ST. PETERSBURG, THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD

The cobblestones on which your incentive proceeds : it takes patience,
courage and persistence. But it is worth it.

By Mark Nuytemans of Intensive Incentives

The sunset skyline of St. Petersburg indeed is a "one million euro view",
especially during the Summer White Nights. However be prepared to face manifold obstacles and start preparing your client's well earned trip in due course.

The famous movie directed by Taylor Hackford in 1985, White Nights
(starring Michail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines) evoked
a Leningrad from days gone by of "Spies coming in from the Cold".
Regimes and politicians came and left since the Cold War days,
and all have tried to impress the old Imperial City, but all have failed...

In a way, St.Petersburg is similar to Vienna/Austria : both underwent Soviet occupation, both were once brilliant imperial cities at the center of political powers including an unrivalled splendour. Today, in both cities reigns an atmosphere of nostalgia, a flavour of sadness and a feeling of : well, the Habsburgs and the Romanovs were not that bad after all....

GETTING THERE

1) Russians serve St. Petersburg like they serve their famous caviar. It tastes like more,
but you only get one spoon at a time.
If the city is like a "best kept secret" for incentive purposes, the Russians certainly are
eager to keep it that way.
Visa application at the Russian Federation Embassy is a Cold War experience, even in the 21st century. It is time consuming, and local Embassy authorities are not extremely helpful.

2) For short stay incentives, Star Alliance airlines such as Lufthansa, LOT and SAS serve St. Petersburg very smoothly.
Allow for a transit stop enroute in Frankfurt, Warsaw, Copenhagen or Stockholm.
Quality airlines for sure, but at the end of the day the whole BRU/LED operation will have taken you between 6 and 7 hours. Not really what guests would expect from a "European" destination.

STAYING THERE

A city of close to 5 million inhabitants, celebrating its tricentennial anniversary in 2003?
How many MICE or incentive hotels can one expect? At the present time : three.
What you can expect price wise : very fine value for pockets full of money. What you cannot expect : bargains.

- Grand Hotel Europe Kempinski : a Five Star Diamond Award Hotel in its own right
(American Academy of Hospitality Sciences). An imperial hotel. Built 1824.
- Astoria Hotel Rocco Forte : a true marvel adjacent to the old city center, an unbeatable location.
Elegant hospitality, tasteful design. Built 1912.
- Royal SAS Radisson : A 19th century hotel, totally renovated and reopened in 2001. Younger atmosphere, functional, modern, stylish, distinguished quality.
- Corinthia Nevskij Palace : the former Sheraton will be able to join list as a fourth incentive hotel after thorough renovation only.

DINING THERE

MICE dining will of course depend upon the size of a group of guests.
1) Restaurants to be for MICE purposes : the Premier Restaurant (Palkin, facing the SAS Radisson Hotel), the Taleon Club, the Aquarel Restaurant (a new address in town), the Noble Nest restaurant.
2) Places that DMC's will advise for your groups, but which you will have to handle with care and caution (go there before you decide) : Academia, Le Restaurant, Old Customs House, Adamant, Demidov, Russian Kitch Restaurant.
3) Palace dining for larger groups : the Last Palace, the Spiridonov Palace, the Marble Palace of Grand Duke Constantin, the Prince Yussupov Palace. Avoid places outside the city for dining.

GETTING AROUND

Apart from the famous palaces and musea, St. Petersburg offers high standard locations less known
to a frequent traveler or to the general public. As the countryside around St. Petersburg is not of a particular welcoming kind, it is to be advised to waive all options for longer distance excursions.
A maximum 30 minutes coach trip is acceptable. Beyond is too long, too much, too far, too uncomfortable.
MICE organizers should bear in mind that St. Petersburg suburbs are depressing and hence unfit
for keeping up the right atmosphere within a group of guests.

LOCAL DMC’S

As in everything else, the Russian tourism and MICE markets are evolving and developing at the speed of light. Some DMC's have just come to see this light, others have been there for some time.
Many more will pop up out of blue as MICE interest by international markets will grow steadily.
No doubt a professional fine Belgian organizer will find a suitable companion in St. Petersburg.
I would strongly advise Belgian organizers not to pick a DMC overnight from the yellow pages, or just stick to the cheapest, or letting himself get persuaded by eloquent DMC staff members visiting offices in Belgium.
There is only one way that you can find out about a suitable partner : go there yourself, preferably without your client as a personal scouting the first time, and watch your DMC operate in his own habitat.
It will cost you an additional budget, but it will save you a lot of detrimental experiences afterwards. For, in this city, nothing is what it seems. Mr. Rasputin would agree to that, if he would still be alive. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in St. Petersburg !