This month’s cover story, The Impact of Incentives—Leave a Lasting Impression, takes a look at incentive travel and itinerary options in Hawaii, Ireland, Taiwan and at Sandals Resorts—four country/suppliers who exemplify some trends we’re seeing for 2025: The rise of under-used destinations, the growing interest in all-inclusives for groups and the increase in heritage incentives.
In that same piece, we also release results from our Incentive Travel Trends Survey, conducted at the end of 2024 and reflecting input from independent and corporate planners who tell us what’s happening with budgets and spending, trip length, group size and whether international travel and cruise incentives are growing in popularity (or not).
Speaking of cruises, Sr. Editor Steve Grasso’s Immersive Sailings takes a look at five cruise lines—Crystal, PONANT, Royal Caribbean International, Uniworld and Virgin Voyages—making waves in the industry with immersive, enriching experiences, expert on-staff event specialists, dining areas sized for groups, high-tech meeting capabilities and opportunities for networking and teambuilding.
We follow up with Los Angeles in Bureau Buzz to see how the city is moving forward following the devastating wildfires in January. Then Sr. Editor Regina Baraban goes statewide to let us know What’s New and Notable in The Golden State, catching up with destinations ranging from San Diego and Anaheim to the Napa Valley.
Two distinct regions of the U.S.—the Northeast and the Southeast—are explored, respectively, by Sr. Contributing Editor Sue Pelletier and Steve Grasso. Where History Meets Innovation highlights how the historical and cutting-edge blend in places like Boston, New York City and New Jersey; while Events Take Flight updates us on Asheville post-Hurricane Helene along with what Southern strongholds like Raleigh, Memphis and Charlotte are doing to build group business. Grasso also shines a spotlight on the Lone Star State, so take a look at what’s happening for groups in the great state of Texas.
As always, our editors have traveled the globe to bring you first-hand reviews from Ocala, Florida, Miraval Berkshires, Houston, Melbourne, Australia, Seattle and Las Vegas.
Enjoy the issue! —Lisa Simundson
