Hyatt has seen more than 31,000 meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) enquiries in Europe in Q1 2024, an increase of 8% compared to the same period in 2023, driven by evolving business travel preferences.
Hyatt’s UK properties accounted for more than 5,500 of these enquiries, amounting to an 11% growth year on year. The UK also witnessed a 25% increase in business requests across 2023, which totalled more than 19,500 enquiries for room nights and/or meeting spaces for business purposes.
“The world and hospitality industry has changed post-covid. Business is back, and there is greater focus by companies on the creative ways in which they can deliver innovative and quality events,” commented Paul Dalgleish, VP Sales, Revenue and Business Development EAME. “Bleisure, a combination of business and leisure, has been a key driver in the boom of business travel bookings post-Covid, and is a trend that isn’t expected to slow down.”
“Subsequently, corporates are increasingly allowing delegates to extend their work trips following events, so that they can prolong a trip with friends and family. In addition to Hyatt’s growing pipeline of MICE-focused hotels, corporates are more frequently selecting leisure hotels for MICE events. Leisure elements are becoming more desirable for corporates which are looking to provide inspiring environments; keep their audience motivated; and incorporate wellbeing activities into a business event, such as through sporting activities or spa breaks – aspects that many MICE-ready hotels are developing in order to benefit from this trend.”
Memorable Meeting Experiences with Together by Hyatt
Hyatt is embracing these evolving preferences through its world-renowned brands for business travellers, and its meetings and events platform, Together by Hyatt. This dedicated events philosophy is brought to life through Hyatt’s purpose of care, embedding wellbeing, support, technology and sustainability into MICE bookings.
Together by Hyatt has helped to drive bookings to a quarterly high since it was introduced in 2021, providing event organisers with the tools, resources and support they need. Together by Hyatt provides everything from wellbeing enhancements that provide an elevated and balanced experience, to bespoke event experience guides, sustainability fact sheets, and technology tools designed to simplify, save time and make event planning and booking seamless.
Inspiring Settings
In a post-pandemic world, unique and inspiring venues are in higher demand than before. Hyatt is ideally-positioned to cater to these changing needs via its Unique Venues, the growing collection of one of a kind, story-worthy MICE spaces across participating hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. From Napoleon III’s former opulent ballroom at the Hôtel du Palais Biarritz, to the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht’s iconic Delft Blue Room designed by world-renowned Dutch architect and interior designer Marcel Wanders, and Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower’s stunning glass dome offering 360-degree views of the city: this curated collection leaves corporates spoilt for choice.
