Each year, Global DMC Partners, a global network of independently owned destination management companies and creative event experts, releases a Global Destination Index. The index ranks the top destinations around the world for meetings, conferences and incentives based on data collected from nearly 7,000 programs in more than 500 destinations. 

Last month, the 2020 index revealed what will be the hottest destinations for the year to come — but the impact goes deeper than just where to plan next. Planners who bring their conferences and events to these cities will not only be providing an entertaining experience for attendees, but also have streamlined opportunities to give back.

“Companies that focus on socially responsible initiatives through their events and incentives directly contribute to supporting local growth, reducing poverty, protecting the environment and promoting peace in their host destination,” said Global DMC Partners President and CEO Catherine Chaulet.

She continued, “During a time when travel is more accessible to the masses than ever before, we have a responsibility to inform and educate in order to alleviate overtourism and undertourism. The meetings and events industry must bring awareness to emerging or secondary destinations while showcasing ‘hidden gems’ within popular markets to avoid already overly toured areas.”  

Here are the cities that made the 2020 Global Destination Index:

Top 2019 Global Destinations for Meetings and Conferences

1. Paris
2. Copenhagen
3. Chicago
4. San Francisco
5. Budapest
6. Orlando
7. Barcelona
8. Washington, D.C.
9. Prague
10. Las Vegas 

Top 2019 Global Destinations for Incentives

1. Costa Rica
2. France
3. Bahamas
4. Italy
5. Miami
6. Budapest
7. Lisbon
8. Prague
9. Cancun
10. Aruba 

2020 Meeting and Conference Destination Hot List

1. San Diego
2. Nashville
3. Singapore
4. Las Vegas
5. New Orleans
6. Tokyo
7. Washington, D.C.
8. Austin
9. Bahamas
10. Phoenix 

 2020 Incentive Destination Hot List

1. Greece
2. Bahamas
3. Costa Rica
4. Budapest
5. Aruba
6. Iceland
7. New York
8. Italy
9. Switzerland
10. Puerto Rico

Where are you taking your groups in 2020? Let us know in the comments or via Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn!

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