In a Strong Market, Groups Can Keep Costs Down with Creative Planning
April 24, 2019SHARE:
Well, it seems that the hotel industry across North America is not going to slow down anytime soon. Average daily room rate is above $130 for the first time ever, and that includes all hotel categories—in other words, the upper-upscale and luxury properties that meetings and incentives book most often cost considerably more than that. What’s more, the most recent economic data shows that the U.S. economy is not slowing down much from its strong pace, and so the recession that was predicted by early 2020 is now estimated to be as far off as early 2021—almost two years from now.
For meetings and incentive planners, the strong demand among both business and leisure travelers since about 2015 has caused some negotiating headaches. To avoid more of those headaches between now and the next recession, though, there’s an enticing option: the all-inclusive daily rate used by AIC Hotel Group properties on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Mexico and in the Dominican Republic.
Not only does an all-inclusive rate lock in guest-room costs months ahead of a meeting or incentive, but also food and beverage costs—not to mention offering more food and beverage throughout an event than a group would get at an a la carte property. Attendees will feel special, and the event planners and corporate executives will feel like they have gotten maximum value for their spending. It’s a win-win situation. Especially in the high season for both tropical destinations and incentive programs—January through March—the all-inclusive plan is advantageous in terms of value and cost certainty.
So, if you’d like to talk to AIC Hotel Group about what an event for your organization might cost at one of our properties in 2019 or 2020, I’d be very happy to discuss the possibilities with you. Remember, the farther out we can book your group, the better the rates and the more flexibility we have to accommodate any special logistical elements you desire.
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