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Climate talks rekindle planners’ interest |
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By Mimi Hudoyo
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Battle: Bali regained MICE organisers' trust.
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Hotels in Bali said the success of last December’s UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the positive buzz created before and during the event had generated increased interest in the island from the corporate meetings and incentives market.
Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel and Suites director of sales and marketing, Mr Bennett Peter, said: “The immediate impact of UNFCCC was evident as our business partners still talk about the event and the wide publicity has created a positive image.”
Ayodya Resort Bali general manager, Mr Frank Liepmann, said: “Former US vice-president and environment campaigner, Mr Al Gore, and New York mayor, Mr Michael Bloomberg, stayed with us and the media coverage has given Bali and our property a positive image. Never before in the history of our hotel have we achieved 90 per cent occupancy in January, the way we did this year. In February we ran above 85 per cent occupancy. Both months are traditionally low season. Last year, we ran 45 per cent in January.”
Novotel Nusa Dua Bali Hotel & Residences general manager, Mr Philippe Battle, said: “The destination regained MICE organisers’ trust. We have received more enquiries for major events for the months ahead. Bali hosted the UN Convention Against Corruption (1,300 participants from 140 countries) in January. The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is scheduled to take place from June 23 to 27, with participants from 160 countries.”
The destination will also host the first Asian Beach Games from October 18 to 26 with 8,000 athletes from 45 countries and about 45,000 spectators.
The Conrad Bali Resort & Spa director of sales and marketing, Mr Gede Gunawan, said: “For the first time this year, we got 210 room-nights from corporate meetings from the US in January and more in February. We have also received corporate bookings and enquiries from France, Spain, Germany and the UK.”
Mr Gunawan added he expected a 10 per cent growth in his property’s MICE market this year.
There has also been renewed confidence from the Australian market.
InterContinental Bali Resort director of sales and marketing, Ms Suzette Deveau, said: “We now have some potential leads from Australia for events this year.
“In addition, hosting Australia’s new prime minister, Mr. Kevin Rudd, at the Heads of State Meeting (at the UNFCCC) was a great opportunity for the resort and an encouraging sign for MICE planners in Australia to trust our capabilities and security standards.”
While UNFCCC was a successful “green” meeting, the Bali trade TTGmice spoke to said it had no intention to focus solely on attracting green events.
Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel & Villas, Bali director of sales and marketing, Ms Alice Matulessy, said: “The success of the UNFCCC was a plus point for us, but we are not going to focus on green events only. We welcome any MICE events.”
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