The Adriatic coastline from Slovenia in the north to Macedonia in the south has long been a firm favourite with UK holidaymakers. Even in the austerity years of communist rule, visitors flocked to the former Yugoslavia, attracted by the sheer beauty of the coast, a balmy climate and amazing value for money.

However standards of service and accommodation in particular left much to be desired, and so the region rarely featured in corporate plans for incentive trips or conferences.

But over more recent times, all that has been changing. Dramatic inward investment has meant that the region is moving at a cracking pace to make up for lost time, and Croatia in particular has much to entice the corporate organiser.

The team at TMG Events decided it was time to take a fresh look at an old favourite, the walled city of Dubrovnik, and assess its suitability as a corporate destination. Here are some of the findings and observations:

"a really attractive, quite unique, old city with bags of charm…impressively restored after the ravages of war - 75% of the buildings have a new roof !" "the people were most welcoming. The overall impression is of a café society with life spilling onto the narrow streets and alleyways. There are lovely bars, several actually built into the city walls, and enticing shops crammed with delicate pastries."

 

" clients who have 'done' Barcelona or Cannes would almost certainly love Dubrovnik's originality and overwhelming sense of history. But they shouldn't expect the sheer sophistication of the Cote d'Azur."

"very accessible in no more than 2.5 hours with direct flights from the UK. The airport is small but efficient, though might struggle with large numbers."

"dining options are excellent with menus constructed around the freshest of ingredients. The local wines are good and the overall cost for meals will come in at about a third less than more fashionable places in western Europe."

"the Hilton is the place to stay - beautifully renovated and very well managed with a sparky 'can do' attitude. The Argentina suggested it was not entirely purged of its communist past and there were stories of serious overbooking. For something really different stray down the coast into Montenegro and take a look at the beachside Hotel Splendid in Budva and check out the James Bond connection."

"late afternoon or early evening is the best time for a stroll round the old streets, once the day visitors have left and the cruise ships have reclaimed their inmates…..a time to just enjoy the place in the company of locals."

"exceeded expectations in so many ways !"

Interested in this destination? Contact TMG Events.