euromic officially announced today that Travel Motives, South Africa, has joined the organization as a World Affiliate destination management company. euromic members voted unanimously to include Travel Motives in the association at the Annual General Meeting in January.

“The wealth of experience and professionalism our team possesses is what’s behind our euromic Affiliation,” said Dayle White, General Manager at Travel Motives. “We are pleased to be a part of one of the oldest consortiums of companies specializing in full service destination management.  South Africa is a land of immense possibilities: if you can dream it, Travel Motives will deliver it with the high level of service standards expected from all euromic DMCs.”

Based in Johannesburg, Travel Motives offers full service meeting, incentive, and group travel programs within southern Africa.  South Africa and its neighbors have proved to be growing and important destinations, offering planners new, exciting travel programs for their clients.  While traditional, luxury facilities abound, itineraries in South Africa also provide ample options for those with a sense of adventure and a taste for the extraordinary.

Part of the success of Travel Motives is a corporate culture rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu – the idea that our humanity is formed through participation in a community. This is expressed in the traditional Zulu adage, “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” which means, “a person is only a person through their relationship with others.” This commitment to mutual respect informs Travel Motives’ client interactions. It also shows a unique understanding of what meeting and incentive travel are all about: maximizing potential by strengthening relationships.

Italian Destination Management Company Gastaldi Global Travel has joined forces with euromic, the oldest international consortium of companies specializing in MICE travel.  Gastaldi, based in Rome, was officially inducted as euromic’s 29th full member on January 9th at the Association’s Annual General Meeting in Dublin, Ireland.

Founded in 1990, Gastaldi Global Travel provides destination management services for VIPs and groups of all sizes.  Its corporate mission has earned the company a reputation as one of Italy’s top DMCs.  The philosophy is rooted a deep appreciation for their clients’ unique needs and striving to assist them in meeting program goals through creative itineraries that combine authentic Italian style with local expertise and a buying power that provides a high degree of value.

In a message to the travel industry, Mr. Giancarlo Carrera, President of euromic, said, “Italy continues to be one of the top destinations in Europe for incentive travel.  Gastaldi Global Travel has an excellent record as well as the quality staff and local pull that clients expect from euromic DMCs. Gastaldi is the right partner for us – and the travel planners we work with – in Italy.”

In addition to its Rome headquarters, Gastaldi Global Travel has Genova and Milan. The company specializes in high end meeting and incentive travel, special interest tours and top VIP individual programs all over Italy. With a thorough knowledge of Italian territory and logistics, Gastaldi is able to create and manage “one-off” programs, which focus on providing the best program solutions for each event. This is expressed in the company motto: “We do not simply sell incentive programs; we offer a unique experience and help our clients to achieve their goals.”

Happy Holidays on behalf of all our euromic members and World Affiliates!

Our thanks and thoughts go out to all of our friends in the industry during this joyous season.
We wish you prosperity, happiness, and peace for the New Year.

And thank you to all those who visited the euromic pavilion at EIBTM ‘09 in Barcelona. We enjoyed meeting with you and hope we our relationship flourishes during 2010!

Beginning of December, all euromic members & World Affiliates are bringing “The Power of Local Knowledge” to Barcelona for EIBTM 2009.
Come meet our 34 specialized Destination Management Companies under one roof, the euromic Stand F140 offers one-stop-shopping for the incentive and conference professional; a quick visit can open a world of possibilities and help you get the most out of your time at the show.

We look forward seeing you in Barcelona!


In the meanwhile, you can meet with several euromic members & World Affiliates at World Travel Market in London (Nov. 9th-12th):

Amiel Destination Management, Israel (Stand #EM960), Baltic Travel Group, Baltic States (Stand #EM5050), Barclays Group Travel, Tunisia (Stand #ME6600), Creative Travel, India (Stand #AS3500), Karma House, Jordan (Stand #ME3000), Mazurkas Travel DMC, Poland (Stand #EM3060), Nature Style, Argentina (Stand #LA5000) and Emeco Travel, Egypt &  S'Tours Destination Management Company, Morocco (together on Stand #EM2070).

A big THANK YOU to all of those who visited the euromic pavilion at IT&ME, Chicago this year.  We appreciate you taking the time to speak with our members and we look forward to providing you with the highest quality of destination management services available.

Two recent industry surveys confirm the importance of travelling and in-person meetings.

First, a study conducted by global research firm Oxford Economics, sponsored by the Destination & Travel Foundation, establishes the first clear link between business travel and business growth. The result show a strong relationship between a company’s investment in business travel - to meetings, trade shows, conferences, incentive and sales meetings - and its profitability. For every dollar invested in business travel, businesses experience $12.50 on average in increased revenue and $3.80 in new profits, according to the findings. It is the first time that the ROI of business travel has been successfully measured.

The study also found that curbing business travel can have a significant negative impact on corporate profits. The average business in the U.S. would forfeit 17 percent of its profits in the first year of eliminating business travel, and it would take more than three years for profits to recover. More than half of all business travellers stated that between 5 and 20 percent of their companies’ new customers were the result of trade show participation and executives estimate that 28 percent of current business would be lost without face-to-face meetings. Approximately 40% of prospective customers are converted to new customers as a result of face-to-face meetings.

Second, according to a pre-conference survey for the HSMAI Affordable Meetings National & Event Technology Expo in Washington DC, many planners feel that certain elements of face-to-face conferences cannot be duplicated with meetings technology. 76 percent of meeting planners attending the event said in a survey that they used technology mostly for marketing efforts, followed by making presentations (68 percent) and networking (56 percent).
The survey results suggest technology cannot replace at least six elements of the conference experience: socialising and networking spontaneously, helping attendees, putting faces to names, allowing free and open dialogue between attendees and vendors/presenters, effective training, and a high quality and fluidity of conversation not subject to technical interference.

Sources : www.destinationtravel.org / www.affordablemeetings.com

This week, euromic is attending CIBTM 2009 (The China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition) taking place at the new venue China National Convention Centre, Beijing, on 8-10 September 2009 together with a selected group of Conferences and Incentives Buyers from Europe.
Euromic booth: G11

It is Motivation Time!
Feeling like summer has slipped through your fingers?  Then wrap up the season with The Motivation Show, Chicago, September 29th – October 1st! IT&ME offers the chance to meet face-to-face with over 1000 industry-leading suppliers, maximizing your productivity.  There are also more than 70 informative seminars and talks on the topics that matter to your company, from best practices to social media, to help you stay ahead of the curve – and the competition.

euromic will attend with decision makers from our all-star collection of DMCs around the world.
We know that your time is valuable so we will be there to help you get the most from your show experience by providing the in depth destination information you need.  Visit the euromic pavilion #4638, in the Europe section and see what we mean by “the power of local knowledge!”

euromic will be exhibiting at IncentiveWorks on August 25-26, 2009 at the Toronto’s Metro Convention Centre, North Building.
 
IncentiveWorks is Canada’s largest trade show for the meetings, incentive travel, events and promotions industries. IncentiveWorks is proud to launch Meeting Appointment Software for the 2009 Show. This interactive tool will allow you to schedule one-on-one appointments with any one of the exhibiting companies at the show.

Top 3 reasons to attend:

1. EXPERIENCE - FREE trade show
2. LEARN - Professional education by industry experts
3. CONNECT - with over 700 companies from around the world servicing the meetings, incentives & promotions industries including euromic at Booth 1719

More info at: http://www.meetingscanada.com/incentiveworks

According to the June edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer international tourism declined by 8% between January and April compared to the same period last year.

Destinations worldwide recorded a total of 247 million international tourist arrivals in those four months, down from 269 million in 2008. Given the changes in the outlook UNWTO has revised its forecast for the full year 2009. Taking account of the results for the first four months of the year and the current market conditions, international tourism is now forecast to decrease by between 4% and 6% in 2009, as the pace of decline is expected to ease during the remainder of 2009.

Regional panorama
With the exception of Africa, all regions recorded a decrease in arrivals for the first four months of 2009:
In Europe (-10%), the impact was high as the majority of source markets have struggled with recession since the end of 2008. Moreover, outbound tourism of the second largest market (UK) has endured the depreciation of the pound sterling.
Overall, the Americas (-5%) have suffered due to the slowdown of the USA both as a source market and a destination. Still, South America was the only sub-region outside of Africa to buck the general downward trend, registering +0.2%.
For Asia and the Pacific (-6%) the decline in demand has been faster than expected and is particularly severe when compared to results from recent years.
Although the decline in the Middle East is significant (-18%), complete data is not available and arrivals are still expected to be well above the 2007 levels.
The positive results in Africa (+3%) reflect the strength of North African destinations around the Mediterranean and the recovery of Kenya as one of leading Sub-Saharan destinations.

Challenging conditions
Tourism is seriously impacted, given the sharp reduction in business activity, decreasing disposable income and associated increased unemployment, particularly in key tourism source markets. Exchange rate fluctuations have added to the general uncertainty and business and consumer confidence have yet to recover. Furthermore, the level of advanced bookings, coupled with the reduction of in airline capacity, make recovery before 2010 difficult.

Travel & Tourism can be part of the solution
Against a progressively more difficult environment, UNWTO has been increasing its efforts to provide the sector, and its Members in particular, with the necessary support to face these challenging times under the Roadmap for Recovery.
Travel and tourism can support short-term stimulus actions, namely those aimed at creating and sustaining jobs, as well as the long-term transformation to a green economy.
Tourism is one of the largest employment sectors in most countries and a fast entry vehicle into the workforce for young people and women in urban and rural communities, directly, or through its strong multiplier effect on related services, manufacturing or agriculture.
Actions are needed to boost trade promotion, simplify regulation, build infrastructure and rationalise taxes, which in turn incite companies to invest, innovate and stimulate demand. This kind of public-private sector collaboration should be strongly advanced within and between all states – it will help build resilience and recovery across economies.
Excerpt of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.

Source: www.unwto.org

Two weeks ago, all DMC members and World Affiliates from exhibited during IMEX09, in Frankfurt, Germany.
Ray Bloom, IMEX Chairman, declared the show a remarkable demonstration of the determination and desire of the international meetings industry to overcome the challenge of the global economic downturn and shape a positive and reassuringly profitable future.
Despite the amazing hot weather, old friends were met and new contacts were made.
To all our visitors, thank you for your visit and for your interest in our Association!

On June 22-24, at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, euromic will be the proud sponsor of the Hospitality Suite at the 4th annual Incentive Travel Exchange. The Show will bring together pre-qualified hosted buyers and selected MICE suppliers for two days of pre-arranged meetings and networking.

At the beginning of April, several members visited agencies all over Moscow to provide the latest updates about their respective destinations.
While there, more than 100 guests joined us for a workshop to enjoy the traditional euromic hospitality.
Thank you all for your interest in our association! БОЛЬШОЕ СПАСИБО!

At the end of May, all euromic members and World Affiliates will travel to Frankfurt for IMEX09 (May 26th – 28th). In addition to the 32 euromic DMCs that are household names in the industry, we will be joined for the first time by our new member in Croatia, Dubrovnik Travel DMC and our new World Affiliate in India, Creative Travel, giving you 2 additional reasons to visit our Stand F700!

We’ll look forward to seeing you then!

Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading hospitality management company which operates 30 award-winning conference hotels, resorts, and conference centres in the USA and in Asia, announces its "Top Ten Meeting Trends for 2009," as observed by its properties:

Trend #1 The Business of Meetings is Business
This year more than ever before, the business of meetings is straight-up ROI.  There's not a lot of room for leisure and extracurricular play where every single dollar is measured for its contribution to the success of the overall conference. Meetings have never been more serious, focused, or strategic -- or more regional.

Trend #2 It's Not Easy to be Green...
It's not easy to be green ... or at least it's not easy to be green in a challenged economy!  Planners are a whole lot more focused at present on securing that property at the best price possible for their next meeting. In 2009, price trumps green.

Trend #3 We'll Get Back to you in Six Months
The first half of 2009 is proving to be a challenge with a lot of in-the-month-for-the-month meetings booked. 
Things are looking up in the 2nd half of 2009 though. 

Trend #4 Stuffed, Packed, Studded with Value!
The demise of the complete meeting package is greatly exaggerated!  But packages are expected to be loaded with value, add-on benefits, and there's a growing demand for double occupancy. Every meeting dollar must be measurable and welcome receptions, afternoons of leisure, and special dinner events are out.  Working lunches and dinners, regional gatherings, doubling up in guestrooms and value-added options are what are in this year!

Trend #5 Believe It or Not, Teambuilding Remains!
Teambuilding is not D.O.A. Planners are negotiating hard on price, and fewer sessions are being scheduled this year over last, but companies continue to see value in the team-enrichment benefits offered through creative teambuilding programming, such as corporate social responsibility initiatives. 

Trend #6 Tea for Two (make it herbal), Tee Times for Twenty
Maybe not this year.  Tight budgets and serious meeting environments are taking their toll on extracurricular activities once so popular. There's no problem getting a spa or tee time this year, but it will be on the conferee's own dime and it better not be scheduled over a conference session. 

Trend #7 I Plan, Therefore I Am
Once again the industry is consolidating.  Planning is increasingly seen as a part-time function ... with planning responsibilities loaded on already overwhelmed administrative personnel and department heads.  And third party planners are re-emerging.

Trend #8 Three Squares a Day.  That's it!
Gone are the welcome receptions, theme dinners and special luncheons.  Planners' meal requests are pretty much limited to three square meals a day and that's it. 

Trend #9 The Silver Lining
That's right ... there's a silver lining and it's found within select market segments where meeting demand is growing.  These include government, military and defense-related meetings, as well as education, state associations and religious market gatherings.   Perhaps this should make sense in these times. There's more.  The medical, biotech and pharmaceutical segments remain strong too.  Serious market segments for serious times, it seems - perfect for serious meeting environments.

Trend #10 Getting Serious About Learning Environments
Productive meeting environments have never been more put to the test or proven their worth more actively than right now.  In a business environment where every dollar - every penny for that matter -- is meaningful and expected to yield a measurable ROI, dedicated meeting environments like conference centers deliver and planners are turning to them.

Source: Benchmark's Website at www.benchmarkhospitality.com.

euromic – THE Destination Management Partnership in Europe and the MediterraneanBasin – voted to admit Dubrovnik Travel, Croatia’s leading DMC and PCO, as its 29th official Member.

Croatia is a booming European destination, drawing nearly 10 million international visitors each year. In addition to offering many newly renovated properties, Croatia is easily accessible from international gateways and is just short flight away from dozens of major European cities. MICE business is a fast growing sector of Croatian tourism. Meeting and incentive planners looking for something fresh to “wow” their clients are increasingly eager to take advantage of the unique fusion of Central European culture and the stunning, luxurious Dalmatian coastline, a popular excursion for Mediterranean cruise programs. Visitors are especially attracted to the Old City in Dubrovnik, called “the Pearl of the Adriatic” by Lord Byron, was the medieval rival to Venice in culture and commerce and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"Dubrovnik Travel is proud to become part of the euromic tradition of excellence,” said Daniel Marusic, CEO of Dubrovnik Travel. Petra Podkubovsek Medic added, “This is a true testimonial to our years of hard work and dedication, and to our current position as Croatia ’s leading Destination Management Company. We look forward to the exciting new opportunities that membership in Euromic will offer us.”

Dubrovnik Travel was founded in 1998 and over the past decade has grown to become the foremost destination management company and professional congress organizer in Croatia. The company has offices in Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian city of Split. With a professional and multilingual staff, Dubrovnik Travel has the resources and expertise to organize and execute top-notch events throughout the country.

euromic is excited to announce the addition of Creative Travel in India to its roster of World Affiliates.  The general membership of euromic unanimously approved Creative Travel’s nomination, ending an extensive search by the Board of Directors to find the most qualified and reliable DMC in the Indian Subcontinent.

Creative Travel planners, based in the capital city of New Delhi, are amongst India’s largest and one of its most respected destination management companies. Founded over 30 years ago, the company prides itself on its commitment to customer relationships and ability to deliver outstanding travel products. Core to these practices is adherence to the old Indian saying, “Atithi Devo Bhava” – or, “the guest is God,” referring to the ethos of hospitality so important to a culture dedicated to family and friendship. A privately owned transport fleet and dedicated PCO and high-value divisions allow Creative Travel to efficiently service any request with the greatest levels of professionalism and added value in the industry.

"We at Creative Travel are delighted to join the euromic family. It is a pleasure to be in such an astute group of owner driven companies. Our attention to detail and creativity in planning is fostered by the independence given by our family ownership, which I would consider to be one of our biggest strengths. This, against our more corporatized competitors, gives us an inherent advantage in quality control, continuity in projects and accountability’ saidRajeev Kohli, Director of Marketing. “Backed by a team of over 120 professionals, the Kohlis and Creative Travel have earned a reputation for being amongst India's most quality conscious travel companies. What we offer is our reputation for our integrity, our creativity and our experience in managing travel to India and her region for over three decades. We are a company that believes that business is about building relationships. Reputation cannot be bought and we would never do anything to compromise the integrity and standards of our partners."

We would also like to thank all visitors we’ve met this month at the Marriott International’s 12th Global Pursuits Event at the Grosvenor House, London and at FITUR 2009 in Madrid.
Thank you! We all look forward to successful cooperation in the future!

Several members will be travelling “down under” this month to attend AIME09 in Melbourne on February 17th & 18th. You will be able to meet with Emeco Travel (Egypt), Fourth Dimension Italy (Italy), ODS Turkey (Turkey), Destination China (China), Gulf Dunes (Dubai), and Creative Travel (India).
We look forward seeing you in Melbourne!

This weekend, euromic members will be attending its Annual General Meeting in Marrakech, hosted by S’Tours, euromic’s Destination Management Company in Morocco.

Next week, euromic will be present at Marriott International’s 12th Global Pursuits Event, taking place on Wednesday January 14th at the Grosvenor House, London (www.globalpursuits.com).
euromic will be present along with seven members: from Czech Republic, Egypt, Ireland, Jordan, Netherlands Spain and Turkey.
Visit all at Booth 15

At the end of the month, eleven members will attend FITUR 2009 in Madrid: Brussels International Travel Service (Belgium), Blaguss Event.pro (Czech Republic), First United (Denmark), Amiel Destination Management (Israel), Unconventional Malta Ltd. (Malta), S’Tours (Morocco), M&C Travel Service (Portugal), LeaderTeam (Russia), SM Travel (Switzerland), ODS Turkey (Turkey) and Destination China (China).
Meet us in Pavilion 10 Stand 10E06

We all look forward to seeing you soon!