Incentive - October 2008 - (Page 71)

TRAVEL Florida Coast-to-Coast PA G E 7 5 Islands of Motivation PA G E 8 1 Incentive travels to the four corners of the Sunshine State to find the latest in motivational hospitality news From glitz to low-key luxury, the Caribbean’s many islands offer infinite incentive travel opportunities Beating the Downturn How two destinations keep business strong despite the euro By Leo Jakobson and Alexandra Haake n a time when incentive buyers are nervous and budgets tight, incentive travel destinations have to be resourceful and creative to keep groups coming. All of Monaco’s glittering first-class and deluxe hotels have found that banding together to offer dollar-denominated, guaranteed rates has been a notable success, according to Cindy Hoddeson, director of meeting and incentive sales for the Monaco Government Tourist Office. Although Monaco may be unique in having all its top properties offering dollar rates, many Irish properties are willing to do the same, says Marie McKown, manager of business tourism for Tourism Ireland. “Our partners are very appreciative of the business the U.S. buyers and incentive planners have sent in the past and are willing to work in any way to ensure they continue to send business our way,” she says. In Monaco, 90 to 95 percent of U.S. incentive planners are asking for those guarantees, says Karim El-Rami, director of group sales for the Fairmont Monte Carlo, which is on the last stage of a $42 million renovation, including a massive new Willow Stream spa. “That is the only reason Mona- American Express Business Travel 2009 Market Insights 2008 Hotel Rate Increases REGION UPPER RANGE I co is strongly on the [incentive] map,” at this time, he says. “The number of attendees are down a bit, or programs are one night shorter…or a client says, ‘One night, we’ll leave [the program’s participants] on their own.” Of course, Monaco has other strengths beyond its top properties’ ability to work together. Among these is the weather, which is excellent all year long. “We are trying to remind people that Monaco started out as a winter resort destination at the turn of the [20th] century,” Hoddeson says. “Monaco’s weather is similar to California’s. You can have lunch outdoors and golf year-round.” Winter is also Monaco’s cultural season, which provides planners a lot of events to work with. Other steps Monaco has taken to keep the destination fresh, aside from a number of major property renovations, is make a concerted—and pre-planned—effort to appeal more to younger visitors in the past few years. “We want to be the destination for the children of the Principality’s loyal clients,” Hoddeson says, pointing to the addition of some hip nightclubs, trendy restaurants and more spas, as well as hosting events like the start of the Tour de France in 2009. The principality has also Asia-Pacific . . . . . . . .5% Europe/Mideast/ Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5% Latin America/ Caribbean . . . . . . . . . .6% N. America . . . . . . . . .6% unveiled a new environmental commitment. Ireland has also seen some weakness in the incentive travel business, but not much to date. “So far we have been very fortunate,” says McKown. “We are seeing steady inquiries. Some people are cutting their program by a day,” but that is a reflection of the weak U.S. economy as much as the strong euro, she adds. “Ireland has always been very adaptable and quick to change to facilitate any unexpected curve balls, and will continue to do so in the future,” she says. incentivemag.com | October 2008 | Incentive | 71 http://www.incentivemag.com

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Incentive - October 2008 Contents Editor's Note Headlines Cover Story: Face Time with Senior Executives is the Top Motivator of Cisco Systems' Chairman's Club Winners Incentive Interview Safety Incentives: Safety Drives a Limousine Service's Motivational Efforts Case Study Primer Learning: Diving into Incentives for the Mind Enhances Both Loyalty and the Bottom Line Research: Travel IQ Travel News Florida Coast to Cost Caribbean Escape Potentials Here and Now Gadgets & Power Tools: High-End Roars Seen at the Motivation Show Advertisers Index Off the Cuff

Incentive - October 2008

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