Do you get many incentive groups from France?
Judith Nijssen - There is currently no direct connection, so Maastricht is not often 'on the map' for French customers. However, we often receive international groups visiting the city after a convention in Amsterdam, for example.
What attracts them to Maastricht?
J. N. - Maastricht isn't a big city, but there's plenty to see and do. When you ask people in Amsterdam where they prefer to spend the weekend, it's usually Maastricht. For them, it's a bit 'abroad' in their own country. And the MICE world is starting to take note. I've just received a delegation preparing a major pharmaceutical conference for next year. They were looking for places to hold dinners for 200 people and they were really amazed at the range of possibilities.
Do you have the hotel capacity to accommodate so many people?
J. N. - We have 3,500 rooms, which is a lot for a city of 170,000 inhabitants. We don't have five stars, because our hotels are in historic buildings and often spread over several buildings. This original configuration means that the 'five-star' distinction cannot be applied. But the service is of the same standard.
Dossier - Maastricht: the whole history of Europe is here
Maastricht, the whole history of Europe is here
- "After a convention in Amsterdam": Judith Nijssen, Maastricht Convention Bureau
