Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1152980
B M & T ••• July/August 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 36 MEETINGS AT SEA A ccording to the U.S. Travel Association, the top leisure travel activities for U.S. domestic travelers are: (1) visiting relatives; (2) shopping; (3) visit- ing friends; (4) fine dining; and (5) rural sight- seeing. The Association also notes that, "Meetings, Events, and Incentives (ME&I) trav- el accounted for $135.9 billion of all business travel spending, and U.S. residents logged 463.6 million persons trips for business purposes in 2018, with 38% for meetings and events. Meetings at sea provide a blend of leisure and business by offering 4 of the 5 top travel activities, and rural sight seeing depending on the port of call, and business meeting benefits with the expe- rience of luxury on water. The U.S. News and World Report identifies and ranks Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises as among the best in the world n various categories. The Carnival Corporation & PLC currently has 50 percent of the global cruise market. According to Cinnamon Thompson, account executive of LaGrant Communica-tion, "the company's port- folio of cruise line brands includes Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and 9 other subsidiary brands globally. Together, these brands comprise a fleet of 102 ships visiting with 700 ports around the world. The 100,000 ship- board employees attract nearly 11.5 million guests annually." According to cruise market watch, in 2018 the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Royal Caribbean International controlled 19.2% of the worldwide cruise market by passengers and 14.0% by revenue. Holland America has 500 itineraries that are 4-168 days to choose from, and various sized meeting rooms, and meeting spaces to accom- modate various groups from 16-908 in show- room seating format. Holland's on board Event Services Department offers a single point of con- BY DR. DENNIS ROGERS Main Theater – Royal Caribbean