On completion of this chapter students should:
- appreciate the tendencies in business travel industry
In 2006, the Europeans made a total of 54 million business trips. This accounts for 14% of all European trips abroad. Over the past ten years, there has been a 53% growth in all business trips, exceeding the overall growth in tourism. The conference and incentive travel segments are predicted to grow at a faster rate than any other tourism sector up to 2010. The revenues from international business tourism are estimated to account for up to 45% of total international tourism income by 2010. Whereas ten years ago, business travel was just for board directors and high flying executives, nowadays it has become much less a status symbol and more a corporate necessity in order to attend trainings, conferences and seminars and to conduct client meetings around the globe. The total spending of MICE travel is substantial, approximately 25% of the total travel budget of an organization.
Business tourism operates with a wide range of commercial societies, tourism agencies, hotels, fairs and exhibitions organizers, interpreters' agencies, business centers, which, in most countries, are divided in professional structures or associations that bear the name of Convention Bureau.
Professional associations in business tourism have the merit of promoting our country as a possible destination for specific events, providing training and support to this form of tourism.
Business tourism is the provision of facilities and services to the millions of delegates who annually attend meetings, congresses, exhibitions and business events or make use of incentive travel and corporate hospitality. These so-called MICE travellers – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events – are influenced by several trends. For one, MICE planners are choosing destinations closer to home. As a result of terrorist threats and downward pressure on budgets, they are reluctant to take participants on long-haul business trips.
At the same time, there is an increasing demand for events in the Gulf region, the Middle East and North Africa due to growing awareness of the region’s attractive destinations, improved infrastructure and high-quality developments. MICE visitors are increasingly demanding value from the events they attend. This implies not just educational content, but also a positive social and destination experience. At the same time, many associations are more dependent on a good turnout to generate revenues for their organisations as a result of prevailing economic conditions. This offers opportunities for lesser-known facilities that can offer unique experiences. Many planners are more and more interested in looking at smaller and newer centres for their events. Environmental issues are creating pressure on individuals and organisations to travel less frequently or to apply carbon offset for their travel.
There are moves towards greener events held in environmentally conscious venues. As a result of a growing sense of corporate social responsibility, there is an increasing demand for destinations at which travellers can contribute to the local area and population.
MICE tourism in Africa
In Egypt, Alexandria offers good MICE facilities - the Bibliotecha Alexandrina is one such with a 5000 sq. m conference area while the Four Seasons San Stefano is a tastefully furnished hotel with round-the clock business and workstation facilities. In Cairo, apart from most of the luxury hotels, the International Conference Centre and the Heliopolis are large capacity addresses for conferences and exhibitions with an amazing range of offerings for delegates. Incentive travel in Egypt extends to Aswan, Sharm-el-Sheikh, Luxor and Hurghuda.
Morocco's diverse and scenic backdrops make it a memorable MICE venue - more than 100 luxury hotels cater to the MICE segment. Its superior infrastructure, including 12 international airports and state-of-the art conference and exhibition centres in Casablanca, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Tangier and Agadir makes it a destination worth considering.
South Africa's tourism quotient continues to grow, its assets finding favor with travelers across the globe. Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg have facilities in place for corporates and sporting events, and Sun City makes for a remarkable MICE destination.
MICE tourism in America
North America
The United States remains an 'evergreen' destination for conferences and incentive travel with facilities in place for every kind of event across states. Worth mentioning is Las Vegas, which has graduated from a gambler's paradise to a fine MICE destination with temptations like round-the-clock hour gaming, retail, recreation and dining.
Canada's modern cities and spectacular sights, backed by sophisticated infrastructure are worth considering for business events. The eternal attraction of the Niagara Falls has been further enhanced with meeting centres and large conference spaces. Vancouver, Banff, Quebec City, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Ottawa are some of the other choices available for meetings, conventions and incentive travel.
Mexico has developed its facilities to host business meetings, conventions and trade shows tremendously to support growing interest from international travelers. Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City and Leon have 5 star facilities for medium to large sized conventions.
South America
Vibrant and colorful, Brazil has a series of convention centers and exclusive resorts across its cities of Salvador, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
To add that extra zing to your corporate event, how about a cruise to Ecuador's Galapagos Islands? An auditorium and cabins to handle 100 passengers aboard a luxury liner skirts the Santa Cruz, Floreana, Espanola, San Cristobal and Seymour islands over 4 days with sightseeing trips on the islands packed in.
Business on the Inca Trail? From Cuzco in Peru, trek to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Pichu. The Sacred Valley has a choice of luxury hotels, and the splendid views of the Andes and the massive temples and ruins combine to create a truly memorable event.