TOP 10

New cars premiers and other automotive events are an exceptional international promotion of a destination and an excellent business opportunity for everyone participating in it. Organisers plan these events very carefully at least a year in advance, as it is necessary to obtain a number of permits, to carefully select partners and to choose a scenic route for the test runs.

As an Editorial Board, we analysed the most suitable locations in South East Europe on the basis of the following criteria:

• Overnight stay for min. 50 journalists in a 4**** + hotel
• Parking for min. 50 cars
• min. 1,500 m2 of space in the convention centre
• outdoor space for the presentation of vehicles
• service space for vehicles (washing and maintenance of vehicles, security)
• additional culinary and incentive offer
• picturesque locations (coastal, mountain, urban roads, motorways)
• Good accessibility by air and proximity of airports

1. CENTRAL DALMATIA, Croatia

Venue: HOTEL LAV MERIDIAN, Split, Croatia
It is probably not a coincidence that Split’s first class category has seen it selected for quite a few world premieres, including this year’s European sales conference of Skoda Rapid, which drew 5,500 participants. Set in the picturesque Dalmatian landscape it offers excellent logistics and wonderful roads for testing cars.

+ WE PRAISE: flexibility and experiential value of the destination
WE CRITICISE: average tourist offer of Podstrana

2. TIVAT, Montenegro

Regent Porto Montenegro

Venue: REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO, Tivat, Montenegro
Regent Hotels & Resorts’ second property in Europe, featuring 51 rooms and 35 suites, is said to be the first and the only hotel to date in the Porto Montenegro super-yacht marina resort.

+WE PRAISE: located in the town of Tivat, guests can access the hotel through the city’s airport as well as Dubrovnik’s and Podgorica’s international gateways
WE CRITICISE: the price in high season. We recommend a visit outside the peak season.

3. NORTHERN DALMATIA, Croatia

hotel & spa, iadera, zadar, croatia

Venue: FALKENSTEINER IADERA, Zadar, Croatia
The overall score of this new resort is extremely good. The hotel adheres to the known standards of the Falkensteiner group and is an excellent choice for incentive and product launches and smaller conferences.

+WE PRAISE: vicinity of Zadar, Nin and the national parks, such as the Krka waterfalls, the Plitvice Lakes, Paklenica, Velebit and Kornati.
WE CRITICISE: nothing – from what we saw and experienced, we can only give it a firm nod of approval.

4. CARINTHIAN LAKES, Austria

Venue: SCHLOSS HOTEL VELDEN, Velden, Austria 
Ferraris, Porsches and other similar beasts are a common sight on the roads around the hotel. The history of the hotel has included a series of press, sales and other business conferences, as well as world premieres of virtually all of the most prominent automotive houses.

+WE PRAISE: fairytale-like surroundings and a photogenic location on the lake.
-WE CRITICISE: worst airline accessibility.

5. SLOVENIAN COAST, Slovenia

Venue: HOTEL BERNARDIN, Portorož, Slovenia
The venue for the largest number of local and regional automotive events has already proven itself through its hosting of Toyota’s European Sales Conference. It has one of the largest and best-equipped congress centres and excellent logistic facilities.

+WE PRAISE: the comprehensive meetings offer concept, parking availability and the possibility of creating very private events.
-WE CRITICISE: compared to its competitors, the hotel lacks some dynamics in its details, but nevertheless it still remains as interesting as the day it started.

6. DUBROVNIK. Croatia

Venue: RADISSON BLU RESORT & SPA, Dubrovnik Sun Gardens, Dubrovnik
A minimalist design, the lush Mediterranean greenery, elegant villas and many rustic details are all in Radisson’s recipe for success. The the first impression is therefore very good, in fact, excellent.

+WE PRAISE: in automotive jargon, it is a premium hotel with its rich and luxurious equipment, many special little details and, above all, the image of the brand.
-WE CRITICISE: the hotel does not have any serious weaknesses and firmly convinces with the comfort and quality expected of the Radisson chain

7. LJUBLJANA, Slovenia

our Points by Sheraton Ljubljana Mons

Venue: FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON LJUBLJANA MONS, Ljubljana, Slovenia
A huge amount of parking, a position by the city bypass, service areas, security, proximity to highways and a modern design are all attributes of a hotel that seems perfect for automotive events and premieres. In addition to hosting many local events the hotel also has on its CV the world premieres of Twingo and Skoda Yeti.

+WE PRAISE: accessibility, excellent logistics and a location close to major road links.
WE CRITICISE: spaciousness and standard of hotel rooms.

8. ISTRIA

Venue: HOTEL MONTE MULINI, Rovinj, Croatia 
A venue to meet the needs of the most demanding guests, which was why it was chosen for the world premiere of the famous Bentley. The exclusive Hotel Monte Mulini’s surroundings, fittingly complemented by the adjacent Lone design hotel, were of a suitable quality to unveil the prestigious Bentley Continental model.

+WE PRAISE: quality and integrity of the hotel and its additional offer.
-WE CRITICISE: logistical capacities are more suited to exclusive and smaller events.

9. BELGRADE

old_mill_belgrade

Venue: RADISSON BLU OLD MILL, Belgrade, Serbia
Radisson Old Mill took a risk and it succeeded. They have managed to capture just the right aesthetic balance; the top quality ingredients are never wrapped in ballast and the new space is adorned with the story of the former mill. The result is an elegant concept of an authentic hotel, a cult restaurant and a dynamic lounge bar.

+WE PRAISE: quelle surprise! We have not experienced such a culinary and personal experience in regional hotels for a long, long time.
-WE CRITICISE: the awkward access to the hotel, which requires a little bit of flexibility.

10. BLED LAKE, Slovenia

grand_hotel_toplice

Venue: HOTEL TOPLICE, Bled, Slovenia
The most renowned hotel in Bled has always been tightly linked to the development of tourism in the area. The hotel is classic, sophisticated, restrained and elegant – with its construction they really knew what they were doing and managed to conjure up a most charming hotel at the best location on the lake.

+WE PRAISE: beautiful views of Lake Bled and Bled Island, views that are not matched anywhere else in Slovenia.
-WE CRITICISE: the location by the main road to Bohinj (we are still waiting for the promised Bled bypass…)

Join our newsletter!

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest updates from Kongres Magazine.