Business travel is back in the Middle...

Hospitality company see 8% increase in enquiries in the region in 2024

Hyatt has reported more than 13,500 meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) enquiries in the Middle East in Q1 2024.

Hyatt’s UAE properties accounted for more than 6,000 of these enquiries, amounting to an 8% growth year-on-year. Showing steady growth, in 2023, the UAE saw a 7% increase in business requests, which equated to more than 21,500 enquiries for room nights or business meeting spaces.

“The hospitality industry has changed post-Covid. Business is back, and there is greater focus by companies on the creative ways in which they can deliver innovative and quality events,” said Paul Dalgleish, Hyatt's 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 and is a trend that isn’t expected to slow down. Subsequently, corporates are increasingly allowing delegates to extend their work trips following events, so that they can prolong a trip with friends and family.”

In addition, Dalgleish noted that company's were more frequently selecting leisure hotels for MICE events.

“Leisure elements are becoming more desirable for corporates, which are looking to provide inspiring environments, keep their audience motivated, and incorporate wellbeing activities into a business event, such as through sporting activities or spa breaks, aspects that many MICE-ready hotels are developing in order to benefit from this trend,” he said.

Hyatt is embracing the evolving preferences through its hotel brands aimed at business travellers, and its meetings and events platform, Together by Hyatt, which has helped to drive bookings to a quarterly high since it was introduced in 2021.

For more information, visit www.hyatt.com

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