10 good reasons to choose Denmark

1. Denmark is regularly rated as one of the cleanest, and safest places in the world, and the Danes are the happiest people alive according to numerous studies over the past few years, meaning service with a smile is virtually guaranteed. In keeping with this, Visit Denmark launched new branding 'Denmark - Feel Free', backed by the strapline, 'Free the Dane in You' earlier this year, to encourage event planners to incorporate the Danes' fun, informal and relaxed attitude into their conferences and incentives.

2. Denmark might not be widely known as one of Europe's gastronomic centres, but the city boasts 14 Michelin stars, more than any other Scandic city, and more than the likes of Rome, Berlin, and Madrid. In the 2009 Michelin Guide, 13 restaurants were awarded the accolade, including the two-starred Noma, renowned for its contemporary Nordic cuisine. It was also named the number three restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine last month.

3. Budget-conscious corporates looking for value for money in the recession, should check out Arp-Hansen Hotel Group's new low-cost concept, the 410-room Wakeup Copenhagen, set to open its doors in autumn 2009. Close to the new Tivoli Congress Center, it will offer a similar pricing model to low-cost airlines - rooms will be divided into varying price categories and paid for at the time of reservation via the website.

4. Copenhagen's Bella Center - host to COP 15 (climate summit) in December - is already a popular choice for large meetings and events, but will further boost its appeal when it opens The Bella Hotel. Set to be the biggest property in Scandinavia, it will offer 814 rooms on opening in 2011. The centre itself can accommodate up to 4,200 delegates in its main congress hall, and is investing £2.5m this year in going green - it now has its own wind turbine.

5. Sticking with the green theme, Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens amusement park - Denmark's most visited attraction and a unique option for events - is set to become the world's first amusement park to run on renewable energy. Following an agreement with Dong Energy, the park's energy consumption is to be based on wind energy from 2010, making it ideal for corporates committed to sustainability.

6. There are few destinations where two countries can be so easily combined as the Oresund region. C&I groups can enjoy both Sweden and Denmark in as little as a two-day itinerary - Copenhagen and Malmo are linked by the Oresund Bridge, which offers a half-hour rail and road link between the two cities. The two cities have put together a number of ready-made itineraries aimed at event planners, which can be themed around golf, gastronomy or water activities, for example.

7. The new Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers in Copenhagen will be one of the most significant openings in the country's hotel scene in a while when it opens in November - just in time for the climate summit. The 366-room property will be a big draw for the C&I market, with its own 3,000m2 conference and events centre offering 20 meeting rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 800 delegates. It's situated a short Metro-ride away from downtown Copenhagen in the new Orestad City.

8. Denmark is made up of more than 400 islands with around 4,500 miles of coastline, so getting out on the water is one of the best ways to see the country. Local DMCs can organise a range of trips for groups such as sailing traditional schooners, canoeing on lakes in Jutland, a match race in J80 sailboats, which can hold up to five plus a a skipper, or a transfer by RIB boat from Copenhagen to the island of Middelgrundsfortet, a century-old sea fort ideal for team-building activities.

9. Copenhagen is a proven C&I destination, but there is more to Denmark than its capital. Aalborg, Denmark's fourth-largest city, is a good value alternative for UK groups that have already visited the capital or are looking for something a bit different. Norwegian offers direct flights daily from Gatwick from as little as £26 one-way. Activities can include a visit to Scandinavia's largest Viking burial ground, Lindholm Hoje, a tour of the VS Distillery, museums, and golf.

10. For the ultimate management retreat or team-building incentive with a difference, head slightly further a field to the Faroe Islands. It's easy to forget that this remote island archipelago in the north Atlantic, about halfway between Scotland and Iceland, is part of Denmark. Accessible via direct flights with Atlantic Airways from the UK, hotel options include the four-star Hotel Foroyar, while activities can incorporate a horseback trek, canoeing, or a sea cruise into a spectacular grotto.

DIRECTORY: DENMARK
Visit Denmark
Contact: Jonathan Cohen, 020 7201 3977
Email: jc@visitdenmark.com
Web: www.visitdenmark.com