Karyl Leigh Barnes

As in-person meetings are on the rise, it’s clear that the events industry is on its way back, faster than expected. The International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) published its “Meeting Room of the Future” report, in partnership with Development Counsellors International, citing data from 87 venue operators around the world. The numbers show that 2022 meeting revenue will fall just 8% short of 2019's levels, while in 2021 it was 45% below 2019 levels across the globe.

The face of leadership at destination organizations around the globe has been changing, slowly but steadily. Karyl Leigh Barnes is the president of Development Counsellors International, which has helped more than 500 worldwide destinations position themselves as hubs for tourism, talent and investment since its founding in 1960. I'm not talking about the appointment of more Black or LGBTQ CEOs, although it is essential that the travel industry start to make progress on these fronts.

What Do Travel Media Want Now? Editors Tell Travel PR Pros At SATW October 21, 2021 As travel PR and destination marketing professionals start to shape their 2022 strategy, we hear them ask frequently, “So, what do travel media want now?” For travel PR professionals and destinations, collaborating with the media and understanding what’s next for them is key to success. Knowing what editors are looking for is half the battle.