New positive mood among meeting/convention-goers
"Guarded optimism" is the new mood for the meetings and convention market this year, according to research from RRC Associates DestinationMAP (Meeting Assessment Program).
"During the height of the economic downturn (2008-2009), DestinationMAP indicated that meeting holders were becoming much more cost-conscious. Specifically, they had become more concerned with travel, food and lodging costs as well as getting ‘good value’ from a destination," the study found.
The most recent study, however, "indicates cost concerns are falling off somewhat and meeting holders are starting to place renewed importance on travel convenience and recreational opportunities at sites," the study found.
Despite this relatively upbeat news, many of the realities of the economic downturn have not gone away. The study added:
"The vast majority of meetings planners said that they are going to negotiate more discounts and concessions and continue to shop value and price. These tendencies, though, are somewhat down from levels seen in 2009."
DestinationMAP is the former METROPOLL.
Since 1983, DestinationMAP has been the North American comprehensive study focusing on the meeting and conventions market. Their study is of the North American market is conducted every two years.
For further information, contact [email protected].
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025