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Georgia lies to the east of the Black sea in the south Caucasus. It shares borders with Russia in the north and Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan in the south. One of Europe’s best kept secrets, Georgia is blessed with stunning scenery, a rich variety of flora and fauna, enclosed high valleys, wide plains, health spas, and cave cities.  Come and explore Georgia with Caucasus Travel DMC.

Tbilisi Peace Bridge

Why Georgia

Known for mountains, churches, hiking and history, Georgia’s landscape is dotted with an abundance of medieval fortresses, spectacular Orthodox churches and monasteries, plus warm, welcoming people and a delectable cuisine including one of the world’s oldest wine-making traditions, Georgia is the true essence of a diamond in the rough.

In 2019 Batumi was named Europe’s leading emerging tourist destination at the World Travel Awards, while an incredible eight million tourists visited Georgia in 2018, more than double its population.

Tourism Infrastructure

Tourism infrastructure in Georgia is advanced enough to welcome discerning groups and incentives, as well as offering lesser-known towns and regions to explore the unspoilt history and tradition of the region. There are plentiful hotels and accommodations for varying size groups, small families and luxury tourists. Hotels include recognised names such as Radisson Blu, Marriot, and Sheraton, alongside small family hotels, comfortable boutique resorts and guesthouses for travellers seeking traditional Georgian hospitality.

Tbilisi

The capital, Tbilisi, stands on the banks of the river Mtkvari, in a valley surrounded by hills. With its warm climate, stone houses built around vine-draped courtyards, winding streets and alleys, the city brims with history and exudes a lively Mediterranean atmosphere.

Narikala Castle and view over Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi has emerged as one of the coolest cities in Europe, with a burgeoning club scene, world-class restaurants and a selection of natural wine bars that easily make it the hippest spot in the region.

Batumi

The country’s summer capital is set on the Black Sea coast, resplendent with end of century architecture, fortress and botanical garden.

Georgian Cuisine

Each part of Georgia has its unique cuisine with its special flavour.

Cafes and restaurants mostly serve the Georgian National dishes and local cuisine as well as European and Mediterranean dishes. Many restaurants offer folk shows, showcasing traditional songs and Georgian folk dances. Traditional cuisine consists of large sharing platters of spicy lamb, beef or chicken stews or khinkali (spicy dumplings filled with meat or potato and steaming broth) fresh salads, smoked cheeses and vegetable dishes such as pkhali (crushed mixed vegetables, aubergine, walnut and garlic paste). The flat, bread-like pie stuffed with molten cheese, should not be missed! Not to mention churchkhela, made from dipping a string of walnuts into a caramel-like grape paste and strung up to dry out – these colourful confections can be seen hanging at stalls all across Georgia.

Georgian Wine

Wine making is a part of Georgia’s national psyche and, with evidence of the craft dating back 8000 years, it’s not hard to understand why. Georgians are deeply proud to still be using traditional methods to create their vintages: here, the grapes are pressed and the whole lot, including seeds, skin and stems, is transferred to large clay pots called qvevri, and placed underground for several months to ferment. The process results in a more ‘natural’ flavour, and wines with a much deeper colour.

Activities

Hiking; trekking; 4×4 adventures; mountaineering; cycling; rafting; kayaking; caving; boating on underground lakes; paragliding; ballooning; bird watching; hunting (photography); fishing; national parks; horse riding…. The country offers it all.

Georgia is a compact and diverse country, with very small distance between completely contrasting landscapes: deserts, sea, subtropics, tea plantations, high mountains etc. Almost everything can be seen within a day or so travelling in a 4×4 vehicle.

Meetings & Incentives

Tbilisi offers multiple venues for participants of up to 500, with folk music, traditional cuisine, dancing and more. Venues such as Narikhala Castle, Gergeti Monastery and the David Gareji Monastery are also available, together with exciting activities to delight any number of participants.  For a full itinerary and detailed recommendations for group and incentive travel to Georgia, contact Caucasus Travel.

About Caucasus Travel

Caucasus Travel has been a leading incoming tour operator specialised in Cultural, adventurous and tailor-made tours for Groups and Independent Travellers to South Caucasus countries: Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan since 1991.

Caucasus Travel is a company of choice for more than 200 tour operators, travel agencies, incentive houses, conference organisers and professional associations all over the world. High professionalism of staff, reliability, innovation, perfection of product and high-quality services have always been the basis and guarantee of numerous client’s satisfaction.

Whilst DMC Poland is on hand to guide, advise and plan any group or incentive travel activity to Poland, the following can serve as an introduction to just a small sample of what this beautiful country has to offer for MICE travel, incentives, corporate retreats, company excursions, group travel and much more.

Krasicki Castle

Introduction

Poland is overflowing with energy and blessed with a rich history boasting historic locations, medieval castles and refurbished manors which go hand in hand with modern conference centres, new concert halls and luxurious hotels that spring up every year. The choice of destinations and venues keeps growing: from mountains to sea, from the hustle and bustle of city life to calm rural countryside.

As the 7^th largest economy in the EU, Poland has 12 international airports and 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  What more could you ask for, as a group or incentive organiser?

Polish Cuisine

Worried about what your group might eat?  No problem.  Poland has everything!

Whilst pickled cucumbers are one of the symbols of Polish cuisine, and the country offers an impressive selection of over 200 varieties of soup, it doesn’t stop there!

Located at the crossroads of historical trade routes between Europe and Asia, Poland’s culinary influences are diverse: spices from the orient, cured meat and sausage from Lithuania, dumplings from Ukraine, desserts influenced by French cuisine – not to mention Poland’s own blend of traditional cuisine.

Poland’s forests offer an abundance of wild game, and are home to sought after honey from well-fed bees.  Salt comes from famous mines, and bread is baked from home-grown wheat and rye.

Culinary adventures begin with some of the most trending gastronomic regions such as Pomerania (Gdańsk) and Silesia (Katowice), and in the cities of Kraków, Łódź, Poznań, Warsaw, and Wrocław. In fact, your entire trip could be built around new culinary experiences!

Venues

Indoor, outdoor, above ground or below ground – historical or modern….  Venues for events or interesting to visit….. Poland has it all.

Castles & Palaces

Preserved or restored, castles and palaces are part of Poland’s historical heritage, found throughout the country, and are full of life, revitalised and re-purposed as museums or education centres; venues for cultural events or outdoor activities; converted to luxury hotels and spas; or resplendent with restaurants.

Moszna Castle

Over 500 castles and 2,500 palaces are scattered all over Poland, each with its own back story.  Such as Kórnik Castle where legend has it that every night the castle its 18th-century owner, known as the White Lady, haunts the building which is also famous for its coach house and grounds. Moszna Castle has a total of 99 spires and resembles magical palaces featured in fairy tales and Disney films. Krzyżtopór Castle in Ujazd, which despite its dilapidated state plays host to artillery shows, concerts, dancing classes and staged knights’ battles every few months.

Caves & Mines

Poland’s wonders are not only found above ground, but in fabulous caves, mysterious tunnels and multi-storey medieval cellars – with nine cave systems, seventeen mines and tunnels, and countless other underground wonders teeming with life: The river flowing in the Black Trout Adit is alive with fish and the caves in the Ojcow National Park or the tunnels of the Miedzyrzecz Fortified Region are a favourite location for wintering bats.  Events, parties, pop-up restaurants….. everything is possible underground in Poland.

Destinations

With so many attractive destinations throughout Poland, with varying climates and local appeal, DMC Poland is best placed to advise the best locations for each individual group and incentive – but here is an overview of some of the more popular cities and their highlights.

Warsaw

The capital of Poland is a city with many faces where tradition mingles with modernity, a meeting place for politicians, economists and artists of all nationalities, and a favourite with visitors.

Warsaw offers a wealth of entertainment options, including theatre, cabaret shows, film festivals and concerts by famous opera soloists, pop stars and classical music performers. Warsaw hosts several music festivals annually, including the International Festival of Contemporary Music, Warsaw Autumn, and the Mozart Festival. The scenic Old Town and its Market Square, offering wine cellars and elegant restaurants, St John’s Cathedral, the King’s Castle, and many more historical and cultural delights are fantastic locations to while away the time, or host an event to be remembered.

Gdańsk

Gdańsk is as old as Poland itself. Located in the north of the country on the sea coast at the mouth of the Vistula, Gdańsk was the Polish gateway to the sea. Also known as the Capital of Amber, often referred to as “Polish gold,” amber is the oldest and most precious export product from the Baltic Coast.

Gdansk

Wrocław

Wrocław is one of the most visited Polish cities, full of monuments and thousands of years of history. Magnificent manor houses, churches, the university and a whole gamut of Nobel Prize winners are all witnesses of the town’s past and present splendour.

Lublin

Lublin is the largest city east of the Vistula River, just 100 miles away from Poland’s capital, known as the “gate to the East” and is an important educational and scientific centre.

Opole

Opole has preserved its historical urban layout which originated from the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries and is referred to as the Silesian chessboard. The National Festival of Polish Song has been held here annually since 1963 and each year new events, fairs, shows and competitions are added to the city’s events calendar.   The city’s famous Amphitheatre, designed by local architect Florian Jesionowski, accommodates an audience of 5640 with each of the 42 rows of benches being 280 metres in length.

Outdoor Pursuits

From skiing and snowboarding in the mountains to kayaking on more than 10,000 paddle-friendly lakes, Poland is a dream for outdoor activities – whether individuals, groups or for incentive travel programmes.

Skiing/Snowboarding

In the south of the country are several dozen resorts for winter sports with the better-known ski slopes in Zakopane; or the longest in the Tatry leading from the mountain revered by Polish skiers – Kasprowy Peak, to the Gąsienicowa Meadow – which is over 7 km long.

Winter in Poland

Kayaking

Poland has a dense network of waterways, ideal for kayaking excursions, with about 150 mapped routes along rivers and through wonderful, twisting lakes.

Kayaking – River Drweca

Cycling

Newly-built cycling lanes in cities, forests, along river bank trails, and challenging mountain trails, attract thousands of bikers every year. Recent investments in biking infrastructure have made Poland a perfect destination for individuals, leisure groups and serious cyclists alike.  Cycling can be built into a group trip as a complete travel experience, or half day activity.

Narrow Gauge Rail Trails

Poland has an abundance of narrow-gauge railways criss-crossing the country – an unusual and highly appealing way to explore this beautiful country.  The famous narrow-gauge Bieszczady Forest Railway runs through mountainous terrain, or for the more active, the Bieszczady Bicycle Trolley runs from Zagórz to Krościenko – 47 km of Poland’s most stunning railway route on a bicycle trolley propelled by your own power! The collection of renovated narrow-gauge rolling stock scattered across Poland is one of the largest in Europe, and offers endless opportunities for groups and incentives to explore the countryside in a unique style.

Krakow

Why Germany?  Just ask MR Congress & Incentive DMC

Germany indisputably is the most popular destination for groups, incentive travel, international conferences and culture in Europe!

Forty UNESCO World Heritage sites, over 6000 museums, acclaimed theatres and world-famous orchestras, top-class events and a buzzing creative scene are just a few highlights of the incredible offer throughout the country.  Amazing architecture, cultural and historical treasures and the highest standards of historic preservation can be found in the capital Berlin as well as in urban areas such as the Rhine-Main region – home to Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Mainz and Darmstadt – the Rhine-Ruhr region with Cologne, Düsseldorf and Essen, and major cities such as Hamburg, Munich or Dresden and Leipzig. There are countless festivals, celebrating everything from music to wine or beer, along with arts and cultural events and, of course, the country’s many Christmas markets, which are as popular as they are enjoyable. The huge diversity of events always makes at stay in Germany worthwhile.

Germany also has diverse natural landscapes. More than one third of the country’s land area is under some form of protection. With a total of 16 national parks, 15 UNESCO biosphere reserves and over 100 nature parks, there are more than 130 preserved national landscapes just waiting to be explored.

Germany offers a wide range of options for sustainable travel. Towns and cities boast excellent public transport networks and a good infrastructure. Hotels and restaurants support the use of regional produce within a very popular and interesting, traditional as well as modern culinary scene that will delight anyone who enjoys good food.

Germany’s central location in Europe secured the country a leading position as an international conference and meetings destination. In every region one finds attractive towns and cities that meet any requirement, no matter the type of event. The major cities in Germany are among the most popular congress and trade fair destinations worldwide. They feature a first-class infrastructure with a versatile modern hotel landscape and a wide variety of venues catering for different types of requirements and styles. Each city has its own character, and many can score with specific sector know-how, such as Stuttgart or Wolfsburg which are both hubs for the automotive industry. This makes it easy for conference organizers to add a distinctive flair and personality to their events. Be it historic or cosy, urban or arty, a mix of all or a specific industry sector and scientific knowledge. The cities provide the meetings industry not only with the infrastructure needed but also with the opportunity to create truly unique events.

MR Congress DMC is an owner-managed full-service creative and event agency headquartered in Berlin with an office in Munich – in operation for over 25 years.  Available for all your group, incentive and corporate travel needs throughout Germany.

https://world-of-dmcs.com/members/dmc-germany/

https://mr-congress.com/en/?noredirect=en_US

Panama sits between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, snuggled between Columbia and Costa Rica, and possibly best known for the Panama Canal which is an 82 km artificial waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.

Panama City is a safe, culturally diverse modern capital with an impressive skyline, lengthy coastal promenade, trendy shopping malls, international hotel chains, theatres, and excellent restaurants.

Panama offers a plethora of opportunities to enjoy cultural, outdoors and adventurous activities, from scuba diving with whale sharks in the Pacific to snorkelling the reefs of Bocas del Toro; swimming with sea turtles, or zipping through rain-forest canopies; trekking through cloud-forest vistas to canoeing deep into indigenous territories, and back in time to attend an avant-garde performance at one of Panama City’s theatres in the evening.

Panama City offers meetings and events participants the opportunity to enjoy an endless array of unique experiences, thanks to the venues of high historical value that are found within its limits. Some of these include:

THE PANAMA CANAL

Why not hold your meeting or event on board one of the ships, or at the Miraflores Locks Visitors’ Center, featuring three meeting halls and an outdoor terrace.

THE OLD PANAMA RUINS

The ruins of the first European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas are a venue for high-quality events, especially at the Cathedral Plaza, La Concepción Convent; the Convent of the Jesuits, and the Main Square.

BIOMUSEO

Also known as the Museum of Biodiversity, the venue is home to the country’s natural history and several permanent exhibits, such as the “Bridge of Life”. The museum encompasses eight galleries designed by Canadian Bruce Mau, founder of Institute Without Boundaries, which are complemented by the eight “artefacts of amazement,” that provide information on the Isthmus of Panama.

Biomuseo is a tourist attraction in its own right as it was designed by the Canadian architect, Frank Gehry.

Of note for 2020, Panama and Costa Rica will be the joint organisers and hosts of the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled for August 2020.   A total of 16 national teams will take part in the event, and it will be only the second time in FIFA’s history that the organisation declares two countries as joint hosts of one of its major tournaments (the previous one was the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup).

Think Mice is your DMC Panama, focused on inbound group and incentive travel from around the world.  Part of the Aventuras 2000 group, one of the largest destination management companies in Panama, with more than 20 years’ experience and over 4 million tours sold.

Contact World of DMCs for details and further information.  Email: info@world-of-dmcs.com 

The need for meetings and event planners to keep up to date with ever changing rules and regulations governing international travel has never been more important than it is today.  Working with a professional destination management company is one of the ways to mitigate the risk of falling foul of local laws and regulations.

Travel to Europe will require an additional layer of authorisations from January 2021, under the guise of ETIAS.

This new system is being introduced to ensure the security of European citizens and visitors.

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a completely electronic system which allows and keeps track of visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. In a way, it resembles the U.S Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which serves a similar purpose. The legal procedures to pass the ETIAS started in 2016, and the system is expected to be in place by January 2021.

The cost will be minimal (but there is a cost) and if no issues are detected, granting of the authorisation will be electronic, and concluded within minutes.

It is important to note that ETIAS targets citizens of countries who CAN enter the EU zone without applying for a visa (currently 62 nationalities) …… So those NOT currently requiring a Schengen visa WILL need to apply through ETIAS for authorisation to travel to Europe from 2021.  If you need a Schengen Visa, you will NOT need to apply for the ETIAS.

In summary, to enter Europe after 2021 you will need either a Schengen Visa, or if visiting from a visa-exempt country, an ETIAS authorisation.

Ensuring that the travel documents, visas and authorisations of each of your group, MICE or incentive trip participants is paramount to a successful trip and a positive experience for your entire group.

#askadmc #eventprofs #dmcprofs #worldofdmcs #travelnews #MICETravel #Grouptravel

For further information visit

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/

The earthy colours of Northwest Argentina

Argentina

·    We possess an extensive knowledge of the vast range of local facilities and services on offer and are well-placed to advise you as to business protocol and etiquette.  This means that we are able to make all the recommendations required to maximise your experience as well as meet your budgetary requirements and group specifications.

·    Our executives are specialised in handling conference and incentive group travel and are permanently on hand to liaise with  event planners while our local staff work closely with the  planning team before, during and after the event to ensure that it runs smoothly.

·     We handle all the negotiations and contracts with the hotels, conference centres and other venues, transport and all the on-the-ground personnel involved.

·     We ensure that the venues selected are equipped with the latest communications and presentation technology.

·     We are qualified to advise as to choice of audio/video systems, other equipment and provide technical assistance, including setting up exhibitions.  We also have an entertainment and event-advisers.

·    In addition, we are able to offer a broad choice of unique venues, such as estancias, wineries, private mansions and palaces for receptions, meals and meetings.

Expo 2020 is a World Expo, or World Fair, to be hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, opening on October 20, 2020 and lasting for six months. The Bureau International des Expositions general assembly in Paris awarded Dubai as the host for the Expo 2020 on November 27, 2013.

This will be the first Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, which is one of the many reasons why it will be counted as one of the most important in exposition history.

Set to welcome more than 200 participating countries, each with their own pavilion, and millions of visitors from around the world, the theme for Expo 2020 Dubai is

Connecting Minds, Creating the Future

Each of the participating countries will have its own pavilion for visitors to explore.  These are currently under construction, and will introduce visitors to scientific innovations, cultural experiences, futuristic ideas and a wealth of other exciting themes.

Dubai and the UAE are gearing up to welcome visitors from around the world to this historical world fair, with efficient infrastructure, smooth transportation opportunities and well-trained guides and hosts of all nationalities.   The opportunities for individuals and groups to visit the Expo, and explore the United Arab Emirates at the same time are immense.

Gulf Circle Tours, DMC UAE, has been appointed as an official, authorised Ticket Reseller for Expo 2020, and is working with international partners to provide visitors from all corners of the world with a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience including all ground handling, hotels, and of course entry tickets for Expo 2020.

Gulf Circle Tours will be attending IBTM Barcelona (Stand N68) ready to answer any questions about the UAE and Expo 2020 for groups and incentives – so don’t miss out!  Make your appointment via the IBTM website today, or contact Gulf Circle Tours with any direct enquiries.

World of DMCs welcomes new member for Thailand

Path DMC Thailand has joined the network of more than 40 destination management companies that make up World of DMCs.

World of DMCs is a global network of DMCs & destination management companies focused on inbound group travel, meetings & conferences, & incentive travel.

Path Destination management has over 10 years’ experience in development, design and management of in-country experiences, based in Thailand.  The experienced professional team creates high value, authentic group travel and incentive experiences through commitment, sustainability and responsibility for customers from partners around the world. The group is managed by a team of experienced travel and development professionals who work alongside local communities to ensure that all programmes not only match the product needs and requirements of partners and customers, but also focus on long-term sustainable development.

Path is one of Thailand’s largest responsible travel operators managing around 2,000 trips each year in Thailand and beyond.

Dan Moore, Managing Director Path DMC Destination Management summarises his approach to the business of travel management in the following statement:

“Path’s commitment to great customer service means that I can regularly be found out in the field on reconnaissance trips, connecting with local communities.  My passion for travel means that I love researching new opportunities, and I want to have 100% confidence in the product, location or activity before promoting it to partners.  Moreover I feel compelled to go through every detail with a prospective new supplier. I always like to ask tons of questions and this first-hand knowledge is invaluable when promoting it later to partners or potential partners, but just as importantly it may lead to improvements or new opportunities.  This hand-on approach pays dividends and adds an incredible amount of value to what we do.”

For more information on Path DMC Thailand, visit www.pathdmc.com

World of DMCs, and World of DMCs members are using several hashtags (#) consistently across all social media platforms, making it easy to find any information that has been posted on member destinations and companies.

Hashtags are used extensively on Instagram, but did you know that they also work on other platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn?

When used correctly and consistently, hashtags enable your information to be located quickly and easily.  Of course, the hashtags should be relevant to your business or the information posted, but using a variety of different ones can also increase the reach of your messaging.

A word of warning, though:  do not use too many, or irrelevant hashtags, or you will quickly become known as a ‘spam’ marketeer, and we do not want that particular label!

For easy reference, World of DMCs unique hashtags are #worldofdmcs and #AskaDmc.

We also frequently use #eventprofs #dmcprofs and #incentivetravel.

For country-specific searches, use (for example) #DMCarmenia (#DMC*country*).

We hope this helps you to locate the information we share on social media platforms, as well as that shared by our member DMCs.

Note: World of DMCs is an international network of destination management companies specialising in in-bound group and incentive travel.  Our members will not be the cheapest choice – but when professionalism and expertise really count, you can absolutely count on them.  A DMC will make the successful execution of a group or incentive trip overseas so much easier, and will act as your eyes and ears on the ground as well as your problem solver, should problems arise.

World of DMCs is a regular exhibitor at IBTM World, Barcelona.  Member DMCs will once again be participating in IBTM 2019 from 19-21 November on Stand N68.

IBTM World brings together buyers and sellers of international group and incentive travel from around the world.  World of DMCs members attending in 2019 include Armenia, Finland, Iceland, Morocco, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

For appointments with any of the World of DMCs members attending, please visit https://www.ibtmworld.com/en/Exhibitors/6323590/World-of-DMCs

You can also make an appointment with World of DMCs for general information, or enquiries about joining the World of DMCs network.  Or email us on info@world-of-dmcs.com for a directory of members, or membership information.