Hotels which offer conference facilities and products are facing stiff competition from the growing number of…
Hotels which offer conference facilities and products are facing stiff competition from the growing number of dedicated residential conference venues in the UK and Europe, according to a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers Hospitality and Leisure Group (PWC). The report identified 22 specialist conference product operators, with 55 centres, 1,506 conference rooms and almost 6,000 residential rooms across the UK and Europe.
Although there are clearly many more hotels and universities or colleges offering residential conference facilities, the relatively new sector of specialised conference centres is growing much faster, increasing by 45 per cent in the UK in the five years up to 2002. While the pace of growth will slow in the next five years, PWC anticipates a 20 per cent growth in the number of venues, and considerable expansion among operating groups. Dolce International, for instance, is planning to acquire and operate venues in key gateway cities right across Europe.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
