Two top destination lists were recently released: Global DMC Partners’ 2024 Global Destination Index and Brightspot Incentives & Events’ 20 Best Incentive Travel Destinations for 2025. Interesting insights.
Each list has a different focus, with Global DMC Partners’ list covering meetings and events, while Brightspot only recommends recommended incentive destinations. This produced very different results; no domestic destination appeared on either list, and only Lisbon/Portugal appeared on both international lists.
Global Destination Index 2024
Global DMC Partners’ annual list highlights the world’s most popular meetings and incentives destinations based on leads and RFPs received by its Destination Management Company (DMC) partners for projects underway through 2024.
Seven of the 10 cities on this year’s list are also on the 2023 list. Cities added in 2024 include Las Vegas, Nashville and San Diego, all known for their excellent convention centers. On the international side, 2 of the top 3 destinations are repeated – Paris and Barcelona, with Paris jumping from 3rd in 2023 to 1st this year, while Barcelona jumped from 3rd in 2023 to 1st this year. No. 1 jumps to No. 2. Amsterdam is making its way into the top three, but was not in the top ten last year.
| Top 10 in the United States 1. Chicago, Illinois 2. Washington, D.C. 3. New York, NY4. Las Vegas, Nevada 5. Nashville, Tennessee 6. Dallas, Texas 7. Miami, Florida 8. Orlando, Florida 9. Austin, Texas 10. San Diego, California |
international top ten 1. Paris, France 2. Barcelona, Spain 3.Amsterdam, Netherlands 4.London, UK 5. Lisbon, Portugal 6. Athens, Greece 7. Madrid, Spain 8. Vienna, Austria 9. Rome, Italy 10. Berlin, Germany |
The international list is entirely European; there are no listings for Caribbean/Mexico destinations. This is because Global DMC Partners chose to focus on a specific city/destination level in the analysis. “If we look at Mexico and the Caribbean as a whole, Mexico would be in the top 5 and the Caribbean would be in the top 10,” said Catherine Chaulet, president and CEO of Global DMC Partners. “In On both lists, we were surprised that many groups were not only interested in the top cities on our U.S. and international lists, but were also considering lesser-known options outside of the major destinations, which broadened the entire purpose the popularity of the place,” she said.
“For example, our partners are sharing insights with us about the popularity of the French Riviera; groups can land in Nice and be in Monaco on one side and Cannes on the other in half an hour.
Brightspot 2025 Top Incentive Travel Destinations
“Every fall, our globetrotters gather and discuss our lists,” said Mike May, president of Brightspot. “The number ballooned to 40-50 locations that had recently been traveled or had staff participating in on-site inspections or visits. When the world has so much to offer us, the debate is fierce enough to narrow down our favourites. To 20!
Topping the list this year is Maui, where tourism is still down 25% following the devastating fires in Lahaina in August 2023. “But this year, we have a new reason. We believe supporting their economic recovery through tourism spending is a socially responsible idea.
| 1. Maui, Hawaii 2. Sicily, Italy 3. Prague, Czech Republic 4.Ireland 5. British Virgin Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands 6. Thailand 7. Anguilla 8. Portugal 9. Costa Rica 10. Cusco, Peru |
11.Switzerland 12. Playa Mujeres, Mexico 13. Punta Mita, Mexico 14. Dubai 15. Fiji 16. African Safari 17. Santa Barbara, California 18. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada 19. Montana 20. Cruising |
Spotlight includes insights for incentive program planners in its list, such as this observation about the ease of traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands (#6): “The U.S. Virgin Islands offer a unique advantage for incentive travel – no passport required , no currency exchange, and no additional mobile network roaming charges for added convenience for attendees. It also lists classic incentive properties, as well as new and renovated properties.
This list shares some logistical advice when needed, such as this review about Cusco and Machu Picchu (#10): “It’s worth noting that you’ll need to be prepared for some of the logistical challenges of maneuvering this country. Arriving in Cus Afterwards, your group may choose to move to a lower elevation in the Sacred Valley for an easier adjustment before heading to Machu Picchu.
The list is heavily skewed towards international destinations, with 5 of them located in Mexico and the Caribbean. However, in addition to Maui, there are a few domestic campgrounds included: Santa Barbara (ranked 17th) and, interestingly, Montana (ranked 19th), home to the luxury glamping resort The Resort at Paws Home of Up and will launch the first domestic luxury camping resort in 2025, the one and only Moonlight Basin.
