I love to travel, but also many of you know, I have a passion to support destinations with influencer marketing, that’s my mission. When the request came from the Convention Bureau Napels to participate in the MICE influencers trip to support the destination, and Giovanna Lucherini, the director insisted to have me in, I said directly yes.

Before departure…

As always I wanted to do something special, I wanted to attract the attention of the readers in a funny way, and in a business, appropriate way. At the time I was reading a management book and they focused on visualising. I made the link and thought why not create T-shirts with the hashtags of MeetinNaples & MICE? So I bought a sweater and 2 T-shirts and printed them with the hashtags before departure.

And it worked… at the airport the security man looked at me at 6 am in the morning, where are you going? Naples perhaps??

Here I am, in Naples

The program was composed by the Convention Bureau Napoli in collaboration with their partners, the International airport of Naples and the Amalfi coast (they opened very recently a new convention bureau). From Friday morning until Sunday evening we (Alessia, another passionate influencer from Sicily and I) had an intense but very divers program. The goal was to discover the different ‘MICE’ possibilities in Naples and the region.

Just to mention a few highlights..

I love locations who are not obvious and I fell directly in love with Salone Margherita they are hidden under the famous Galleria Umberto I [1] a beautiful gallery constructed between 1887 and 1890. This venue became the new symbol of the Italian Belle Epoque, which you can see back in the architecture and the paintings. The venue is used for parties, cocktails, dinners. As the venue is under the ground, there is no daylight, just be aware of this if when you make your choice.

If you want to use another prestige venue for a book launch, presentation, a formal cocktail, or even a small conference, this former bank building is transformed into a museum, art gallery and venue, called Palazzo Zevallos, situated in the old town, just next to the famous metro station Toledo And the entrance is in the shopping street, if you don’t pay attention you would pass by.

Gastronomy

From a local cute and cosy restaurant in the old town of Naples to a high end Michelin ranked restaurant (on the list to be nominated for a star…).

The first evening we were treated like queens & king (we only had 1 men in our company…) in Grand hotel Parkers. After a short site inspection we went to the upper floor for our dinner with chief Domenico Candela in restaurant George. The people that know me would say, Mariska you never go to a Michelin star restaurant, indeed I was always very sceptical about it, until I had the opportunity to taste it myself. Everything was delicious, from the home made bread until the wine of the houses, the service, the location… I loved every piece of it!

This restaurant can hosts groups up to 20 pax.

PS The manager, Adele is a huge fan of opera (Naples has the oldest opera in Europe!!) if you’re looking to attend La Traviata or another famous classic opera, she would be delighted to support you.

Thank you for this great opportunity! And yes, of course we had delicious pizza and the local buffalo mozzarella which I love. Did you know the art of Neapolitan pizza-making, was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity? Nice idea for a cooking workshop for a group.

Naples has its challenges

On Saturday morning we want to visit Parco dei Murales Ponticelli and this was my personal highlight, to be honest, that is not exactly the right word to express myself. Street art is a hot topic and you can find it anywhere in the world, but this project is particular and unique. The neighbourhood who had major challenges (and still have) was very sad, isolated and by painting the walls, giving the children visibility, they believed, we can make a change. Indeed, by bringing people in the suburbs, people who would never enter this area, the children get in touch with different people from different lawyers of the population. This project is part of an entire project called ‘Inward - Osservatorio Nazionale sulla Creatività Urbana’ and street art is just one of the projects.

During our visit a mobile coffee bar came by, a guy who grew up in a similar area in town to give us a traditional coffee and of course local pastries (sfogliatella). And also, to share his story, his background. For the children in the neighbourhood, it’s important to have local role-models.

It was heartbreaking to get in touch with lovely children who are in a total different situation, then I realize how luckily I am to grew up in the Netherlands in a good area with no poverty.

I completely understand that this visit is not suitable for every MICE group, but by bringing a group, we support and donate directly to the local economy. Yes, Naples has its challenges, like any other city has just in different areas. If you’re group is interested in CSR programmes, this is a must to attend.

And the next day your are in little Paradise, the Amalfi Coast

Naples and its region is an area full of contrasts. One evening you’re having dinner in a luxury restaurant, the next day you’re in the suburbs of the city and the day after you’re in a little paradise.

In just 1 hour through a pittoresque route through the hills you will arrive in the beautiful area called the Amalfi Coast with one of the destinations called Ravello; you arrive in a total different world. This lovely village only consists of high level, small boutique hotels. Of course you have cheaper options but the image, the audience, the surroundings is perfect for a high-level market audience. This area is not suited for large groups (not more than 80 pax) but any group size smaller is more than welcome.

We visited an unique MICE location Villa Rufolo which is a stunning location with an amazing view over the coast line. This is not just a venue, but an old villa which goes back until the 13th century. The venue is used often for a small conference, just be aware that this venue has it’s limitation due to the history of the building and during the day it’s open for guests to visit the museum.

If you are looking for a large venue, this remarkable building build by Oscar Niemeyer is an unique piece of architecture. This venue is mainly used for events related with music but of course other types of events are welcome.

My conclusion

Yes, Naples is definitely a MICE destination especially with the central location of the airport in the city, no long transfers to arrive in the city center. If you are looking for something special, unique and not a common destination for your group, event or incentive which is full of contrasts and not ‘trapped’ by the mass tourism, this is the place to be. Especially with the beautiful surroundings you can create a very divers program which will definitely surprise your guests.

MICE Experience in Naples