For safe M!CE tourism
The M!CE segment is seen as a crucial income generator across the globe and depends on business travel safely resuming, says Diane Thorsen, Design Director, Gensler
As flight paths open to certain parts of the world, hoteliers are investigating and researching the feasibility and demand of M!CE tourism. International business has dropped dramatically, and events and conferences have been cancelled due to the global pandemic. Many events are taking place online which has become a concern for the rebound of the industry.
FACE-TO-FACE NETWORKING PREFERRED
In the Asia Pacific and Middle East region, we are expecting M!CE tourism to recover very slowly as operators reinvent their approach to ensure safety in managing group interactions. Gensler’s preliminary research indicated that most tourists are interested to travel to events provided they feel safe and secure within the hotels. Although the virtual networking has temporarily substituted the place of events, most respondents suggested face-to-face networking as these meetings are preferred long-term. Trade fairs exhibiting products and business conferences have a key role to play when they take place face-to-face, due to the collective energy around networking and assessing products in person.
the Bleisure traveller
M!CE tourists supplement the leisure tourists as these functions are typically offered in off peak times which promote a more profitable tourism industry. These guests are also more likely to extend their business trips to include cultural excursions, leisure activities and eat at local restaurants providing further support to the local destination offerings. The bleisure traveller will typically return to the destination with family or friends and will often explore areas near their business destination.
CREATING SPACES THAT KEEP GUESTS SAFE
Our corporate clients have realised that in many cases, the expense of business travel is unnecessary and virtual meetings are often more productive and efficient. The concern that guests will contract the virus remains and business travel is stressful on our bodies as our sleep patterns are interrupted.
Hotels were always considered an escape and a place to relax, and as designers, we are partnering with operators to ensure that we design to keep guests safe. The evolving and growing evidence base has empowered us to understand more about the relationship between our environments and our health than ever before. We know how to create spaces that enhance, rather than hinder our health and well-being. Additionally, improving opportunities for restoration through mindfulness programming, restorative spaces and support of optimal sleep, can have marked impact on the physical and mental well-being, including relief from negative symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, pain and stress, as well as enhancements in overall perceived health.
Trade fairs exhibiting products and business conferences have a key role to play when they take place face-to-face
TREND Bleisure travellers will often explore areas near their business destination with family or friends