Business trip to Luxembourg, Luxembourg
The economy of Luxembourg is very much dependent on the banking, steel, and industrial sectors. Luxembourgers have the 2nd highest per capita gross domestic product in the world, behind Qatar. Luxembourg is known as a diversified industrialized nation, contrasting the oil boom in Qatar, the majority monetary source of that nation.
Although Luxembourg in tourist literature is called the "Green Heart of Europe", its pastoral land co-exists with a highly industrialized and export-intensive economy.
Luxembourg enjoys a degree of economic prosperity almost unique among industrialized democracies.
Read more...
Banking is the largest sector in the Luxembourg economy. Luxembourg has specialized in the cross-border fund administration business. As Luxembourg’s domestic market is relatively small, Luxembourg’s financial centre is predominantly international. At the end of March 2009, there were 152 banks in Luxembourg.
More than 9.000 holding companies are established in Luxembourg. The European Investment Bank—the financial institution of the European Union—is also located there.
Concern about Luxembourg’s banking secrecy laws, and its reputation as a tax haven, led in April 2009 to Luxembourg being added to a "gray list" of nations with questionable banking arrangements by the G20.
Government policies promote the development of Luxembourg as an audiovisual and communications center. Radio-Television-Luxembourg is Europe’s premier private radio and television broadcaster. The government-backed Luxembourg satellite company "Société européenne des satellites" (SES) was created in 1986 to install and operate a satellite telecommunications system for transmission of television programs throughout Europe. The first SES Astra satellite, the 16-channel RCA 4000 Astra 1A, was launched by Ariane Rocket in December 1988. SES presently constitutes the world largest satellite services company in terms of revenue.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.
- Communication:
Use formal names, professional and academic titles.
Luxembourg has a hierarchical culture, respect that in your business dealings.
Be modest about yourself and your company.
Luxembourgers are sometimes direct but they do it with a lot of charm.
Never interrupt somebody.
Dress formal and conservative. - Meetings and negotiations:
When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving.
Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
Little time is spent to smalltalk before the business conversation begins.
Agenda’s are strictly followed.
First appointments can be more socially oriented, Luxembourgers would like to know you a bit better at first.
Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate. Back it up with documentation.
Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined. - Table manners:
If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
Wait until you are appointed a seat.
Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little.
Return the toast of your host later during the meal.
Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but finish your plate.
Keep your hands above the table when eating.
After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.
Thank your host at the end of the meal.
Luxembourg, one of the smallest European Union Member States, is located between Germany, France and Belgium. It has an area of 2.586 square kilometres and approximately 460.000 inhabitants. Due to the country’s strategic geographical location, its continuous development of external relations and its integration into larger economic bodies, Luxembourg’s economy and local market considerably exceed the country’s actual size.
Luxembourg has long been an active player in European development. It was one of the founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951 and the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957. The creation of the Common Market was highly beneficial for the development of Luxembourg’s foreign trade. Luxembourg’s economy is externally focused and more than 85% of its production is exported. The country strongly supported the introduction of the euro and the enlargement of the European Union.
Luxembourg is now acknowledged to be a reliable economic and political partner at European and international level. It forms an integral part of one of the largest economic and monetary areas in the world. In addition to that, Luxembourg plays a driving role in the development of the “Grande Région” cross-border area formed by Luxembourg and neighbouring regions in Germany, France and Belgium.
The country’s main advantages are its strategic location in Europe, the quality of its transport, logistics and telecommunications infrastructure, the availability of a qualified multilingual workforce, political and social stability, an attractive legal and tax framework, a multicultural environment, an open-minded and international outlook and an excellent quality of life.
Quality products and services are offered by economic players in Luxembourg who can take advantage of outstanding skills and an innovative spirit based on an industrial culture and proven experience in the service provider market, particularly for financial services.
Some facts in a list:| Currency | Euro |
| Time zone | GMT +1 |
| Population | 491.775 |
| Area | 2.586 sq km |
| Population density | 186 / sq km |
| GDP | € 25,86 billion |
| GDP per capita | € 53.166 |
  | Product tip: Power charger for you USB devices Very convenient can be a portable, long lasting battery power for all USB-compatible devices such as iPods, iPhones, cellular phones, digital cameras, PDA’s, Bluetooth headsets and others. With a portable power charger you can recharge you USB device anywhere. |
Lux Airport is the main airport in Luxembourg. It is Luxembourg’s only international airport and is the only airport in the country with a paved runway. It is located 6 km from Luxembourg City.
Address
Lux-Airport
Société de l’Aéroport de Luxembourg S.A.
4, rue de Trèves
L-2016 Luxembourg, B.P. 635
Telephone: +352 24 64 1
Fax: +352 24 64 24 64
Email : info.airport@lux-airport.lu
www.lux-airport.lu
Airport codes
IATA airport code: LUX
ICAO airport code: ELLX
Lost property
In case of loss of luggage you can contact the Information Service.
Information desk in the entrance hall on the ground floor.
Service d’informations lux-Airport
06:00 - 23:00
Tel. (+352) 2464 0
Terminal info
As it was brought into service on 26th May 2004, Terminal B was designed to host customers embarking or disembarking from airplanes with a capacity of less than or equal to 50 passengers.
When the new Terminal A comes into operation, the current main air terminal will be dismantled and a walkway will link both Terminal A and B, allowing the construction of an airplanes parking area.
Connectivity from the airport
Train
The train station included in the new Terminal A is part of the “passenger” train connexion project between Luxembourg Train Station and its airport to the Kirchberg plateau. This new rail line is expected to be brought in service at the end of 2016.
Bus
Bus 16 has a direct connection to the city center or to the central station.
Central station -> Airport
Monday to Friday
05:39 - 21:09 every 10-15 minutes and one at 21:39
Saturday
05:39 - 21:09 every 15 minutes and one at 21:39
Sunday
06:24 - 21:54 every 30 minutes
Airport -> Central station
Monday to Friday
05:28 - 20:43 every 10-15 minutes and one at 21:28, 21:43 and at 22:58
Saturday
05:28 - 20:43 every 15 minutes and one at 21:43 and at 22:58
Sunday
06:58 - 21:58 every 30 minutes
Taxi
There is a dedicated pickup site at the airport. The average one-way-fare to the railway station: 25 €
Keep the following tips in mind if you need to order a taxi during your business trip to Luxembourg.
Taxis in Luxembourg are an expensive luxury. The standard fare is EUR0 .79 per km, but expect to pay a 10 per cent surcharge at night, and a 25 per cent surcharge on a Sunday. Asking a taxi to wait for you will cost EUR0 .21 per minute.
Taxis can be booked by telephone or hired from a rank outside public buildings such as train stations.
| Company name | Phone number |
| Taxi Luis Brocardo | 490187 |
| Taxis Letzebuerg | 434040 |
| Taxis Nunes & Fils | 485383 |
| Taxi Andrade Mario | 490514 |
| Taxis Junckel | 21172689 |
Restaurant Caves Gourmandes
Welcome to a Luxembourg Ventre of authentic and welcoming, with vaulted cellars, bistro ambiance and adding light that goes with it. Kitchen side, the card revisits the great classics of the brewery, performing brilliantly with the large gap between the tartine of warm crusty bread with rillettes of rabbit and fish soup stone house, the real Toyes AAAAA andouillette of the mustard and bouillabaisse of five fish with potatoes saffron.
32, Rue de l’Eau
L-1449 LUXEMBOURG
Phone: 46 11 24
Fax number: 46 11 24
www.caves-gourmandes.lu
Restaurant Le Gala
We invite you to visit the fascinating world of Lebanese and Azerbaijani flavors in the heart of Luxembourg! The varied menu will give you immediate satisfaction with various homemade dishes, prepared with products of the region (both from Luxembourg, Lebanon and Azerbaijan). This is an unusual choice for dining during a business trip, but it is fun experience.
10, place Guillaume II
L-1648 Luxembourg
Téléphone: (+352) 27 47 81 25
Télécopie: (+352) 22 04 96
www.legala.lu (Only in French)
Chiggeri Restaurant
The upstairs dining room in this rambling mansion on a quiet side street showcases African decorative motifs, like a ceiling-mounted dugout canoe, and elegant table settings. Its seasonal menu features inventive Mediterranean dishes with Asian influences, and there’s always a vegetarian option or two. If you are on a business trip to Luxembourg, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts.
15, rue du Nord
L-2229 Luxembourg - Vieille ville
Tel: 22 99 36
Fax: 22 81 35
www.chiggeri.lu (Only in French)
Tips to save money on hotel costs during your business trip to Luxembourg.
To get the best price for a good hotel room during your business trip to Luxembourg it's not only important to compare the prices the hotel charges for a room, but also compare the prices of the different booking agencies.
This can save you, or your company, a lot of money!
- Go to this hotel listing for Luxembourg.
- Select the "Check-in" and "Check-out" date.
- Select filters like: "Hotel brand", "Ratings", "Location" and "Price ranges".
- Select the hotel you like.
- You will get an overview of the prices from up to 24 booking sites
- Select the best offer in the list and book the room!
We have selected the following established business hotels for your convenience:
Hilton Hotel Luxembourg City
Located outside of the city center and near the Kirchberg district, the Hilton Hotel Luxembourg City is a good choice for those looking for a luxurious and convenient hotel from which to base a visit to the area. It is close to the prestigious governmental and business area, a short ride to the airport which is very convenient during a busy business trip.
12 Rue Jean Engling
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
More info about Hilton Hotel Luxembourg City
Best Western Hotel International Luxembourg City
Each of the 70 guest rooms in the Best Western Hotel International Luxembourg City is supplied with a full-sized bathroom with tub, a hair dryer, satellite TV, high-speed Internet access, mini-bar, and a personal safe.
20-22 Place De La Gare
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
More info about Best Western Hotel International Luxembourg City
Mercure Luxembourg Centre Hotel
The Mercure Luxembourg Centre Hotel is located at 30 rue Joseph Junck which is 4.6 miles from the Luxembourg Lux Airport. Bedrooms in the Mercure Luxembourg Centre Hotel are outfitted with high-speed Internet access, a personal safe, climate controls, satellite TV, and a spacious bathroom. Mercure is the perfect base for business travelers.
30 Rue Joseph Junck
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
More info about Mercure Luxembourg Centre Hotel
A variety of shops with different exotic items indigenous to the place makes shopping in Luxembourg a pleasurable experience. A myriad of shopping malls, supermarkets and traditional markets provides ample option of Shopping in Luxembourg.
Luxembourg Shopping must include chocolates and wines. Wines and chocolates are quite cheap in comparison to the neighboring countries of Luxembourg. Chocolates are a great gift for your loved ones when your return from a business trip to Luxembourg. Tourists can buy sparkling wines at price less than 3 Euros. Other specialties of the area include beautiful porcelain and crystals.
Luxembourg is divided into two shopping centres: the Oberstadt and the Unterstadt, (the area around the Central Station). Visit the Unterstadt with its main streets, the avenue de la Gare, starting at the Central station in the direction of the Viaduc and Oberstadt. In this area you’ll find many fashion boutiques, jewelers, electro, hifi, tv, video and photo shops.
Then turn to the right towards rue Philippe II, a street which crosses the rue Notre Dame street, and a little further on you will reach the pedestrian sector which connects with rue Louvigny, rue Monterey, rue de la Poste and the Grand-Rue, which is among the most important shopping street in Luxembourg.
The Oberstadt offers a great choice of exclusive fashion boutiques, leather goods and shoes of international label. The Grand-Rue is a paradise for lovers of jeweleries and watches. Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels to mention just a few. Gallery Grand-Rue/Beaumont, is another interesting shop to visit, to purchase fashion, jewelery and perfumes. MCM, is located just outside as you leave the Gallery, famous for leather and fashion articles.
Villeroy & Boch Création exhibition which you can find in the rue du Fossé street, is yet another interesting shopping site. Beautiful types of china and crystal alike from the worldwide producer Villeroy & Boch, is produced and sold here.
Petrusse valley
This beautiful park, lies in the valley of the River Petrusse between the upper town and the Bourbon Plateau. Near the river is the remains of a sluice built in 1728 as a means of flooding the valley to defend it against invading enemies. Near the Pont Viaduc, which is also called the Passerelle, is St Quiren`s Chapel, built into the rock.
Dent Creuse
The original fort which the Luxembourg City sprouted up around was at this location. In 965 AD, Count Siegfried of Lorraine built a castle here, which over time was picked apart and integrated in all the subsequent fortifications. The Dent Creuse ("Hollow Tooth"), a smallish stone tower, is the only part of that original castle to survive.
St. Michael’s Cathedral
St. Michael’s is a small cathedral located at the edge of old Luxembourg just before a large bridge and the Bock Casements. It is the oldest holy building in Luxembourg, dating from about 987. Throughout the past centuries, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and the current design was created in 1688. The stained-glass windows are impressive, and the architecture contains elements of Romanesque, baroque, and Gothic style.
Chemin de la Corniche
The Corniche has been described by a Luxembourg writer as`the most beautiful balcony in Europe. This scenic promenade leads from the St Esprit plateau along the ramparts to the Bock promontory. Built by the Spaniards and the French in the 17th Century, the fortifications were dismantled after the Treaty of London in the late 1860’s. Most of the wall has been removed, revealing superb panoramic views of the Petrusse and Alzette valleys and the Grund.
Luxembourg hop-on and hop-off tour
Explore the city of Luxembourg with this 24 hour ticket aboard an open-top double-decker bus. See all the main sights of Luxembourg as you hop-on and hop-off eight conveniently located stops around Luxembourg. With great views from the top of the bus, strategically placed stops and an interesting commentary, this is the best way to see the sights of Luxembourg. If you have only a short time for sightseeing during your business trip to Luxembourg, this is a great way to see the city.
You can hop-on and off as many times as you like aboard this open-top double-decker bus. There are eight stops and the entire route takes approximately 60 minutes. The bus departs every 30 minutes from each stop. Tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.
Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.
The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.
Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.
| General emergency number | 112 |
| Police | 113 |
Luxembourgish is a Moselle Franconian language spoken mainly in Luxembourg. About 390,000 people worldwide speak Luxembourgish. Luxembourgish is the national language of Luxembourg, but it is only one of three administrative languages along with French and German.
Although the Luxembourg speak excellent English, it is always useful to know some phraes Luxembourgish...
| Hello | Moien / Salut |
| How are you? | Wéi geet et Iech? |
| Fine | Gutt |
| My name is ... | Ech heeschen ... |
| Pleased to meet you | Et freet mëch, lech kennen ze léieren |
| Good morning | Gudde Moien |
| Good afternoon | Gudde Mëtteg |
| Good evening | Gudden Owend |
| Good night | Gutt Nuecht |
| Goodbye | Äddi / Awar |
| Have a nice day | Schéinen Dag nach |
| Bon appetit | Gudden Appetit! |
| Cheers/Good health! | Prost! |
| I don’t understand | Ech verstinn net |
| Please write it down | Schreift et wann ech glift op |
| How do you say ... in Luxembourgish? | Wéi seet een ... op Lëtzebuergesch? |
| Excuse me | Entschëllegt? Pardon |
| How much is that? | Wéivill kascht dat? |
| Please | Wann ech glift |
| Thank you | Merci / Villmols merci |
| You’re welcome | ’t ass gär geschitt |
| Where’s the toilet? | Wou ass d’Toilette? |
| Yes / No | Jo / Neen |
  |
