Incentives and meetings

Holidays not on the slopes, but in the mountains. Winter sports are taking on a whole new dimension by losing their... sporting side.

Le Grand Quartier recently opened its doors in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, embodying an innovative concept that blends hotel, garden, meeting space and urban canteen. Its credo is TRED: Work, Meet, Exchange and Relax.

For some time now, a new concept has been making inroads into the world of corporate travel and what has long been known as "business tourism": the learning expedition (Lex). CWT Meetings & Events, a world leader in event travel, is at the forefront of this development.

Comet La Défense has just opened its doors in the capital's business district, offering 3,500 sq. m. of facilities from 2 December. As for Newton, it is in Lyon that a new coworking address is expected, with the acquisition of a new building at the foot of the Observance hill.

The Business Travel Show will be highlighting "conscious travel", or travelling more responsibly, with conferences on well-being and sensible travel management, as well as a well-being seminar for all visitors.

According to a study published on 27 November by a number of leading figures in the sector, the economic impact of corporate events is estimated at €32 billion.

There are the gigantic convention centres in major cities, but there are also those in secondary towns, with far fewer places, but just as effective. Some focus on glamour, others on the mountains of the Alps, still others on seascapes and still others on green. A non-exhaustive overview.

Le Puy du Fou is preparing to invest heavily over the coming months, with the construction of a new hotel and convention centre. The aim is to boost its appeal in the business tourism market.

Art and architecture with Jean Nouvel, Jean-Michel Wilmotte and Arne Quinze, trendy or business hotels with Mama Shelter and Novotel: with the inauguration of its new pavilion 6 and the end of the second phase of its metamorphosis, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles is opening up to the city.

Getting out of Paris or La Défense without getting too far away: the Paris Region offers a host of possibilities for seminars and conventions in the great outdoors, ideal for both relaxation and creativity.

The Palais des Congrès in Saint-Malo has reopened its doors following a major ten-month renovation project costing 11,500,000 euros.

France's Startway has just inaugurated its 25th coworking space, taking up residence in Paris's Bastille district, in a former postal sorting centre. A new space is due to open in Porte Maillot early next year.

Stefan Fraenkel, Managing Director of Athal Hospitality, explains the original positioning of the Domaine d'Andeols in the seminar and meeting sector.

The Weekend in Rome platform lets you book unusual experiences to discover the Italian capital in bleisure mode.

With the inauguration of a vast auditorium within its convention centre, Oman is banking on congresses to continue its tourism boom. A strategy geared towards business tourism that also includes hosting numerous incentive groups.

Meetings of the future. More networking on the one hand, more apps and connected boards on the other: a new model for corporate events is taking shape where technology, with all its efficiency gains, leaves time to create moments of sharing and discovery.

Abu Dhabi, the largest and richest of the five states that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) federation, of which Dubai is also a part, is also entering the world of tourism, with 10 million visitors last year, a third of them business tourists. But, far from its extravagant neighbour, Dubai, it is banking above all on enlightened tourism, with a focus on cultural attractions to raise its profile in the Persian Gulf.

Martinique. Superb, so rich in history and Creole culture, all that French exoticism just 8 hours from Paris. As part of a combined trip, an extension to Saint Lucia will complete the change of scenery, sprinkled with a touch of England languishing under an exceptional primary forest.

Hotels, restaurants, activities, air services: essential addresses and information for organising an incentive trip to Martinique and Saint Lucia.

Anne-Marie Baezner, Managing Director of the GL events group's Lyon sites, looks back on recent investments aimed at professional events, with a view to consolidating Lyon's position as a major destination for business tourism.