After a sharp drop in activity following the Covid-19 epidemic, Mice activity is picking up again in Alsace, buoyed by the dynamism of Strasbourg and the promotional organisation Meet in Alsace. "With 31 projects supported in September and 25 in mid-October, we are back on track. pre-crisis levels" underlines Mireille DartusDirector of the Strasbourg Convention Bureau. This comes as a relief after the 218 requests managed in 2020 compared to 430 in 2019.
Through personalised contacts and scouting, the convention bureau is pulling out all the stops to attract organisers and win out over rival destinations. meetings and team-buildings These events are designed to bring together colleagues and business associates, and to re-create links. While the size of groups has not returned to pre-crisis levels, Strasbourg is also playing the cross-border market card, with an increase in transactions from Belgium, Germany and even Switzerland.
Confidence is also high for 2022, given the postponements and new requests. Many of these are linked to the France's Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. The congresses will also resume in 2022, the last one scheduled for this year having been cancelled a few weeks ago because of health regulations for participants from afar and borders that are still closed internationally. " We are already working on the period 2023-2025" adds Mireille Dartus.
Strasbourg's new Parc Expo to be delivered in mid-2022
To make a difference, Strasbourg is also banking on its new products with the opening of the 123-room Aloft Strasbourg Etoile hotel (Marriott group) in 2020 and, this year, the residence Citadines Eurométropole Strasbourg housing 166 studios and 400 m2 of modular lounges, as well as the Léonor Hotel. Located in the city centre, this 4-star design hotel has been converted from a 19th-century mansion that was once a court house and more recently a police station. The challenge was to fit out 116 rooms and suites, as well as 4 large function rooms for up to 120 people and a gourmet restaurant run by the Ducs d'Alsace team.
However, the main course in mid-2022 will include the inauguration of the Parc ExpoThis is the work of architects Kengo Kuma & Associates, who designed the stadium for the Tokyo Olympic Games. This facility, comprising 5 halls managed by GL Events will benefit from its proximity to the Marriott Hotel (250 rooms) and the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès, which has been equipped with a state-of-the-art audiovisual platform to meet the demand for hybrid events.
Mulhouse in an intermediate position
But when it comes to MICE, Alsace also means MulhouseThe city is easily accessible by TGV high-speed train and by air thanks to the airport platform shared with Baselits Swiss neighbour. In the absence of a convention centre, Alsace's second-largest city is playing the medium-sized residential seminars, combined with outdoor activities if required. " Mulhouse is well placed to host events with up to 500 or 600 participants" says Nathalie Birling, Director of the Convention Bureau.
The city has a number of new features this autumn. The first is the opening of a 180-seat auditorium in the historic Société Industrielle de Mulhouse (SIM) building, which is an excellent addition to its range of meeting rooms. The second is in accommodation, with the opening of the Best Western Plus Au Cheval Blanc hotel, which has taken advantage of the health crisis to create a spa and renovate its 83 rooms as well as its 20-person meeting room. With 99 rooms, the 4* Golden Tulip Mulhouse Bâle also benefited from the renovation of its 4 modular lounges of 30 and 50 m2 (up to 140 people).
Colmar plays on Alsace's charm
Situated between these two great Alsatian sisters, let's not forget Colmar, a city of art and history full of charm, with its colourful half-timbered houses and no fewer than 6 museums, including the one dedicated to the Issenheim Altarpiece, its worldwide 'star'. Above all, Colmar is the capital of Alsace wines and the starting point for the 170km-long famous wine route. Mice activity there is picking up more slowlyThis has been impacted by the closure of half of all hotels until September 2021. " However, confirmations are made at the last minute." says Olivia Gobilliard-Schreck, head of partnerships at Colmar Tourist Office, where business tourism has become a new priority, mobilising a team of 3 people.
The town has plenty to offer, with a modern convention centreThe city also boasts a number of historic buildings suitable for events (theatre, Catherinettes, Musée Unterlinden, Confrérie Saint-Etienne, etc.), not to mention the 5 rooms of the Ecomusée d'Alsace. Finally, although Colmar already has 1,900 hotel rooms, it will benefit in its recovery from the events business of theopening of the Esquisse hotela superb 5* arty hotel with 62 rooms, suites and flats.
Close to the canals of Little Venice and bordering the Champ de Mars park, this establishment is both a place to work with and a place to relax. 3 lounges for events of up to 90 peopleA gastronomic stopover with JY'S, the restaurant of Michelin-starred chef Jean-Yves Schillinger, and a wellness retreat with a 500m2 Spa. All of which adds to the destination's top-of-the-range offering, which now includes 4 5-star establishments.
