how business travel in europe will change over the next 5 years

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

How business travel in Europe will change over the next 5 years

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

ECONOMIC TRENDS A A buyers’ marketbuyers’ market: over-supply of : over-supply of

meetings venues and destinationsmeetings venues and destinations- New New typestypes of venues of venues- Emerging destinations: Central Europe, China, The Emerging destinations: Central Europe, China, The

Middle East ….even Libya !Middle East ….even Libya !

Planners Planners negotiatingnegotiating harder: to get harder: to get more value for their moneymore value for their money

Economic uncertainty means Economic uncertainty means shorter shorter lead timeslead times (corporate market) (corporate market)

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

ECONOMIC TRENDS

Emerging markets:Emerging markets:- China (Approved Destination Status)China (Approved Destination Status)- India, Malaysia, Thailand – growing Middle ClassesIndia, Malaysia, Thailand – growing Middle Classes

SOCIAL TRENDS …..

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

Events have changed from this:

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

to this:

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

SOCIAL TRENDS

More More diversitydiversity in the delegates’ in the delegates’ profile:profile:

- More womenMore women- More ethnic/cultural diversityMore ethnic/cultural diversity- More older delegatesMore older delegates

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

SOCIAL TRENDS

Work-life balance:Work-life balance:

- Family / friends will come too !Family / friends will come too !- Delegates will extend their trips, for Delegates will extend their trips, for

leisure purposesleisure purposes

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

ADDING PLEASURE TO BUSINESS !

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

POLITICAL TRENDS

More emphasis on More emphasis on securitysecurity- Must be visible, but discreetMust be visible, but discreet- Isolated venues have an advantageIsolated venues have an advantage Buyers will increasingly use their Buyers will increasingly use their

purchasing power, for political endspurchasing power, for political ends

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

More use of the Internet:More use of the Internet:- For site selectionFor site selection- For destination and venue promotionFor destination and venue promotion- For enhancing the conference experienceFor enhancing the conference experience Wireless Wireless everywhereeverywhere Radio Frequency IdentificationRadio Frequency Identification

Rob DavidsonCentre for Tourism

University of Westminster

MuitoObrigado !

FURTHER INFORMATION:www.eibtm.com

‘Industry Research Forum’

AND

Rob DavidsonSenior Lecturer in Business Travel and Tourism

davidsr@wmin.ac.uk