Month: October 2012

Why choose Barcelona … Barcelona is one of the most important cities in Europe for corporate events and here’s why …  9 UNESCO heritage sites, 4.5km of sandy beaches, Formula One, over 300 hotels, over 35,000 shops and 9 Michelin starred restaurants!

 

The Hofburg is home to the finest ballroom in Vienna, if not the whole world. On 31 December 2012 it will welcome guests from across the globe to the glittering premiere of LE GRAND BAL of the HOFBURG Vienna, and get the New Year off to an elegant and stylish start.

The name LE GRAND BAL of the HOFBURG Vienna itself is an unabashed declaration of love for ball tradition and a testament to its French roots. This year, guests plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style and strike out in a new direction that incorporates classic elements of traditional Viennese ball culture and an exquisite gala dinner. The centrepiece of the evening’s entertainment is a carefully stagecrafted – and unforgettable – night of ballroom dancing and glamour.

Italy raises VAT 1% to 22% from July 2013

The Italian government has announced plans yesterday to halve its planned 2% VAT increase scheduled for 2013.  The Italian standard VAT rate will now rise from 21% to 22% from 1 July 2013.  The reduced VAT rate will increase from 10% to 11%.  The super reduced rate will remain at 4%.

The original 2013 2% VAT rise was proposed in December 2011 as a measure to assure nervous financial markets.  It followed a 1% increase to 21% in September 2011 at the start of the latest Euro crisis.

Since that announcement, the technocrat government of Premier Monti has made great strides in reducing government spending, partially in an effort to avoid the 2% rise.  As recently as September the belief was that the rise would not be needed.

However, yesterday the latest budget measures emerged confirming an Italian 1% rise in 2013.  It is estimated that this change in the rise will cost around Euro 3.3 billion per annum.

In addition to the changes in VAT rate, there will also be a cut in income taxes.

 

Barcelona posted a 15 per cent increase in average room rate to £118 in April 2012, contributing to a 23 per cent increase in REVPAR. Conferences such as the International Liver Congress, as well as high-profile sports events including major Barcelona football fixtures at the Nou Camp against Chelsea and Real Madrid and the Cursa El Corte Ingles run, contributed to the increase in business.

EIBTM is extending the show’s remit this year to include an education programme and business travel pavilion for corporate buyers. The pavilion will provide a dedicated meeting area for exhibitors to showcase their products to visitors and buyers with a responsibility for corporate and business travel. EIBTM takes place from 27-29 November in Barcelona.

The Grass Roots Meetings Industry Report found that Barcelona has seen four-star rates increase by 30% in 2012 to date.

Mobile World Congress is the largest exhibition, conference and networking event for the technology industry and for 2013 it is moving to a new venue! It’s new home will be Fira Gran Via in Barcelona and it will run from 25-28 February 2013.

Lesser Town Bridge Tower is closed for repairs from 11 October 2012 to 20 January 2013 . Tourist Information Centre, which is run by the Prague Information Service, remains open until the end of the summer tourist season, until 28 October 2012.

The Marriott & Renaissance Hotels in Vienna convince with flexibility and professionalism. The properties have unveiled their new special offers:

Vienna Marriott Hotel

     EUR 189,- per room per night

Imperial Riding School Renaissance Vienna Hotel

     EUR 119,- per room per night

Renaissance Wien Hotel

     EUR 99,- per room per night

Rates are including breakfast and internet access in guest rooms.

Valid upon request and availibility. Applies to new bookings with a minimum of 10 rooms for stays as of now until February 28th, 2013 exclusively.