Month: June 2012

The statistics on international congresses in 2011 just published by the Union of International Associations (UIA) once again – like the year before – rank Vienna in fourth place worldwide.

The first four places in the UIA 2011 statistics remained unchanged compared to 2010: the table was once again headed by Singapore, which achieved 919 international congresses according to the UIA criteria, followed by Brussels (464), Paris (336) and Vienna (286). The other cities in the top ten were Seoul, Budapest, Tokyo, Barcelona, Berlin and Geneva. In the countries ranking, where the USA (744) pushed Singapore into second place last year, Austria moved up from tenth place in 2010 to eighth place. Almost three quarters (74%) of the 390 international congress events recorded for Austria were held in Vienna.

Christian Mutschlechner, Director of the Vienna Tourist Board’s Vienna Convention Bureau, made the following comment on this ranking: “The competition for international congresses is getting stiffer from year to year, with more and more destinations entering the race. But Vienna has demonstrated consistency here. This is demonstrated no only by its ability to retain fourth place in the UIA ranking and first place in the statistics of the International Congress and Convention Association – which uses another method of counting international congresses – but also by the fact that Vienna has already occupied a leading position in both rankings for decades now.”

fDi Magazine’s ranking list European Cities and Regions of the Future 2012/13 awards Greater Stockholm Region as Overall Winner in Europe for FDI.Stockholm is also Overall Winner for Quality of Life. The region is second in Business Friendliness and third in Economic Potential.

The redevelopment project of the East Wing of Terreiro do Paço has been carried out to provide a tourism hub to improve the city’s offer and host the increasing number of visitors frequenting this area of the Portuguese capital.  The venue will add new life to Baixa area of the city and complement the facilities already available in the West Wing at Patio da Galé.

Opened in June 2012, the new retail, recreational and cultural venues will reflect a modern, avant-garde capital that is also historical and authentic, with the aim of revitalizing the east side of Lisbon’s downtown area.

This venue will house several attractions, such as the Lisbon Story Centre – an exhibit centre dedicated to Lisbon’s history – five food and beverage establishments, a beer hall, restaurant, two cafes, bar, flower shop and a food court with an entertainment and events area.

The East Tower is being renovated to be used for corporate and private events. This venue (Torreão Nascente) is a unique venue that was once home to the Lisbon Stock Exchange.  It will be opened in September 2012.

The Pátio da Galé opened on the 25th Feb 2011 and has just won the Best Venue Prize at the Portugal Trade Awards 2012.  It overlooks the Tagus River and has a special entrance through the majestic Praça do Comércio/Trade Square. There are two rooms and the capacities are: Sala do Risco 1200 for a reception or 600 and Pátio da Galé 1800 for a reception or 1100 for a banquet.

Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, a subsidiary of US-based Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, has announced the opening of its first Sheraton branded hotel in Madrid, Spain.
The new Sheraton Madrid Mirasierra Hotel & Spa is part of the brand’s initiative to open around 60 hotels across the globe in next three years.

The Sheraton Madrid Mirasierra Hotel & Spa is located close to the city centre, and includes 180 guest rooms; an all-day dining restaurant; lobby bar; terrace lounge and pool bar. The hotel is also offering the brand’s signature Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance, a spacious spa and an indoor and outdoor pool; as well as Sheraton Club rooms and lounge.
Roeland Vos, the company president for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, said, ‘We are delighted to partner with Comercial Mirasierra Group as we debut the Sheraton brand in Madrid, an important business and leisure travel destination. The Sheraton Madrid Mirasierra is a wonderful addition to Sheraton’s global portfolio. This hotel further underlines Starwood’s commitment to continued growth in Spain.’

The hotel is offering a business centre and around 13,000 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom and eight conference rooms for hosting events and meetings. The hotel is also offering a signature, link @ sheraton, communication hub.

Hoyt H Harper II, the company global brand leader, said, ‘The Sheraton Madrid Mirasierra is emblematic of our continued focus to grow the Sheraton brand’s already robust presence globally by working with our proven development partners to ensure we have best-in-class properties wherever our guests want to travel.’

The Portuguese capital once again joins the Traveller’s Choice list by TripAdvisor.  Users of this important tourism site recommend Lisbon as one of the best European destinations for 2012, distinguishing the city’s diverse tourism offer.   Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice 2012 list ranks Lisbon in 11th place, ahead of destinations such as Venice (12th), Edinburgh (13th) and Madrid (14th). The top 10 is headed by London, followed by Rome, Paris, Istanbul, Barcelona, Berlin, Florence, Prague, Dublin and Amsterdam.

From 12th century cathedrals to modern bridges over the River Tagus, 18th century aqueducts to the futuristic Gare do Oriente, Lisbon “travels in time”, explains TripAdvisor. Highlights also include the neighbourhoods of the Mouraria, Alfama and Bairro Alto, as well as the many museums, outdoor markets, elevators, the Castle and of course, Fado.

Characterized by a diverse and high quality tourism offer, rich heritage and unique unsurpassed natural beauty, the Portuguese capital has recently been a constant presence in key specialty rankings, as well as the national and international media, confirming this destination’s increasing attraction.

In June, the city’s tourism offer will be strengthened with the inauguration of the East Wing of Terreiro do Paço, the setting of the biggest events in the history of Portugal, which will once again become the meeting point of the Portuguese capital.