In the November issue of M&C Magazine, Michael C. Lowe suggests the following 5 hot international cities to consider for your next destination event because they have seen recent developments in infrastructure, renovated hotels, meeting venues and transportation options. He also stated that planners will find myriad deals and affordable attractions to help keep budgets under control.
1. Cape Town, South Africa: http://www.southafrica.net
Cape Town sits on South Africa's southwestern coast with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and 3,562-foot-high Table Mountain on the other. This second most populous South African city is an international business hub with rugged wilderness around the corner.
Why Now? Because since she recently hosted the 2010 World Cup, Cape Town is bristling with new hotels and a citywide room count of around 32,000 including a strong infrastructure for meetings and convention at the currently expanding Cape Town International Convention Center. The city has held the International conference and Convention Association's top ranking spot for global gatherings in Africa and the Middle East for the past two years.
2. London, England: www.visitlondon.com
England's capital city is bursting with attractions ranging from the venerable Buckingham Palace to the vertiginous London Eye Ferris Wheel and to the ever-increasing supply of excellent hotels with state-of-the-art meeting facilities.
Why Now? Because in 2012, London will host the Olympic Games (for a record third time) and
where more than US 17 billion worth of development is taking place.
3. Riviera Nayarit, Mexico: www.rivieranayarit.com
Found about midway down Mexico's western coast. This scenic region begins at the large, modern city of Nuevo Vallarta in the south and meanders up some 190 miles along the Pacific Ocean to the city of San Blas in the north. She offers pristine beaches, quaint fishing villages, eco-tourism excursions and more.
Why Now? This booming stretch of beautiful coast-line was dubbed the Riviera Nayarit just four years ago and is coming into its own as a tourism destination. They are planning to add 756 new hotel rooms this year and an additional 10,000 before 2015.
4. Dublin, Ireland: www.meetinireland.com/us
Medieval, Georgian and modern architecture coexist in beautiful contradiction in Ireland's capital. This bustling port city on the river Liffey is studded with landmarks, museums, art galleries and pubs, while just a few minutes away are seaside villages and rolling hillside.
Why now? With its three yearlong (and counting) economic struggle unfolding at the same time, some 3,000 new hotel rooms came online in the capital city, one result has been that nightly hotel rates in Dublin fell by 7 percent in the first six months of 2010 making it surprisingly affordable for groups.
5. Hyderabad, India: www.hicc.com
The capital of the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh in south-central India, Hyderabad is a relatively new destination for corporate travelers but has a rich 400-year history. The city is home to the Hyderabad International Convention Center, India’s largest, with a 65,750-square-foot main hall for up to 5,000 delegates and 32 additional meeting rooms. Adjacent is the 287-room Novotel Hyderabad Hotel, which opened in 2006.
Why Now? The city has been dubbed "Cyberabad" thanks to its thriving IT, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries. A burgeoning hotel sector has 12 new properties coming online in the next year, adding a total of 1,960 rooms to the city's skyline; with room rates generally remain reasonable. The city's many charms have been drawing events such as The International Congress and Convention Association's 49th annual Congress and Exhibition, held last October.
See the November 2010 issue of M&C Magazine for the full article.
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