As we try to manage the fallout from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, we are also focusing on what we can learn from this devastating situation. Though we obviously hope we never have to face another crisis like this, it's always important to be prepared for the unexpected.
Rosewood, SLS, Grand Hyatt Review
The Baha Mar hotel facility has come a long way since its opening back in 2017. It’s a great product for MICE travel, given its convenience to the US. There’s plenty to do in terms of golf, spa, and snorkel. And the price is a good value for your dollar when comparing it to other Caribbean islands. Food and beverage prices are still a challenge at the hotels, but with MICE travel that’s expected.
Here are our top hotels for incentive travel in 2020.
Malliouhana Anguilla (63 rooms; opened 1984, renovated 2019 and became an Auberge property). This property recently reopened after a large renovation and Auberge taking over management of the hotel. From the moment you enter the lobby, there's definitely a wow factor from the view down to the decor, and it doesn't stop there. The beach, service, food, spa, and pools are all extremely impressive. This is the perfect opportunity for an incentive program buyout for groups with 50-60 rooms. The addition of the beachfront casual dining restaurant, Leon’s, is perfect for a casual lunchtime option or entertainment each evening.
When someone asks me what I wish I knew before I started Executive Group Travel, you might be surprised by the answer. Yes, the importance of hiring a great accountant and the fact that Gusto is the best investment for a growing startup are both up there on the list of things I wish I knew.
But given our lack of strong industry knowledge at the outset, we wish we had found these five industry partners back in year one. Every meeting planner must get to know them, use their expertise, and let them continue to make your company look like rockstars.
In the past 6 months, a few new exciting hotels have opened their doors in Los Cabos, Mexico. The most anticipated opening was actually two hotel brands owned by the same owner, located only a few steps away from each other. Both properties are located on the Pacific side of Los Cabos in the Diamanté area, which is approximately one hour from SJD airport.
When looking for the perfect hotel for your next event, it’s essential to have strong partnerships with individual hotels, third party sales teams, and regional corporate reps.
When planning your next incentive trip, corporate retreat, or industry conference we highly recommend from the start reaching out to the local tourist board, visitors center, tourism department, and/or convention bureau (CVB).
Attrition, what does it mean and how to contract it.
First, what does attrition mean in terms of hotel contracting? For this article we will focus purely on Rooms Attrition and not Food and Beverage Attrition. Usually F&B attrition will be in line with the rooms attrition. You can find an example at the bottom of this post.
The easiest way to understand attrition is that hotels have the right to charge a penalty if the actual event uses less rooms than originally booked in the hotel contract. The hotel contract will include an attrition clause which tells you the number of rooms you can release without penalty. Two things to pay attention to: the % or actual number of rooms you can release and the deadline or specific dates that those releases need to happen by.
With attrition, it is imperative to make sure the contract includes a clause stating that if the hotel is sold out then attrition is null and void and no penalties are to be paid. Also you may want to ask for the daily pickup report from the hotel to confirm how many rooms were in inventory that could be sold (they should not include rooms that are under construction or unable to be used), and how many were occupied.
Cabo has been a recent hot spot for travel from the US, especially the West Coast. There has been a recent boom in luxury hotel development in the past 3 years that isn't stopping anytime soon. Competition will be fierce for hotels to compete in filling their beds. There are 6 brand new properties that just opened their doors or opening their doors in the next 6 months;
Ritz Carlton Reserve, Nobu Los Cabos, Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos, Vidanta East Cape, Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos and Villa Valencia.
The on site gifting experience for incentive trips is getting harder and harder. Unfortunately, the industry is behind in providing new creative ideas that are easy to deliver on site. Industry leader Maui Jim has perfected on site gifting and are a personal favorite but unfortunately you need additional options for repeat clients.
Each year we rack our brains for something different, creative, and personalized. For requirements, we want to provide attendees options to choose from and also want the ability to brand that gift.