News

MICE fam trip to Budapest

To promote the Hungarian MICE industry, 55 PCOs from 13 countries visited the country between 28-30 August. The fam trip was organised and financed by the 5-star hotels of Budapest and the HNTO, and was tasked with introducing the main congress centres and other attractions around the city. Participants also met with senior executives of the travel industry and received copies of the brand-new Where Meetings Meet Traditions brochure presenting the luxury hotels of Budapest.

---

Budapest conference hall greenlighted

After 18 months of waiting for the construction permits, the final administrative obstacle in the way of building the huge capacity conference centre has been removed. The Syma Congress Centre will host up to 4300 persons in its main hall, while the eventual total capacity of all the meeting rooms is 5300 persons. The new facility will also offer 4000 sqm of exhibition space and will be connected to the current Syma Event Hall, expanding the full area to 51,000 sqm. Preparations for the construction plans are on the way and negotiations have started with potential contractors.
The owner has staked 20% own financing with the remaining sum coming from bank loans, although there are also talks about state guarantees and EU funds. To secure sales of future capacities, SYMA has already contracted event organiser Meeting Budapest.

---

Hotel Kapitány focuses on events

The new equestrian theatre of Hotel Kapitány Wellness in Sümeg (north Balaton) is already hosting various sports and corporate training events even though the full stage equipment will be implemented only next May. The 3000-sqm, multi-functional event hall (the first step in the development of the hotel) can host 2000 viewers. Along with the upgrading of the meeting capacity, the owner is also planning to expand the accommodation facilities a new wing of the hotel building will host 70-80 new rooms and a conference room for 300, by this December. Finally, the wellness section will be expanded with indoor and outdoor pools and a bowling alley.

---

Discounted transport ticket for events, festivals

The Municipality of Budapest has decided to introduce a discounted public transport ticket system for participants of sport events, cultural programmes and conferences. Two ticket types will be available from November: one will be valid before and after the event for 2 hours for twice the price of the normal ticket, the other will enable travel over multiple days. Both types can be purchased from the organisers of events as a holographic sticker; one condition of use is that it will only be valid when presented together with the ticket or voucher of the specific event.

---

Silvanus receives upgrading and expansion

In order to serve the needs of the growing conference tourism to Visegrád (40 kms north of Budapest) the third floor of the former old wing of the Silvanus Conference and Sport Hotel has been demolished and replaced by two new storeys, where 38 superior rooms and 2 de luxe apartments are being built. A new elevator and a new covered terrasse for the brasserie, hosting 180 guests is also under construction, expanding the capacity of this new section room for 300. The opening of the new facilities is scheduled to Autumn 2009.

---

New Conference Rooms at Kempinski Corvinus

The Kempinski Corvinus banquet and meeting facilities now boast two splendid new rooms. The 130 sqm Corvinus Salon seats 100 people theatre style, while the 27 sqm Ficino is a board room, seating 10. They join the cluster of the function rooms on the first level, feature generous natural light and all the state-of-the-art technology and equipment that the Kempinski Corvinus meeting rooms offer. The two rooms are connected with Foyer III, which is ideal for registration, coffee breaks or receptions.

---

August