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MEETING STAR 2019

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.

SO GOOD THAT WE COULDN’T IGNORE IT!

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M – MEETING DESTINATIONS
Destinations that can host up to 1,200 congress attendees

2019 M CATEGORY WINNERS

  • 1. DUBROVNIK 4,39
  • 2. BLED 4,09
  • 2. SCHLADMING 4,09
  • 3. OPATIJA 4,04
  • 4. PORTOROSE 4,03
  • 5. ROVINJ 4,02
  • 6. KLAGENFURT 4,01
  • 7. VILLACH 4,00
  • 8. MARIBOR 3,95
  • 9. SPLIT 3,90
  • 10. TRIESTE 3,89

1. DUBROVNIK, CROATIA 4.39/5


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 number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms4,272
The number of 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 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.95
General and transport infrastructure:4.62
Tourist infrastructure:4.91
Meeting infrastructure:4.81
Subjective grade:4.84
Marketing Buzz:4.45
ICCA index:3.80
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.49
Numbeo Safety Index:4.89
ACI Airport Connectivity Index3.18
DESTINATION MARK:4.39
dubrovnik, croatia

2. BLED, SLOVENIA 4.09/5


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 on 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 the 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.

The number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms693
The number of 4* and 5* hotels8
Destination population6,332
Banquet hall maximum capacity400
Largest hall in the city500 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity514

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

BLED INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.87
General and transport infrastructure:4.72
Tourist infrastructure:4.55
Meeting infrastructure:4.77
Subjective grade:4.73
Marketing Buzz:4.54
ICCA index:1.25
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.53
Numbeo Safety Index:4.72
ACI Airport Connectivity Index3.25
DESTINATION MARK:4.09
bled_slovenia

2. SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA 4.09/5


Schladming is a big skiing centre, the scene of the best slalom races of the season as well as other internationally known sports 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 were mostly sporting events, on which they have built extensively. With the event organisation, the destination has gained a lot of experience, which can now be transferred into the congress field.

The number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms2,323
The number of 4* and 5* hotels54
Destination population6,716
Banquet hall maximum capacity800
Largest hall in the city1,400 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity1,200

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

SCHLADMING INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.79
General and transport infrastructure:4.77
Tourist infrastructure:4.71
Meeting infrastructure:4.76
Subjective grade:4.74
Marketing Buzz:4.53
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.76
Numbeo Safety Index:4.77
ACI Airport Connectivity Index3.06
DESTINATION MARK:4.09
Schladming

3. OPATIJA, CROATIA 4.04/5


170 years of tourism tradition is based on the positive energy of the riviera and 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.

The number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms1,971
The number of 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 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.79
General and transport infrastructure:4.69
Tourist infrastructure:4.79
Meeting infrastructure:4.87
Subjective grade:4.83
Marketing Buzz:4.44
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.49
Numbeo Safety Index:4.74
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.78
DESTINATION MARK:4.04

4. PORTOROSE, SLOVENIA 4.03/5


The historic laurels of the leading Adriatic congress destination are slowly starting to gather dust. Portorose 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.

The number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms4,500
The number of 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 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.77
General and transport infrastructure:4.60
Tourist infrastructure:4.60
Meeting infrastructure:4.73
Subjective grade:4.76
Marketing Buzz:4.47
ICCA index:1.25
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.66
Numbeo Safety Index:4.65
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.78
DESTINATION MARK:4.03
portoroz_slovenia

5. ROVINJ, CROATIA 4.02/5


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.

The number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms1,342
The number of 4* and 5* hotels6
Destination population14,294
Banquet hall maximum capacity800
Largest hall in the city1,600 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity1000

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

ROVINJ INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.78
General and transport infrastructure:4.49
Tourist infrastructure:4.70
Meeting infrastructure:4.71
Subjective grade:4.70
Marketing Buzz:4.40
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.87
Numbeo Safety Index:4.74
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.78
DESTINATION MARK:4.02
rovinj_croatia

6. KLAGENFURT, AUSTRIA 4.01/5


Klagenfurt is a likeable alpine congress destination with a rich cultural heritage and high experiential diversity. The key advantage is definitely fairytale-like well-maintained and pleasant environment, the quality offer that is above average in a regional sense, and professionalism of suppliers. Position at the crossroads of important routes is also an important factor in the 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 sustainable development.

The number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms560
The number of 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 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.77
General and transport infrastructure:4.75
Tourist infrastructure:4.77
Meeting infrastructure:4.49
Subjective grade:4.67
Marketing Buzz:4.46
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:4.32
Numbeo Safety Index:4.45
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.45
DESTINATION MARK:4.01

7. VILLACH, AUSTRIA 4.00/5


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 the meetings industry in this part of Austria is the numerous incentive programmes, all of which you can engage in a very clean environment. The most charming aspects are the Carinthian 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.

The number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms517
The number of 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 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.74
General and transport infrastructure:4.75
Tourist infrastructure:4.70
Meeting infrastructure:4.53
Subjective grade:4.67
Marketing Buzz:4.42
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:4.32
Numbeo Safety Index:4.45
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.45
DESTINATION MARK:4.00
villach_austria

8. MARIBOR, SLOVENIA 3.95/5


As the second-largest city in Slovenia, Maribor oozes the historic charm of a relaxed, medieval town. It is no wonder, then, that in 2012 Maribor was awarded the flattering title “European Capital of Culture”. “A life well lived” could very well be the slogan for the capital of Slovenia’s Styria region, for its greatest asset is its extraordinary access to nature, with an attractive position between the Drava river, the green Pohorje plateau on one side and, on the other, sunny wine-growing hills that stretch all the way to the Austrian border and beyond. With its quality congress/business capacities and opportunities for unique experiences combined with picturesque surroundings and the warm hospitality of the people, Maribor is becoming increasingly renowned as a host destination for conventions, seminars, and other meetings and events.

The number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms525
The number of 4* and 5* hotels9
Destination population95,589
Banquet hall maximum capacity400
Largest hall in the city404 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity500

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

MARIBOR INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.73
General and transport infrastructure:4.59
Tourist infrastructure:4.62
Meeting infrastructure:4.42
Subjective grade:4.69
Marketing Buzz:4.28
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.65
Numbeo Safety Index:4.38
ACI Airport Connectivity Index3.17
DESTINATION MARK:3.95
festival_of_walks_maribor

9. SPLIT, CROATIA 3.90/5


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 number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms1,525
The number of 4* and 5* hotels28
Destination population178,102
Banquet hall maximum capacity450
Largest hall in the city768 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity800

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

SPLIT INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.69
General and transport infrastructure:4.64
Tourist infrastructure:4.84
Meeting infrastructure:4.53
Subjective grade:4.73
Marketing Buzz:4.08
ICCA index:1.62
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.02
Numbeo Safety Index:3.79
ACI Airport Connectivity Index3.10
DESTINATION MARK:3.90
le_meridien_split

10. TRIESTE, ITALY 3.89/5


Today, Trieste is mostly known for its coffee, rather than the meetings industry. The geo-political location could make Trieste a leading Adriatic congress destination, yet it is now being overtaken by less accessible and geographically located destinations. A solid infrastructure is a good foundation for development. The image of the city on the regional and world market needs to be improved. When key stakeholders on both sides of the border realize the potential of the city, it can become much more important than it is today.

The number of 4* and 5* hotel rooms3,000
The number of 4* and 5* hotels16
Destination population204,849
Banquet hall maximum capacity600
Largest hall in the city640 m2
Theatre style hall maximum capacity600

INDIVIDUAL GRADES

TRIESTE INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2019
Natural and cultural factors:4.66
General and transport infrastructure:4.69
Tourist infrastructure:4.67
Meeting infrastructure:4.49
Subjective grade:4.71
Marketing Buzz:4.07
ICCA index:1.02
Numbeo quality of life Index:3.47
Numbeo Safety Index:4.38
ACI Airport Connectivity Index2.77
DESTINATION MARK:3.89
trieste_italy

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