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77% of corporate bookers’ main criteria when booking a meeting venue is wellness and wellbeing, reveals research by Hand Picked Hotels

In the fast-moving stressful world of business and particularly since the post Covid era, it is evident teams’ mental and physical wellbeing is a crucial focus for companies. Research by Hand Picked Hotels revealed a staggering 77% of respondents, whose role is booking offsite meetings and events, stated wellness facilities for delegates is now a priority for companies when selecting a venue for a meeting or conference.

Over three quarters (77%) of those surveyed stated the top 5 things planners look for include:

Nutritious food and beverage offering (48%)
A wellness walk (34%)
A wellness experience such as breathing and relaxation techniques or yoga (25%)
Access to spas and health club facilities (24%)
Outdoors activity (19%)

The research conducted by One Poll* on behalf of Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of 21 luxury country houses and coastal retreats across the UK and Channel Islands, examined the priorities for 500 respondents booking meetings, events and conferences offsite in 2024. With more companies leaving remote working behind, the popularity of face to face meetings in 2023 has returned to pre pandemic levels; and with it the focus is now ensuring meetings and events support and aid employees’ physical and mental wellbeing.

The study also unveiled the 2024 market is all about late bookings, with 43% of planners admitting to booking offsites between one and four weeks out from the meeting or event date and only 2% booking six months out, evidence of more spontaneity in the marketplace.

Planners cited the top 6 biggest benefits of breaking out to offsite meetings to be:

Free from distractions (47%)
Heightened employee engagement (43%)
Builds better workplace relations (38%)
Generates stronger teams and teamwork (36%)
Encourages creativity (33%)
Increased productivity (29%)

These positive outcomes demonstrate planners are breaking away from the normal working environment, as a key tool to help battle employee stress levels, anxiety and burnout.

Additionally, the collection of hotels offer:
Space to connect: All the properties in the Hand Picked collection offer green outdoor space for breakouts, some within acres of private grounds with direct access onto walking paths and expansive lawns, or just a few steps from coastal walks.
Food to energise: nutritious and delicious food options are offered to fuel minds and bodies

For more information, visit: https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/wellbeing

* Research was undertaken on behalf of Hand Picked Hotels by One Poll.
Sample size 500 UK-based professional personal assistants, executive assistants, and those whose job role includes booking meeting spaces and events..
Spring 2024

External URL: https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/press-release/employee-wellbeing