager of Sheraton Ankara, who explained how the hotel has achieved and retained its status through hard work, dedication to taking care of guests, clients, customers and associates, and occupying some of the most iconic buildings in the city.
Alongside this, Limper also spoke about the changing profile of guests in the hotel, reflected on wider trends in the region, and on how the Sheraton Ankara – which has been named Best Business Hotel, Turkey in the 2016 Business Destinations Travel Awards – views the new culture of online reviews.
Sheraton Ankara is often said to be the iconic symbol of the city – why is that so?
Sheraton Ankara has been the symbol of the city with its cylindrical shape since its opening in 1991. The hotel is a significant tower dominating a public neighbourhood park, which is a reminder of the former Kavaklıdere wine cellars that were located in the open landscape. In order to emphasise the position of the tower, wide, open steps lead up to the Sheraton from the busy boulevard, where the entrance to the Karum shopping mall is located. A watercourse ripples along these steps, all the way from the top down to the round well temple. The hotel forecourt has also been designed as an attractive, roofed-over well.
Our meeting spaces have been created to inspire and provide the perfect setting for any event, while offering state-of-the-art equipment
In order to retain the luxury of the neighbourhood park, the large parking garage has been sunk into the sloping ground. The hotel is located on a historic site called Kavaklıdere: it is the sophisticated and intellectual face of Ankara. A visit to the Sheraton Ankara is a historical and trendy journey to the capital of Turkey.
What demographic of clientele are drawn to the Sheraton Ankara, and why?
After 25 years of building and nurturing relations with the community, Sheraton Ankara has succeeded in becoming a celebrated meeting place in the capital city. Highly esteemed state visitors, royalty, corporate CEOs, renowned international fairs and congresses, and talk of the town events have all been part of our history.
In the 90s, we used to receive more tourists on their way to and from Cappadocia, as well as other attractions in and around the city. Today we receive more tourists from the Middle East – primarily related to health tourism, which is a growing trend in the city. This trend and the city’s efforts to market the many shopping malls also add to the domestic and international clientele portfolio.
What are the hotel’s key milestones, especially with regards to enhancing the experience of guests?
Sheraton Ankara guests are sophisticated global travellers – socialites. They are successful, enjoy life and are connected. They also expect a flawless service while enjoying freedom in private and in business. The journey at the Sheraton starts at the Lobby Bar, continues to Brasserie One and concludes at Copper Sports Bar into the early hours of the morning. The 24-hour Health Club, with the latest fitness equipment and a large glass dome-covered pool, sauna and Jacuzzi area, as well as massage facilities, invite our guest to relax and rejuvenate. Our meeting spaces have been created to inspire and provide the perfect setting for any event, while offering state-of-the-art equipment.
What role does the skill and experience of your management team play in your success?
Skilled and experienced managers are an important factor in the success of a business. However, it is people who create successes, and a skilled management team is able to combine people’s skills and foster team work in order to create and achieve success, which over the years has been our mantra.
Travellers often look to online reviews to decide where to stay – how have your online review reactions been?
It is important to understand consumer trends and attitudes towards online reviews. More consumers read online reviews and, more importantly, people trust the online reviews as if they were personal recommendations. Word of mouth has been a powerful source of business referrals, but the speed of the internet has added a new level to the common practice. There are many articles on the internet – the studies, the numbers, etc – but behind all the figures is the human factor.
The Sheraton Ankara’s rooms provide luxurious amenities while still retaining a traditional Turkish style
Whether a good or a bad experience, it is a guest or client of ours who has taken the time and effort to write and express their feelings. Mostly we receive positive feedback from our guests and clients. Mainly they appreciate our service, hospitality and ideal location, as well as the view from our Club Lounge, the well-equipped gym, comfortable beds and our associates remembering their name, which makes them be part of our extended family, as well as being located within walking distance from many main areas and features in and around Cankaya.
How does the Sheraton Ankara cater to the demands of guests looking for high-quality, local food?
Turkey is a very rich culinary country; we have fresh ingredients all throughout the year. Our chef and his team are taking these ingredients to prepare homemade, local tastes at our restaurants, as well as at our banquet operations. Our restaurant menu is composed of two parts and the larger portion is dedicated to local food: grilled plates, fresh Mediterranean salads, meze platters, cold vegetable dishes cooked in olive oil and Turkish desserts are our classics. For our Turkish guests, it is as if they are eating at home, and for international guests it is an experience that will not be easily forgotten. Our guests appreciate the seasonal flavours as well as established traditional fares.
Who are some of the most prestigious guests to have stayed at the Sheraton Ankara over the years?
We do have a long list of kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers. A quick list shows a very small selection of the VIPs we have had over the 25 years of operations. Included on this are a long list of royalty, such as: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh; Haakon Magnus, Crown Prince of Norway; Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, King of Bahrain; and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait.
Key presidents of some of the most powerful nations in the world have also graced us with their presence, such as former US Secretary of State and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, as well as President Barack Obama. The former president of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, has also been a guest.
Our best moment over the years was probably in August 2014, when we hosted 23 foreign delegations at the same time for the presidential change ceremony. It was unbelievably exciting, honourable and professionally fulfilling.
In a city of awe-inspiring ambition and unsurpassed luxury, the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is one of the most desirable destinations for business and leisure travellers. At a height of 355 metres, it is the tallest hotel in the world. Featuring the highest level of comfort, technology, personal service and cutting edge business facilities for discerning travellers, the JW Marriott Marquis has won 50 industry and media awards since it opened in 2012.
The two hotel towers have been designed to resemble a date palm, a symbol highly evocative of sophisticated Arabian culture. In particular, the hotel towers replicate the intricate details of the palm’s trunk. Sitting atop two basement levels, a ground floor and a seven-level podium, the towers have been carefully positioned to allow the best views of the Burj Khalifa, Business Bay and the glittering waters of the Persian Gulf. The towers comprise 66 guest floors, eight service levels and six intermediate levels, plus the rooftop, which altogether create an overall built-up area of 3.525m sq ft.
At a height of 355 metres, the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is the tallest hotel in the world
The JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is located in the heart of the city on the buzzing Sheikh Zayed Road, close to the downtown area and Business Bay while situated only 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport. Within its 1,608 rooms, the hotel offers 236 Club Suites and four two-level Royal Suites.
All of the rooms across both towers are modern and elegant in design with an emphasis on space, luxury and comfort. Woven into the foundation of every room is the absolute latest in technology, including LCD televisions, BOSE speakers, wireless internet and touchscreen room controls.
A haven for health and wellness, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai’s Saray Spa is set across more than 4,300sq m of space, featuring 17 treatment rooms, including men’s and women’s Hammams, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, saunas, spacious relaxation areas and the UAE’s only Dead Sea floatation pool.
Exemplary meetings
JW Marriott Marquis Dubai prides itself on orchestrating outstanding events, with its professional catering team providing everything from innovative concepts to bespoke menus, guaranteeing that every event runs seamlessly. With over 8,000sq m of indoor and outdoor event space, the hotel can accommodate both small and large events, meetings and conferences.
With the largest LED screen in the UAE, two flexible ballrooms, 32 modern meeting rooms and three stunning outdoor spaces with incredible views, the hotel provides top-notch venues for any event or occasion. The JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is the only hotel in the Middle East where up to 1,000 people can meet, sleep and dine in a single location.
JW Marriott Marquis is a unique destination of exceptional taste, playing host to an inspiring collection of 14 award-winning restaurants, bars and lounges. From Rang Mahal by Atul Kochhar (run by the world’s first Michelin-starred Indian chef) to Garden (the vibrant Peruvian restaurant voted as one of the city’s best newcomers by Time Out Dubai) to brunch at Prime68 (the modern, American steakhouse on the 68th floor with impeccable views of the city), the hotel is a melting pot of authentic international cuisines.
Bill Keffer is General Manager of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
When Gstaad Palace first opened its doors in 1913, it was celebrated as a modern hospitality icon, offering its guests the most luxurious and innovative amenities available. More than a century later, the hotel has become known as a classical masterpiece, continuing to deliver some of the finest service in the region.
The 102-year-old turreted landmark in Switzerland’s Saanenland valley, which combines contemporary glamour with natural alpine beauty, today rests in the hands of the third generation of the Scherz family. The dedicated owners are committed to maintaining the original objectives of their lineage: satisfying guests’ every need and creating a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. These key goals are recorded in the hotel’s official maxim: ‘Every guest is a king, and every king is a guest’.
Gstaad Palace has become known as a classical masterpiece, delivering some of the finest service in the region
Winter warmth
Today, the Gstaad name is synonymous with sophistication and luxury, providing indulgent holidays in an unspoiled natural environment. Offering a unique juxtaposition between modernity and tradition, Gstaad Palace makes a point of supporting traditional lifestyles, crafts and architectural forms.
The enormous, far-reaching appeal of this simultaneously stylish and traditional resort has been summarised time and time again with the German word gemütlich: warm, restful and friendly. As a result, the hotel’s guest list from the past century reads like a who’s who of the international jet set, having for decades drawn Hollywood names, European presidents and managing directors of globally renowned firms to its halls. When visiting the alpine resort, Julie Andrews, actress and long-time resident of the area, described it as the “last paradise in a crazy world”.
Nestled in an environment that couldn’t be more inviting to groups and business clienteles, Gstaad’s unique Rent-a-Palace scheme gives visiting delegates the chance to hold the keys to one of the world’s last family-owned luxury hotels in their own hands. Reserving the entire Gstaad Palace is an appealing alternative for large groups and conference assemblies, providing exclusive access to the historic resort and its facilities.
During such a stay, guests are guaranteed the full attention of the hotel’s dedicated staff, privacy for all meetings and events, a luxurious setting complete with spectacular views of the Alps, and a vast selection of corporate amenities and recreational facilities within easy access. There are five conference rooms on site, ranging in size from 200sq ft to more than 2,000, and all meeting rooms are fully equipped with the resort’s own high-specification technical conference equipment.
Alpine amenities
Gstaad Palace’s 100 guest rooms and suites offer majestic mountain vistas, while its five different restaurants are famous for the culinary delights provided by the hotel’s award winning executive chef, Peter Wyss. Guests also have use of the hotel’s expansive Palace Spa, which ranks among the most beautiful in the Alps, as well as four tennis courts, a squash court and Gstaad Palace’s own nightclub, GreenGo.
In the Gstaad region, guests have access to a unique selection of first-class activities set in idyllic natural surroundings. Countless leisure time opportunities are on offer, including heli-skiing, hot air ballooning, river rafting and canyoning. Alpine authenticity, proudly maintained traditions and a touch of glamour give the area an unmatchable air of beauty, making Gstaad so refreshingly different from the rest of the world.
The Carlton Hotel is a haven of luxury located in the centre of St Moritz. Declared Switzerland’s Best Ski Hotel for the third year in a row at the World Ski Awards, 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 end of March 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.
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 45 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 St Moritz, with some of the rooms’ 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.
A stay at this gem in the St Moritz crown offers far more than just a pleasant visit with all the usual amenities
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 is home to 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, traditional 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 Hotel Managers Dominic and Laurence Bachofen – to personally attend to the individual needs of each and every guest, guaranteeing complete satisfaction from every visitor.
With their personable and professional approach, sincere commitment and proficiency in several languages, the hotel’s discreet staff help to convey 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.
The global meetings and events industry is constantly challenged and enriched by new initiatives that increase participants’ energy levels. One particularly well-documented method is the implementation of activities that rest the mind through exposure to nature – something that invigorates travellers and refreshes their ability to be alert and receptive.
The unique power of Iceland lies in its combination of nature, culture and local mentality. Each of these elements serves as the perfect backdrop for a memorable and effective event: visitors will talk about the palpable dynamism, diversity and authenticity that lend the island its otherworldliness. Iceland’s spiritual inspiration is one of its strongest assets.
Mingling with locals
In Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital city, there are various meeting facilities to choose from, many of which offer stunning natural views. Visitors should expect to have the opportunity to explore their surroundings and experience the true natural wonders that exist just outside the city limits during their stay. Unlike many major European cities, whose size can be intimidating and isolating, Reykjavik has a small-scale urban centre that is easy to navigate. The hassle-free city centre is clean and has a low crime rate, and is brimming with restaurants, shops, culture and nightlife.
Iceland’s spiritual inspiration is one of its strongest assets
Visiting delegates often enjoy interacting with the friendly and hospitable locals, many of whom speak fluent English as their second language. The locals are known for their approachability, and business travellers often find that they can learn something from the local mind set. Brynja Laxdal, Director of Marketing at Meet in Reykjavik Convention Bureau, told Business Destinations: “We Icelanders have a real can-do attitude. We live by the motto þetta reddast, or ‘it will all work out okay’, meaning that we embrace every challenge we are faced with – and, thanks to relatively little red tape and our professionalism, we are able to accomplish many difficult tasks.”
Over the past few years, Iceland has emerged as one of Europe’s most dynamic gastronomic destinations, full of exciting places offering thrilling new recipes. The most important ingredient in Icelandic cuisine is location: the island is blessed with an abundance of fresh water, clean nature and fertile fishing grounds, while geothermal energy supplies a year-round offering of fresh vegetables, which are grown locally and organically.
Nature’s backyard
Reykjavik is nestled among stunning landscapes, and in just one day visitors can experience glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes, lava fields, geysers, hot springs and fjords, all enhanced by winter’s northern lights or summer’s midnight sun. Meet in Reykjavik Convention Bureau’s wide network of suppliers offers the resources and know-how to design unforgettable itineraries amid this breathtaking scenery, with activities such a snowmobiling, white water rafting, horseback riding, hiking, glacier tours, whale watching and cave exploration. Wellness options within the island’s geothermal spas, such as the Blue Lagoon, are also on offer. The island’s destination management companies have years of experience in Icelandic conditions, so planners can be confident that every precaution will be taken to ensure the enjoyment and safety of participants.
In recent times, Iceland has begun to attract more and more conference delegates than other, previously more popular destinations, indicating a shift in interest towards the island. Conveniently located midway between North America and Europe, the country is easily accessible, with direct air connections to 80 destinations across both continents. It is also much closer than you might think, located four-to-five hours from the US’ East Coast and two-to-three hours from much of Europe.
When travelling on business, we like to cultivate our curiosity and find moments that take our breath away. Iceland is a destination that fulfils professional requirement while providing these memorable stories – the unique combination that every event planner looks for.
