London | Business Events Sector Contributes to the City Economy with a Record of €189 Million

The Business Events Sector contributes a record €189 million to the British capital's economy according to data recorded by the London Convention Bureau, the main organisation designed to market the English city to the travelling public providing area resources, offering freem impartial advice, guidance and support, a result that means a record in terms of corporate events.

According to data collected in the period from January to September 2024, this is the highest record since the post - Covid recovery with an increase of 32% compared to the same period in 2023, figures that reveal a 28% increase in the number of events spanning financial technology, sustainability and life science which rose from 25 to 32.

Nowadays, North America traditionally remains the largest market for British capital, contributing more than 50% to all revenues in 2024, with a significant increase from €62 million in 2023 to €97 million this year, which means an increase of almost 60%.

From Asia to Europe and North America, London always remains a top choice for international event planners for prestige, rooted tradition, an extensive range of venues with something to suit all tastes capable of hosting conventions, exhibitions, meetings, from traditional and modern to luxury and affordable budget hotels and much more.

Highlights include the NOAH Conference at Royal Lancaster with 1.500 attendees, the Salesforce Word Tour at Excel London, event which welcomed 13.000 delegates and the Society of Cardiology with over 25.000 guests alongside 2BUK among others.

According to optimistic forecasts, the London Convention Bureau estimates that there will be a new economic boost by the end of the current year with a series of events debuting or returning in the British capital such aqs the European Society of Transplantation, the Salesforce World Tour and the KubeCon+CloudNativeCon among others.

Vice President of Business Development for North America at the London Convention Bureau Josh Novik said he was proud that the London Convention Bureau is always among the organizations that make the city a better plce for their communities and businesses. The business events sector may seem like a niche to some but our financial contributions prove that it really is a sleeping giant.

London's exceptional event infrastructure, connectivity, eclectic and versatile profile and talent make it no surprise that this metropolis remains one of Europe's leading meeting destinations.

There is a lot of excitement to be able to announce the many meetings in the near future and continue to make London an excellent hub for corporate events.

The sector of events that London hosts also concern the world of traditional sports and eSports which also contribute to the impressive growth and international events of remarkable appeal such as the MLB, the Major League Baseball which alone contributed  €63 million, Formula E with €32.6 million or The three NFL matches,National Football League which took place at Wembley Stadium and Tettenham Hotspur Stadium which generated a total revenue of €90 million.

London & Partners' Head of Major Events and Urban Experiences Ailsa Buck commented that it has been a stellar year for London as far as major events are concerned it's enough to mention Taylor Swift, the basketball exhibition games, the League of Legends finals of the month that comes on the horizon, the enthusiasm around London as venue of first level tournamments will continue.

All these events not only benefit Londoners but they also spread across Great Britain and Europe and calculating such impressive economic contributions from just six events, the potential in London is limitless.

Link -  https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/102969_el_turismo_de_negocios_aporta_un_record_de_189m_de_euros_la_economia

Brazil | Leader in the List of Sustainable Beaches in South America

 

Brazil, the largest and easternnmost country in South and Latin America comprising the oriental half of the continent and some groups of small islands in the Atlantic Ocean has achieved a new record in the Blue Flag Program, the certification that determines which beaches offer the best experience in terms of respect for the environment and their visitors.

The Blue Flag Program evaluates strict stability criteria from the FEE, Foundation Environmental Education focused on environmental management, water quality, environmental education, safety, services, sustainable tourism and responsibility.

The Program is coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education and in Brazil since 2005 by the Institute of Networked Environments, the destinations are evaluated by a national and an international jury and in the case of recognition a quality label is awarded every year in 50 countries to recognize the good and efficient management of seaside tourist destinations.

The international jury is composed of the Foundation for Environmental Education, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the EUCC, the European Union for Coastal Conservation.

The National Jury includes in addition to Embratur, the Tourism Board of Brazil also the Institute of Networked Environments, the Ministry of Tourism, the SPU, Federal Secretariat of Heritage, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Abem which corresponds to the Brazilian Association of State Environmental Entities, Anamma which is the Association of Municipalities and the Environment,  the Aquatic Rescue Society, the Brazilian Agency for Coastal Management and the Brazilian Nautical Association.

This award is considered one of the most recognized awards in the world that represents a sort of seal of excellence for the beaches and marinas of all countries, an award that is given to those who show with positive results the greatest commitment in terms of sustainability, safety and respect for visitors.

In Brazilian territory, with the latest evaluation valid for the 2024/2025 summer season, 49 sites were awarded for their commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism including 38 beaches and 11 marinas, a result that consolidates the country as a leader in environmental certifications for coastal destinations in South America.

Approvals with the corresponding awards include destinations in the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina with the national Blue Flag award ceremony taking place on 1st November 2024 in the city of Salvador, the capital of Brazil's northeastern state of Bahia, well known for its stunning tropical coastline, Portuguese colonian architecture and Afro – Brazilian culture.

The President of Embratur, the Brazilian Tourist Board, federal - state owned agency reporting to the National Ministry of Tourism Marcelo Freixo celebrated the result of intense work to develop sustainable tourism in Brazil.

The President commented that the government is working assiduously in collaboration with states and municipalities in this process of qualifying Brazilian destinations to make national beaches more sustainable.

The international recognition of this effort undoubtedly strengthens Brazil's position as a reference point for tourism sustainability by helping the country attract more international tourists who now have high levels of demand in relation to sustainability.

In addition to Brazil, the other South American countries that appear on the Blue Flag list are Colombia with eight beaches, Chile with three and Argentina with two, in the case of this country two resorts in Mar del Plata received the Blue flag distinction : Mediterráneo in Punta Mogotes, a long open beach area and an adjacent neighbourhood of the city and San Sebastián in La Perla.

 Link - https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/102970_brasil_lidera_el_listado_de_playas_sostenibles_de_sudamerica

Eurostars Hotel Company & Restel | Presentation of the "Meet & Greet" Project in Portugal with Future International Events

Eurostars Hotels, hospitality chain formed in 2005 and Restel S.A., one of the leading travel distribuitions platforms in the tourism sector and global hotel supplier, both part of Grupo Hotusa, Spanish international company made up of several companies related to various area of the tourism industry founded in 1977 and headquartered in Barcelona, presented in Lisbon and Porto, the two main cities of Portugal, the "Meet & Greet" project, which represents a version of the renewed format of their exclusive experiential events for travel agents.

The initiative, which has established itself in Spain as an exclusive point of reference and meeting point for travel agents achieving great success with events that have brought together more than 200 travel agents in 20 Spanish cities, expands abroad with the Lusitanian country and in the future with events that will be held in other various European cities such as Rome, Budapest, Munich, Naples and Prague.

The two presentation events took place at the Eurostars Porto Douro and the Áurea Museum bringing together over 60 participants who were able to live and enjoy an exclusive gastronomic experience with the tasting of local products, underlining the importance of supporting cultural authenticity at a regional level and sustainable practices.

These two principles appear to be a fundamental pillar in the values of Eurostars Hotels Company and Restel S.A which plan to organize, define and promote these meetings at national and international level.

Restel Group stated that the solid global positioning of Eurostars Hotel Company and Restel, in addition to the very positive reception of this initiative in the Spanish market, encouraged the promoters to extend it to main European cities, convinced that the "Meet & Greet" format will have an impact that lives up to the expectacions of the two groups as has happened in Spain.

The main objective is to share this very successful model with other markets to consolidate the positions of both companies and of course strengthen relations with the travel agents of the European destinations included in the new proposal.

The "Meet & Greet" project represents the evolution of its national format allowing these events to be taken to other key destinations internationally, meetings that promise to continue to successfully offer an exclusive space for travel agents by exchanging very enriching experiences through networking.

Link  https://www.expreso.info/noticias/hoteles/102849_eurostars_y_restel_presentan_en_portugal_su_exitoso_evento_meet_greet

Senator Hotels & Resorts | Future Launch and Management of a New Boutique Hotel in Gandia

 

Senator Hotels & Resorts, Spanish leading hotel chain in the holiday sector with 4 and 5 stars accommodation in the main tourist destinations of Spain and with full expansion in the Caribbean, a traditional family hospitality group established for 57 years ago with its headquarter in Roquetas de Mar - Almeria in Andalusia, group segmented into three different brands informed about the launch and the management of a new, future boutique hotel which will be openend  in the Valencian locality Gandia on the new line of Partner Brand Hotel Management.

This new 40 - room hotel named Hotel Indigo Gandia Beach will operate under the Hotel Indigo Brand which is part of the British company InterContinental Hotels Group marketed as IHG Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Windsor - Berkshire - England with an expected opening in June 2025.

The brand Indigo in all its essence offers a vibrant, engaging and genuine boutique experience that gives guests the confidence to step out and explore the local neighbourhood, each property is unique and designed and developed to reflect the local character, culture and geography of the surrounding area while brand hallmarks ensure consistent and reliable from location to location.

In the new hotel, faithful to the group's philosophy, gastronomy will play a central role, the future accommodation will have an elegant, modern space with a restaurant with a show dinner aimed at external clients and a large pool club – style swimming pool area, exclusively for hotel guests.

The Andalusian Hotel Group is once again engaged in its strategic expansion on the Valencian coast after the success of Senator Gandia, an accommodation included in the Senator Hotels urban brand that has greatly contributed to improving what Gandia well known municipality located on the Costa del Azahar also named Costa dels Tarongers, capital of the La Safor region and great Mediterranean destination already offers to visitors thanks to the Centro Senzia Spa by Senator next to the restaurants l' Attitude and above all the renowned Marao by Paco Perez.

The works, with an estimated value of €7 million, began in September 2024 and the municipality of Gandia has shown its support for the project by guaranteeing the necessary resources for its development, communicating that the building will maintain the current structural profile while respecting the residents and the surrounding environment,without any peculiar architectural alterations.

 Senator Hotels & Resorts, leader in Andalusia with its new look of Partner Brand Hotel Management, expands its portfolio with this new, future hotel next to other brands that provide the greatest added value in each case, also complementing their own such as Senator Hotels, Playa Hoteles by Senator and Affiliated by Senator.

The Hotel Indigo Gandia Beach managed by Senator Hotels & Resorts will become undoubtedly a point of reference on the Azahar coast, elevating the accommodation offer to a new level of hospitality, refinement and comfort, generating jobs directly and indirectly.

 

Link -  https://www.expreso.info/noticias/hoteles/102610_senator_hotels_resorts_gestionara_un_nuevo_hotel_boutique_en_gandia