Reed Travel Exhibitions' EIBTM 2010 opened in Barcelona at Gran Via with an atmosphere of cautious optimism on many stands.
Snowfall across Britain meant there were a few late arrivals from the UK, although recent tensions on the Korean peninsula appeared to have no effect on the aggressive marketing effort from Seoul.
Michele Saran of the Canadian Tourism Commission told EW that the snow and excitement of the Winter Olympics meant “Canada was now positioning itself going forward as experts in key events. This is our new marketing platform”.
Saran told EW MICE business has moved up four per cent as a result of the Winter Games. “We think it is a direct result of the Olympics and the figures are benefitting not only Vancouver and Whistler, but countrywide,” she added.
The EIBTM 2010 Global Industry Trends and Market Share Report released 30 November, shows the industry mood is cautiously optimistic with advanced bookings up on 2010 and corporate budgets expected to grow in 2011.
The report, compiled by Rob Davidson, Senior Lecturer in Business Travel and Tourism at the University of Westminster in London and Conference News columnist, identified key trends for the meetings market over the past 12 months and provides an outlook for 2011.
“While for 2010 most economists were divided on whether the global recovery would grow, stall or even reverse,” said Davidson, “now at the end of the year there is talk about favourable prospects for global recovery albeit it slow and uneven. However, the vast majority of indicators for the meetings and events industry point to improved business conditions ahead in 2011.
“Business barometers in 2010 have indicated that the industry continues its recovery apace indicating that current business conditions are better than a year ago. There is definitely a clear majority who feel optimistic about the future,” he added.
Bullet points from the trends report include:
• Global growth is likely to exceed four per cent in 2011
• Asia Pacific has already brushed off the recession
• Europe is split, with Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain tackling budget deficit problems and Germany and France pointing to recovery
• BRIC countries are set to outperform the world as a whole
• Corporate social responsibility now a given in meetings and events
• Increased use of blogs, Twitter and Facebook to drive business to websites and to learn what the market is saying about their products and services. Approximately one half day a week is devoted to promoting venues on social media.
