In April we polled our Destinations Download readers to see how much of their average meeting’s budget was dedicated to transportation. An overwhelming majority indicated 0 – 20% of their average meeting budget was earmarked for transfers.
With such tight budgets, here are our recommendations to get the most bang for your buck in the world of transportation.
Managed Manifests:
If you are offering arrival and departure services to your guests, set guidelines for your attendees. Offer a smaller window – between 4 – 6 hours – for services to keep costs low. Guests who do not abide by the guidelines will not receive a complimentary transfer. Also, consider grouping guests by flight to save money on vehicle costs.
Shuttle Services:
Instead of offering individual transfers based on flight times, offer to run a shuttle. Shuttles can depart as frequently as you’d like and offer a lower cost per person rate than individual trips.
Utilize a Local Expert:
When planning your dine arounds or other off property functions, utilize a local expert (such as a DMC) to minimize wait times in traffic, inside knowledge of the fasts routes, or general places to avoid at certain times (such as rush hour). GEP Destination Management can assist you finding restaurants with in a reasonable distance from your hotel and steer you clear of traffic nightmares which increase your costs by adding additional hours to the vehicle rental.
Interested in a customized transportation proposal? Contact your local GEP Destination Management office today, or at info@gepdmc.com
