Future watch: emerging destinations on the up

As destinations such as Thailand reign supreme at the top of CEI planner's itineraries, emerging destinations such as Vietnam are upping their game and gaining kudos. While it is certainly true that holding an exhibition in Vietnam is a less well-oiled experience than in neighbouring Thailand —with polished exhibition facilities and a developed service industry — conferences, meetings and incentives in Vietnam are gaining inspirational appeal. In this year's survey, across the board, the majority of buyer and supplier respondents who answered the question by selecting a destination — 26 per cent — tagged Vietnam the leading emerging destination in the next two years. Somewhat less inspiringly, perhaps, the overall 44 per cent majority did not name any single emerging destination as one that stood out for their CEI plans. Despite terrorist attacks in Bali and Jakarta and the threat of instability in the world's most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia remains on the CEI map. A total of 19 per cent of respondents tipped the archipelago in second place, bolstered by the recent democratic elections despite renewed terrorist threats. In third place, the Pacific Islands gained traction, with nine per cent voting for a destination that in 2004 saw a raft of direct air routes from China opening up, and corporates taking advantage of a mix that encapsulates the exotic with the convenient. For Kevin Buckley of Sydney-based event organiser Eventsource, out of CEI's list of emerging destinations the Pacific Islands are attracting the most buzz. In August last year, Eventsource organised a trip to Fiji for LG to showcase its air-conditioning range for summer to its top 100 customers. Another destination attracting interest is Sabah and Sarawak in Eastern Malaysia, and he is currently investigating the possibility of holding a meeting there this year. In selecting a destination, Buckley looks for something exotic. "Although you need to look at the quality of the hotels at the destination, sometimes you can sacrifice a bit of quality for something a little bit different. We also look at what kind of support is available on the ground in terms of professional suppliers who can help you put your plans into reality," he says. Once again, Vietnam is surfacing as a firm favourite for 2005, with Vodafone's 2005 Asia-Pacific Leadership Awards for Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Japan to be held there in May this year. Staff nominate peers they consider to be making an outstanding contribution to Vodafone's business, with 80 winners invited to attend a leadership programme in May. In 2004, it was held in Hawaii. With pricing and economic growth slated by respondents as the greatest influencers on the CEI industry in 2005, its little wonder why destinations such as Vietnam are having the last laugh.