Marriott Resorts’ Inclusive Option Targets Meetings Market

Visitor and revenue numbers reveal that the luxury market is rebounding strongly, that family travel is doing well and that special-interest sectors such as LGBT, voluntourism and adventure travel are growing. What about the meetings and events market?

Findings uncovered in a recent survey of 130 planners conducted by the eight Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico resorts yielded some interesting findings on current trends.

More than 50% of those surveyed cited price negotiations as contributing the most to the job stress during the planning stages of a conference. Event planning lead times have gotten shorter, with 69% of those surveyed citing budget constraints as the primary reason.

Meetings and convention facilities trumped price as the main factor upon which destination decisions were made. In response, the collection of eight resorts now offers planners a group inclusive package with rates from $138 per person, per night, double. The rate covers all food and beverage taxes, tips and service charges.

Included as part of the package bundles are all meals, juices, soft drinks, liquor under Marriott’s Gold Standard program, WiFi in public spaces, concierge services and access to fitness centers.

According to Michelle Bozoki, Marriott’s director of marketing and e-commerce for Caribbean and Latin American resorts, the collection recognizes that event planners already have one of the most stressful jobs in the industry.

“We know that stress always is a challenge in the workplace, but it is especially so for planners,” said Bozoki.

“Based on the survey responses, it’s clear that providing a group inclusive option is a way to make it easy for them to plan and execute an event,” she said.

The collection comprises the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino; CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort; CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa; Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino; Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort; JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa; Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino; and the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & the Royal Beach Casino.

Source: Travel Weekly