Exotissimo Travel cracks its brain to help French car manufacturer Citroen’s 270 incentive participants soak in lots of culture and tradition offered by Myanmar’s Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake, writes David Andrews
Citroen showed what an incentive trip truly means when it tirelessly sent nine groups of 30 car distributors and sales managers to Myanmar to reward them for the loans they sold.
The first group arrived in Myanmar on November 13, 2013 and the last departed on March 14, 2014. Exotissimo Myanmar MICE manager, Estelle Vergnes, who managed the ground operations, said: “The incentive house had a real passion for Myanmar and wanted to send its clients there before it became a mainstream destination. It was looking for a mix of authentic culture, beach breaks and interaction with local groups.
“To ensure the clients received an unforgettable experience, it was vital to not just show them the sights, but enable them to interact on a personal level through unique cultural insight.”
Subsequently an itinerary was created – the nine groups had identical itineraries for ease of operation, except where minor changes were made due to flight delays or local weather conditions – whereby the clients could visit the most famous destinations in Myanmar, including Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake, with exclusive dinners and opportunities to meet the locals.
In Yangon, besides simply visiting Shwedagon Pagoda, each participant received a benediction from a Buddhist monk in a pavilion. This early introduction to Buddhist life helped participants to better understand and appreciate the local culture throughout the tour.
In Bagan, it was tempting to just ferry participants around on a horse cart to temples and stupas. To add a unique touch, they were treated to breakfast in a monastery on the banks of the Irrawaddy and cocktails at sunset from the platform of an ancient pagoda. The following evening saw participants taking a mini cruise along the Irrawaddy, stopping at a sand bank for cocktails before releasing hundreds of candles on the water as symbolic offerings.
A highlight was dinner at a local home on Inle Lake. Taking a boat from the lakeside hotel, participants arrived at a traditional wooden Intha house where a host family welcomed them with traditional local food. The home was decorated with candles and oil lamps to create a warm atmosphere.
The following day, lunch was served on a floating barge in the middle of the lake under parasols, a dining experience participants particularly enjoyed.
For the last two days in Ngapali, participants were taken by speedboat to Pearl Island, where they enjoyed BBQ seafood served fresh on the beach, snorkelling and plenty of leisure time. The final evening, a gala dinner on the beach allowed the group to share their experiences as a DJ played soothing melodies. So deep was the engagement that at the airport, some participants cried when saying goodbye to the local guides.
Organiser
Exotissimo Travel
Client
Citroen
Venue
Myanmar
Dates
November 13, 2013 – March 14, 2014
No. of participants
270, split into nine groups visiting over a period of five months
Objective
To provide an escape from the generic commercial offerings where participants could enjoy cultural immersion, beach activities and interaction with the locals
Challenges
Ensuring all nine times of the trip run smoothly, as well as creating an engaging programme so that participants could walk away with an unforgettable experience
Results
The trip met the clients’ expectations, with some participants feeling emotional when departing at the airport
Companies’ belt tightening is presenting LCCs the opportunity to expand into the corporate sector with offers such as add-on services and ease of booking through GDSs. By Paige Lee Pei Qi
More corporates are turning towards the buoyant low-cost carriers (LCCs) sector as a way to keep travel costs down while budget airlines in general evolve to cater to this market.
ASEAN countries were among the first to adopt the idea of LCCs in Asia, starting in 2002 with Malaysia-based AirAsia. With attractive airfare offers by LCCs, more travellers started booking their way into short, impulse holidays to nearby destinations.
Corporates have started to come into the picture too, especially the bottomline-conscious small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are now booking their executives on LCCs instead of full-service carriers, slashing their budget for regional travel.
Todd Arthur, vice president, sales & account management, Asia-Pacific, BCD Travel and also Asia board member of Association of Corporate Travel Executives, said: “LCCs now account for over 15 per cent of Asia’s fleet which outstrips the growth of full-fledged airlines.
“The bulk of the new aircraft is all coming from the LCCs and these are evolving into hybrid carriers to expand into the corporate market.”
Hence to increase their allure to this corporate market, the LCCs have been dishing out additional add-on benefits catered to the busy corporate traveller.
Logan Velaitham, CEO of AirAsia, Singapore, said: “Keeping our unit cost low to offer low fares is key to the success of our business model.
“However, as travellers from other segments are embracing LCC, we are now also offering value-added services such as our Hot Seats, in-flight meals and insurance for a fee without compromising our unit cost – all with the objective to boost ancillary revenue.”
According to Velaitham, AirAsia has seen “a big increase” in the business traveller segment over the years, especially with premium offerings like the Red Carpet Service.
Last February, AirAsia rolled out the new Red Carpet Service that costs an additional S$60 (US$48) – for travellers who are looking for a speedier travelling process from check-in to landing.
The Red Carpet privileges include a dedicated check-in area, priority baggage tagging and loading, access to the lounge, fast-track immigration and security clearance as well as priority baggage delivery upon arrival.
Likewise for Jetstar Asia, corporate travellers can choose to add on checked baggage and a bundle to better suit their needs. The bundle may include free seat selection, food and beverages and a waiver of change fees. Business class passengers with Qantas Club membership can also access the Qantas Club lounges.
Barathan Pasupathi, CEO, Jetstar Asia, said: “With a tight travel budget to manage, executives of SMEs and MNCs alike will look for services that offer bargain deals.
“Low-fare airlines, budget hotels and the like are top of their needs when planning business trips.”
Highlighting that Tigerair has seen a “significant increase” in corporate travel, Ho Yuen Sang, COO of Tigerair, said: “Corporate travellers (especially) like our ease of ticket booking at the last minute, especially for the short sectors, and our competitive fares.”
Mike Orchard, senior director, Asia-Pacific, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Solutions Group, said: “While LCCs have historically targeted leisure travellers, today most see the value of working with business travel clients as well, and are actively pursuing corporate customers.
“To woo corporates, LCCs have taken a variety of measures, such as amending their product to offer free checked bags and zero change fees.
“Furthermore, some LCCs in Asia-Pacific have begun to participate in the global distribution system (GDS), making it easier for companies to book flights on these airlines through their corporate travel agencies.”
Indeed, more LCCs have turned to GDSs, making it easier for travel consultants to access their content and drive sales. For instance, since the end of last year, the services of 26 LCCs worldwide are bookable via Abacus.
Hailing the lower price point as its main draw, Orchard added: “The key advantage of using LCCs is the cost – which are 20 per cent cheaper, on average, than full-service carriers.”
According to Velaitham, destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok are most popular among their business travellers, largely due to the flight frequency provided as well.
However, pointing out existing constraints with LCCs, Orchard said: “As they are driven by the goal to operate at the lowest cost possible, LCCs fly more point-to-point routes while full-service carriers use the hub-and-spoke system, which can make booking connecting flights challenging.
“Many LCCs fly to secondary airports and this can incur additional ground transportation costs that can cancel off the savings from the cheaper airfare.”
Likewise for Joana Yap, general manager, HRG Singapore, who highlighted that while her clients will request for an LCC option for price comparison, most will still opt for full-fledged airlines ultimately.
“At the moment, it is not the corporates’ mandate to use LCCs because given the choice, most of them will still prefer a flight that provides everything from baggage to meals.
“While companies may look at various ways to keep their travel budget tight, corporate travellers will use the reasoning that full-fledged airlines promise good productivity to get away (from LCCs),” said Yap.
Clowwise from top left: Indochina Sails, Vietnam; Flower Field Hall at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore; Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia
Companies looking to better engage their meeting delegates and inspire creative thinking are increasingly turning their attention to non-traditional venues, discover Xinyi Liang-Pholsena, Paige Lee Pei Qi, S Puvaneswary and Mimi Hudoyo
Traditional meeting venues in hotels and multifunctional convention centres have always been a safe and natural option for corporate event planners, but times they are a-changing.
When meeting planners were surveyed for the 2013 American Express Meetings & Events Forecast, they said they were considering more non-traditional properties as locations for meetings, such as outdoor venues, universities and aquariums. This year’s study threw up similar trends, with Europe and Asia leading the charge with a 2.5 per cent increase in the use of alternative properties. In North America, the use of non-traditional facilities is expected to increase as a result of a stronger desire for locations that are considered “hip and trendy” for more promotional events.
Event specialists in Asia who spoke to TTGmice shared similar observations among their clients.
Yves Van Kerrebroeck, director of style and MICE, ICS Travel Group, which is headquartered in Bangkok and has operations in 15 countries, said: “Although there still exists and always will be a large demand for the more traditional meeting space at a hotel or resort, we…have seen these new trends develop over the years.”
He added: “We’ve always offered our American, European and Australian clients venues that provide a cultural connection to the region they are visiting, but we are also seeing a willingness among our Asia-Pacific clients to move away from the more traditional meeting venues. Over the last few years we have seen this trend develop most strongly among corporate clients from large international companies located in the traditional business capitals such as Singapore and Hong Kong.”
Explaining the growing interest in non-traditional meeting venues, Van Kerrebroeck said: “Increased competition has lead to a greater focus on non-conventional venues that save cost, offer more value and engage participants. Meetings require greater engagement and interaction, therefore there is a stronger need for looser structures that are more attendee-friendly and allow for dynamic and interactive breakout sessions. We have noticed an increased amount of unscheduled meeting time, which requires separate multifunctional spaces with hospitality services.”
Sharing the same view, RedAntz Group Malaysia’s managing director, Danny Chan, said: “The key reason for choosing non-traditional venues is usually related to trends. Plus, such venues give meeting attendees a chance to (think creatively) and spark the imagination. They create a non-conformist ambience for unobstructed flow of thoughts and ideas.”
Andrew Koh, managing director of Events Architects Singapore, observed that “organisers are pulling out all the stops to make events more appealing” and more clients are becoming receptive to the idea of meeting in a non-traditional venue.
And for meetings that must follow a fixed programme format and flow, using a unique venue “can change the mood and setting of the (event)”, Koh added.
According to event specialists, small-sized meeting groups are more likely to gravitate towards non-traditional venues.
Karma Events Jogjakarta’s Enny Ratnadewi said groups of less than 300 delegates were more likely to choose to meet in museums, university halls, galleries and houses that have been converted into function spaces.
“Events using non-traditional venues are usually small in size, with most of them being domestic corporate meetings. The programme would include teambuilding or outdoor activities,” shared Ketut Jaman, managing director of Melali MICE Bali.
For Chan, non-traditional venues are more popular with seminars and meetings with less than 50 participants “as they may not require the full services offered by a hotel or convention centre”.
Upper management meetings or board of directors’ reviews that require “something different to the classic meeting setup” were also more likely to go for alternative venues, observed Van Kerrebroeck.
Daniel Chua, managing director of Singapore-based conference organiser Aonia, pointed out that the choice of venue is also dependent on the message the event seeks to convey.
“A good planner will propose a venue that can convey messages more effectively. Most non-traditional venues are more suited to (marketing) events such as product launches. We also see greater financial prudence (among our clients), which may account for more cost effective venues – available in these locations – being considered.”
However, Chua admitted that some non-traditional locations could come with added costs “due to the uniqueness of the venue”.
Ketut agrees: “Such venues are not necessarily cheaper than hotels or convention centres, as you need to bring in support equipment such as sound systems, Internet routers and in some cases, air-conditioning.”
Enny also noted that some venues, such as museums, provide only a space to meet and organisers are expected to provide everything else. Despite their logistical shortcomings, she believes that non-traditional venues offer “memorable experiences for participants”.
“We held a conference at Batik Winotosastro in Jogjakarta, which was a little warm but delegates got to try their hands at batik-making and bring home their creations,” she added.
As price remains a key consideration for her clients, Jacqueline Haiu, senior manager events at Diethelm Events Malaysia, told TTGmice that the demand for non-traditional meeting venues is still relatively small.
“Hotels and convention centres are still most popular because they offer excellent rates with state-of-the-art meeting facilities. Non-traditional venues do not offer meeting packages and often require organisers to incur additional costs for stage and audiovisual set-up. We do encounter requests for such venues once in a blue moon (but) materialisation is low as pricing remains the key deciding factor,” said Haiu.
What’s your pick?
“It all depends on the nature of the meeting. If the staff is arranging for something that can allow for more flexibility like a casual, themed meeting and the event is internal, we can afford to think out of the box. Non-conventional venues will definitely be more interesting and attractive because they promise some fun.” Irene Leong
Singapore travel lead
Accenture
“We hardly hold meetings at outdoor or non-traditional venues as we have meeting rooms in our office. If the number of participants is more than what can be accommodated in our own premises, we will choose to hold meetings at hotels with appropriate facilities.
As Ikea views itself as a low-profile company, we do not engage in extravagant practices. If we were to spend more money on such activities, it will impact costs and product prices, which we do not want.” Warakorn Sinthuwongsanont
Administrator executive/travel Thailand, Ikea Trading (Hong Kong)
“Hotels are too predictable sometimes. From the room setting to the typical tea breaks, you can expect the outcome of the meeting or function before even attending. It lacks excitement and surprise. Non-traditional venues offer room to create more excitement. Such places are also more trendy, and at times, give a better package price as compared with traditional venues.
With the influence of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, the sharing of images and updates have become second-nature. Can you imagine placing delegates in an environment where there are four walls and zero excitement? The influence of social media will eventually drive meeting organisers to go beyond the norm and create more exciting and memorable events.” Elaine Choo
Marketing manager
Rohto Mentholatum Malaysia
“Organising events at (non-traditional) places can be a little cheaper than in a hotel, but that is not always the case. Some places are even more expensive, but we get a different ambiance so that is worth it.” Wanda Febriane
General manager of procurement
Mitra Adiperkasa
Attractive alternatives
By Karen Yue, Paige Lee Pei Qi, S Puvaneswary, Xinyi Liang-Pholsena, Greg Lowe, Mimi Hudoyo, Prudence Lui, Rosa Ocampo and Rohit Kaul
Indochina Sails
Location Halong Bay, Vietnam Why it’s great Delegates can enjoy gorgeous views of limestone mountains dotting Halong Bay while meeting onboard a traditional wooden boat with luxury services. Meeting planners seeking longer itineraries can organise a special cocktail party on the sundeck followed by dinner in a natural cave. For overnight cruises, the boat will be anchored in the bay and delegates can look forward to waking up to a glorious sunrise over Halong Bay. Customised cruises are available for private charters. Indochina Sails offers three boats with 15 to 23 cabins. Drawbacks None Capacity 30-50 pax Contact Luxury Travel; www.luxurytravelvietnam.com
Hoi An Ancient Town
Location Hoi An, Vietnam Why it’s great Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Asian trading port, Hoi An Ancient Town is a quaint and easy-to-navigate destination with plenty of shops and restaurants, a wide range of international-standard hotels and resorts, and a plethora of activities such as scooter tours. A rolling agenda of workshops, destination presentations and more traditional meetings can be held in different venues across town, including the atelier of one of Vietnam’s most famous tailors, a repurposed former police station set in a beautiful colonial building and a typical local coffee shop overlooking the stunning riverside. Drawbacks Limited infrastructure and a lack of experienced suppliers outside of traditional meeting venues, so more planning and preparation work are required. Hoi An Ancient Town is a car- and motorbike-free zone, but this limitation can be turned into an asset by using local modes of transport (cyclos, bicycles, small boats, etc) to move clients around. This adds another cultural dimension beyond the traditional meeting set-up. Capacity Small groups only; very few venues can seat more than 50 participants. For larger groups, this can be overcome by splitting groups and using a rolling agenda of activities in different venues across town. Contact ICS Travel Group; www.icstravelgroup.com
Saigon Opera House
Location Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Why it’s great A major landmark of Ho Chi Minh City, the stately French colonial architecture befits corporate groups seeking a grand and atmospheric meeting venue. Venue possibilities at this three-storey historic building range from the main auditorium to meeting rooms of various sizes. Following meetings, planners can also arrange for delegates to watch performances at the opera house, which is home to the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera and the A O Show, an acrobatic performance. Drawbacks None Capacity 80-400 pax Contact Vietnam DMC; www.asiatopdmc.info
The Pod
Location National Library Building, Singapore Why it’s great The National Library Building itself is hailed as a knowledge icon and a prominent landmark in the heart of the arts, cultural, entertainment and civic district of Singapore. Strategically located on the sea-facing side of the building and sitting on the 16th floor, The Pod offers a panoramic view of the cityscape. Drawbacks There is only one elevator serving The Pod, so brace for traffic congestion at the start and end of meetings. Capacity 132 pax, theatre-style Contact (65) 6332-3133
Forest Lodge
Location Singapore Zoological Gardens Why it’s great This air-conditioned function venue is decked in warm shades of wood and exudes a resort-like feel. It is ideal for companies looking for a less formal setting for their meetings. An outdoor patio is also available for meal service or teambuilding activities. Drawbacks None Capacity 280 pax, theatre-style Contact (65) 6360-2285
Big 5 Pavilion
Location Safari Park, Bukit Gambang Resort City, Malaysia Why it’s great Delegates can meet in the wild and yet still enjoy creature comforts. The Big 5 Pavilion, scheduled to open end of 2014, will have elephants, lions, hyenas and other wild animals roam free beneath. A giraffe may greet meeting delegates at the window occasionally. There will also be ample space for breakout sessions and dining gatherings.
Meanwhile, meeting groups will be supported by hotels and resorts within the new-build Bukit Gambang Resort City integrated resort in Kuantan, which is also equipped with a dedicated business events centre. Drawbacks None Capacity 240 pax, theatre-style; 180 pax, classroom-style; 120 pax, banquet setting Contact Sharifah Normah Ahmad, (60-3) 8943-8388 / sharifah@sentoria.com.my
Sarawak Cultural Village
Location Kuching, Sarawak
Why it’s great This is a living museum of the seven major tribes in Sarawak, set against a backdrop of rainforest and Mount Santubong. City warriors will appreciate a refreshing touch of nature in their meeting environment. Five meeting spaces of various sizes are available to accommodate groups of 30 to 400 pax. Teambuilding and casual gatherings can be hosted in the village’s outdoor venues. Drawbacks None Capacity 400 delegates, theatre-style Contact enquiry@scv.com.my / www.scv.com.my
Patio Function House
Location Jakarta, Indonesia Why it’s great Originally a Japanese restaurant, the Patio Function House is now a dedicated venue for event hire. It offers a bar, a lounge and three meeting rooms overlooking fish ponds and gardens. Overall, the venue exudes a homely, relaxing atmosphere. Meeting planners are supported by Patio Function House’s list of catering service associates. The management can also help to arrange with vendors for other necessities such as additional furniture, sound system and decoration. Drawbacks The partitions of the meeting rooms are not soundproof to the standards of convention centres. Capacity 50 pax Contact www.patio-venue.com
Sukhothai Historical Park
Location Sukhothai, Thailand Why it’s great This Unesco World Heritage Site was once the capital of the Sukhothai kingdom during the 13th and 14th century. It boasts more than 190 ruins over a 70km2 area, but the best place for events lies within the walls of the ancient city. Delegates can meet under marquees and later enjoy a traditional Northern Thai khantoke dinner and cultural show. Drawbacks It’s outdoors, so watch the weather. Event facilities must also be arranged by the organiser. Capacity Less than 100 delegates Contact hp_sukhothai@finearts.go.th
FullyBooked Top Shelf
Location Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, the Philippines Why it’s great The rooftop of this five-storey bookstore is often used for book-themed events and offers views of the cityscape. Delegates who are meeting on this deck can also browse books at the bookstore during their free time. Drawbacks Event organisers will have to source for their own caterers should food be required. Also, some creative decorations will be needed, as the rooftop is dressed only in plain flooring and white walls. Capacity 200 pax, banquet-style Contact lorainesanchez@fullybookedonline.com
Jao Tsung-I Academy
Location Kowloon, Hong Kong Why it’s great Sprawled over 32,000m2 on a hillside at Lai Chi Kok, the new Jao Tsung-I Academy (JTIA) is a Grade III historic compound that was once the former Lai Chi Kok Hospital. Following a revitalisation project, JTIA now houses five double-storey buildings with 89 furnished guestrooms and the Academy which offers a range of spaces for meetings and networking functions. Meeting planners can choose from a theatre, multifunction halls, a skylight atrium, classrooms and workshops.
Two other winning points about JTIA is its free Wi-Fi access and proximity to MTR Mei Foo Station. Free shuttle service to MTR Lai Chi Kok Station and MTR Mei Foo Station is available every 30 minutes. Drawbacks Priority booking is offered to NGOs. Capacity 100 pax in the theatre and lecture hall; 200 pax in the Skylight Atrium; 20 to 70 pax in the 10 activity rooms Contact info@jtia.hk / www.jtia.hk
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
Location Melbourne, Australia Why it’s great It was recently renovated to offer fresh attractions and unique spaces for meetings, seminars and corporate dining functions. Conferences can be held in the Yarra Room, which offers clear views of the Yarra River. The chilly Antarctica room, where King and Gentoo penguins hang out behind a glass enclosure, is sure to keep delegates awake in the morning and right after lunch. A number of other attractions within the aquarium are also available for event hire, such as the the Coral Atoll which boasts a large, stunning aquarium as its centrepiece, and the Upper Deck which is themed after the Australian rainforest. Drawbacks None Capacity The Yarra Room can accommodate 120 pax theatre-style, while the Antarctica room can seat 160 pax. Contact www.fivestarfunctions.com.au / functions@melbourneaquarium.com.au
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Location Melbourne, Australia Why it’s great It is regarded as one of the world’s greatest sporting arena and its grounds bear the footprints of many sport legends. From a meeting planner’s point of view, Melbourne Cricket Ground offers a variety of spaces to suit different events. There are 12 venues available for hire, with most offering sweeping views of the lush cricket ground. Delegates can even unwind at the end of a long day of meetings with pre-dinner cocktails in the National Sports Museum, where iconic cricket memorabilia are put on display. Drawbacks Should catering be required, planners are only allowed to engage the venue’s official caterer, Epicure. That said, Epicure is a popular and well-regarded catering specialist in Australia, and food quality is guaranteed. Capacity The largest venue is the Members Dining Room, which can seat 1,000 pax. This is followed by the Olympic Room, good for 800. Smaller groups can consider the Hans Ebeling Room, which has a capacity for 180 pax. Contact events@epicure.com.au
National Museum of the Philippines
Location Manila, the Philippines Why it’s great The venue is a work of art in itself: two colonial buildings packed with history and where the country’s priceless treasures are kept. High ceilings, elegant architecture, marble flooring and art pieces serve as built-in décor in the museum’s multiple venues: conference rooms, special exhibit halls, session hall, courtyard.
As a bonus, the museum’s various galleries can be opened for meeting delegates.
The attraction is also safe and secure, comes with ample parking space, and audiovisual and lighting equipment are available upon request. Drawbacks None Capacity Over 1,000 pax Contact nationalmuseumph@yahoo.com.ph / (632) 527-1215
Crown Wine Cellar
Location Shouson Hill, Hong Kong Why it’s great Located in Shouson Hill, an exclusive suburb on Hong Kong Island, Crown Wine Cellars is nestled in a park-like setting which is also of immense historical significance having been declared a UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Site in 2007. It specialises in wine-handling and storage, while providing three interconnecting rooms for off-site meetings. Drawbacks This is a private member’s clubhouse and event bookers are required to sign up for a Silver membership. The membership, however, does not incur recurring charges. Capacity 100 pax, seated, clubhouse; 70 pax, theatre-style, The Conservatory; 30 pax, theatre-style, Main Underground Bunker Contact Noelle Shek, (852) 2580-6287 / nshek@crownww.com
Heritage Transport Museum
Location Tauru-Gurgaon, India Why it’s great Pegged as India’s first comprehensive transport museum, the Heritage Transport Museum showcases the evolution of transportation in India. The museum exhibits motorised vehicles of different makes, like a 1924 Ford and a 1932 Chevrolet. The museum sprawls across four levels and occupies an area of 8,361m2. Meeting planners can utilise various spaces including the exhibition galleries, library and reference centre, conference rooms, mini auditorium, and even the museum shop. Drawbacks None Capacity More than 200 pax, seated Contact (91-99) 91-477002
Plataran Dharmawangsa
Location Jakarta, Indonesia Why it’s great The centuries-old traditional Javanese joglo and limasan houses used to host weddings, but they have been renovated and upgraded to be more events-ready. While the traditional Javanese design has been retained, modern comforts such as air-conditioning have been added. Today, Plataran Dharmawangsa is well equipped to host meetings and corporate gatherings. Drawbacks None Capacity 30 to 50 pax Contact salesjakarta@plataran.com
Cultural Center of the Philippines
Location Manila, the Philippines Why it’s great Besides the Silangan Hall which offers splendid sunset views over the Manila Bay and night panorama of the Cultural Centre of the Philippines complex, there are many other venues to choose from. Theatres, galleries, halls and a museum can be hired for corporate events.
The centre’s performing arts groups such as Ballet Philippines, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and Tanghalang Pilipino (Philippine Theatre) can be hired too.
Tours of the centre can be arranged, and ushers can don Filipiniana attires and motifs to welcome and serve delegates. Drawbacks None Capacity 300 pax, cocktails, Silangan Hall; 3,000 pax, seated, all other venues combined Contact ccpbooking@yahoo.com / (632) 832-3659
Vyas Ghat
Location Rishikesh, India Why it’s great Situated on the banks of river Ganges, Vyas Ghat is a pristine location which can be used for hosting a meeting under tents. The picturesque venue and the majestic river create a spiritual setting and bring meeting delegates close to Mother Nature. Drawbacks One has to raft across river Ganges to reach Vyas Ghat and modern comforts are lacking. Organisers will also need to transport meeting supplies and catering equipment over, which adds to the cost. Capacity 200 pax Contact Shikhar Travels; (91-11) 4717-1000
Flower Field Hall
Location Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Why it’s great Nestled within the Flower Dome, the Flower Field Hall enchants guests with a periodically changing flower field display on one side and a spectacular view of the Marina Bay skyline on the other. This indoor space also boasts a ceiling adorned with special LED lights that create a fairyland atmosphere. Drawbacks None Capacity 800 pax, theatre-style Contact venue hire@gardensbythebay.com.sg
Flow House Bangkok
Location Bangkok, Thailand Why it’s great With one of the few FlowRider surf machines in the region, two small-size meetings rooms, outside spaces and a bar and separate restaurant, this venue is ideal for more relaxed meetings and groups wanting to incorporate incentive or teambuilding activities. Full catering and event support is available regardless of group size, as well as audiovisual systems and Wi-Fi. Drawbacks There can be a reasonable amount of noise on a busy day if the client does not book the entire venue. Capacity 40-50 pax, FlowMotion Room; 25-30 pax, FlowParty Room; 50-80 pax, Flow Bar; 1,000 pax, entire venue Contact www.flowhousebangkok.com / (66-0-2) 108-5210
Siam Society and Khamthieng HouseMuseum
Location Bangkok, Thailand Why it’s great Steeped in history the Khamthieng House is a 160-year-old teak northern-style stilt building and home to an ethnographic museum full of artefacts relating to Thailand’s agricultural past and traditions. The larger Siam Society building next door, which is home to the eponymous research body, includes an auditorium among its facilities. Drawbacks Events and meetings have to be approved by the society’s executive committee. Capacity 25-30 pax, Khamthieng House; 180-200 people, Auditorium in Siam Society Contact www.siam-society.org / (66-0-2) 6616-4707
Melbourne Town Hall
Location Melbourne, Australia Why it’s great Not only is this century-old building a part in Melbourne’s history, it is also where the Beatles and Abba greeted their fans when their tour took them to the city. The handsome architecture houses eight elegant function rooms that are suitable for board meetings, presentations and conferences. Drawbacks Should catering be required, planners are only allowed to engage the venue’s official caterer Epicure. That said, Epicure is a popular and well-regarded catering specialist in Australia, and food quality is guaranteed. Capacity The Main Hall is the largest space and can take 1,500 guests. The art deco-style Swanston Hall is good for 280 pax, theatre-style, while the Council Chambers, with its ornate ceiling, carved wood panelling and stain glass windows, make an impactful venue for presentations to 42 guests. Contact events@epicure.com.au
Tribal Council
Location Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Malaysia Why it’s great With an African tribal feel, the Tribal Council venue within Sunway Lagoon Theme Park makes it easy for delegates to forget they are in the city centre. Basic facilities included are projector screen with built-in sound system and wireless microphone, flip chart and stationery. Full- and half-day meeting packages are available. Meeting planners can work with the sales team to design a meeting and theme park combination package. Drawbacks None Capacity 36 pax, theatre-style; 14 pax, boardroom setting Contact ask_lagoon@sunway.com.my
Culture Gully
Location Kingdom of Dreams, Gurgaon, India Why it’s great Kingdom of Dreams is India’s first and only live entertainment destination, bringing a unique blend of Indian art, culture, heritage, crafts, cuisine and performing arts together with the technological wizardry of today. Culture Gully, one of the core attractions of Kingdom of Dreams is an elaborate boulevard that recreates a busy Indian street, showcasing renowned local handicrafts and live performances by traditional artists. It makes an exciting environment for meetings. Drawbacks None Capacity 500 pax Contact (91-124) 452-8000
Asia Society Hong Kong Center
Location Admiralty, Hong Kong Why it’s great This heritage site in Admiralty was a military explosives storage compound between the 1860s and the 1940s but was abandoned for more than three decades. It was reborn after months of renovation – funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trust – as a cultural hub. Today it is run by the non-profit Asia Society Hong Kong. The building offers spaces for meetings. A winning factor is the venue’s lush environment, making it a natural oasis within a concrete jungle. Drawbacks None Capacity 350 pax, Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall; 20 to 50 pax, two meeting rooms; 120 to 150 pax, two outdoor venues; 107 pax, theatre Contact Anna Kwong, akwong@asiasociety.org
Four-star, 298 rooms and suites
9 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189559
Tel: (65) 6336-0220
email: info.rhs@fareast.com.sg
www.rendezvoushotels.com/singapore
Rendezvous Hotel Singapore is blessed with a great location, sitting in the heart of the city and within the arts and cultural district of Bras Basah. It is close to the Singapore Art Museum, the National Museum of Singapore, the Orchard Road shopping belt, the Raffles City/Suntec convention area and the central business district.
Meeting facilities The hotel’s largest event venue, the 290m2 Symphony Ballroom, can seat up to 240 people, banquet-style. Smaller groups can opt for three other ballrooms – Symphony I, II and III – which can seat 80, 60 and 60 respectively in a banquet setting. There are three additional breakout rooms that can each accommodate 20 guests.
All function rooms are equipped with audiovisual and lighting amenities. Wi-Fi is provided for free throughout the hotel and event spaces, which is a big plus factor for all travellers and meeting delegates today.
Rooms In reflecting the hotel’s vibrant energy and new artistic personality, Far East Hospitality redesigned several guest touchpoints into a visual spectacle of art with the use of technology earlier this year. Upon entering the hotel, I was intrigued by a magnificent floor-to-ceiling sculpture which resembled an futuristic tree trunk, along with wall panels behind the reception that changed colours every four hours throughout the day.
This artistic revamp was extended to the Club Rooms on the three highest levels of the hotel. I was housed in one of these splendid rooms, which came adorned with one of Oscar Wilde’s famous quotes, “Illusion is the first of all pleasures”.
My room was fitted with the usual amenities like a flatscreen TV, minibar and work desk. The bathoom came with a rain shower and a smart toilet, but no bath.
F&B The hotel features the award-winning Straits Café which is a food haven for Singaporeans and hotel guests alike, offering daily breakfast, lunch and dinner in buffet-style. I was impressed with the diverse dinner buffet offerings which included authentic local favourites such as roti prata, rojak, laksa and popiah – all coming together to literally give travellers a taste of Singapore.
The seafood spread of freshly grilled tiger prawns, lobsters, squids and crabs was amazing. And with Straits Café specialising in local delights, the dessert station featured a fascinating array of durian treats including durian-flavoured cakes, puddings, mousse and crepes.
The adjoining Rendezvous Gallery also provides guests convenient access to more dining options such as Balzac Brasserie, Baja Fresh and Fung Ding Hung restaurant.
What stood out for me was the alfresco dining concept at The Courtyard, which is housed under a glass ceiling. It was therapeutic to sit amid the palms trees and bask in natural sunlight. And at night, stars could be spied from The Courtyard.
Other faciltiies The Plaza Club Lounge on the 11th floor is exclusive to club floor guests, and offers all-day complimentary refreshments as well as cocktails from 18.00 to 20.00. Complimentary printing services are available too.
There is also a pool, an outdoor heated Jacuzzi and a fitness centre.
A strong currency and rising competition from other destinations are making business a little tougher for Singapore MICE players, writes Paige Lee Pei Qi
Singapore offers a conducive
environment for business and
corporate gatherings
Corporate travellers are spending less, according to the latest preliminary estimates by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), which revealed a decline of six per cent between January and September last year, compared to the same period in 2012.
STB’s CEO, Lionel Yeo, said: “In 2013, we saw that corporate budget was tightened for business travel, (a result of) cyclical factors related to economic uncertainty. What is heartening is that business travellers are still coming to Singapore, it is just that they are spending less.”
Nevertheless, the business travel and MICE sectors continue to be a key contributor of Singapore’s tourism receipts. In 2012, the number of business visitors rose to 3.4 million, from 3.2 million in 2011. Expenditure by these visitors grew 2.3 per cent to an estimated S$5.7 billion (US$4.5 billion).
From January to September 2013, business travel and MICE visitor arrivals stood at 2.6 million, a six per cent year-on-year growth, while expenditure fell six per cent year-on-year to an estimated S$4.1 billion.
Yvonne Low, executive director of The Traveller DMC, told TTGmice that her company saw a 15 per cent year-on-year decline in MICE business last year.
Low said: “Our market from India dropped significantly because of the weakening rupee, which makes it even more expensive to come to Singapore.
“With Singapore’s (consistently strong) currency, the purchasing power of the Indians becomes a lot lower and it makes our destination less attractive even for high-end clients.”
Likewise, Tour East’s group vice president of sales and marketing, Judy Lum, said “substantial growth” evaded her company in 2013.
“Budget is critical to the selection process of a destination, especially for the MICE segment,” Lum said. “Any softening of hotel rates will help a destination look more attractive price wise.”
According to Elinda Ong, director of sales, Grand Park City Hall, the emergence of more mid-scale hotels in the market has helped made “rates and product offerings become more competitive among the hotels”.
Ong remains optimistic about the future and expects business from the MICE sector to grow three-fold this year.
Although the Raffles City Convention Centre played host to an increased number of events last year, Ng Sok Hia, executive assistant manager, sales and marketing, Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford, warned that Singapore is facing rising competition from neighbouring countries.
“Despite offering a conducive environment supported by our strategic location in Asia, Singapore is challenged by equally developed cities such as Macau, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur for MICE events,” Ng said.
To strengthen Singapore’s business value proposition, STB rolled out a new set of sustainability guidelines last November.
STB executive director for business tourism development, Chew Tiong Heng, said: “With corporate clients and delegates becoming increasingly concerned about the environment, business event organisers and meeting planners are turning to destinations and venues with strong sustainability policies in place.
“Green initiatives are therefore gaining traction among MICE event organisers, who recognise that such endeavours significantly enhance the overall visitor experience.”
Life’s a (South) Beach
The massive mixed use project will comprise a hotel and meeting facilities
In Singapore, where ‘MBS vs Suntec’ is something of a sport for MICE observers, it is one goal for Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre and nil for Marina Bay Sands (MBS) as South Beach Development gets ready for its soft-opening in the first quarter of 2015.
The mixed use project, which ropes in designers such as Norman Foster and Philippe Starck, believes it will add a new shine to the Suntec Singapore and Raffles City convention area. South Beach is located in front of Raffles Hotel on the Beach Road side and will be connected directly to Suntec Singapore on the Nicoll Highway side via an overhead bridge.
“Before MBS opened, this was the only MICE hub, with hotels within the vicinity of Suntec benefiting from conferences held at the convention centre,” said Aloysius Lee, CEO, South Beach Consortium.
He added: “With a working agreement on the bridge that links our hotel to the convention centre, we will naturally work closely with Suntec. We will encourage our corporate guests to hold their meetings there while we also believe we will benefit when Suntec secures events, as our hotel is directly connected to it.”
Suntec’s CEO, Arun Madhok, said Suntec is looking forward to future collaboration with South Beach.
“I’m confident that this development will add to the vibrance of the area and enhance the experience for all visitors,” he said.
South Beach, developed by City Developments Limited Singapore and IOI Corporation Berhad, comprises over 46,000m² of Grade A office space; 190 residential units; a 654-room hotel designed by Philippe Starck; a retail concept; and a private membership club.
Currently, the hotel is called The South Beach. A decision has yet to be made on a third-party management, franchise or marketing representation.
Beach Road once was a tranquil seaside. Massive land reclamation saw the setting up of Beach Road Camp on the South Beach site, comprising three army blocks serving as headquarters for homegrown military forces, along with an ‘NCO’ club with its famous Olympic size swimming pool for army, naval and air force officers. The three blocks and the club are being conserved to maintain the heritage of the location.
For example, one of the three bars at the hotel will be a ‘Court Martial Bar’, conserved from the actual Court Martial room where National Service men were martialed even for little offences such as losing their registration passes.
With 654 rooms, MICE will be a big part of the revenue-generation strategy. MICE facilities include a ballroom which seats around 500 pax for a banquet and 350 pax for cocktails.
For F&B, the hotel will offer an all-day dining establishment while the development is also signing up a “stylish, contemporary experience that combines shopping and dining in a space of 30,000 square feet (2,787m²)”.
Added Lee: “Planners can do incentives here and we’re working closely with Suntec to have a fair share of convention delegates. I believe we have the best access to Suntec – from the hotel, just a walk across Nicoll Highway through an overland bridge and you’re already at the convention hall.
“We’re creating a new product, probably the first in Asia that offers this kind of a lifestyle choice. With high occupancies in Singapore, we are a serious choice for all segments, be it MICE, bleasure, leisure, etc. Most new hotels that are opening are smaller in roomcount. We have 650 rooms.”
As for rates, Lee would only say: “The current rates of hotels in the neighbourhood are around S$400 (US$317) to S$500.” – Raini Hamdi
How I did Responsible Business Forum 2013
Held at Marina Bay Sands (MBS), the Responsible Business Forum (RBF) 2013 was a two-day forum which saw more than 500 business leaders, NGOs and policy makers from South-east Asia in attendance.
For this event, MBS played a big role in championing sustainable event planning along with the organisers. To ensure RBF meets its green standards and goal of creating a 100 per cent carbon-offset event, MBS ensured aspects such as the event setup, menu planning and waste management allowed delegates to give back to the community.
For instance, MBS used advanced movement sensors that are integrated with the building management system to control lighting when no one is in the room. The property also provided its Sands ECO360° standards in meeting rooms, which meant no pre-setting of paper, mints and water at tables. Water dispensers and glasses were provided instead.
A customised vegetarian Harvest Menu was also provided too. Fresh produce and ingredients on the Harvest Menu were sourced locally and from nearby markets in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia to minimise the carbon footprint of food imports. To reduce food wastage, there were no pre-served beverages during food service and most condiments were served in bulk.
Delegates were also invited to participate in MBS’ Soap for Hope, a programme which collects leftover shampoo and soap from hotel rooms. Soap for Hope stations were set up at the event and collections were distributed to Food from the Heart, a charity organisation. Unconsumed bread from the forum were also donated to the organisation.
Need to know
Eat well, meet well
A fine way to rejuvenate the minds and spirits of meeting attendees is to take them out for a healthy and refreshing meal in soothing environs.
Debunking the myth that healthy cuisine is bland and boring, Tangerine at ESPA, Resorts World Sentosa takes the best from Asian and Western cuisines and creates a tasty and nutritious menu that will delight even the fussiest of diners. Celebrity chefs Sam Leong and Forest Leong join forces with a resident nutritionist to deliver highlights such as Cured Atlantic Salmon with Granny Smith Apple and Celery Juice, and a low-calorie Aloe Vera, Rosella Gelo and Calamansi dessert.
Set amid a serene and lush landscape, Tangerine has been a hit with corporate groups and had recently hosted a 24-pax dinner event and two 27-pax company gatherings. Contact dining@rwsentosa.com for reservations.
Flavourful history
One of Singapore’s iconic heritage sites, the Clifford Pier, can now be enjoyed over a meal.
The brand new 272-seat, all-day dining restaurant, The Clifford Pier, pays homage to Singapore’s hawker food culture through local favourites such as Soup Kambing (a traditional spiced mutton soup), laksa and Teochew porridge.
Located at the foot of the Fullerton Bay Hotel, the historical venue has been carefully restored and enhanced to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Email cliffordpier@fullertonbayhotel.com for more information.
Eye-popping dining surprise
A fine-dining pop-up restaurant will set up shop in Singapore’s historic Tanjong Pagar Railway Station this month. Mooted by My Private Chef, a company that specialises in bespoke dining experiences, the first chapter of Stories: A Pop Up Restaurant will be held from June 26 to 29. Tickets are priced from S$188 (US$150) to S$248 and available on www.myprivatechef.com.sg.
A different celebrity chef and location will be featured for each chapter.
Wings of Time soars right in
Sentosa’s popular Songs of the Sea night show has ended its seven-year run, making way for a new multimedia performance come June 17.
Called the Wings of Time, the show is set at the same outdoor theatre against a new 10m tall backdrop. Produced by events company ECA2, Wings of Time promises an array of multimedia effects including new robotic fountains, 3D video mapping and enhanced pyrotechnic effects, coupled with a live cast and audience engagement.
Wings of Time will be performed daily with shows at 19.40 and 20.40, each with a running time of 25 minutes at Siloso Beach. Premium seats are available at S$23 (US$18) per person, while standard seats are at S$18.
A Cuban celebration in Capella Singapore
Hot Havana nights are now a reality every day at Bob’s Bar in Capella Singapore. Meticulous research has been made to recreate an authentically glamorous Cuban-inspired bar through lively music, quality libations – with an emphasis on rum-based cocktails – and food, and exquisite glassware. Come Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, local jazz maestro Jeremy Monteiro and his band, Latin Jazz Trio, will fire up the night with the passionate beats of Latin Jazz from 19.00.
PLANNERS can redeem extra incentives for more guestrooms booked at Hilton Singapore under the hotel’s Book More for More Rewards promotion.
The hotel will dish out incentives according to a tiered booking system, granting planners their choice of perks from a selection of seven for a minimum booking of 20 room nights.
Choices of rewards include: one welcome cocktail each for all paid delegrates; one free room night for every 40 paid room nights; two free upgrades to the next room category and Executive Floor benefits, depending on availability; free Internet access in meeting rooms; 15 per cent off daily delegate rates; one free weekend stay in a Deluxe Room for two, including breakfast; upgraded coffee break items for the duration of the event, with one additional item for a half-day meeting package and two for a full-day package.
Booking up to 49 room nights entitles planners to two perks, 79 to three, 109 to four, 159 to five, and those who book more than 160 will receive all benefits.
Event organisers must confirm their events between July 1 and August 31, 2014 for events held from July 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 in order to qualify for the promotion.
Hilton Singapore offers a Grand Ballroom that can fit up to 500 attendees that comes with floor-to-ceiling picture windows and classical chandeliers, as well as 11 naturally-lit meeting rooms with built-in multimedia technology and extensive in-room amenities.
For more information, visit www.singapore.hilton.com/specialoffers or call (65) 6730-3319/3320.
The Sanctuary of Truth, an all-wood temple, has been a stellar attraction of Pattaya
Pattaya has in recent years shed some of its seedy reputation but work is still needed to improve its infrastructure and attractions, writes Greg Lowe
Pattaya’s MICE industry remains in relatively good health although the ongoing political turmoil in Bangkok is expected to hamper performance this year. The sector continues to grow incrementally, however, domestic trade dominates the market which will not be able to meet its full potential on the international level until the local infrastructure and product offerings are improved, according to industry stakeholders.
While several new properties opened last year, including Wave Pattaya and Centara Grand Phratamnak Pattaya, these hotels cater for smaller groups and 2013 passed by without major developments that could be used to promote the city as a MICE destination in a big way.
New attractions and meetings-friendly properties remain key to driving international business, especially given the dampening effect that anti-government protests in Bangkok and the related travel advisories had on trade, explained Holger Groninger, general manager of The Bayview Pattaya and Wave Pattaya.
“International MICE business as well as government meetings were heavily affected due to the travel advisories sent out by the embassies,” he said. “Existing business was initially shifted from Bangkok to Pattaya, but new meeting requests have came in very slowly.”
Robert Lohrmann, general manager of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, said: “Pattaya’s MICE market has not yet reached its potential. The majority of current events are generated by domestic corporates and local social events…We do see more interest from Asian hubs such as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and South Korea, but this has not been developed yet.”
In order to more effectively promote Pattaya as a MICE destination, seven hotels – Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, Amari Orchid Pattaya, Holiday Inn Pattaya, The Zign Hotel, Dusit Thani Pattaya, Garden Cliff Resort & Spa and Cape Dara Resort – officially formed the North Pattaya Alliance with Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau earlier this year to promote the city’s value offering at the Asia-Pacific Meetings & Incentives Expo in Australia in February.
Few deny the destination’s potential to attract business, given its location just 1.5 hours from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and that it has shaken off some of its reputation as a red light city by the sea. This enhanced image is partly driven by the arrival of more internationally branded properties over the past eight years. Research by Jones Lang LaSalle shows the city is home to more attractions than any other destination in Thailand. It also boasts 23 golf clubs and courses in the surrounding area and was named Best Golf Destination Asia and Australasia 2012 by the International Golf Tour Operators Association.
However, MICE specialists such as Teerapong Suksabai, MICE events manager at Asia World Destination Management, still consider Hilton Pattaya a “new” property even though it opened in 2010, underscoring the need for more product launches.
The coming six to twelve months will see several significant developments though. The 275-room Woraburi The Ritz was launched in March, with an adjacent 1,000-capacity convention centre due for completion by the end of this year while sister property, Woraburi Heritage, will add another 500 rooms to supply in 2H2014.
Jones Lang LaSalle said that majority of new hotels in Pattaya’s development pipeline from now until 2016 will be in the upper or high-end scale, enabling the destination to attract more higher-spending groups.
Until these new developments come online, the city’s existing supply, such as PEACH (Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall) at the Royal Cliff Hotel and Dusit Thani Pattaya will continue to dominate the trade and be sufficient to service existing demand, said Teerapong.
“I would rate Pattaya four out of five for MICE,” he said. “A few clients have said the destination is not as interesting as it used to be and that the beaches are not as clean, but Pattaya still has a good variety of hotels for all markets and budgets.
“Service is good in some of the large hotels equipped with experienced staff. Royal Cliff is still good for medium to massive events, they have a lot of space to play with,” he added.
In terms of attractions, Splashdown Waterpark Pattaya – an adult theme park based on the TV programme Wipeout – has debuted in the first quarter of the year, while May 2014 saw the inauguration of Siam Country Club Waterside, an 18-hole, IMG-designed golf course.
Two new water parks are coming up in Pattaya. Cartoon Network Amazone, a 5.7ha site featuring more than 150 attractions, will soft launch on July 31, 2014. Ramayana Water Park, a one-billion-baht project (US$30.8 million) with seven zones spread across 16 hectares, is reportedly South-east Asia’s largest water park and is tabled to open in 1Q2015.
MICE trends
Bundarik Kusolvitya Managing director The City Hotel Sriracha
Domestic MICE groups typically number between 200 pax to 1,000 pax, with most organising meetings and conferences, said Bundarik Kusolvitya, managing director of The City Hotel Sriracha and president of Thai Hotels Association (Eastern Chapter). Average stays range from three days/two nights to four days/three nights, and budgets vary from 2,000 baht (US$62) to 5,000 baht per person per day.
The government sector and professional associations mostly organise meetings and conferences while corporates hold meetings and incentives. More exhibitions are being held in Pattaya, but these are still relatively few and far between.
Overseas delegates favour incentives, conventions and meetings, with groups ranging from 500 pax to 10,000 pax and daily spending per person starting at 3,000 baht, she said.
How I did an 850-pax conference
Pattaya still has the power to attract large-size events and conferences, although the destination suffers from a lack of operational staff experienced in the MICE industry, said Teerapong Suksabai, MICE events manager at Asia World Destination Management.
Asia World organised a major pharmaceutical conference for 850 delegates from Russia and CIS countries at Royal Cliff Pattaya in February 2014. While the event did not have too many elements beyond the conference itself and a gala dinner, the number of attendees did raise some challenges.
“After the event we had an internal team debriefing about the service quality,” said Teerapong. “One of the key challenges is that with a large group of more than 700 delegates, we often need to hire additional staff to assist with some functions such as a gala dinner.”
Beyond its permanent headcount of eight specialists, the DMC had to outsource an additional 10 staff for the night, which brought with it control issues regarding understanding the client’s needs as well as the speed and quality of service.
“(The outsourced staff) were good, but they still could not cover all of the tasks we assigned them as they were still new to the MICE business,” he said. “This goes to show that Thailand still lacks experienced MICE staff who really know and understand what the business is and how it operates.”
Staffing was not the only issue Teerapong’s team had to overcome that night. “The client ordered last-minute changes to the decor and arrangements for the gala dinner just one day before the event. We had to bring some equipment from Bangkok but we managed to get everything done just in time.
“Overall, the event was successful and we received very good feedback about ground services and hotel from our client,” he said.
Need to know
Riding the meeting wave
Wave Pattaya opened last year, providing a perfect complement to its 260-room sister property, The Bayview Pattaya. Located on Beach Road, the four-storey, 21-room Miami South Beach-style property features Art Deco interiors, whose contemporary approach to room design lends to a more informal, relaxed environment.
Groups can access meetings facilities and additional restaurants and the spa at the connecting Bayview, with the boutique Wave making an ideal location for hosting board members and other high-level executives.
More information can be viewed at www.wavepattaya.com.
TCEB lures MICE travellers with Pattaya offer
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau’s (TCEB) Pattaya MICE City promotion offers a motorcade service from the airport to designated hotels and corporate social responsibility activities for groups of more than 100 delegates. Groups of 300 pax or more will also receive a VIP reception, welcome drinks and a motorcade to destinations within the city. For groups exceeding 500 delegates, the city will also provide a special performance and enhanced hotels rates for longer stays.
Convention settings underway at Woraburi The Ritz
Due to launch later this year, the convention hall at the recently launched Woraburi The Ritz will feature the latest audio-visual technology and space accommodating up to 1,000 pax. The hall can be used banquet-style or divided into three separate sections, making it suitable for small groups and larger events. Woraburi Heritage, a connecting property with 500 rooms, is due to open in 2H2014.
Visit www.waraburi-theritz.com for details.
Toon delights at water park
The first Cartoon Network-themed waterpark will open on July 31 to feature 10 themed zones, water rollercoasters and the world’s largest aqua playground with more than 150 different water features. Other attractions at this 5.7ha beachfront development in Bang Saray include meet-and-greet activities with key Cartoon Network characters, the mammoth Foodville dining facility and live acrobatics shows.
The venue also offers corporate packages for groups as well as after-hours hire for special events. Visit www.cartoonnetworkamazone.com for more information.
New greens in Pattaya
Siam Country Club strengthened its position as one of the area’s leading golfing facilities when it opened Siam Country Club Waterside in May 2014. The new 18-hole, 6.8km championship course was designed by IMG and covers 80 hectares. The course’s landscape features plenty of lakes, streams and water features alongside a new clubhouse offering panoramas of the surrounding environment. Golfers will be able to play at Siam Country Club’s existing 18-hole Old Course and the 27-hole Plantation course. More details at www.siamcountryclub.com
PENANG is likely to set up a state convention bureau by the end of 2014, but this is subject to the hiring of a consultant to start work in August on its structure and funding.
If all goes well, this will be almost two years since the Penang chief minister, Lim Guan Eng, mooted the idea in January 2013.
The convention bureau is to be known as Penang International Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PICEB).
Plans now hinge on getting the approval of the chief minister and the board of directors of Penang Global Tourism to hire a consultant who will be tasked with drawing up a structure and a sustainable funding model for the bureau to fund its team as well as marketing and promotions, and to support the travel trade in bidding for business events to Penang.
The state government will not provide financial assistance to the bureau but will support it by other means.
Ooi Geok Ling, managing director of Penang Global Tourism, said the delay in setting up the bureau was because the pro-tem committee, comprising local private players in the MICE industry, and the government could not agree on a sustainable funding model for PICEB.
“The hotel room levy in Penang will be taken under consideration for the funding structure of PICEB,” said Ooi.
The state government will be collecting RM2 (US$0.62) levy per room, per night on three star hotels and below, while a RM3 levy is charged on four-and five-star hotels (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 22, 2014).
The new chief of Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is more than ready to take over the reins from former poster boy of the centre, Peter Brokenshire. He shares the venue’s future plans and discusses industry outlook with S Puvaneswary
Congratulations on your new role as general manager. What will you be focusing on?
First and foremost, to maintain and develop the team we already have in place. Our team is our most valuable asset and without them, the centre’s achievements since opening would not have been possible. I believe it is through this team that we will maintain and enhance the internationally renowned standards and reputation as Malaysia’s premier convention facility.
Keeping a close eye on the ever-changing trends and business landscape will be another focus point. You can never become complacent even when things are going well, so we will definitely be ensuring our successful working relationship with Team Malaysia partners – Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, Malaysia Airports Holdings, Kuala Lumpur City Council and Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) – continues to function well in our efforts to grow the country’s business tourism global footprint.
Your predecessor Peter Brokenshire was very much an advocate of the ‘open door’ style of management. What is your approach?
Having first worked with Peter when we opened the Durban International Convention Centre and again at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for the past three years, I would say that we have a slightly different management style but we definitely have very similar values. I am also a firm believer in a transparent management style and like to be visible to team members and clients through regular contact with them around the centre. It is important to be able to monitor and experience your standards first hand and you really can’t test those if you are sitting in your office.
Will you be making any changes to the centre in the months ahead?
I am a firm believer in the saying ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’! As such, there are no major changes on the horizon at the moment. However, we have always adopted an approach of continually adding value to our product offerings and as such will be introducing various enhanced products over the course of the next year. Our focus remains to enhance our service delivery in response to changing trends and/or circumstances. Evolution, not revolution!
What kind of enhanced products can we expect to see?
The centre will be rolling out enhanced culinary offerings throughout the year and these will be announced in due course. We are also in the process of finalising our product offerings which we hope will help diminish any perception of hidden costs. We will package our ancillary charges more effectively to pass on added value to our clients. There is also our RM7.5 million (US$2.24 million) investment in four technology projects this year, which will improve our world-class service delivery for delegates and visitors alike.
I would like to hear more about the four technology projects.
They include upgrading the data centre backbone infrastructure to 10 gigabytes, introducing a digital walkie-talkie system, implementing an IP (Internet Protocol) CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) system and improving the virtualised server environment for the data centre.
You have been with the centre for three years. What changes have you witnessed in the environment?
One of the more noticeable ones has been the giant strides Malaysia has made in terms of its business tourism proposition. The establishment of MyCEB really provided ammunition to grow the business tourism industry. As a result, we are in a much more competitive position regionally and internationally.
The growth in customised mobile and digital solutions for the meetings and events industry has changed dramatically as well. There is now a greater emphasis on hi-tech convenience and technology integration – technology that is not only used by meeting planners as a service tool for delegates, but by the delegates themselves to engage with content providers at the events they are attending.
Unfortunately, the tough economic climate over the last few years has also led to a trend among many venues to discount, which in turn has affected the quality of products and service standards offered. Maintaining our world-class standards in the face of price pressures has created a real point of difference between us and our competitors. We still need to remain vigilant with regard to trends as we continue to focus on providing quality value-added experiences to our clients.
What do you see as challenges for this year in the meetings and conventions business?
The economic climate will continue to contribute to a tough business tourism environment. Events have become a lot leaner and meaner and as such we need to be even more creative in our offerings by providing innovative products that offer more value for less. Fortunately for the centre, Malaysia’s unique selling propositions such as value-for-money destination, direct air access from most major cities around the world, a safe and stable political climate and established industry supply chain boost our attractiveness in the regional and international marketplace.
Another challenge that we increasingly face in the local market is business opportunities with very short lead times and the lack of flexibility when it comes to dates. Our team is working hard on strategies to address this challenge, so keep an eye out for more information on this.
Which geographic markets do you see as key for the centre in the years ahead and why?
The global economic realities make for a challenging business outlook all round. But the relatively new untapped markets with large populations in Asia such as India and China provide an opportunity for the centre in the years ahead. We also continue to invest in more established markets such as Europe and North America as the focus of associations in these markets are on growing their client and membership base in developing countries.
That said, the centre has always practiced a very targeted and consistent marketing approach and our investment will remain focused on maintaining a presence in all previous key markets through relevant industry forums and trade events.
What are key trends facing the MICE sector, both locally and globally?
There is a stronger focus on connecting business opportunities to relevant industry sectors and emerging economic and trade investment opportunities. Another important trend is enhanced collaboration between destination, suppliers and associations. We are fortunate that we can take advantage of this through our Team Malaysia collaboration, where we work cohesively with our partners to attract international events to the country. Other trends to be mindful of include the growing importance of sustainable and eco-friendly practices; an increasing demand for special dietary requirements and healthy food and beverage options; a greater emphasis on hi-tech convenience and technology integration and flexible function space options that are tailored to clients’ events.
Park Hyatt Saigon has made Jan-Hendrik Meidinger its new general manager. The German national first joined Hyatt in 1999 as assistant front office manager at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. He rose to the position of executive assistant manager, rooms, before being named hotel manager of Grand Hyatt Taipei in 2006. He then moved to Hyatt Regency Guam in 2010 as general manager.
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
Congratulations on your new role as general manager. What will you be focusing on?
