Pacific World, one of the world’s leading global destination and event management companies, has identified the most demanded event and incentives destinations for 2019. From South America to Europe to Asia, the destinations that top the list have captured the attention of planners and demonstrated an ability to cater to MICE audiences from around the globe.
“With a network spanning the globe, Pacific World has identified the top destinations this year based on the number of requests we’ve received, and events booked for 2019 and beyond,” said Patricia Silvio, global marketing manager of Pacific World. “It’s no coincidence that the destinations that top our list all have strong convention bureaus and a clear destination development strategy, as well as modern infrastructures and convenient access. We are also excited about some of the up-and-comers on the list – like Peru and Monaco – which have made major investments.”
As creative experts at the forefront of global event planning, Pacific World has a vast network of events professionals throughout the world with particular expertise to spot trends and curate unique and memorable experiences for their clients. Pacific World has compiled its annual destination list based on requests and number of events confirmed for 2019. The top worldwide destinations are listed, along with the top EMEA and Asia destinations.
Once again, Spain continues to generate the most interest worldwide, topping both the worldwide and EMEA lists for the second year in a row. Spain’s popularity is bolstered by very proactive Convention Bureaus and influencers in major cities like Barcelona, Tenerife and Seville with effective strategies to appeal to MICE audiences.
France, UK, Italy and Monaco/South of France round out the top of the EMEA list. “Motivated by the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games, the Paris region committed to enhancing the visitor experience, backed by a 23-million euro investment plan which will greatly boost France as both a tourist and MICE destination,” adds Silvio. “Nearby Monaco has recently completed a major renovation of the Casino Square area, including a restored 5-star Hotel de Paris and the addition of the One Monte Carlo conference center.”
Thailand has moved up a notch this year to the 2nd position worldwide, buoyed by a strong Convention Bureau and the backing of local and state governments. Thailand is doing an excellent job of delineating audiences and adapting to trends – like social and environmental sustainability.
“Recent news, like the results of the Global Destination Sustainability Index – which put Bangkok as the number 2 destination in Asia, will enhance the image of that city and help appeal to a new generation of planners who prioritize environmental and social sustainability when choosing destinations,” says Silvio.
China, Indonesia and Singapore follow Spain in the worldwide list. China remains a strong player in the MICE market, with its staggering growth driving more interest from a wider swath of audiences. As more and more international and regional airlines open new routes to various cities, China’s most-sought after destinations are becoming more accessible. Likewise, Indonesia’s government is investing in existing destinations – like Bali and Lombok – while developing new destinations to drive new MICE interest.
Impressively, Peru continues its climb up the worldwide list, moving up to 6th place in 2019. “Peru has been showing steady growth, particularly from the US market,” says Silvio. “They’ve made important infrastructure changes and investments and have proactively courted MICE planners in the US. Moreover, the opening of a new convention center in Lima in 2015 was a game-changer in that the city is now able to host large-scale events. Finally, Peru offers three amazing regions: the coast, the highlands and the jungle – which create an extensive range of climates, landscapes, textures and flavors.”
A complete listing of the top destinations is below, and a link to the full report is here.
Worldwide Top 10 Most Demanded Destinations 2019:
- Spain
- Thailand
- China
- Indonesia
- Singapore
- Peru
- Hong Kong
- United Kingdom
- South Korea
- Indochina
EMEA Top 5 Most Demanded Destinations 2019
- Spain
- UK
- France
- Italy
- UAE & Monaco (tied)
Asia Top 5 Most Demanded Destinations 2019
- Thailand
- China
- Indonesia
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
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