Q1- What makes Paris a top choice for business travel?
Paris and its region welcomed 46 million visitors last year; North America is the first market with 1.6 million visitors in 2015 (+ 5%).
Paris is in the top 3 of the leading business international destinations (ICCA ranking). Paris means business : #1 economic region in Europe, it is also the #1 European location for headquarters of the 500 biggest companies in the world (Fortune Global 500).
The city also offers an exceptional heritage carefully preserved (reopening of the iconic and historical Picasso museum, renovation of the first floor of the Eiffel Tower,..), combined with some surprising designers’ work leading their talent to hotels, restaurants, museums (Louis Vuitton Foundation ..).
Paris also has a dynamic MICE offer, thanks to:
- an easy access: with 2 major hubs, Paris Aéroport hosts 80+ million passengers, has 14,000 direct flights per week, connecting Paris with more than 600 cities worldwide.
- a variety of accommodations, with 150,000 bedrooms and an upgraded offer of our hotels (the historical Palace Le Ritz will reopen in June Place Vendôme)
- a selection of 1,000 venues: museums, theaters, private apartments, castles (Versailles, Chantilly, Vaux le Vicomte,or the newly renovated Château de Ferrières)
- 18 Convention and exhibitions Centers (major brands, like Viparis and its 10 venues, GL Events, or the new Accorhotels Arena) for event up to 30,000 delegates.
- 90 Michelin starred restaurants including 10 3-stars
- the expertise of our DMCs and MICE suppliers delivering excellence in services & a Parisian creative touch, to guarantee return on investment to meeting planners!
Q2- Tell us something about Paris that you don’t think many people know.
The Champs Elysees turns into a pedestrian walkaway one Sunday per month, which is an amazing way to rediscover the most romantic avenue in the world
Q3- Where do you see Paris headed in the next 5 years? What will be the major developments?
Paris will continue:
- to attract innovative project leaders, thanks to:
- Paris Welcome City Lab: a hub for 3,000 starts-ups, 7 innovative clusters which gather private and public research, and the first tourism start up incubator:
- A massive renovation of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles with the creation of the largest convention center in Europe,the opening of a new exhibition park, the International Trade Center at Roissy
- to attract hotel investors (Peninsula and Shangri La in Paris were the first hotels of these brands to open in Europe, a Rosewood property is opening soon).
- to be a spot for large sport events: next month Paris is welcoming the Euro Soccer Cup 2016 and the Ryder Cup in 2018, as well as bidding for the Olympic games in 2024
- to reinvent a green approach with the ambition to be a leading eco-friendly destination (the Climate conference was a success in 2015!)
- to enlarge its territory thanks to the main infrastructure project in Europe : the Grand Paris Express will create new automatic metro lines in and around Paris
- to invest in the new era of communication and offer a pre- and post- experience to the trip. Paris and Paris Convention Bureau are taking part of a new touristic digital world!
Q4- What is your favorite spot in the city?
The Seine River & banks! The Seine River is the nicest artery of the City of lights; the River banks are experiencing a tremendous revival, new bars, trendy brasseries, floating gardens, a concert hall (The Flow) and a floating hotel OFF Paris Seine!
Clément Laloux
Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau, Marketing Director
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