Conference News March 2020 | Page 20

CHANGING Cover Story OF THE GUARD Online bookings by venue type Research carried out by Meetingsbooker.com reveals that hotels have lost market share for 2018 60% small meetings through online bookings 2019 3% 50% esearch by Meetingsbooker.com has revealed that consumerisation of meetings bookings is transforming the landscape of the industry around the world. In a research document released in January, the online venue-finding platform highlighted 10 key trends it has recorded from a healthy sample of 137,000 meetings spaces around the world. One of the interesting findings reveals that, overall, there is increased demand for bookings by the hour, rather than a flat rate for a full or half day. Full day meetings remain the most common booking type at hotels, accounting for 44%, but this has dropped 5% in the last year. The research indicates that hourly-bookings account for the majority of this reduction and represents 15% of all bookings. Eventprofs have been vocal in their desire for more flexible rates, and anecdotally reveal that venues are unwilling to break away from the traditional, more regimented booking slots, often forcing clients to book for either a half day or full day. Hourly bookings offer eventprofs 40% 30% 10% 7% 20% www.conference-news.co.uk 10% 0% Hotel venues Alternative venues Specialist conference centres