Being the second largest city of Spain, Barcelona is known to be a global city because it is a major economic and financial center. Its leading industries are textiles, chemical, pharmaceutical, motor, electronic, printing, logistics, publishing, telecommunications and information technology services. It is also the capital of the Catalonian regime so aside from Spanish; the Catalan language is also commonly used.

Any business traveller should be aware of local customs of his or her destination not only to impress clients or other businessmen, but to also get around and get along with locals easily. Handshakes are alright but a little too formal for some Barcelonans, so when the relation is established,  two kisses, might be used as a way of greeting one another.

Another notable custom is how Spanish people like to entertain guests in restaurants or bars rather than in their homes. But if they do decide to invite or entertain people in their house, bringing simple gifts like a bottle of wine, chocolates, or even flowers are welcomed. It is also good to know that Barcelonans’ eat lunch and dinner a little later than what it commonly practiced in other places. They usually have lunch at around 2pm and dinner at around 9pm in the evening. If the service was good, one may tip a least five or ten percent of the total bill if there was no service charge issued. Local change may be given as tips at the bar.

It’s good to establish a little rapport but having information on getting to and from one’s destinations should also be a business traveller’s top priority. There are a number of ways on how to travel like taking a metro or rapid transit, a bus, a tramcar, or a metered taxi. From Barcelona Airport or El Prat Airport, one can take a shuttle coach to the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel within four minutes. It’ll take ten minutes if one travels from the Barcelona city center. Wired internet connection is available but WiFi is available only in public areas and meeting rooms.

From Barcelona Airport, one can take a taxi to the Tryp Barcelona Aeropuerto Hotel since it is just a little more than a kilometer away from the airport. WiFi access is available in the lobby.

Recently renovated, the Aparthotel Mariano Cubi is located in the very heart of the shopping, financial, and business areas of the city, making it accessible to all communication and traffic routes. Free WiFi and spacious rooms and suites are presented at a very good deal.

Easily accessible downtown is Hotel Catalonia Ramblas Barcelona. It is also near the city’s most renowned shopping areas. With 221 spacious and stylish rooms, it is an ideal choice for business travellers especially those who have spare time for a tour. WiFi is available.

More on first-rate hotels around the city, the H10 Montcada Hotel Barcelona is an example of the neoclassical style that typifies the Via Laietana Avenue. Non-smoking rooms and rooms easily accessible to handicaps are available. Internet connection is also readily available.

Business centers in Barcelona are found along C. Comte Durgell street and Paseo Gracia street. In addition, a popular commercial district is the Diagonal Mar i Front Marítim del Poblenou, a neighborhood in Saint Marti which hosts Catalonia’s largest shopping center.

Another thing a business traveller should know is about the local currency. Euros are used in Barcelona. If one has a day to spare for touring a historical city like Barcelona, then immersing oneself in museums like the National Museum of Art of Catalonia or Barcelona Maritime Museum may be a good idea. Art may even be appreciated out on the streets due to the rampant artistic and architectural buildings whether old or new in Barcelona.

On another note, if you were to invite your business partner/s to dine out, Biziker recommends La Bodega which offers a wide and choice selection of typical Catalan dishes and displays timeless beauty with its classic interior that would impress anyone who comes by.

Also, Barcelonans are quite particular with dress code so it is best to dress according to occasion and weather. Catalan men and women dress elegantly, though men can opt to do without a tie especially during summer season and that’s still up to standards. During July until August, cotton and loose-fitting garments may be used. However, you will find the men wearing ties in most business situations as you can’t go wrong with it. Being a city dominated by mostly Catholics, proper attire must be worn when visiting churches or religious occasions. It is also a walkable city so try to bring comfortable shoes.

Hotel Directory:

Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel
Pl. Volateria, 3 – Poligono Mas BlauEl Prat de LLobregat – Barcelona, 08820 Spain

•             Phone:  (34) 93 378 32 00
•             Fax :  (34) 93 378 98 00
•             Sales:  (34) 93 378 32 08

Tryp Barcelona Aeropuerto
Parque de Negocios Mas Blau II,  08820,  Prat de Llobregat

•             Phone:  Tel: (34)  93  3781000
•             Fax: (34)  93  3781001

Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel
Pl. Volateria, 3 – Poligono Mas BlauEl Prat de LLobregat – Barcelona, 08820 Spain

•             Phone:  (34) 93 378 32 00
•             Fax :  (34) 93 378 98 00
•             Sales:  (34) 93 378 32 08

Aparthotel Mariano Cubi
Mariano Cubi, 62-64,Barcelona

•             Phone:  (34) 932 099 699

H10 Montcada Hotel Barcelona
Via Laietana, 24 E-08003 – Barcelona, Spain

•             Phone:  (34) 93 268 85 70
•             Fax: (34) 93 310 07 47

Other recommended venues:

National Museum of Art of Catalonia
Mirador Palau Nacional, 6 Parc de Montjuïc
08038 Barcelona

* Phone: (34) 93 622 0360

La Bodega
Plaza de Molina 2 – 08006 Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain

* Phone: (34)  93 217 7185

Barcelona Maritime Museum
Avinguda de les Drassanes

* Phone: (34) 933 429 920

Image and information sources:

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona

-(barcelona pic) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Barcelona._View_from_Tibidabo.jpg

- (local customs video)http://www.geobeats.com/videoclips/spain/barcelona/local-etiquette

-(hotel guide) http://barcelona.airporthotelguide.com/

-(hotel info) http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bcnbr-renaissance-barcelona-airport-hotel/

-(Tryp Barcelona hotel info) http://www.spainbookers.com/en/barcelona/hotels/tryp-barcelona-aeropuerto.html

-(transpo info) http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/airport/barcelona-airport-transport.html

-(currency info) http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/general/currency-converter.html

-(Barcelona business center pic) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Barcelona_Finanse_Center_(skyline).jpg

-(Barcelona business center) http://www.bbcenter.es/web/inicio.asp