Bratislava: Central Europe's other MICE destination

Two major dates have shaped contemporary Slovakia: 1993 and the birth of a new independent nation, definitively separated from the Czech Republic, and 2004, just 20 years ago, the year the country officially joined the European Union. in the European Union. These two events turned the page on a post-war period spent 40 years under the yoke of strict communism, supported by the presence of Soviet troops.

Slovakia's independence and European identity have led to unprecedented economic growth. Growth even accelerated when the country joined the Schengen area in 2007 and the euro in 2009. While GDP per capita was €8,595 in 2004, last year it stood at €22,631. That's growth of 165%!

With lower labour and location costs than in many Western European countries, Slovakia has attracted investors. As a result, it has become one of the major production centres for the global automotive industry. Stellantis (ex-PSA Peugeot Citroën), for example, has invested €1 billion in its production plant here. France is also one of the main foreign investors in Slovakia, with around 400 subsidiaries of French companies. Another French heavyweight, telecoms giant Orange, has invested more than €1.1 billion in the country.

The capital is reaping the full benefits of this economic boom, Bratislava. As the only major metropolis with a population of 470,000, it is the richest region in the country. Unemployment is three times lower than the national average (2.3% compared with 5.8%), while the average wage is 22% higher than the national average.

Reminiscent of the Austro-Hungarian Empire...

Bratislava has long remained in the shadow of Vienna, just 60km from the Slovak capital. The city is adjacent to the border with Austria and benefits fully from the transport infrastructure that links it to its western neighbour. This is particularly true for air transport, with Bratislava airport remaining marginal (see box). " The vast majority of international visitors arriving by air land at Vienna airport. It takes less than 45 minutes to get to the heart of our city" says David Pobjecky, Director of the Bratislava Convention Bureau.

The city's rich past has been shaped by its role as a crossroads between Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. This is probably one of the city's best assets for organisers of a incentive travel. Bratislava is in fact a pure product of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. In fact, the city used to have three names. It was called Poszony in Hungarian, Pressburg in German and Bratislava. The old town still boasts a number of Baroque palaces from this era, which would not be out of place in Vienna or Salzburg. Strolling through the narrow streets of the old town, you can still discover authentic Viennese cafés or the blue church by the Hungarian master of Art Nouveau, Ödon Lechner. Last but not least, the imposing building of the National Theatre was designed by the Austrian architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, who built theatres in all the cities of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy, from Prague to Zagreb, from Timisoara to Budapest. The National Theatre's gold-panelled auditorium can also be hired for private events.

" One of the major events in Bratislava recalling this imperial past is the "Coronation Ceremony", where the kings of Hungary took the oath on the crown and in the church. It takes place in August, with a large-scale historical re-enactment lasting three days." says David Pobjecky.

To evoke the splendours of the former Austria-Hungary can easily be organised in a number of palaces that are now museums. Or on the terraces of Bratislava Castle, whose silhouette dominates the city.

...and Communist Czechoslovakia

In contrast to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the concrete structures of the 1970s, legacy of the brutalist movement in communist CzechoslovakiaThey are also ideal for hosting MICE events. A symbol of Bratislava, the UFO Tower crowns the SNP (Slovak Uprising Bridge) built between 1967 and 1972. The panoramic room looks like a flying saucer and includes a restaurant and terrace. At a height of almost 100 metres, visitors can enjoy an exceptional panorama of Bratislava. But also of neighbouring Austria.

The Slovak Radio House took 16 years to build and is one of the strangest buildings from the same school of Czechoslovak Brutalism, with its inverted pyramid shape. It nevertheless has remarkable acoustics for a conference! Just as surprising is the building of the Slovak National Gallery, which also lends itself to private events. The architects have added a huge concrete wing to two Baroque palaces, overlooking the banks of the Danube.

Finally, the Incheba Exhibition Centrefacing the old town, is a pure product of the 70s. Admittedly, the exterior structure could do with a serious facelift. But the centre still offers the largest capacity in the country for organising trade fairs and conferences. With the very best technology...

Bratislava, the discreet charm of the province

What makes Bratislava ideal for a conference or MICE event? "  It offers all the assets of a capital city, but on a human scale. The city is easy to get to, and you can get around the historic centre on foot or by public transport. And it's completely safe. Our city offers a high standard of hotels, with several four- and five-star establishments such as the Marriott Grand Hotel Riverpark, AC Hotel, the Sheraton, the historic Radisson Blu Carlton and the NH Bratislava GateOne with its contemporary look. Generally speaking, the prices for room or suite hire are based on the price of the room. from 20% to 30% lower than in Vienna" says David Pobjecky. He continues: " The Convention Bureau can also organise a wide range of other activities, from a cruise on the Danube to a tasting of Slovak wines or an excursion to the nearby Tatra mountains.s ".

The only disadvantage, which the Bratislava congress bureau readily admits, is the lack of a congress centre worthy of the name. " Phere have been a number of projects but they have not yet seen the light of day. I would say that Bratislava is perfectly suited to conferences and congresses of 500 to less than 1,500 people" says David Pobjecky. It's quite an asset for organisers looking for a destination that has finally managed to preserve its somewhat provincial charm.

Bratislava airport still finding its way The best being the enemy of the good, Bratislava International Airport is having a hard time holding its own against its Viennese competitor, just a 40-minute drive from the Slovak capital. It is true that Slovakia is one of the few countries in Europe not to have its own airline, and those that have been created in the past have all been failures. " The absence of a Slovak national airline linking Bratislava to other European capitals is undoubtedly a disadvantage." explains airport spokeswoman Veronika Demovičová. In fact, the airport is linked to no major international hub of the continent. There are no flights to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris or Zurich. On the other hand, the airport is home to numerous routes to Mediterranean destinations operated by the low-cost airlines Ryanair, Smartwings and Pegasus. " Our main ambition is to link Bratislava to other European cities, such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Lisbon, Oslo, Paris, Riga and Stockholm." says Veronika Demovičová. The airport, 9 km from the city centre, has a capacity of 5 million passengers, but currently only handles two million. Estimates of its future development are difficult to make. " The war between Russia and Ukraine cost us a significant amount of traffic, as we had several flights to Kiev, Lviv, Odessa and Moscow." said the spokeswoman.

PRACTICAL GUIDE

GETTING THERE

Bratislava is easily accessible from Vienna airport, less than 60km away, with daily flights by Air France from Paris CDG; Austrian Airlines from Paris CDG, Basel-Mulhouse, Brussels, Geneva, Lyon, Marseille and Nice; Transavia from Paris-Orly, as well as Ryanair from Beauvais and Brussels Sud-Charleroi. Brussels Airlines and Luxair also fly from Brussels and Luxembourg. There is a direct shuttle bus service from Vienna airport to the centre of Bratislava.

Alternatively, you can take Ryanair flights from Brussels South-Charleroi to Bratislava. Finally, trains connect Vienna several times a day in less than an hour, and Budapest in two hours.

STAY

• • Marriott Grand Hotel River Park  (5 stars-231 rooms): a member of the Luxury Collection, the hotel is located on the banks of the Danube, halfway between the business district and the old town.
  • Radisson Blu Carlton (4 stars-168 rooms): The only early 20th-century palace in the historic centre.

• • NH Bratislava Gate One (4 stars - 117 rooms): close to the airport and a shopping centre, this very contemporary hotel is 20 minutes from the city centre by public transport.

• • Ibis (3 stars-120 rooms): A hotel for tighter budgets, on the heights of the historic city.

EAT

The food scene in Bratislava is getting better and better. This is evidenced by the large number of charming brasseries and restaurants located in historic houses.

• • Bratislava Flagship Restaurant The Brasserie: located in a former theatre, this beautiful brasserie-style restaurant offers a wide range of local specialities with an international twist.

• • Parliament The restaurant: located on the castle hill, this gourmet restaurant is as famous for its menu as for its panoramic view of the Danube.
  • Konditorei Kormuth In a setting of frescoes and antiques, this patisserie offers cakes inspired by old recipes from Austria-Hungary.

  • Národný salón vín (National Collection of Slovak Wines) allows you to discover and taste around a hundred of the country's vintages in a historic cellar in the wine museum. Perfect for an incentive... in moderation!

WATCH

• • Old town Saint-Michel Gate: Passing through the Saint-Michel Gate, you enter the old town, where Baroque and Rococo palaces alternate with medieval and Renaissance monuments such as the old town hall and Saint-Martin cathedral.

• • Danube and UFO tower : You can admire it by boat or by crossing the SNP Bridge to reach the UFO Tower and its superb panoramic view of Bratislava from a height of almost 100 metres.
  • Bratislava Castle It houses Slovakia's parliament, as well as the national museum, a superb baroque garden and terraces overlooking the historic city.
  • Among the museumsPainting enthusiasts will love the National Gallery of Slovakia, the Municipal Gallery in the Mirbach Palace and the Nedbalka Gallery of Modern Art. The former town hall is now Bratislava's history museum.

INFORMATION

• • French Embassy : https://sk.ambafrance.org/
  • Franco-Slovak Chamber of Commerce : https://www.fsok.sk/

• Congress Bureau Bratislava https://www.visitbratislava.com/convention/ (director: David Pobjecky, pobjecky@visitbratislava.com)