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We predict the top 10 hottest, newest and freshest meeting destinations in New Europe for 2017

In the shadows of the most familiar destinations of the region, which have already firmly established themselves on the international market, we predict some of the new destinations that are just sprouting onto the well-tended congress lawn but that we think will make a name for themselves.

We have listed them below, having taken into account their ability to provide suitable infrastructure for various events and their descriptive index. These destinations are currently much less well known amongst meeting planners and so are perceived as fresh congress destinations, for now…

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VYSOKE TATRY – WARM YOUR HEART
High Tatras are an extreme surprise and one of the undiscovered European incentive jewels. In the shadow of much more notorious Zakopane in neighboring Poland they offer at least as wide incentive offer, which is besides that packed in a very favorable financial package. As the main tourist resorts are close to mountain resorts, ski resorts and scenic walking trails, it is downright perfect destination for a more sports inspired incentive groups. We recommend organizing events in spring and autumn months, when places aren’t flooded with the annual mass winter tourist migration. Prices in Slovakia are significantly lower than in central Europe and the destination is only a few hours of driving on motorways from major Central European cities away.

Schladming

SCHLADMING – MEETINGS IN EMBRACE OF ALPINE BEAUTIES
In the last decade tourism in Styria struck swift development. Schladming is a big skiing centre, the scene of the best slalom races of the season as well as other internationally known sport competitions. Besides that it is also an excellent congress venue and a place, which stays in fond memory of every guest. We can say without a doubt that the tourist development in Schladming is a success story and we are certain that will also be the case in the future. Contributing to the success was mostly sporting events, on which they have built extensively. With event organisation, the destination has gained a lot of experience, which can now be transferred into the congress field. Recipes for success are also constant investments in tourism and the tourist infrastructure, which have been mostly private and because of that well thought through and pointed in the right direction.

SARAJEVO – BETWEEN EAST AND WEST
The brand ‘Sarajevo’ is one of the strongest trademarks in the region. It gets its character from the dramatic juncture between East and West. In the meetings industry the brand and destination are completely unexploited despite their immense potential. With proper positioning and investments in the meetings industry Sarajevo can quickly catch up with other destinations in the region. A special asset for the development of the meetings industry is the attitude of the people of Sarajevo, who are known for their humor, tolerance and understanding.

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SUBOTICA – COLOURFUL CONGRESS VARIETY
Subotica has a soul. It is a city where it seems that time has stopped. The proud town centre merges almost imperceptibly into the surrounding melancholy plains. Economically and culturally Subotica is one of the most developed cities in Serbia. Congress guests will be impressed by the multicultural spirit and European charm, which is reflected in a large number of special venues in a small area. Well-developed albeit not connected is the offer of various incentive programmes. Subotica has a functioning Congress bureau, the hotel facilities are good and the culinary tradition is an extra plus. All of this represents an exciting congress package calling out for more penetrating international or at least regional marketing to exploit the full potential of the city.

OSIJEK – OVERLOOKED DESTINATION
To most people, the extreme northeastern part of Croatia is the most marginal, border, multi-faith, multicultural and the most poorly known region. Its character is carved by the Drava and Danube rivers along with its symbolic, functional and aesthetic value. Its self-image is one of isolation and the feeling of living on a desert island of convention tourism, in, which only a small number of meeting planners and organisers are interested. Because of its geographic position, it is economically and politically far from the capital and as a consequence also undeveloped as a convention destination. The focus of the problem is a stereotypical feeling of neglect. Overlooking this, Osijek is one of the freshest and most sustainable Croatian meetings destinations with no real competition in the region.

PULA – URBAN MEETINGS
Pula is a city of intoxicating flavours, scents and multiple images that once you experience, it becomes clear why it’s also a great meetings destination. As a regional centre of Istria Pula is, in terms of congress tourism, currently less developed than some other tourist destinations in Istria – Rovinj took the role of the regional congress centre with intensive investment, partly in Poreč and cities of NW Istria. The current investments of the company Arenaturist elicit a very high degree of optimism, however, as the city acquired high quality infrastructure. Along with the urban culture of the city and the range of higher education institutions, its potential for congress tourism in Istria is among the largest.

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RIJEKA – A CITY WITH CHARACTER
The extended region of Kvarner has the huge potential to become a leading meetings destination. Individual congress cities together with the islands of Opatija, Lošinj and Cres are the heart of a very rich product. It is a complex offer, more suitable for associations as well as corporate events. In contrasting Rijeka with Split it’s possible to see just how quickly the tourist-congress transformation can happen. With its Mediterranean–industrial character Rijeka has no competitor in the Adriatic; the urban scene is so very alive and contains a rich cultural offer. Plenty of latent congress stories are just waiting to be discovered.

PODGORICA – REGION’S WARMEST CITY
For now, Podgorica can rarely be found on the meetings industry map. Considering the outstanding potential it will over time come to have all that is necessary to be a true meeting destination. Among its advantages there is its strategic position, which enables easy access to the most attractive parts of Montenegro for incentives. Among the weaknesses we have to point out the current state of the meeting infrastructure and its transport isolation. Being an air travel destination it is highly dependent on the number of flight connections, including low cost ones. A convention bureau for the town would greatly help in positioning the destination, which it deserves as a capital city. The town is developing quickly and is looking for the right image, torn between the classic tourism flow and the idea of development into a meeting destination.

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TIRANA – THE TALE OF THE EAGLE
Stereotypes about Tirana couldn’t be further from the truth, as the city is very dynamic, has the youngest population in Europe and is full of building sites, showing its dash for the future. In ‘the land of the old Mercedes’ you can also find many great congress hotels that compare well to the European competition. Improved airline accessibility and cheap prices are one of the assets of this increasingly popular Albanian capital. Getting in touch with the city’s history is made possible by the many incentive programmes, featuring explorations of genuine pearls such as the town of Berat. On the congress organiser’s radar Tirana may still be an undeveloped destination, but you will have a difficult time finding a destination as diverse and interesting as Albania.

LOŠINJ AND CRES – LOW-CARBON INCENTIVE ISLANDS
Lošinj and Cres are the only Adriatic islands that successfully deal with sustainable tourism and are amongst the more eco-friendly islands of Kvarner. They differ from the more famous Dalmatian isles, such as Hvar, Brač and Krk, with their nature preservation, systematic sustainable development and cultural heritage. All these activities are well managed and present a huge opportunity for the development of a limited and exclusive sustainable meetings industry in harmony with the capabilities of the islands. The key chal- lenge is the invisibility of the islands’ image on the meetings industry radar, lacking the recognisable incentive brands to build the high quality boutique and intimate stories that can raise its profile. If local suppliers can develop from these points and their programmes can continue to be socially responsible, they will be able to benefit from the current trends in the industry. I am certain their first clients will be the existing loyal guest of Cres and Lošinj. With a high added value the islands can also become the eco-incentive oasis of the Adriatic.

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