With better infrastructure and connectivity, secondary cities are making headways in capturing the MICE market. By Mimi Hudoyo

A s demand for meetings and incentives increase on the back of a growing economy and improving accessibility from neighbouring countries, secondary destinations in Indonesia such as Jogjakarta, Lombok and Padang are now putting more focus on developing the MICE market.

In cooperation with MICE Centre, an Indonesian MICE research and development, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has finalised mapping and rating 16 cities/islands it is focused on developing and promoting as MICE destinations, according to Achyar Rudin, director of MICE and special interest development at the ministry’s directorate general of destination development.

“The mapping tells us the strengths and weaknesses of each destination. Not every destination is ready to accommodate all MICE sectors,” Achyar said. Based on the ministry’s criteria, Jakarta and Bali are rated as “existing” destinations, Jogjakarta is a “potential” destination, while Lombok and Padang fit in the “emerging” destinations category.

Corporate and association meetings combining incentive or leisure components are a major market for Jogjakarta, according to ATA Travel Service director, Malia Sayuti.

Said Bagus Dewa Karuniawan, director of sales and marketing at Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel, where MICE contributed 30 per cent of business last year: “The city has lost a number of businesses to other (Indonesian) destinations because we did not have a big convention facility.”

To meet the growing MICE demand in Jogjakarta, Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel has added the 2,000-pax Kasultanan Ballroom – currently the biggest venue in the city – to its existing 1,000-pax Kraton Ballroom.

The new 193-room Eastparc Hotel Yogyakarta, with a ballroom of 1,000 pax capacity plus 20 breakout rooms, was built to cater for MICE. The hotel’s general manager, Erny Kusmastuti, explained: “With MICE, there are a lot of segments to sell, from the rooms and meeting facilities to F&B and dinner celebrations.”

Lombok, in eastern Indonesia’s West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province, has enjoyed the steady growth of domestic MICE in recent years, thanks to aggressive promotion efforts by the regional government in the last decade. In 2013, NTB recorded over 1.3 million arrivals, increasing 22 per cent from 2012.

“Of this number, some 900,000 arrivals were from Indonesia, of which meetings and incentive contributed 55 per cent,” said Awan Aswinabawa, chairman of NTB Tourism Promotion Board.

Gili Trawangan, a small island near Lombok, has gained popularity with MICE groups as its remoteness enable clients to have fruitful and effective meetings by staying within self-contained resorts, according to Imam Wahyudi, general manager of Villa Ombak and Ombak Sunset on Gili Trawangan.

Christina Rudatin, advisor of MICE Centre, said: “Lombok is a promising destination, but venues, the people’s readiness to be hosts and the availability of vendors to provide things MICE organisers need are among the things it needs to improve.”

In West Sumatra, Padang’s burgeoning room supply and air connections, including 28 daily flights from Jakarta and direct links with Medan, Batam, Pekanbaru and Kuala Lumpur, are “start-up capital” for Padang to develop its MICE sector, said Yusran, who is also chairman of Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association West Sumatra Chapter.

Minangkabau International Convention Centre (MICC) is due to open mid this year with a 4,500m² convention hall. Maulana Yusran, board member of Sungai Tanang Sinergi, which owns MICC, has noted “the development of new hotels in Padang following the 2009 earthquake”.

Padang’s inventory grew from 1,500 rooms before the earthquake to 2,800 rooms at end-2013, with several hundred more rooms expected to enter the market this year, he added.

Having recently organised Tourism Indonesia Mart and Expo (TIME) 2013 in Padang, the destination has the potential to host regional events of about 1,000 participants although facilities and human resources need to be improved, noted Pacto Convex president director, Susilowani Daud.

Christina agreed: “There are many things the destination needs to improve to catch up with other cities.” she added that while it was natural for Padang to rely on PCOs from mature destinations like Jakarta or Bali, the destination needs to develop skilled manpower at the operational level.

Ideas

One-day outing in Jogjakarta

MORNING

Take a cycling or walking tour of Kotagede, a historic neighbourhood which in the 16th century was the capital of the Mataram kingdom. Wander around the narrow lanes lined with century-old houses showcasing traditional Javanese wooden houses combined with elements of Dutch brick architecture. These houses were homes of rich merchants during the colonial era. If you are lucky, some owners might be willing to open their houses for guests to go in and take a closer look at the unique architecture and living traditions.

Visit the remains of the Mataram kingdom including the royal mosque, royal cemetery, defensive walls and moats.

Kotagede is known for its silverware, so do not miss the opportunity to drop in to one of the smith shops to see the jewellery making and take home some souvenirs.

Lunch at a local restaurant that serves traditional Jogjakarta food.

AFTERNOON

After lunch, drive north to Kaliurang, a small town on the southern slopes of Mount Merapi and take a four-wheel Jeep Tour (three pax per jeep) to visit villages, fields, bridges and roads destroyed by the lava and hot clouds during the 2010 eruption. Cold lava covering creeks, heaps of sands and boulders still remain, bearing witness to the devastating eruption.

Meanwhile, the majestic Mount Merapi itself is a beautiful backdrop for photoshoots while the off-road ride on the old Willys Jeep is an experience in itself.

Need to know

BICC sports refreshed meeting facilities

Following a recent full refurbishment, the Bali International Convention Centre (BICC) has updated its meeting facilities.

The renovated facility now boasts 26 revitalised meeting rooms and two VIP holding rooms to accommodate heads of states, in addition to the Mangupura Hall, a spacious 2000m², 10m-high venue that can accommodate up to 2,500 pax in a theatre style set up, and the 506-seat auditorium with a built-in stage – the only tiered theatre of its kind in Bali.

A brand-new facility is The Lounge, located on the second floor with full-length windows, a fully-stocked bar and an assortment of table settings.

BICC also incorporates accessible hallways, wide doors and elevators, making it a wheelchair-friendly venue.

Website: www.baliconvention.com

Experience local living

Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is currently working with villages across the country to develop and showcase themselves as unique cultural destinations.

International travellers to these destinations can observe villagers’ daily lives and take part in their activities, while MICE travellers can also conduct CSR programmes. Activities offered include
learning to play the gamelan (a traditional musical ensemble), rice field ploughing, coconut picking and cooking classes.

In Jogjakarta, these villages include Desa Wisata (Tourism Village) Pentingsari, Brayut, Sambi and Tembi. More information available at http://desawisatasleman.wordpress.com

Transformation completed

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali has unveiled new additions as part of its multi-million revitalisation project last year.

In the Premier Wing, each of the 99 rooms and suites boast contemporary decor adorned with Balinese artistic elements, a balcony and a spacious bathroom. The new wing also has its own swimming pool.

The Heavenly Spa by Westin, the first in Indonesia, features 16 treatment rooms and a hair spa. There are separate thermal facilities for male and female guests, including hydro-pools, salt-wall saunas and steam rooms, plus an inner relaxation lounge for snacks and drinks before or after treatments.

Prego is the new Italian restaurant, offering an open-plan kitchen and convivial atmosphere.

Website: www.westinnusaduabali.com

New adventure hub in Ubud

Bali Adventure Tours has opened the Ubud Adventure Centre, a 4000m², four-storey complex overlooking the Ayung River gorge in Kedewatan, Ubud.

The destination is also home to nine separate leisure facilities, including restaurants, cafes, gift shops and a rooftop function area, plus two Adventure Suites with a private outdoor dining pavilion and swimming pool. It also serves as the new check-in facility and finish point for the company’s white water rafting operations.

Website: www.baliadventuretours.com

Wider MICE perspective

Hilton Bandung has rolled out Panorama, a multi-purpose, integrated rooftop event space.

Panorama combines an open-air area consisting of the outdoor Fresco restaurant featuring an open kitchen concept, next to which is the 181m2 contemporarily designed indoor meeting room, which with its floor-to-ceiling glass sides overlooking the swimming pool, also offers meeting planners “in the pool” long table meetings and dining options.

Altogether, Hilton Bandung has 13 adaptable meeting rooms, including Panorama and the pillar-less ballroom.

www.bandung.hilton.com