Hyatt has seen more than 13,500 meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) enquiries in the Middle East in Q1 2024, driven by evolving business travel preferences.

Hyatt’s UAE properties accounted for more than 6,000 of these enquiries, amounting to an 8% growth year on year.

The UAE also witnessed a 7% increase in business requests across 2023, which totalled more than 21,500 enquiries for room nights and/or meeting spaces for business purposes.

“The world and 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, 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 post-Covid, 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 to Hyatt’s growing pipeline of MICE-focused hotels, corporates are 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.”

Hyatt said it is embracing these evolving preferences through its world-renowned brands for business travellers, and its meetings and events platform, ‘Together by Hyatt’.

This dedicated events philosophy is brought to life through Hyatt’s purpose of care, embedding wellbeing, support, technology and sustainability into MICE bookings.

‘Together by Hyatt’ has helped to drive bookings to a quarterly high since it was introduced in 2021, providing event organisers with the tools, resources and support they need, Hyatt said.

It provides everything from wellbeing enhancements that provide an elevated and balanced experience, to bespoke event experience guides, sustainability fact sheets, and technology tools designed to simplify, save time and make event planning and booking seamless.

Inspiring Settings

In a post-pandemic world, unique and inspiring venues are in higher demand than before. Hyatt is ideally-positioned to cater to these changing needs via its Unique Venues, the growing collection of one of a kind, story-worthy MICE spaces across participating hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

From Grand Hyatt Dubai, which hosts the largest and most versatile hotel convention centre in the city, to Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla’s La Plage Beach Club with dazzling water views, and Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha’s meeting spaces, which boast state-of-the-art equipment and convenient access to Hamad International Airport, this curated collection leaves corporates spoilt for choice, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service