Asian incentive travel specialists are seeing resilience in demand for Switzerland among their clients, as the destination continues to be regarded as a premium treat.
Speaking to TTGmice at the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau Southeast Asia Workshop last Friday, Theresa Teo, sales manager group sales, Singapore, Miki Travel (HK), said more of her clients are also choosing to tour just Switzerland alone.
“Most of these groups are small, usually 20 or less. Companies that send their staff to Switzerland need to be prepared to spend around S$6,000 (US$4,438) per pax, including flights for a six-day trip.”
Barbara Sew, senior reservation and groups executive, The Travel Corporation, said Switzerland is one of her company’s top European destinations, and is often reserved for only the top performers.
Clients that choose Switzerland for incentive trips tend now to send smaller groups – mostly top tier performers or decision-makers attending C-suite meetings – but with a fatter budget, observed Patrick Kam, director, MICE Maestro based in Singapore.
“But I have also arranged itineraries to Switzerland for global kick-offs or meetings, where participants fly in from all over the world,” Kam added.
Teo agreed that incentive travel budgets seemed to be bigger, with companies being more willing to splurge on performance rewards.
