dubrovnik, croatia

MEETING STAR 2018

Ever since 2010, the Editorial Board of Kongres Magazine has been presenting fresh and interesting meeting destinations to international meeting planners.

Till this day we have presented 84 Meetologues from 23 destinations. Each destination is evaluated based on 75 different criteria that enable fair comparison of the destinations. Meeting organizers appreciate the expertise, value and practicality of this guide through congress destinations.

M – MEETING DESTINATIONS
Destinations that can host up to 1,200 congress attendees
The results of 2018 evaluation are presented in detail below.

TOP 10 M-DESTINATIONS IN 2018

  • 1. DUBROVNIK 4,33
  • 2. VILLACH 4,13
  • 3. KLAGENFURT 4,12
  • 4. SPLIT 4,11
  • 5. ŠIBENIK 4,03
  • 5. BLED 4,03
  • 6. SCHLADMING 4,02
  • 7. OPATIJA 4,01
  • 8. PORTOROSE 3,98
  • 9. ROVINJ 3,97
  • 10. POREČ 3,93

PEARL OF THE ADRIATIC

croatia_revelin_and_lovrijenac_fortress
4* and 5* hotel rooms4,165
4* and 5* hotels29
Destination population42,615
Banquet hall maximum capacity700
Largest hall in the city900 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity1,200

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

DUBROVNIK INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.95
General and transport infrastructure:4.61
Tourist infrastructure:4.91
Meeting infrastructure:4.81
Subjective grade:4.84
Marketing Buzz:4.41
ICCA index:3.95
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.22
Numbeo Safety Index:4.75
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.89
DESTINATION MARK:4.33

1. DUBROVNIK, CROATIA 4.33/5


Dubrovnik is the flagship of regional tourism and is commonly the first association of meetings organizers we meet daily. It is the closest in the region to renowned Mediterranean convention destinations Cannes and Monte Carlo, and it will be even closer after the completion of the convention center. So far the center is successfully replaced by modern and well-equipped centers at hotels such as Dubrovnik Palace, Excelsior, Bellevue, Grand Villa Argentina, Importanne Resort, Dubrovnik President, Valamar Lacroma and Radisson Blue. Well-developed is the entire conference infrastructure including destination management and creative agency scene. The city is safe and one of the tourist icons of the Adriatic and justifiably the most painted tourist skyline with unprecedented experiential diversity for conference guests

THE ALPINE LAKES EXPERIENCE

villach_austria
4* and 5* hotel rooms517
4* and 5* hotels5
Destination population61,221
Banquet hall maximum capacity400
Largest hall in the city4,500 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity1,060

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

VILLACH INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.74
General and transport infrastructure:4.75
Tourist infrastructure:4.70
Meeting infrastructure:4.58
Subjective grade:4.67
Marketing Buzz:4.49
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:4.68
Numbeo Safety Index:4.91
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.72
DESTINATION MARK:4.13

2. VILLACH, AUSTRIA 4.13/5


Villach is the second largest city of Carinthia and its tourist sights attract an enormous amount of visitors. Villach has also become established as a small Silicon Valley in the Alps, with an international character reflected in the town‘s infrastructure. The main reason for a meetings industry in this part of Austria are the numerous incentive programmes, all of which you can engage with in a very clean enviroment. The most charming aspects are the Carnithian way of life, cultural diversity and a general sense of casualness. In our opinion the main advantages are the size and the feeling of familiarity, along with a modern congress infrastructure. Locals also like to emphasise the border location, sat at the crossroads of three nations, which hasn‘t been totally picked up in a congress sense. Locals also like to emphasise the border location, sat at the crossroads of three nations, which hasn’t been totally picked up in a congress sense.

CONVENTIONLAND

4* and 5* hotel rooms560
4* and 5* hotels11
Destination population100,538
Banquet hall maximum capacity500
Largest hall in the city6,400 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity5,000

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

KLAGENFURT INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.77
General and transport infrastructure:4.77
Tourist infrastructure:4.77
Meeting infrastructure:4.55
Subjective grade:4.70
Marketing Buzz:4.54
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:4.48
Numbeo Safety Index:4.85
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.72
DESTINATION MARK:4.12

3. KLAGENFURT, AUSTRIA 4.12/5


Klagenfurt is a likable alpine congress destination with rich cultural heritage and high experiential diversity. Key advantage is definitely fairy tale like well-maintained and pleasant environment, quality offer that is above average in regional sense, and professionalism of suppliers. Position at the crossroads of important routes is also an important factor in competitiveness of this destination. The city is an important inter social and European transit region that is easily reachable thanks to modern highways and rail connections. Klagenfurt as the center of Carinthia with its tidiness, safety and ratio between price and quality is one of the best convention destinations in the wider region. The city builds its meetings offer on a sustainable development.

CROSSROADS DALMATIA

split_croatia
4* and 5* hotel rooms1,428
4* and 5* hotels22
Destination population178,102
Banquet hall maximum capacity450
Largest hall in the city768 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity800

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

SPLIT INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.68
General and transport infrastructure:4.62
Tourist infrastructure:4.79
Meeting infrastructure:4.39
Subjective grade:4.71
Marketing Buzz:4.08
ICCA index:3.35
Numbeo quality of life Index:2.99
Numbeo Safety Index:4.60
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.92
DESTINATION MARK:4.11

4. SPLIT, CROATIA  4.11/5


Among the Adriatic congress destinations Split has become serious competition to Dubrovnik in the last years. The main disadvantages of the destination are bad cooperation between the service providers, lack of air traffic connections to key markets and not enough destination marketing. If Split gets a real convention centre in the future, it could become one of the leading congress destinations in the Mediterranean. New and excellent hotel capacities, good road connections to Europe and wonderful surroundings, with islands offering numerous incentive programme opportunities, all bolster this proposition. Split is still one of the most unexploited congress destinations in the Mediterranean.

THE HEART OF DALMATIA

4* and 5* hotel rooms2,676
4* and 5* hotels8
Destination population46,332
Banquet hall maximum capacity220
Largest hall in the city600 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity500

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

ŠIBENIK INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.76
General and transport infrastructure:4.61
Tourist infrastructure:4.71
Meeting infrastructure:4.63
Subjective grade:4.74
Marketing Buzz:4.54
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.64
Numbeo Safety Index:4.73
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.89
DESTINATION MARK:4.03

5. ŠIBENIK, CROATIA  4.03/5


Šibenik very rarely raises any association with the meeting industry. In the process of transition from an industrial city into a tourist destination it has not yet asserted its image among competing cities. Despite this, it is a fact that it has excellent conditions and is somehow considered to be a hidden jewel of the Croatian congress offer. For ease of accessibility it may be a suitable location for small association conferences as well as a variety of incentive programmes.

THE IMAGE OF HEAVEN

bled_slovenia
4* and 5* hotel rooms693
4* and 5* hotels8
Destination population6,322
Banquet hall maximum capacity400
Largest hall in the city500 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity514

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

BLED INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.87
General and transport infrastructure:4.69
Tourist infrastructure:4.50
Meeting infrastructure:4.71
Subjective grade:4.71
Marketing Buzz:4.38
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.53
Numbeo Safety Index:4.72
ACI Airport Connectivity Index3.16
DESTINATION MARK:4.03

5. BLED, SLOVENIA  4.03/5


As a recognisable brand Bled stands out among other congress destinations in the region. It most closely resembles Dubrovnik, which caught up with the pre-war congress tempo by taking the right steps. Currently the biggest disadvantage is the lack of a clear focus towards quality rather than mass tourism. This is most clearly seen in the restaurant, night life and shopping offer. As a result the current perception of quality is lower than with largest competitors. In Bled the saying ‘Less is more’ is very true. The potential for the meetings industry is immense, it just needs to be harnessed in the right way.

MEETINGS IN EMBRACE OF ALPINE BEAUTIES

Schladming_Austria
4* and 5* hotel rooms2,510
4* and 5* hotels54
Destination population6,715
Banquet hall maximum capacity800
Largest hall in the city1,400 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity1,200

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

SCHLADMING INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.79
General and transport infrastructure:4.77
Tourist infrastructure:4.71
Meeting infrastructure:4.74
Subjective grade:4.74
Marketing Buzz:4.52
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:4.70
Numbeo Safety Index:4.65
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.57
DESTINATION MARK:4.02

6. SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA  4.02/5


Schladming is a big skiing centre, the scene of the best slalom races of the season aswell as other internationaly known sport competitions. Besides that it is also an excelent congress venue and a place, which stays in fond memory of every guest. We can say without a doubt that the tourist developement in Schladming is a success story and we are certain that will also be the case in the future. Contributing to the success were mostly sporting events, on which they have built extensively. With event organisation, the destination has gained a lot of experience, which can now be transfered into the congress field.

WHERE MEETINGS MEET HISTORY AND ELEGANCE

croatia-convention-bureau
4* and 5* hotel rooms1,971
4* and 5* hotels22
Destination population11,659
Banquet hall maximum capacity600
Largest hall in the city1,728 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity900

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

OPATIJA INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.77
General and transport infrastructure:4.68
Tourist infrastructure:4.67
Meeting infrastructure:4.80
Subjective grade:4.83
Marketing Buzz:4.36
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.49
Numbeo Safety Index:4.74
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.77
DESTINATION MARK:4.01

7. OPATIJA, CROATIA  4.01/5


170 years of tourism tradition is based on the positive energy of the riviera and the exceptional natural conditions. This is a great sign for the revival of Opatija congress tourism, which has recently relaxed slightly in comparison with the hyperactive Croatian Adriatic competitors. The city already boasts the entire infrastructure, but it is beaten mostly by an unfavourable image and somewhat slow adjustment to the new congress market conditions. A change of the structure of hotels is also necessary, as ‘cosmopolitan’ Opatija today only boasts three hotels in the 5-star category, whilst in Dubrovnik there are now 14.

PORT OF ROSES

portoroz_slovenia
4* and 5* hotel rooms4,500
4* and 5* hotels16
Destination population2,849
Banquet hall maximum capacity360
Largest hall in the city1,085 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity1,100

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

PORTOROSE INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.75
General and transport infrastructure:4.59
Tourist infrastructure:4.58
Meeting infrastructure:4.65
Subjective grade:4.73
Marketing Buzz:4.30
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.95
Numbeo Safety Index:4.49
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.70
DESTINATION MARK:3.98

8. PORTOROSE, SLOVENIA 3.98/5


The historic laurels of the leading Adriatic congress destination are slowly starting to gather dust. Portorož is still in hard competition with Dubrovnik, Opatija and new Adriatic congress destinations that are developing all the time. A rich congress history, tradition and the existing infrastructure are a competitive advantage. The meetings industry is by no means a tree to sleep under and simply harvest its fruit of wealthy congress participants. Despite that, Portorož has proven resilient and adaptable many times in the course of history, so some innovativeness and marketing opportunities should ensure it has a bright future.

ROVINJ GIVES YOU WINGS

rovinj
4* and 5* hotel rooms1,342
4* and 5* hotels6
Destination population14,294
Banquet hall maximum capacity800
Largest hall in the city1,600 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity1,000

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

ROVINJ INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.74
General and transport infrastructure:4.48
Tourist infrastructure:4.61
Meeting infrastructure:4.60
Subjective grade:4.63
Marketing Buzz:4.29
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.87
Numbeo Safety Index:4.73
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.77
DESTINATION MARK:3.97

9. ROVINJ, CROATIA 3.97/5


If at the destination you have owners who have clear goals and who look at congress tourism strategically, then in a short time you can do a lot. It is possible to revitalize the old factory premises and build a superior conference hotel. Maistra in Rovinj has undoubtedly left its mark. Taking into consideration the geographical location of Rovinj as one of the closest Mediterranean congress destinations for Central and Western Europe, the future of this industry is guaranteed. Missing is only a convention bureau, which would know how to step out of corporate governance of the destination and would be able to serve as attorney of the meetings industry. Otherwise, forecasts of mayor Sponza that Rovinj will be more exclusive than Dubrovnik, can be realized.

SUNNYSIDE MEETINGS

porec_croatia
4* and 5* hotel rooms1,642
4* and 5* hotels13
Destination population16,696
Banquet hall maximum capacity576
Largest hall in the city1,036 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity1,000

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

POREČ INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2018
Natural and cultural factors:4.61
General and transport infrastructure:4.48
Tourist infrastructure:4.65
Meeting infrastructure:4.37
Subjective grade:4.58
Marketing Buzz:4.19
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.87
Numbeo Safety Index:4.73
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.77
DESTINATION MARK:3.93

10. POREČ, CROATIA 3.93/5


Until recently Poreč was known mostly for its family tourism, which is focused on the sun and sea. In the last couple of years there have been significant moves in terms of seasonality and also the meetings industry. The whole of Istria, in fact, has a huge potential for incentive programmes. The congress infrastructure already exists, including the main culinary and sports programmes, as well as the salubrious surroundings that make them special. It’s just the appropriate connections to form real incentive products that have to be put in place, which will definitely make them seriously competitive. The list of events is getting longer every year and is moving Poreč up the ladder of event destinations in Croatia. If Poreč continues to be a tourist champion of Croatia, it will definitely make the break into the international congress scene.

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