Meetings in Europe are increasing but are shorter and smaller, according to European Cities Marketing Meetings that recently published its ninth edition of the ECM Meetings Statistics Report.
Overall, there is a growth of 2.9 percent in the number of gatherings in Europe held between 2017 and 2018, according to the report. However, the number of participants decreased by 3 percent and the duration decreased by 5 percent.
Compared to 2017, there is a slight decrease in the number of corporate gatherings and a 12.2 percent decrease in participants whereas the non-corporate segment had an increase in the number of meetings by 9.6 percent, and participants by 4.6 percent.
In terms of size, those that have between 10 and 39 participants make up 31 percent of the market and those that have between 40 and 199 participants make up 48 percent of non-corporate meetings. This year’s report also show the increased popularity of unusual venues for gatherings.
“In 2018, we saw another exceptionally successful year for city tourism in Europe,” says Petra Stusek, president, European Cities Marketing. “Meetings do give much more to our cities and the greatest value arising from meetings is not only numbers but also the benefits beyond simply spending-based impacts; the quality of the professional, business, academic outcomes they deliver. It is no longer just about the hotel bednights that the meetings generate; it is about hosting the meetings with purpose and legacy. It is about connecting the destination to the world.”
For more information, go to www.europeancitiesmarketing.com
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