Hyatt has seen over 31,000 meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) enquiries across Europe in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting an 8% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This rise is attributed to evolving business travel preferences post-Covid.
In the UK alone, Hyatt’s properties accounted for more than 5,500 of these enquiries, representing an 11% year-on-year growth. The UK also experienced a 25% increase in business requests throughout 2023, totaling more than 19,500 enquiries for room nights and meeting spaces for business purposes.
“The world and hospitality industry have changed post-Covid. Business is back, and companies are now focusing more on creative ways to 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.”
Dalgleish further explained, “Corporates are increasingly allowing delegates to extend their work trips following events, so they can prolong a trip with friends and family. Besides 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 looking to provide inspiring environments, keep their audience motivated, and incorporate wellbeing activities into business events, such as sporting activities or spa breaks—features that many MICE-ready hotels are developing to benefit from this trend.”
Memorable Meeting Experiences with Together by Hyatt
Hyatt is embracing these evolving preferences through its 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 driven bookings to a quarterly high since its introduction in 2021, providing event organizers with the tools, resources, and support they need. The platform offers everything from wellbeing enhancements that deliver 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.
As the business travel landscape continues to evolve, Hyatt’s proactive approach in integrating leisure with business travel ensures it remains at the forefront of the industry’s revival.