Incentive travel is on the upswing for 2022 and beyond, according to to a new Incentive Research Foundation survey. Open for Business: Incentive Expectations and Reality in the Hospitality Industry
also revealed how issues including supplier staffing shortages, service
levels and cost increases are hampering the planning and execution of
incentive travel programmes.
The
study, conducted between April and June, garnered a total 710 responses
from incentive planners and suppliers, including hoteliers, tourism
board/convention & visitors bureaus, and destination management
companies.
Among the key findings was that a number of supplier issues are
affecting planners' abilities to deliver prepandemic-level programmes.
They are falling short on RFP turnaround: Planners expect responses to
their RFPs within a few days; 50% of hoteliers reported their average
response time was within a day or two, while 47% of DMCs meet that goal.
Staffing is another sore point. While hotels report the most success
in staffing to pre-Covid levels, only about half (49%) of properties
report they're back to that level. DMCs are struggling even more to
staff up, with just 26% at pre-Covid levels.
When
asked what they what they want from suppliers, incentive professionals
cited the need for honest, transparent conversations during the sourcing
and planning process; increased responsiveness to win and keep
business; and more clarity around pricing and service availability.
"Incentive travel planners are on the front end of the demand,
pushing partners to deliver on needs," said IRF president Stephanie
Harris. "Unfortunately, many partners, including hotels, destination
management companies and tourism boards, continue to struggle with labor
and readiness challenges. Transparency on both sides is required to
help set up everyone for success."
Source: Northstar Meetings Group