Planners Share Top Destination Picks

Two lists of top destinations were recently released: Global DMC Partners’ 2024 Global Destination Index and Brightspot Incentives & Events’ 20 Best Incentive Travel Destinations for 2025. Both reveal some interesting insights from these companies’ teams of industry experts.

Each list has a different focus, with Global DMC Partners’ list covering meetings and events and Brightspot just featuring incentive destinations recommended. This yielded very different outcomes; not a single domestic destination appeared on both, and only Lisbon/Portugal made both lists internationally. 

2024 Global Destination Index

Global DMC Partners’ annual list highlights the most popular meeting and incentive destinations worldwide based on leads and RFPs received for programs happening in 2024 across its destination management company (DMC) partners.

Seven out of 10 cities named on this year’s list were also on the 2023 list. New in 2024 were Las Vegas, Nashville and San Diego – all known for their outstanding convention complexes. On the international front, 2 out of the top 3 destinations were repeats – Paris and Barcelona – with Paris taking the #1 spot this year, from #3 in 2023, bumping Barcelona, #1 in 2023, to #2. Amsterdam was edging into the top 3 but was not in last year’s Top 10.

The international list is entirely European; there is no list for Caribbean/Mexico destinations. That’s because Global DMC Partners chose to look at the specific city/destination level in its analysis. “If we were looking at Mexico as a whole and the Caribbean as a whole, Mexico would be in the top 5 and the Caribbean would be in the top 10,” said Global DMC Partners President and CEO Catherine Chaulet. “What was surprising to us on both lists is the fact that many groups are not only interested in the top-tier cities on our U.S. and International lists, but they are also looking at lesser-known options outside the main destination, which expands the popularity of the overall destination,” she said.

“For example, our partners are sharing insights with us about the popularity of the French Riviera; groups can land in Nice and within half an hour be in Monaco on one side and in Cannes on the other side.”

Brightspot’s Top Incentive Travel Destinations for 2025

“Every Fall, our globetrotters assemble and debate our list,” said Brightspot President Mike May. “It balloons to 40-50 places where recent trips operated or a staffer attended a site inspection visit or fam. The debate is a blast and spirited enough to narrow down to only 20 favorites when the world offers us so much!”

At the top this year is Maui, where tourism is still down 25% after the devastating fires that destroyed Lahaina in August 2023. “Hawaii has consistently ranked #1 with participants,” said May. “But this year, we have a new reason. We  believe supporting their economic recovery with tourism spending is a socially responsible idea.”

Spotlight includes insights for incentive planners in its list, such as this observation about the ease of travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands (#6): “The U.S. Virgin Islands offer unique benefits for incentive travel – no passport, no currency exchange and no additional mobile network roaming charges make it easier on attendees.” It also lists classic incentive properties, as well as new and renovated ones.

The list shares some logistical advice when needed, such as this comment about Cusco and Machu Picchu (#10): “It’s worth noting that you will need to be prepared to embrace some of the logistical challenges of maneuvering this country. Upon arriving in Cusco, your group has the option of transferring to a lower altitude in the Sacred Valley for an easier adjustment before heading up to Machu Picchu.”

The list leans heavily toward international destinations, with 5 in Mexico and the Caribbean. However, a couple of domestic ones were included in addition to Maui: Santa Barbara (#17) and, interestingly, Montana (#19), home to the luxurious glamping resort The Resort at Paws Up, and in 2025, the first domestic One & Only resort, the One & Only Moonlight Basin.