A survey of international destination representation organisations has revealed a shared concern of being under resourced and underfunded.
The Business of Events Global Destination Report,
delivered at IBTM World 2023, addresses current trends in the business events industry
including funding, resourcing, subventions, advocacy, legacy and threats. The
report is produced with the intention of gaining insight and sentiment from
global destinations that can be used as a tool for leverage with policy makers.
Reoccurring themes throughout the report identified concerns
with budgets, staffing and the lack of enthusiasm and understanding shown by governments towards
legacy.
When it comes to funding, however, survey data revealed that 46 per cent of respondents have
experienced budget increases, attributing to government recognition and support.
However, 54 per cent stated their budgets had stagnated or reduced. Adding to reduced
budgets, respondents also noted that their teams are too small to effectively fulfil
the need of their destinations.
Regarding the theme of legacy, the survey showed a universal
acknowledgement that legacy initiatives and positive social impacts produced
from events are important, but half of respondents felt their government didn't fully appreciate the value of legacy in events.
The report also identified a unanimous concern of common
threats such as climate change and sustainability, economic unrest, and
geographical accessibility. However, some destinations noted that they see some
threats as advantages.
Read the full report here: https://the-business-of-events.com/global-destination-report-2023/
