Eastern European DMCs are on the hunt for more Asian travel trade connections in order to grow the number of inbound corporate incentive groups from Asia.
Alexandra Yankulova, head of MICE & leisure with Bulgaria-based Insight Events, told TTGmice that the bulk of her Asian incentive travel groups is from Europe. When she does get groups from Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, they are through trade partners Kuoni Tumlare and Euromic.
Camelia Olteanu, owner of Romania-based Camira Events & Travel, also finds that Asian corporate incentive events are mostly a result of her partners in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Both Yankulova and Olteanu are keen to develop the Asian market further through tighter travel trade partnerships.
“ITB Berlin is where we can possibly find new partners from Asia, but I’m intending to attend shows hosted in Asia-Pacific to (introduce Romania and raise awareness of my destination),” Olteanu said.
However, with Asia being a market with diverse traveller profiles, Yankulova is “unsure of where to focus marketing efforts on”, which is why “strong partnerships with various (travel industry) associations are incredibly important” for her company.
Yankulova observes that Asian groups like having a cultural element in their itineraries, which is something Bulgaria, and many other countries in Eastern Europe offer.
Kliton Gerxhani, director of Albania Holidays DMC, whose company handles Asian incentive travel groups through its membership with 1 DMC World, said improved air links would lift business from Asia.
“Asian corporates are looking for new destinations to visit, but without direct connections (between Eastern Europe) and Asia, it is quite difficult,” Gerxhani reflected.
All three destination specialists agree that, for now, smaller incentive travel groups that could be accommodated in a single tour bus would work best for their destinations. The intimate size would allow DMCs to provide more personalised services, better experiences, and a higher quality of hotels.
