" Getting together is priceless "we sometimes hear. But no! The latest CWT Meetings & Events (CWT M&E) proves just the opposite. Every meeting, every event has a cost, and this is tending to increase, according to Carlson Wagonlit Travel's events division.
" Overall, costs are rising in the main meetings and events markets As Cindy Fisher, Senior Vice President & Global Head of CWT M&E, explains, "It's a good thing we're going to be able to offer you the best possible service". With air fares expected to rise by 3.5 % and hotel rates by 3.7% next year, this trend is set to continue. ". In fact, the business travel agency had already announced its intention during the summer, by publishing with the GBTA Foundation traditional sound "Forecast 2018 expecting prices in the business travel sector to rise.
The biggest regional increase in the meetings & events sector was in Asia-Pacific (+5%), ahead of Europe (+4%) and North America (+3%). In South America, price increases remained contained (+1%) in 2017.
The report published by CWT Meetings & Events also highlights the impact of security on the choice of European destinations, noting that " Italy and Portugal are doing well thanks to their reasonable fares ". As for incentive destinationsThe new infrastructures being developed in South-West Europe are bringing cities such as BordeauxToulouse and Palma de Majorca.
The fact remains that the European market remains relatively unpredictable, as CWT M&E confirms: " the Brexit could be a game-changer for a large number of European countries. Up to now, it has mainly made it possible toattracting people to the UK because of the devalued pound, but it is too early to draw any definitive conclusions. We'll have a clearer picture by 2019, when the UK officially leaves the EU. "it says.
