In-Person Engagements with Clients Vital for Business Recovery

(30 May 2022, 12:19 +07)  A new survey by Marriott in Asia Pacific revealed that over 81% of respondents believe that in-person engagements with clients are vital for business recovery.

Launched earlier this year, the survey, which reached more than 300 business travellers and MICE professionals, is part of Marriott’s efforts to better understand local market needs and demand.

The findings also revealed that 53% of respondents felt face-to-face activities were important to motivating and establishing bonding among teams and building company culture.

Over 60% of the respondents elaborated that restrictions on social gatherings and uncertainties regarding international travel remain a concern, while a further 40% stated that providing unique meeting activities and experiences pose a challenge when faced with these restrictions.

Meeting Room at JW Marriott Hong Kong

To support business recovery within Asia Pacific, Marriott recently launched the 5Gs of Human Connection - a campaign that aims to remind people of the warmth of human connection and encourage people to meet face-to-face again:

- Gather: Meeting international hygiene standards and safety regulations, Marriott’s company-wide ‘Commitment to Clean’ empowers guests to travel, and professionals to gather together with confidence, from large conventions, incentives to leadership retreats.

- Global: As borders begin to open across Asia Pacific, each hotel is able to craft unique experiences for guests based on their destination of choice.

- Gratitude: Over 70% of professionals feel expression of gratitude is better conveyed through face-to-face interaction, according to Marriott’s survey.

- Giving: Recognising the growing demand for purpose-driven travel, Marriott offers guests the opportunity to create a positive impact in the communities they visit. Experiences range from planting mangroves in Langkawi, to temple preservation in India to caring for fish species in China, and more.

- Gourmet: The survey also revealed more than 66% of respondents agree that curated F&B experiences can help create memorable moments for the meetings and event attendees.

“The desire to stay connected with each other has always been there in the past two years,” said Ramesh Daryanani, Vice President of Global Sales, Asia Pacific. “When travelling and meeting face-to-face were not possible, the industry adopted to hybrid meetings and other virtual activities to keep people engaged. With the ease of travel and social gathering restrictions, the pent-up demand for face-to-face meetings is set to accelerate.”