inConversation with... St Moritz Brand Manager Marijana Jakic

With its magnificent venues, excellent infrastructure from the valley floor to the heady heights, compelling confidence and cordiality, and focus on safety and sustainability, St. Moritz makes the perfect backdrop for business events and incentives.

As travel and events restrictions continue to ease in Switzerland, we caught up with Marijana Jakic, Brand Manager for St. Moritz and member of the management board of Engadin St. Moritz Tourismus AG, to find out how the destination has adapted over the past 18 months and why should planners consider St Moritz for their next meeting or incentive…

The Swiss government recently relaxed rules for mass sporting events and travel. Are business events and incentives allowed now?

Yes, business events and incentives are allowed. In addition, the entry and further regulations were also relaxed. Travellers from the Schengen area no longer have to go into quarantine and only those who have not been vaccinated or have recovered and are arriving by plane still have to take a test before entering Switzerland.

Together with the canton of Graubünden, St. Moritz has furthermore played a pioneering role in Covid -19 testing on several occasions. Now the destination is setting an example once again – in cooperation with PolyClinic St. Moritz AG, the testing services will be expanded and offered to all guests free of charge.

Costs not covered by the federal government will be paid by the municipality. This measure is intended to support event organisers, who can rely on the safe 3G model (vaccinated, recovered or tested) in a simplified way.

Are you receiving many international enquiries right now?

Experience shows that international trips, events, and incentives require a longer planning period. Due to the still volatile situation, we are therefore primarily receiving enquiries from Switzerland and some neighbouring countries. However, we are receiving more and more international enquiries for 2022 and beyond.  

What policies and protocols are in place to ensure events can take place safely? 

The relevant industries, companies and event organisers have developed safety concepts aimed at protecting their guests. These concepts are based on rules for hygiene and behaviour, as well as public health and employee protection guidelines issued by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

All event organisers and businesses must plan and implement the necessary social distancing and hygiene measures. The aim of these safety concepts is to protect customers and participants to the greatest degree possible against infection with the coronavirus.

Do you think Switzerland’s reputation as a safe and clean destination will help attract MICE business once travel restrictions ease? 

Absolutely! These two attributes will certainly have a great influence on the future booking behaviour of potential guests. Another big focus for bookings in the future will be the sustainability aspect. St. Moritz already offers a wide range of services in this area.

When it comes to effectively implementing sustainability and naturally integrating it in our everyday life, we Engadin people are in on it with all our – renewable, obviously! – energy: We recycle like there is no tomorrow, we are emission minimalists, designate areas for environmental conservation, use regional natural materials and support eco conscious construction projects.

Furthermore, in St. Moritz - that in 2019/20 got full marks for its environmentally sustainable skiing region by the internet portal skiresort.de that compared 434 skiing resorts worldwide

How have you adapted the way you communicate with event planners over the past year?

As before, we relied on telephone exchanges. Now, of course, we have increasingly used video calls and meetings and introduced new formats such as virtual events. These are especially important to inspire our clients' employees in their home offices.

Why should planners consider St Moritz for their next meeting or incentive?

St. Moritz offers the perfect location for incentives, events and meetings set unspoiled nature.

Glamorous St. Moritz and the glacier village of Pontresina are two of the most appealing incentive and conference destinations overall in the Alps.

The modern Convention and Event Centre, numerous top-class seminar and conference hotels, as well as various mountain huts are available as venues for a great variety of events. Surrounding all of them is the natural landscape of the Upper Engadin, an unrivalled backdrop for a host of outdoor activities and team-events.