{"id":180053,"date":"2024-09-19T11:56:17","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T09:56:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/?p=180053"},"modified":"2024-09-20T13:46:52","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T11:46:52","slug":"bratislava-slovakia-mice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/bratislava-slovakia-mice","title":{"rendered":"Bratislava: Central Europe's other MICE destination"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\r\n

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 \u20ac8,595 in 2004, last year it stood at \u20ac22,631. That's growth of 165%!<\/p>\r\n

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. <\/strong>Stellantis (ex-PSA Peugeot Citro\u00ebn), for example, has invested \u20ac1 billion in its production plant here. France is also one of the main foreign investors in Slovakia, with around 400 subsidiaries<\/strong> of French companies<\/strong>. Another French heavyweight, telecoms giant Orange, has invested more than \u20ac1.1 billion in the country.<\/p>\r\n

The capital is reaping the full benefits of this economic boom, Bratislava<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Bratislava, Europe's Motor City<\/h3>\r\nAt the crossroads of Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, Bratislava has attracted carmakers because of its favourable logistical location. Several major car companies have factories and technology centres here, from Korea's KIA to Volvo, Volkswagen, Land Rover and Stellantis. According to the local authorities, Slovakia produces more cars per capita than any other country in the world<\/strong>. Hence the nickname \"Motor City\" given to the Slovak capital. The automotive sector generates a large number of MICE events in Bratislava, particularly when new models are launched. All this is in addition to possible visits to manufacturers' factories and tours dedicated to cars organised by the Convention Bureau.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

Reminiscent of the Austro-Hungarian Empire...<\/h3>\r\n

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). \"\u00a0The vast majority of international visitors arriving by air land at Vienna airport<\/strong>. It takes less than 45 minutes to get to the heart of our city<\/em>\" says David Pobjecky, Director of the Bratislava Convention Bureau.<\/p>\r\n

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<\/strong>. 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 caf\u00e9s<\/strong> or the blue church by the Hungarian master of Art Nouveau, \u00d6don 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.<\/p>\r\n

\"Slovak<\/a>
Built in 1886, the Slovak National Theatre is a pure example of Austro-Hungarian imperial architecture (Photo: Luc Citrinot)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

\"\u00a0One 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.<\/em>\" says David Pobjecky.<\/p>\r\n

To evoke the splendours of the former Austria-Hungary<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\r\n

...and Communist Czechoslovakia<\/h3>\r\n

In contrast to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the concrete structures of the 1970s, legacy of the brutalist movement in communist Czechoslovakia<\/strong>They 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.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/a>
The panoramic restaurant in the UFO Tower (Photo: LC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

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<\/strong>. The architects have added a huge concrete wing to two Baroque palaces, overlooking the banks of the Danube.<\/p>\r\n

Finally, the Incheba Exhibition Centre<\/strong>facing 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...<\/p>\r\n

Bratislava, the discreet charm of the province<\/h3>\r\n

What makes Bratislava ideal for a conference or MICE event? \"\u00a0 It offers all the assets of a capital city, but on a human scale<\/strong>. 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<\/strong><\/em>\" says David Pobjecky. He continues: \"\u00a0The 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.<\/em>s \".<\/p>\r\n

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Baroque houses and palaces line the streets of Bratislava's old town (Photo: LC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

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<\/strong><\/em>\" says David Pobjecky. It's quite an asset for organisers looking for a destination that has finally managed to preserve its somewhat provincial charm.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Bratislava airport still finding its way<\/h3>\r\n
\"\"<\/a>
(Photo: Bratislava Airport)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

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. \"\u00a0The absence of a Slovak national airline linking Bratislava to other European capitals is undoubtedly a disadvantage.<\/em>\" explains airport spokeswoman Veronika Demovi\u010dov\u00e1.<\/p>\r\n

In fact, the airport is linked to no major international hub<\/strong> 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. \"\u00a0Our main ambition is to link Bratislava to other European cities, such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, D\u00fcsseldorf, Lisbon, Oslo, Paris, Riga and Stockholm.<\/em>\" says Veronika Demovi\u010dov\u00e1.<\/p>\r\n

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. \"\u00a0The war between Russia and Ukraine cost us a significant amount of traffic, as we had several flights to Kiev, Lviv, Odessa and Moscow.<\/em>\" said the spokeswoman.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

PRACTICAL GUIDE<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

GETTING THERE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

STAY<\/h3>\r\n
\"Radisson<\/a>
The imposing fa\u00e7ade of the Radisson Blu Carlton, built in 1912 (Photo: LC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n