News

170 German ADAC experts in Budapest

One of the largest German tour operators, ADAC Reisen held its conference in Budapest from 15-18 November. Altogether 170 German experts participated at the event, which was organised with the help of the Hungarian National Tourist Office. The group was shown the attractions of Budapest, furthermore four regions held presentations, and last but not at least visits were arranged to the House of Hungarian Wines and the Great Market Hall.

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Business Travel Show 2006

 

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The Hungexpo complex under renovation

The 20 million Euro renovation of the Hungexpo complex by the GL Events company will be finished two years earlier than the scheduled deadline, i.e. already in July 2008, emphasised Olivier Ginon, president of the GL Events Group. This also means that the current size of the (50.000 square metres) of the realty will be exceeded and a new, multifunctional 8-10.000 square metres large exhibition hall will be constructed. The pavilions A and D will be renewed, the pavilion C will be altered and F2 is going to be demolished. The pavilions will be connected by corridors. Additionally, two waiting halls are going to be built, one beside the hotel, the other beside the main entrance. Olivier Ginon declared that at the moment they are negotiating with international hotel chains about the renovation and the operation of the hotel, and concerning the transport, they have come to terms with the police on making the traffic as smooth as possible in the rush hours. They agreed with the local authority of Kőbánya that the parking space will be operated by GL Events. Last year, the total amount of balance sheet came to 6.625.000.000 HUF, the earnings before tax amounted 156.000.000 HUF. The dividends were not distributed, but stated as retained earnings.

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Corinthia Budapest hosts American Chamber of Commerce`s independence day

The five-star Corinthia Aquincum Hotel hosted for the third year running, the July 4th Independence Day Celebrations of the City’s American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM). Following the welcome speech of Mr. Jo Gowie, Corinthia Aquincum Hotel General Manager, His Excellency George H. Walker, the Ambassador of the United States to Hungary, greeted the guests at the 230th anniversary celebration of US Independence. He emphasized the good relationship between the US and Hungary, demonstrated by the recent visit to Hungary of the President of the United States, Mr. George W. Bush. The Ambassador also praised the outstanding activity of the American Chamber of Commerce in Budapest. Ms. Barbara Brill, on behalf of the Board of AmCham, thanked the Corinthia Aquincum Hotel General Manager, Mr. Gowie and his staff for the professional manner in which the event was

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New York Palace and Café opening this spring

After initially sizing up of the project, in February 2001 the Italian Boscolo Group undertook the reconstruction of the legendary building of the former New York Café. Experts prepared the plans of the monument controlled by the Boscolo Group’s own project management company Hotels Engineering. The new owners decided to open the Café together with the renewed Palace. From Spring 2006 the New York Café welcomes its guests in all it’s former splendour, recalling the milieu of the beginning of the 20th century with an additional more modern design touch. The five-star hotel New York Palace opens its gates with 107 rooms to the general public longing for luxury and high life. 

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Budapest at the 8th place!

According to the latest announcements of ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association), Budapest climbed up to place number 8 on the world ranking list in 2005! With this achievement Budapest overtakes cities like London, Prague or Brussels. On the country ranking list, Hungary is positioned at place number 20, climbing up 3 places and leaving behind countries like Belgium the Czech Republic. From the list of events provided by the Hungarian National Tourist Office, ICCA valuated 77 international meetings in Budapest as eligible to the criteria, while Hungary reached its great position with 97 meetings. As in 2003, Vienna tops the charts as the most popular city in 2005. Singapore remains 2nd and Barcelona, last year’s number 1, maintains its position in the top 3. The top 3 countries are exactly the same as in 2004. With 376 meetings, the USA stays at the top, after Germany with 320 meetings and Spain with 275 meetings. In 2005 ICCA identified 5315 events meeting its criteria, which means a rise of 511 compared to 2004. 

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Hungary’s success in circles of American professional

This March nearly 150 owners of American travel agencies visited Hungary within the study tours, organised by the Hungarian National Tourist Office. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) held its meeting in Prague between the 21-26 March. In connection to this reunion, the Hungarian Tourist Office offered presentations and workshops, and with the cooperation of the Hungarian convention Bureau, several study tours to Hungary had been organised for the American professionals. Before and after the meeting, the interested persons could participate in combined Middle-European, or just Hungarian programmes. During the past month, numerous positive responses arrived to the organizers, both in connection with the presentations and with the organized study tours.  

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Kölcsey Convention Center in Debrecen

Kölcsey Convention Centre is the largest, the most modern and the most well-equipped such centre in Eastern-Hungary, located in Debrecen, the second largest city in Hungary. It’s awaiting their guests since March 2006. It was built on an area of 13,000 m2 and it comprises a grand hall with the capacity of 750 visitors, and 8 breakout halls equipped with projectors and built in screens. Apart from these facilities the building has an exlusive ballroom with a central dancefloor and an exhibition hall, which are ideal for holding conferences, exhibitions, receptions, balls and parties. The spacious lounge can hold fairs or exhibitions. The Convention Centre has direct access to an exclusive hotel with 88 double bedrooms and 4 apartment rooms, which add up to 192 places altogether. Below the centre lies a 9,000 m² parking garage that can take 300 parking spaces, which is connected with the main building with elevators and stairs. In the close vicinity of the Convention Centre the visitors can find the newly built, 3-storeyed Museum of Modern Arts. The complex is designed to offer the following state-of-the-art technical equipment and facilities: • A complex, designed IT-system • A multi-channel system for simultaneous interpreting, serving 600 guests • An interior perfectly suitable for radio and television on-location coverage • A close circuit cable television network, control and editing rooms • A built-in amplification system, mixing room, and a portable amplification system • Stage with variable height and size, mobile auditorium • A stage lighting system, with a control room • Projection facilities, screens, projectors, and a control room • Proper internal soundproofing system between the various halls in case of parallel operation • Broadband internet access Contacts: Ms. Edit Rápolthy, Sales manager / Phone: +36-30/456-8839, e-mail: rapolthy@fonixinfo.hu

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Europa Congress Center opening in March 2006

The Hunguesthotels Europa Congress Center will be launched in the first quarter of 2006 in the second district of the capital. The conference and meeting venue will be embedded between the Hotel Europa and Hotel Rege. The Congress Center will be equipped with state-of-the-art 21st century technology and high-tech facilitiesm neeting all the requirements of our time. With a total floorspace of 7.000 m², the new project and both hotels will compose a whole new unit. 90 of the 260 available rooms can be found int he four-star Aparthotel Europa, 170 of them are located in the three-star Hotel Rege. A great advantage of the new unit will be the direct accessibility of the conference facilities through an enclosed glass bridge – connecting both hotels – without even having to leave the building. The fully air-conditioned center will have nine rooms on two levels with a net floorspace area of 2650 m², four of which can be divided into different sections with connecting doors. The plenary room hosts 470 in theatre style and its inner height of 7.45 m will also capacitate it for the most various exhibitions and shows.

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2006