A meeting point in the heart of Europe: The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Magazine:

HQ Global

8th Sep, 2016

Category:

Destinations - Europe

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Tucked away between Germany, France and Belgium, Luxembourg is in the center of Western Europe. With an international flair and a cosmopolitan vibe, the Grand Duchy has turned into an ideal MICE destination. Hosting many European Institutions and being an international a finance and business center, Luxembourg has great expertise in accommodating businesses and companies from all over the world, making it the ideal platform to organise meetings and events. But what exactly makes Luxembourg so attractive as a MICE destination?

With a surface of 2,586 square kilometers, Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe; distances between cities and conference centers are very short and quick. Hotels, meeting and conference centers as well as tourist attractions are within easy reach of each other. This not only means that there will hardly be any time consuming journeys, but also that transport within the Grand Duchy is incredibly cost-effective. Due to its small size, almost anywhere in Luxembourg is within a stone’s throw of an idyllic countryside and woodlands. This is yet another great advantage of Luxembourg, as the infrastructures for events and meetings are very close to the countryside, its well-maintained hiking paths and inviting restaurants and cafés. Further, the Grand Duchy airport provides fast handling and serves most destinations in Europe. It is close to other main European airports and well connected on the European train network and roads.

Choosing Luxembourg as a destination to organise events or meetings guarantees the most modern infrastructures and know-how, which mostly results from the country’s role as business center, European capital and home of many European institutions. Hosting EU summits and diplomats from around the world, the Grand Duchy is no stranger to organizing large-scale events and meetings. Luxembourg is home to the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors and the Secretariat of the European Parliament. As a founding member of the Benelux and the European Union, Luxembourg is more than aware on what a successful MICE destination has to offer.

But Luxembourg offers much more than just a simple venue for events or conferences. With more than 100 hotels and infrastructures to choose from, there is a perfect option for everyone who wants to make the most of their MICE event. The choices in Luxembourg are almost endless; from a castle to other historic buildings or modern designs. No matter what type of infrastructure you choose for your meeting, seminar or exhibition, the standard is high and facilities are equipped with the latest communication technologies. The newest addition is the Conference Center in Kirchberg, which is surrounded by countless hotels, museums and important architectural designs. It has the capacity to seat 850 people and is designed to organise all kinds of congresses, business meetings and events.

With 150 different nationalities, society in Luxembourg is incredibly diverse. This is reflected in the languages used throughout the country, as well as in the arts and leisure sector, the gastronomy or the tourism industry. Luxembourg is unique in many ways; it is the only Grand Duchy in the world, which makes it a truly unique place for a MICE destination. The small country became a Grand Duchy almost 200 years ago and today it symbolizes Europe in a nutshell.

Luxembourg is home to an array of cultural gems with its capital city being part of Unesco world heritage sites since 1994. From experiencing nature on hiking and cycling trails to adventure training, Luxembourg is a country full of different facets. Hardly any other destination can offer a stroll through the old city and its fortification in the morning, a walk through vineyards at noon and exploring a castle or a museum in the afternoon.

Alongside a variety of cultural sites, Luxembourg also has a passion for good food and local produce, such as locally brewed beer, tea and its famous Moselle wines & Sparkling wines. It is a perfect gastronomic destination and has the highest number of prestigious and starred restaurants per capita worldwide.

The Grand Duchy ticks all the boxes for a great MICE experience, modern infrastructures with an array of unusual locations. The secure environment, its prime location in the heart of Europe, countless cultural highlights and a taste for great gastronomy are what makes the Grand Duchy the destination of choice.

Francine Closener, Secretary of State of the Economy, confirms Luxembourg’s potential as a MICE destination: “The government is convinced that Luxembourg has all the assets to become a prime destination for small and medium-sized MICE events in Western Europe. The excellent infrastructures, great know how, multilingualism and multicultural society, high security and quality of life, fast handling, short distances and great variety of the tourism offer: Luxembourg offers a unique and excellent setting for MICE events. We want to increase international awareness of our strengths and position the Grand- Duchy as a top destination.”

meetings.visitluxembourg.com

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