| Safety, health, and security are now as crucial as destination appeal and infrastructure, according to a new report from The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE).
The newly completed study, ‘Incentive Travel & Motivational Events,’ reports key trends and information from 100 global corporate event organisers. It covers topics ranging from destination selection criteria and planners’ educational backgrounds to factors determining the success of incentive events. It also offers insight into how partnerships and collaboration strategies can lead to the best outcome for these events.
CEO of SITE Annette Gregg explains the importance of the study: “Our latest study offers a detailed view of what’s on the minds of industry professionals who are responsible for creating memorable and effective incentive travel programs. We are proud to partner with Hilton to bring this invaluable information to our members and industry colleagues.”
Kim Napolitano, executive director, industry relations & intermediary group sales for Hilton, echoed her enthusiasm for the report: “At Hilton, we recognise the critical role that incentive travel plays in driving motivation and business success. This report provides a comprehensive view of current trends and challenges, and we hope it serves as a valuable resource for planners and suppliers alike.”
Pádraic Gilligan, chief marketing officer at SITE, also commented: “One of the most intriguing findings from the report is the diverse and evolving career path taken by corporate planners. Many planners start in various roles within the corporate structure and progressively move into incentive travel, bringing a wealth of cross-functional experience and unique perspectives. This trend highlights the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in our field, as well as the value of diverse skill sets in driving successful incentive programs.”
Key findings from the report include:
- Destination selection: safety, health, and security are now as crucial as destination appeal and infrastructure.
- Professional development: a significant portion of planners have over a decade of experience, showing the depth of expertise in the industry.
- Partnerships: DMCs and hotel representatives are seen as vital partners – more so than local affiliate offices.
The full report is available for download on SITEGlobal.com. SITE encourages honest feedback so it can continue to update its expertise in the incentive travel industry. |