Supergreybeard and I are currently working with the National Tourist Authority here in Ireland on a 10 year strategy for Business Tourism. We feel profoundly privileged to be contributing, with the Business Events community in Ireland, both public and private, to an overall plan for tourism that places real value on MICE and includes it amongst the 6 strategic pillars of the overall plan.
Who knew a little over a year ago, for instance, that the headlines on our daily news would be Trump and Brexit? Yet 10 years is indeed a realistic time frame within which you can hope to achieve something tangible, particularly as regards infrastructure given the rhythm of the planning process and the time it takes to build something of consequence.
I was thrilled over the past week to note that Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, and another of the destinations with which we work, will shortly have some long awaited new infrastructure in the shape of a spanking new Intercontinental Hotel. A contemporary glass and steel structure laid out over 21 floors, Intercontinental Ljubljana will have guest rooms and a banqueting hall accommodating guests. Global chain properties in the luxury category help put destinations on the map, particularly for incentive travel experiences.
Immediately a new stream of high end incentive business was interested in Dublin. We saw it again with the opening of the bedroom Ritz Carlton at Powerscourt in Despite opening just as Ireland was plunging into an economic abyss, the hotel survived on the promise of legendary Ritz Carlton service delivered with an Irish smile β most of its business in its initial years was group incentive business, in fact.
Undoubtedly, the opening of the Intercontinental in Ljubljana can do the same for this great hidden gem destination. The Grand Hotel Union represents over years of high end hospitality and glamour and connects guests to the history and heritage of the city. It interconnects with the Grand Hotel Union Business, previously a Holiday Inn, and between the two structures offers guest rooms and suites.
