LIECHTENSTEIN. Population: 32,863. Size: 160 sq km. Price: circa €225,000 per night.

Yes, that’s right. Liechtenstein, the Alpine tax-haven sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland, has put itself up for rent in an attempt to attract corporate conferences and bolster its tourism industry.

For a cost of betwen €350 (£230) and €500 per person per night, Karlheinz Ospelt, mayor of Liechtenstein’s capital, Vaduz, will hand over the keys to the tiny principality to your company. You are then free to hang your company’s flags in place of Liechtenstein’s own. The “Rent a State” scheme is based on the “Rent a Village” concept developed by Xnet, the Liechtenstein-based event management company, which operates events in six villages in Austria and Germany.

Liechtenstein, the world's fourth smallest state, can accommodate up to 450 conference delegates in single accommodation, or 900 if the delegates are prepared to share. They will stay with host families in 13 villages and they will be matched through a “key lottery”.

“The basic idea is that an entire, small country plays host to a conference with all the various possibilities at its disposal,” said Roland Buechel, director of the state tourism agency in the 284-year-old statelet.

Xnet will be charged with drumming up business among corporate customers seeking conference venues, while the tourism agency will liaise with local authorities and help to organise rooms and activities.

Karl Schwaerzler, chief executive of Xnet, whose “Rent a Village” clients include Hyundai, AEG, Head, Siemens and Arcor, said the teambuilding events could include tobogganing, museum visits, or wine tasting in the royal cellars.

Ardent monarchists, however, will be disappointed to hear that Prince Hans Adam II, the reigning monarch and head of state, will play no part in any proceedings. Mr Schwaerzler said the prince was “very shy”. And besides, aren’t there a few constitutional matters monopolising his attention?