In 2009, more than 6.4 million U.S. business travellers spent roughly $25 billion on trips (13 percent of those trips for meetings) outside North America, according to the U.S. Office of Travel and Tourism Industries. That represented a decline of one million travellers compared to 2008. But in the first four months of 2010, international business travel is finally showing positive growth again—up about 1.5 percent.

Padraic Gilligan, Managing Director of Ovation Global DMC commented on the upturn “The meetings industry in the U.S. is beginning to awaken after an 18-month period of suspended animation due to the dual effects of economic downturn and negative publicity around meetings. There is definitely pent-up demand for international travel, but the trips will tend to be shorter in duration and will operate with a focus on authenticity over luxury.”

Looking to where these meetings will be held, deciding factors identified include affordable air access, service, value, security, and potential business opportunities, particularly in emerging markets. Carina Bauer, Chief Executive Officer for IMEX Group commented  “It is clear that the Middle Eastern destinations are continuing to invest heavily in their infrastructure—producing large-scale and state-of-the-art facilities for meetings and conventions that are very professionally run.” Bauer observes a steady increase in the popularity of Asian markets, such as Sri Lanka, India, Macau, Seoul, South Korea, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan. And Latin America countries—recognised for offering good value for the money—are maturing, too, including Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador, among others. For an outlook on the performance of some world regions in 2010 and to read the full article in Beyond Borders by Rob Hard please click here.