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Businesses and Hoteliers Like Metropolis Project, But Others Against
Thursday 31 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 31 (TASR) - Businesspeople and hoteliers favour the 'Metropolis' billion-plus-euro sports-recreation project unveiled by property developer Trigranit in October, which, however, has sparked protests from civil associations against the included casino, which they fear, could raise gambling-related crime in the country.
Hoteliers view Trigranit's €1.5-billion project planned in the Bratislava borough of Jarovce and including hotels, restaurants, an aquapark and related infrastructure as an opportunity to create conference tourism in the Slovak capital.
"There hasn't been an investment in Slovakia for building a conference heartland that would attract European firms and tourists," said Radoslav Grega, vice-president of Union of hotels and Restaurants.
Congress centres hosting meetings of 3,000-5,000 specialists in IT or medicine who are well provided for are commonplace around the world. "Whyever could this not be the case after the completion of the project in Bratislava Jarovce," said Grega.
Finance Minister Jan Pociatek, who favours the project, said that it will intensify activity at Bratislava airport, bring business to hotels and restaurants and should create 30,000 new jobs as well as bringing in 5 million tourists a year.
Opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) leader Jan Figel and mayor of Bratislava Andrej Durovsky have rejected the project, which would require a change in the master zoning plan, with objections against the casino.
Civil organisations fear that the project could raise gambling-related crime in the country and lower morals.
Trigranit intends to re-submit its urban study to Durkovsky accommodating his reservations. "We'll be persuading him of the significance of the project including the casino for the Slovak people and economy. We don't want to lose the negotiated agreement with banks on borrowing for the project," said Trigranit boss Gabor Zaszlos.
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