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Meetings biz making a comeback of sorts
With business budgets bouncing back, destination meetings and incentive events are returning, but sometimes on a smaller scale.
"Meeting planners will be looking for alternatives like hybrid meetings, where some attendees are present and others attend via video conference," says Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Los Cabos in a news release that included their hotel trends for 2012.
"Resort meetings used to mean that the entire team or company would come to Los Cabos, but now we’re getting more requests for meetings with remote capabilities," said Jayson Stirrup, manager of groups and conventions for the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort, adding:
"Our in-house AV team, PSAV, can create a virtual event with employees who are still in the office, or even coordinate HD video conferencing across more than 800 hotels throughout the world where PSAV is on-site."
In other hotel trends, the survey found:
- Guests are looking for "no surprise" packages that are inclusive to include taxes and fees, and amenities.
- Guests want fresh regional cuisine for a fair price.
- Gone are the days of overindulging on vacations. "Gyms are no longer in the basement or an unused corner of a hotel, but are a centerpiece of a resort’s offerings," said Viviana Valdiviezo, spa manager for the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort
- Spa treatments were one of the first luxuries to get cut from leisure and business travel plans, but they’ll be back in 2012, although in a different way. "Look for spa packages and discounts, which can offer relaxation at a fraction of the cost," said Rodolfo Garcia, spa manager for The Westin.
By David Wilkening
David
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