ABT-ACTE Russia educational session: Greece is the cradleland of western civilization and MICE
Greece is a picturesque and protean country. ABT-ACTE Russia educational session «MICE geography: we all are somewhat Greek» which was held on April 21st in the Gargen Ring Hotel, was devoted to the things Greece can offer business travellers.
When we speak about ancient Hellas, which is duly considered to be the cradleland of the western civilization, we think of girls in tunics, men in laureate wreaths and the majestic Acropolis. But modern Greece is a much more colourful and comprehensive country.
Only in Greece any usual conference, talks or an incentive tour have the unique atmosphere that combines business communication and the most vivid emotions. Travel destinations of the country are not restricted to Athens or Thessaloniki so much loved by the Russians, but also include Crete, Rhodes, Kos and many other unique islands, as well as the new MICE destination — Peloponnesus.
Head of MICE department of Ambotis Tours Air Service Julia Abarenova presented her report at the educational session. Interestingly, the name of the company was not chosen accidentally: Πλημμυρίδα και Άμπωτις means «ebb and float». It reminds us of majestic ebbs and floats of the sea and is a metaphor meaning an endless succession of travellers eager to discover all the mysteries of this ancient country.
Strange as it may seem, but Greeks invented MICE. The word «symposion» (συμπόσιον), or the Latin «symposium» means «a feast». Ancient people gathered in an informal atmosphere, had a delicious meal with a large amount of wine and music and settled serious and sometimes even strategic questions in this informal atmosphere. Nowadays the agenda of MICE events may include quite serious issues as well, but organizers always try to make participants be in a good mood: use teambuilding elements, offer entertainment programs — in other words, ancient Greek practices are applied at the new level.
In the opinion of Ms Abarenova, Greek mentality is similar to Russian. And due to rich local traditions, history and nature even the most unusual event concepts may be put into practice.
If we speak about catering, the «all inclusive» system is not used everywhere in Greece. «Unlike a family vacation, all inclusive is not always the best choice for the corporate budget», Julia Abarenova notes. «Clients usually want to have a busy program, to show the country to the event participants or to hold events at unusual venues. The all inclusive system implies certain rules — for example, to stay at the hotel territory all the time. In this case, if we go outside the hotel, we pay for catering twice. We do not optimize the budget, but only increase it this way.» At the same time the expert stressed the country’s focus on MICE industry — hotels’ price policy is very loyal when it goes about various events.
Ms Abarenova recommended sending large groups to Athens, Thessaloniki, Pelopopnessus, Halkidiki, the islands of Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Corfu. Small islands are suited for groups that do not exceed 30 persons, because they do not provide facilities for large events. Much larger groups, up to 2,5 thousand should be accommodated in Athens, Thessaloniki, Pelopopnessus, Halkidiki, Crete or Rhodes that offer large resorts and hotels belonging to international hotel chains.
Events should be planned for the period from April to November, but you should take into account the travel season in July and August, it is the least favourable time for MICE. The best winter destinations are Athens, Thessaloniki and Costa Navarino on Peloponessus.
When you book rooms, you should keep in mind the difference between a «twin room» (a room with two separate beds) and a «double» (one big double bed) in order to avoid unpleasant surprises when you accommodate groups of business travellers.
Ambotis provides visa support not only for Russian citizens, but also for the citizens of the CIS, arranges flights and transfers and offers Russian speaking staff. Moreover, if you plan your trip beforehand, there is always an opportunity to find employees that speak other, even very rare languages. The company offers corporate buyers its branding services — for example, if you need roll-ups, they may be manufactured on site, and you do not have to bring them with you from Russia. And finally, one of the most important aspects of work of MICE department of Ambotis is the development of event scenario and concept, including production of promotional materials and souvenirs.
Anna Kolebaeva, development director of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Russia and the CIS spoke about MICE facilities hotels of this chain offer in Greece: first of all, its two top hotels in the capital of the country — Grande Bretagne and King George. Both hotels are located in the heart of Greece’s capital, within a walking distance from the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Exclusive boutiques, museums, the business area, Constitution square and the Parliament are located nearby.
The large banquet hall of Grande Bretagne hotel of 440 sq. metres in area is a magnificent hall decorated with rare pieces of art purchased at Sotheby’s and Christie’s auctions. The hall may be divided into three smaller banquet halls that can be used for all types of events. The capacity of the hall is 500 persons for receptions or 390 persons for banquets. Another venue, the Golden Room with the area of 300 sq. metres, is decorated in the same way as the large banquet hall and can hold up to 380 persons (300 persons in case of classroom style layout). There is also the Room (143 sq. metres, 180 persons for standing receptions and 120 for banquets) and smaller rooms in the hotel. Hotel guests can have SPA treatments, herbal baths, attend a sauna or a swimming pool.
The Ballroom banqueting hall in King George hotel with the area of 183 sq. metres is in ivory, blue and golden key of the late Empire style. The adjacent lobby may be used for standing receptions and coffee breaks for groups of 50 persons. The total area of event venues in King George is 340 sq. metres.
Ms Kolebaeva also spoke about The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino, which includes two luxurious five star hotels — The Romanos Luxury Collection, Costa Navarino, and The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino. Business travellers are offered great conditions for all kinds of MICE events — the central venue is the Event House with the total area of more than 5000 sq. metres that can hold more than 2000 persons. High speed internet, audio and video equipment are provided at all the event venues. There is a business centre in The Romanos Luxury Collection, a banquet hall for 1700 persons and a library.
Utair offers business travellers regular flights to Greece, they were the topic of the report presented by Denis Shkabara, commercial vice director of the company.
Utair offers flights to Greece by Boeing 737-500 and 737-800 and has careful scheduling of departures and arrivals. Daily flight schedule is customized for two peak time hours — 09:00 and 18:00.
Utair is one of top three Russian air carriers. Ambotis Tours Air Service has been official representative and general sales agent of Utair in Greece and Cyprus since 2012.
Three lucky persons who took part in ABT-ACTE Russia educational session got the main prizes of the day: a free flight with Utair and a present from Starwood Hotels & Resorts — a certificate for a whole week of free accommodation in Westin.
A nice supplement to the Greek morning included olives, cheeses, halva and preserve that had been brought from Greece not long before; guests had a glass of champagne and listened to live music by a Greek national folk song band.
After the event personal presents from partner companies were handed in to all the guests; all the participants had an opportunity to inspect the Garden Ring hotel.
«I received lots of great impressions!» Julia Aslyamova, Otto Group Russia, shared her impressions of the session. «Thank you very much for the opportunity to participate in an event like that.»
«It was a great presentation of Starwood hotels, professional advice by Julia Abarenova, a delicious breakfast in an informal Greek atmosphere. Thank you very much for the organization of the event and for the perfectly presented travel product!» Ekaterina Zlyvko, business travel manager in IT-online Group supported her colleague’s point of view.
«It has been my first time at an event like that and I liked both the contents and the organization», Mariana Salmassi, PRA International, added.
«Thank you for the great beginning of the day and the good mood. I will be glad to participate in similar events in the future,» — this opinion of Julia Tuzova from Promo-Med will probably be shared by all the participants of ABT-ACTE Russia educational session.
You can find the photo report of the event at ABT’s page in Facebook in Photos section, Albums subsection (facebook.com/ABT.Russia/photos_albums).
Oleg Abarnikov