Whether it be conferences in or outside of the country, congress travel, employee events, company celebrations or motivating incentives. We offer events that have that certain something more! But others can do that as well…? Are you sure…?

As part of the Verkehrsbüro Group we draw on the expert knowledge of the largest Austrian tourism company. No one knows more about travel and destinations. Furthermore, we are a partner of the global network of American Express Meetings & Events. 1,400 global experts are available to you in local agencies in 140 countries. In this way, we offer you that certain something more with regard to local & global presence, and you receive the best purchasing conditions. Take advantage of our attractive “Meet & Sleep” package in one of the Austria Trend hotels or of all-inclusive rates for lavish dinners in Vienna’s Palais Ferstl.

Can it be a bit more? You’ll get a perfect overview using our customisable participant tool (with 24/7 online access) or on-site at the event check-in with barcode confirmation. Keep your guests up-to-date at all times, with their own mobile event app for smartphone or tablet.

For more information, contact: Phone +43/1/58800-530, MICE@ax-travel.at I www.ax-travel.at/MICE

Economy Class passengers who are members of the Emirates frequent flyer programme “Skywards” are now given access to the Premium lounges at Dubai International Airport. This also applies for fellow travellers. A visit in the Business Class lounge costs USD 100 per person, or USD 200 in the First Class lounge. After entering the lounges, guests have four hours to enjoy the gourmet kitchen, the free bar offering, the shower & spa facility as well as the wine cellar. First and Business Class passengers as well as Silver, Gold and Platinum Skywards members continue to have free access to these lounges in Dubai. For USD 100, Business Class passengers can purchase an upgrade to the First Class lounge.

Motel One hotels will focus on an environmentally friendly and resource-saving hotel service in the new year. Sustainability is not just a factor in the furnishing of the rooms; the breakfast menu has also been largely adapted to regional and organic products and comes with almost no packaging material. The new room concept is already being implemented in the nine new hotels that will be opened in 2017 in Barcelona, Manchester, Glasgow, Zurich, Berlin, Munich and Freiburg, and will be first presented in the Motel One Berlin Upper West in spring 2017.

Attention all who wear glasses! If you are travelling to the USA, you need to comply with newly-imposed guidelines (photo requirements) for your visa portrait picture.

From now on, when you apply for a visa, they will no longer accept any pictures where the applicant is wearing glasses. The only exceptions to this are people whose glasses actually cannot be removed for medical reasons. In such cases, this needs to be proven by a doctor.

In pictures with glasses, the frame of the glasses must not cover the eye. Also, there must not be any reflections or shadows that obscure the eye. In addition, your clothing in the visa picture needs to be ordinary day-to-day attire – not a uniform. You can consult the new rules here.

The Accor Hotels Group opens its third Ibis Hotel in Munich. Its proximity to the airport is particularly appealing for business travelers.

The newly-opened IBIS München Airport Süd – just one kilometer away from the airport – offers proven ibis quality in a conveniently-situated location. 110 modern, spacious and bright rooms, a stylish and welcoming lobby, an extensive breakfast buffet and “open cuisine” in the evening with Front Cooking make this hotel a complete package with good value for money.