Palma de Mallorca, 28th Sep 05

MALLORCA TO INVEST IN A NEW CONVENTION CENTRE

This major investment will complete the island's infrastructure and enable it to compete on an international platform.

Since the tourism boom of the 1970’s Mallorca has been constantly developing its tourism offer to ensure that it remains one of the leading tourism destinations worldwide. To date, however, the island has lacked the essential element to compete on an international platform for conference and incentive tourism business.

Now, with the construction of a brand new Palma de Mallorca Convention Centre the island will be able to realise its true potential in this lucrative tourism sector.

The new Convention Centre will be located in prime position on Palma’s beautiful sea front near the old city walls and the famous Palma Cathedral. The famous Spanish architect, Francisco Mangado, has designed a modern building that blends perfectly with its unique environment. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2007 with completion in 2009.

“CUTTING EDGE” CONTEMPORARY DESIGN

The main building of the Convention Centre is south facing with sea views. It will have a wide façade that had been designed to create a continuation of the city’s ancient walls and to optimise sea views from the front of the building, the architect has created a "zig-zag" effect made of aluminium, glass and sandstone.

It will feature a main auditorium with a capacity for over 2,000 people and a smaller hall with a capacity for up to 400 people. There will be an exhibition hall, a multi-functional room, a restaurant, a terrace restaurant and a whole range of top level conference faciliites.

An adjacent hotel will connect via the top level of the Convention Centre, where the restaurant and a raised garden will be located. In the hotel there will be a mezzanine floor featuring a gymnasium, swimming pool, thermal centre and another restaurant.
For more information go to the official website: www.pcongresosdepalma.com

PALMA – AN IDEA DESTINATION FOR CONVENTIONS

The construction of Palma's Convention Centre, has been needed to satisfy the demand expresses by international business clientele for many years. Palma provides an ideal location for the convention and conference organiser with a modern international airport nearby featuring daily scheduled flights from all over Europe and with excellent connections to all major airports worldwide. Furthermore, the island features a great range of quality accommodation, a wide range of attractions, entertainment, activities, culture and gastronomy.

CONVENTION AND CONFERENCE TOURISM

The Mallorca Convention Bureau reports that in 2004 approximately 928 meetings took place attended by 45,512 people. Over 50% of these were conventions or incentives, with congresses accounting for 17% and were related to the principal sectors including medicine, pharmaceuticals, technology, leisure and transport.

The main business meetings market for Mallorca is from Germany accounting for over 18,000 people in 2004, followed by Mainland Spain with 12,406 and the United Kingdom with 9,353.

The conventions and meetings business is seen as a principal method of creating tourism year round and is expected to produce a great deal of business in the traditional “shoulder” months of May, April, September and October. Conference visitors stay an average 3 nights and spend in excess of 200 euros per person.

EXISTING CONFERENCE FACILITIES ON MALLORCA

Even though the new Congress Centre will not open until 2009, there are currently a variety of facilities available to the conference organiser for conventions and meetings. Last year the Hotel Gran Melia Victoria in Palma’s Paseo Maritimo opened its own convention centre with a capacity for up to 550 people (www.solmelia.com). Large events can also be organised in the Pueblo Español Congress Palace which has various functions rooms, the principal one can hold up to 1,500 people (www.congress-palace-palma.com).

Other suitable venues include: The Palma Auditorium (www.auditorium-pm.com), Alcudia (www.alcudia.net) and Sa Maniga (www.samaniga.com). The Can Domenge Technology Centre (www.candomenge.com) and many hotels around the island, for more information go to: www.mallorcab.com.

For further information, please contact:
Mallorca Tourist Board, Dominique Carroll / Anna Skidmore,
Tel:(+34) 971 725 396 Fax: (+34) 971 713 540
E-Mail: info@fomentmallorca.org

Further Press Releases:

GOOD NEWS FOR MALLORCA IN 2012 (09th Feb 12)

THREE KINGS - THE FESTIVITIES CONTINUE! (05th Jan 12)

FESTIVE SWEETS CAN BE HEAVENLY (05th Jan 12)