Coronavirus and Meetings
Head here to see Northstar Meetings Group’s comprehensive and continuing coverage of how coronavirus is affecting meetings.
Cutting costs in anticipation
of steep budget cuts is the top challenge destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau executives are facing
during the coronavirus pandemic. An April 1
Destinations International poll of 50 DMOs revealed that 60 percent of bureaus
polled anticipate their budgets will drop 35 percent or more for the immediate
future as a result of the unprecedented pandemic.
When asked about specific programs they
have trimmed, 80 percent reported cuts to their meetings and convention
business development; leisure marketing and travel trade marketing cuts were
slightly higher.
More than 40 percent of the
DMOs polled are laying off, furloughing or reducing staff hours, while more
than 70 percent are curtailing professional development such as education and participation
in industry events.
After cost-costing, other current
challenges bureaus are facing include:
- Being a trusted conduit of
information to stakeholders including travelers, meeting planners, residents,
members and staff
- Providing resources to local
businesses that are forced to close and local workers who may lose their job
- Finding reliable information
about the pandemic, its implications for the industry and official guidance on
how organizations should react
-
Continuing to offer core services
and continuing business operations in a safe manner
-
Understanding how — and when
— to begin recovery planning.
Destinations International is running the poll weekly.