Bond may prefer his martini shaken, but celebrated cocktail master Javier de las Muelas shows that a stirred martini – a dry martini to be exact – can be as remarkable. In fact, if Bond was real, he would have to admit that de las Muelas’ gin and vermouth concoction was the most remarkable liquid to ever pass his lips – the master had spent 35 years to perfect this cocktail after all.
To take a swig of de las Muelas’ dry martini, one no longer need to travel miles from Asia to his award-winning Dry Martini bar in Barcelona. One only has to strut down to Four Seasons Singapore’s One-Ninety Bar by Javier de las Muelas.
Tucked away in a quiet corner on the hotel’s ground floor, the rejuvenated bar offers a handsome indoor space that is furnished with a long marble bar, plush seats and bottle-lined shelves, as well as Terraza, a lush outdoor seating area and cigar bar. The sophisticated setting makes it perfect for intimate business gatherings and celebrations, although full private hire is not allowed.
One-Ninety Bar by Javier de las Muelas also seduces patrons with a selection of classic and signature cocktails, such as the refreshing Frozen Apple Martini. Tantalising bar bites such as crispy calamari with lime and chipotle aioli and mini Wagyu sliders complete the whole experience.
Stop by from 08.00 to 01.00 or call (65) 6831 7671 for reservations.
Gili Trawangan, a small island off Lombok island, is an emerging MICE destination
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.
Off-road ride on an old Willys Jeep is an experience on its own
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.
Event planners looking to host gatherings in historical Kyoto will get a new option. UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Nijo Castle, in central Kyoto, will welcome business events from April and has appointed 12 coordinators to market and promote events on site.
Ovation Global DMC’s strategic partner in Japan, The J Team DMC, is the only specialist DMC on the list, which comprises local hotel, media, event, travel and catering companies.
James Kent, sales and marketing manager, The J Team DMC, told TTGmice: “Our bid included a wide range of ideas that covered teambuilding, reward and award, workshops and training, as well as parties. I see potential for smaller, tailored events at the castle.”
Kent said Nijo Castle was included in a couple of proposals for autumn, and it is possible for a piece of business to materialise by spring or summer.
The castle’s exterior space is available for gala dinners for up to several thousands of people depending on the size of the marquee, while an indoor area can be booked for meetings with about 200 guests.
The primary concern is damage to the property, so no catering is allowed within the castle building and proper preparations in marquee set-ups are needed.
Kent said: “One of the reasons Nijo Castle is opening up to MICE events is to help raise funds for its current restoration projects. This is a fantastic opportunity for CSR-minded companies to make a valuable contribution to the preservation of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site by donating to the fund, and receiving recognition for it.”
Glamorous Shanghai draws high-end incentives and trendy lifestyle events
Shanghai may not be the country’s top MICE destination, but no other Chinese city has the same star quality and power. Caroline Boey finds out more
MICE rankings are a useful yardstick to measure a destination’s success and popularity and ICCA’s annual ranking reports provide a glimpse into Shanghai’s standing.
In tracking regularly occuring association events, which rotate between at least three countries, ICCA’s 2012 Asia-Pacific International Association Meetings Market Rankings placed Shanghai in 10th spot with 64 meetings and Beijing second with 109, behind Singapore with 150.
In ICCA’s 2012 Top 20 Rankings for Cities and Countries, China was placed 10th with 311 meetings; Beijing, 13th. Shanghai was not on the list.
Janet Tan-Collis, chief executive of Singapore-based East West Executive Travellers who has been doing business in China for a dozen-odd years, observes that foreigners are fascinated by Shanghai but Beijing with ancient Chinese culture still intact is more real: “It satisfies their impression of what China is or should be.”
Glamorous, modern Shanghai tends to attract high-end incentives and trendy lifestyle events like watch exhibitions and car launches, aimed at the affluent domestic market. Anything new, curious or novel grabs local media attention.
With the likes of Accenture, Standard Chartered and other Fortune 500 companies operating in Shanghai, the international market wants to do business in the city. Tan-Collis said: “Event planners who choose Shanghai are willing to spend because the economy is strong and the pace is unbelievable. It’s F1, not Rolls Royce. There is a willingness and the ability to do things in Shanghai. There is total excitement and the perception is this is the future.”
If budgets are tight, Shanghai can be out of reach. The president of a PCO in Taipei said Shanghai is expensive and she has not done any business there recently.
Still, Shanghai manages to attract new events such as Global Business Travel Association’s China Conference, and retain longer-standing ones such as China Business Forum, ILTM Asia and IT&CM China.
In addition, ICCA picked Shanghai for the association’s 52nd congress in November last year. The event attracted 936 delegates from 61 countries, who stayed in four different hotels. The congress was held at the Shanghai International Convention Center; the welcome reception at Golden Hall, Expo Center; and the social networking CAT Night at Shanghai Exhibition Center.
CEOs and delegates whose companies plan to invest in China were taken to Shanghai World Expo to learn how a major event transformed a city. They also visited the R&D facility of SKF, a global engineering company, to learn how MNCs are engaging with China as a target business market, centre of innovation and source of highly skilled personnel.
Martin Sirk, ICCA CEO, told TTGmice: “The ICCA Congress in Shanghai not only attracted more attendees than any previous event held outside Europe – and the second highest number ever – it also scored some of the highest delegate evaluations ever, with combined ‘excellent/good’ scores for on-site instant surveys and post-event questionnaires on educational content and organisational efficiency of almost 82 per cent, on a par with the best results ever.
“About 65 per cent of delegates were visiting Shanghai for the first time, and the city excelled in delegate perceptions of its qualities: warmth of welcome scored 72.3 per cent combined ‘excellent/good’, overall level of services scored 64.2 and overall safety scored 83.4, while quality of hotel accommodation, air accessibility and suitability for international meetings scored 84.1, 87.9 and 70.5 respectively.
“It’s clear the congress has created an army of highly influential brand ambassadors for Shanghai!”
Sirk credited the highly motivated local host team which understood from the start what ICCA was trying to achieve, and that this was a rare opportunity to showcase Shanghai and China to the meetings world.
“The attention to detail was exceptional and every effort was made to bridge any gaps of cultural understanding or business practice. It was also critical that this was an event supported by China’s entire meetings industry, and the support from city authorities in Beijing and national tourism institutions was highly valuable and visible.
“I think the delegates found Shanghai to be such a success because of the incredible creativity shown during the social events, the genuine smiles of the host venue employees and volunteers and the opening of delegates’ eyes to Shanghai’s business buzz and economic dynamism.”
Market intelligence shows a decline in the MICE market in 2H2013, but the industry remains cautiously optimistic.
According to Adelina Ye, area director of sales and marketing, East China, Marriott International, business from the pharmaceutical industry and government fell. However, the group, which operates the most number of hotels in Shanghai with more than 20 properties, still enjoyed year-on-year market share growth of 8.9 per cent in 2013.
Ye said corporate meetings and exhibitions would continue to be strong in 2014, although the market witnessed a decline from Japan with Sino-Japan relations under pressure.
For Fairmont Peace Hotel, 2013 was “very challenging” and 2014 will be “equally challenging”, said George Wee, its general manager. “But the establishment of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone will propel the city to a world-class hub, attracting key corporate brand names to set up offices.”
Although targeted at the domestic market, Wee said Shanghai Disneyland Park, Asia’s biggest and opening in 2015, would increase awareness of the city as a choice destination and attract more Chinese corporates to hold their events in Shanghai.
Daniel Aylmer general manager, Le Royal Méridien Shanghai and area managing director, East China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, said demand from state-owned enterprise and government-driven business will remain soft, but agrees there are opportunities for MICE and domestic business, and the opening of Shanghai Disneyland will generate demand. “With the addition of the world’s largest exhibition centre, the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) opening in Hongqiao (in 2015), there will be more reasons to visit one of the world’s most exciting cities,” he said.
Marriott’s Ye believes Shanghai will continue to be “the champion of the modern service sector” and drive the economic engine of the Yangtze delta boosted by the opening of SNIEC: “Shanghai aims to be one of the leading MICE destinations in Asia, competing with Hong Kong and Singapore.”
MICE mission possible
With 24 18-hole championship golf courses, to-date, Mission Hills wears the Guinness World Records crown as World’s Largest Golf Club. While the company is still expanding its golf courses, it has also taken mega steps to add a new feather in its cap.
Gaining popularity as a meetings mecca in China’s southern Guangdong Province, the company’s Mission Hills Shenzhen opened in 1990 and is only 15 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport, while Mission Hills Dongguan opened in 2000, 40 minutes from Guangzhou.
Both locations are a 20 minutes’ ride from each other and a regular shuttle bus service operates between them, with a stop in-between at the Mission Hills Mid-Valley Clubhouse.
Mission Hills Dongguan houses a 334-room hotel, and the hotel in Mission Hills Shenzhen has 188 rooms.
The total meeting space in Shenzhen and Dongguan is 7,348m², with rooms of various sizes for board meetings, accommodating up to 3,000 pax in The Grand Ballroom in Mission Hills Dongguan’s Convention Center, and everything in-between.
The Dongguan ballroom measures 2,000m2 and other spaces include 38 multi-purpose function halls, an auditorium and a media centre, making it a popular venue for international events. The Grand Ballroom at Mission Hills Shenzhen’s resort is 400m²; the Clubhouse Ballroom, 324m².
Companies which hosted events in both locations last year included Australian Trade Commission, Callaway, Credit Suisse, China Resources Power, Dell, and more. Group size ranged from 10 pax for a meeting, 100 for a teambuilding event, 300 for an exhibition, 800 for a tradeshow, and 1,600 for an annual meeting, according to hotel manager Brian Cheng.
Cheng said Dongguan with its convention centre was developed with MICE in mind, and Missions Hills has begun to adopt a green programme to meet RFPs with such requirements and to grow the business.
It is sourcing for produce within a 5km radius to maintain freshness and to reduce transportation. It will be introducing recycling bins in its hotel rooms and meeting spaces and replacing bottled water with reliable drinking water, among others.
Cheng added: “Stations for freshly prepared sandwich and fruit have been introduced, and more healthy meals with less salt, sugar and oil will be used for buffet menus.” Semi-buffet and live cooking stations help prevent hot food wastage, and butter and sugar are provided in loose form.
New teambuilding activities will include activities that teach better nutrition and how to cook more healthily. Mission Hills Dongguan also runs a small organic farm. Other green Mission Hills initiatives include the use of solar-powered golf carts.
Fun teambuilding activities can also be tailor-made for non-golfers at the Golf Academy, as well as other sporting activities around its tennis facilities and swimming pools.
Meanwhile, the opening of Mission Hills Centreville late-2014, at the entrance of Mission Hills Shenzhen, will enhance its MICE appeal, Cheng noted. Attractions include a Hard Rock Hotel and a second 700-room property, a spa, an auto exhibition centre and a cinema, among others.
Mission Hills, which also operates in Hainan, plans to expand into Yunnan, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Chongqing. – Caroline Boey
Mission Hills Dongguan houses a hotel and offers spaces for meetings and events
Ideas
One-day tour of Puxi
Start your delegates’ day with a ride in the side-car of a vintage 1930s motorcycle along the tree-lined streets of Shanghai’s old French quarter, as they catch a glimpse of locals going about their everyday chores.
After the ride, put your group on a coach to Nanjing Road shopping area. This pedestrian-only area is said to be the busiest retail district in China. Watch people from all over the country and the world flock together to hunt for local craft and brand name merchandise.
Before leaving the busy People’s Square/Nanjing Road area, delegates will visit the best Bronze Age collection in China, housed in the nearby Shanghai Museum.
It is now time to sample authentic Shanghai cuisine and the famous xiao long bao – soupy dumplings – are not to be missed. Lunch is at the Lubolang Restaurant just outside Yu Garden, next to the pond and the Bridge-of-Nine-Bends.
After lunch, travel back in time and discover a typical Chinese landscaped garden built by a high-ranking court mandarin. The numerous pavilions, corridors, cobbled pathways, man-made rock and water scenes provide the perfect backdrop for more photos.
From the peace and tranquility of the garden, head back to modern-day Shanghai. Explore the famous Bund riverbank with its wide boulevard lined with awe-inspiring, restored historical buildings of the 1920s. Take in the sights from across the river, a contrasting picture of new Shanghai and the Pudong skyline.
Itinerary by Associated Tours, Hong Kong
Need to know
Peace Hotel adds spaces
Shanghai’s iconic Fairmont Peace Hotel has added 1,200m² of meeting space on its roof terrace and mezzanine level.
The roof terrace houses the 25m² Scotland Room and the 35m² England Room. Adjacent to the roof terrace is the Nine Heaven Hall, which has been restored to its original 1920s splendour. The roof terrace doubles up as a recreational area where guests can practise tai chi before breakfast.
The mezzanine level houses the 215m² Chun Shen Room with floor-to-ceiling windows and capacity for 160 pax, theatre-style. Adjacent to this is the 110m² Thames Room which can accommodate a 50-pax banquet.
These spaces are equipped with advance audiovisual technology and high-speed wireless Internet access.
Email peacehotel@fairmont.com.
On a mission to go green
Mission Hills Resorts (www.missionhillschina.com) has launched green meeting programmes for its properties in Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Haikou, valid for groups with a minimum of 10 people. The half- and full-day Green Meeting Package goes for RMB418 (US$68) and RMB518 respectively, and includes use of a meeting room, audiovisual equipment, stationery, candies, refreshment, healthy lunch/buffet lunch for groups of more than 30 people and Wi-Fi. Half- and full-day Meeting Business Package options are also available, and are priced at RMB420 and RMB520 respectively.
Eco-themed activities such nature walks – led by naturalists – that showcase the flora and fauna in and around the resorts are available too.
Tall order
J Hotel Shanghai Tower will become the world’s highest luxury property when it is completed in 2Q2015.
Timur Senturk, managing director, said an opening date had not been confirmed as the hotel was still under construction and in the design phase. Many details are yet to be finalised.
Located in Pudong’s Lujiazui CBD and sitting on levels 84th to 105th floors in Shanghai Tower, J Hotel will have 180 rooms, each about 70m2 in size. The lobby will be on the 101st floor.
Managed by Interstate China Hotels & Resorts, the property carries the J Hotel label, the new prestige brand of Jin Jiang Group.
Shanghai Tower itself is being developed as a mixed-use complex with exhibition, shopping and leisure facilities.
Holiday Villa beefs up software to better cater to international business events
Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence Baiyun Guangzhou (holidayvillaguangzhou.com) is hiring more English-speaking staff and management personnel with experience in organising large international conferences in a bid to grow its MICE business. It is targeting regional seminars and conferences from North and South-east Asia in particular where Holiday Villa’s brand image is well established and where many companies are keen to penetrate the growing China consumer market.
International companies which have held meetings in the hotel recently include Hong Kong’s Watsons and South Korea’s Hanhoo. The hotel’s MICE business so far has come from established Chinese consumer goods companies, with groups of between 100 and 600 people coming from all over China attending annual planning meetings.
THAILAND Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) yesterday unveiled its 2014 exhibition industry strategy.
The bureau is driving the exhibition industry under the three-year exhibition industry roadmap by playing three key roles, including as connector/facilitator by establishing connections and providing support for the private sector to enable business opportunities; marketer/partner by developing international marketing campaigns and helping to accommodate business needs; as well as creator/initiator by identifying and winning new exhibition business opportunities into Thailand.
According to the 2014 strategy, TCEB will focus on its role as marketer/partner. It will strive to win new shows for Thailand, especially those industries that are in demand by ASEAN, including the health and beauty industry (Beyond Beauty ASEAN 2014, Cosmobeaute 2014 and Cosmex 2014); transportation and automobile industry (Automotive Aftermarket Industry and Tuning Trade Fair – AAITF, and Smart Rail Congress & Expo 2014); and others (Pulier Asia Pacific 2014, International, Security & Safety Expo & Forum 2014 and Pharmex Asia 2014).
As connector/initiator, TCEB will emphasise the strength of business opportunities in Thailand as a springboard into success in the AEC. It also supports joint ventures between Thailand’s exhibition organisers and foreign corporations specialising in various industries. The rapport reflects the reputation of Thailand’s international exhibition industry, which is attractive to international MICE operators looking into expanding their success towards the AEC.
An example is the JV between Kavin Intertrade, a Thai exhibition organiser, and Diversified Communications Asia, a leading exhibition organiser from the US specialising in the food industry. Both parties will join forces to upgrade the Thailand Franchise and Business Opportunities and Thailand Retail, Food & Hospitality Services shows.
There is also the JV between Inter-Media Consultant, organiser of Motor Expo, and Tarsus Group, to bring the Automotive Aftermarket Industry and Tuning Trade Fair to co-locate with the Thailand International Motor Expo 2014, which will heighten the reputation of Motor Expo as a comprehensive exhibition for vehicle and automobile accessories in South-east Asia.
TCEB president, Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, said: “The trend of joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions as well as strategic partnerships in the exhibition industry from Europe and the USA is rising, in accordance with rapidly growing demand for business opportunities in ASEAN.
“Thailand must move fast to enhance its marketing strategy…By highlighting our strategic location at the heart of ASEAN, the readiness of our transportation system and infrastructure connecting the whole of ASEAN and the strength of the country’s key industries, international exhibitions held in Thailand will also become regional exhibitions.
“TCEB is confident that Thailand will be able to attract eight new exhibitions into the country while upgrading 32 existing exhibitions towards high industry calibre, from a total of 83 – 85 exhibitions in 2014.”
TCEB also places importance on direct marketing via digital media, which include the iFair smartphone application for information on international exhibitions in Thailand, a newly launched website www.businesseventsthailand.com, as well as an online monthly magazine.
In 2014, TCEB expects the number of MICE travellers for the international exhibition segment will grow to 181,200 travellers, representing a five per cent increase from the previous year’s target, while revenue will grow 10 per cent from the previous year’s target to 15,400 million baht in total revenue.
OKINAWA is set to increase MICE visitorship with the construction of a major convention venue to accommodate events as large as 10,000 to 20,000 people.
Koji Niimoto, supervisor for MICE marketing section of Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB), told TTGmice e-Weekly that discussions and research are ongoing for a suitable location to build the venue, preferably near to Naha Airport, hotels and key attractions. A final decision is expected in the next year or so.
Currently the largest convention centre in the prefecture is the Okinawa Convention Center, which offers a maximum seating capacity of 5,000 people in its biggest event space at one time.
Said Niimoto: “Okinawa is looking to expand its MICE business from overseas source markets, hence efforts are ongoing to increase capacity in terms of MICE venues.”
Apart from its main source markets Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and South Korea, OCVB is also seeking to lure more traffic from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Europe, he said, adding that at the moment, the convention business is contributed mainly by mainland Japan, while incentive groups hail from overseas.
When asked how Okinawa intends to stand out as an incentive destination against other Asian competitors, he said: “While other destinations also offer beautiful oceans and nature like Okinawa does, we have our own unique culture that is different from that of mainland Japan (due to historical influences).
“In other words, we offer a different type of Japanese culture to the world. To top this off, we are known for our people’s hospitality, which transcends the language barrier.”
Akira Kakazu, manager for OCVB’s MICE marketing section, revealed that a seminar in Singapore for the local media and trade is being planned for July to reach out to more Asian markets.
Meanwhile, Singapore Changi Airport and Okinawa Prefecture last week signed an MoU to enhance direct air connectivity between the two destinations and bring more inbound traffic from Singapore and its nearby destinations.
Currently, only Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and South Korea offer direct flights to Okinawa.
Traffic is also expected to increase with Okinawa’s new Naha Cruise Terminal, which opened this week. About 130,000 cruise arrivals are targeted for the new financial year starting this month, according to OCVB.
A memorable shopping experience has been ordered for 1,700 top achievers, and the team at La Roca Village knows exactly how to execute a luxurious welcome, writes Karen Yue
La Roca Village in Barcelona, part of the collection of Chic Outlet Shopping villages, welcomed 1,700 Indonesian incentive winners in May 2013.
For smoother logistics, the event organiser, Panorama Leisure France, arranged for the massive group to visit La Roca Village on two different days, with 850 delegates flocking to the luxury shopping paradise each day. A staggered arrival was arranged each day, which saw coaches arriving within a few minutes of each other.
Although it was business as usual for La Roca Village on those mornings, a special welcome was arranged for the delegates.
Four top VIPs from Prudential Indonesia, including its president, received a personal welcome by members of Chic Outlet Shopping’s tourism and retail teams.
A welcome banner was also provided.
La Roca Village then distributed welcome bags, personalised with the insurance giant’s striking corporate colours and logo, to all 1,700 delegates. These goody bags contained a VIP card that granted holders a 10 per cent discount off their purchases.
These came on top of a Welcome Pack that was delivered to the hotel room of 40 special guests prior to the day of their visit to the shopping destination. These gift packs contained a welcome letter from La Roca Village and a small leather bag from GOES-Guy Laroche Furs.
Four hostesses – one at every entrance of La Roca Village – were on hand to greet the delegates in English and Bahasa Indonesia and to assist with enquiries.
And all that was just the beginning.
Several branded boutiques arranged for special hospitality for all visiting top achievers. Refreshments in the form of champagne, juices, water, pastries, sweets and chocolates were served to all delegates, in addition to gifts with purchases and further price reductions.
As it was business as usual for these boutiques, other shoppers were also treated to these surprise perks, said a spokesperson from La Roca Village.
“Some boutiques presented small gifts to the incentive delegates who were identifiable by their welcome bags,” added the spokesperson.
The spokesperson pointed out that La Roca Village is no stranger to hosting high-level incentive groups, and had welcomed 1,360 Indonesian guests in organised groups in 2012. Some 824 of these guests were top achievers participating in incentive programmes.
The same level of hospitality was extended to all visiting incentive groups.
Following Chic Outlet Shopping’s success with hosting corporate groups, the company launched in September last year a dedicated group and events strategy to appeal to the MICE market.
Organiser
Panorama Leisure France
Client
Prudential Indonesia
Venue
La Roca Village
Dates
Early May, 2013
No. of participants
1,700
Objective
To provide a luxurious shopping experience for top achievers of Prudential Indonesia as part of a broad incentive programme
Challenges
A personalised welcome was required, as La Roca Village was opened to members of the public at the time of the incentive delegates’ visit
Dusit International proves that Bangkok is still open for business by hosting its annual workshop in the protest-hit capital city as planned, writes Caroline Boey
Bangkok made the headlines in November last year when protesters returned to the streets over an amnesty bill that would have pardoned Thai politicians, including exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Although the bill was overturned, the protests, led by the opposition, continued.
While the demonstrations were peaceful, it posed a conundrum for business events scheduled to take place in the coming months and the dates of the Dusit workshop would have coincided with the announced January 13 shutdown of Bangkok.
With many of the 100 attendees having to fly to Bangkok to attend the workshop, Dusit International had to carefully weigh its option to proceed, postpone or cancel the workshop.
Catherine McNabb, vice president sales and marketing, Dusit International, said: “After reviewing multiple potential scenarios, we were confident that our team would be safe travelling to/from and staying within the confines of the hotel as we had an extensive security plan in place.
“As a Thailand-based company, it was important to show our solidarity with the city, that despite any political uncertainty, we believed the city would bounce back. As hoteliers, it was important to walk the walk. If we were advising our clients that the city was safe to visit, that tourists and foreigners were not the targets of any demonstrations, then this was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate just that.”
The three-day workshop included overseas speakers such as Liu Ping, CEO of China Star; Ananya Narayan, executive vice president, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Preferred Hotel Group; Jens Thraenhart, co-founder & president, Dragon Trail; Robin Lokerman, president Asia-Pacific MCI; and Baki Colpan, contracting & reservation manager, Pegas Touristik.
Dusit International eventually had to make some programme changes to work around the ongoing protests. The initial plan was to hold a number of presentations and the Awards Gala Dinner away from Dusit Thani Bangkok. But due to road closures and the desire to save time, all activities were kept in-house. Catering, audiovisual requirements, planning and event design were taken care of by Dusit International and Dusit Thani Bangkok.
Day one of the workshop included free time to explore Bangkok at leisure.
The demonstrations aside, the teams planning and executing the activities for the workshop were faced with the challenges of any meeting planner – budget constraints, developing a programme relevant to a mixed audience, and securing the participation of overseas speakers to add value to the event.
Although the workshop ran smoothly, the protests did impact the Awards Gala Dinner. McNabb said: “Our Awards Gala Dinners are always themed, and this year by coincidence, we chose the theme Distinctly Thai. We wanted to hire some costumes so we would have a few participants in full Thai regalia. But we had a hard time finding the costumes as many shops were blockaded by the rallies! Luckily we were able to borrow costumes from the dance troupe that entertained us that evening.”
Guest speaker Liu during her presentation commented how much she enjoyed the Thai style of protests – peaceful, colourful, with lots of food and music. She took photographs from D’Sens French Restaurant on the 22nd floor of the hotel, which offers clear views over the demonstrators’ camp set up in Lumpini Park and immediately blogged on her website that Bangkok was as vibrant and welcoming as ever.
Event
Dusit International Annual Global Sales & Marketing Workshop
Venue
Dusit Thani Bangkok
Dates
January 12 to 15, 2014
No. of participants
100 from Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia
Objective
Many, including setting priorities for the year, reviewing performance strategies, expanding revenue generating channels, sharing best practices and welcoming new members of the growing international team
Challenges
Determining if it would be safe to convene in Bangkok with the ongoing anti-government protest and threat to “occupy” major road intersections in the capital and shut it down on January 13
The client wants a programme that incorporates alms-giving and daily prayers. Raini Hamdi looks at how Kuoni Group Travel Experts comes up with the solutions
Amilestone was achieved by Kuoni Group Travel Experts’ (GTE) sales office in Malaysia when it secured a Muslim group of 600 travellers from the country who wanted to go Switzerland.
Beautiful as it may be, Switzerland is not a country that has many halal facilities. Adding to the challenge, the organiser wanted a programme that incorporates two of the five pillars of Islam, almsgiving (zakat) and daily prayers (salat).
Kuoni GTE studied the religious and cultural background of the group in order to come up with a curated programme.
To meet its priority of giving alms, a get-together with the local Muslim community in Zurich at its community centre in the town was included in the itinerary. Participants were introduced to the Swiss Muslim community there, learnt how it is organised and gained insights into the charity organisations it runs. They then did their zakat on the spot to the local Muslim charity organisation of their choice.
The delegates were then moved to enable them attend to their Maghrib evening prayer. As the group was large, Kuoni GTE handled the logistical issue by spliting them into several groups to different mosques and prayer rooms across the city.
Another main challenge for this group was the lack of halal restaurants in Switzerland. The client was strict about this requirement. Said Kuoni GTE’s head of MICE Sales Asia, Reto Kaufmann: “We had to prove that meals served use ingredients from halal-certified suppliers and were prepared in pork-free kitchens. The restaurants used must neither serve alcohol nor feature any pork items on their regular menus.”
In order to meet this requirement, Kuoni GTE turned to Kuoni’s two decades of experience and expertise in catering for Indian travellers. Said Kaufmann: “We used our cost-efficient Indian catering infrastructure to arrange spectacular halal cuisine at various locations across Switzerland.
“For instance, we catered for a picnic lunch in Ballenberg, an open-air museum showcasing traditional buildings and architecture from various parts of the country. There, we incorporated (Swiss activities) such as cheese-making and wood-carving and challenged them with a competition featuring the traditional flag-throwing and alphorn blowing. One of the houses was converted to a ‘Swiss Makeover’ area, where participants could dress themselves in traditional Swiss costumes and take pictures together with locals dressed in costumes representing the different regions of Switzerland.”
Another highlight was a cruise on the pristine Lake of Brienz. On board, participants were served the national dish of Switzerland, roesti (shredded fried potato), along with halal sausages. Participants were delighted as they never thought the dish could be prepared halal-style, said Kaufmann.
Meanwhile, as Asians love shopping, this highlight could not be overlooked. But, as most Muslim travellers from South-east Asia love to shop for souvenirs and hunt for bargains rather than go for luxury goods, Kuoni GTE came up with a ‘Swiss pasar malam’. This street market shopping style which starts in the evening is ubiquitous in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, usually in residential neighbourhoods.
Mindful of the behavioural traits of this market when it comes to shopping, Kuoni GTE brought the group to wet and flea markets, to shopping malls with affordable shops, and even arranged for several local street vendors to put up stalls selling Swiss souvenirs in the hotel lobby.
Client
Withheld
Destination
Switzerland
Date
May 2013
No. of participants
600
Objective
To fulfil the specific and strict needs of Muslim client
Challenges
Must provide strictly halal food whereas destination does not have enough halal restaurants; must incorporate prayer times into itinerary; must incorporate alms-giving programme; must be an enjoyable and memorable trip
Result
Muslim participants rated the trip their best-ever longhaul trip, according to Kuoni Group Travel Experts
Broadly, Asia-Pacific will see the highest rate increases compared with North America and Europe, according to American Express Global Business Travel Forecast 2014. But you don’t have to put your road-warriors in a hole. Raini Hamdi guides you to a string of new mid/upscale hotel brands that are hitting the region, many of them boasting MICE capabilities
Additional reporting by Mimi Hudoyo, Rohit Kaul and Rosa Ocampo
By Parador Hotels & Resorts, Indonesia
Competitive set Other four-star brands with MICE facilities, such as Mercure, Santika Premier, Novotel, Aston and Harris Hotels Rate Atria Hotel & Conference Gading Serpong, Tangerang (off Jakarta) from US$100 Why it is needed According to the Central Statistics Agency, Indonesians undertook about 236 million domestic trips in 2011 and this number will continue to rise with the promising middle-class market. The increasing number of budget airlines will certainly increase the number of domestic travellers in the country. Therefore, our future development focus will be on midscale brands such as Atria and our three-star Ara Hotels. How it reinventsmid/upscale A conference hotel focusing on MICE. We accommodate individual business travellers’ needs by providing value such as free WiFi connection of up to 10 Mbps.
We aim to become a leading conference hotel in the region, and have dedicated staff to achieve this with a ‘warmth & comfort’ service philosophy. How many in operation Four in Tangerang (off Jakarta), Magelang (Central Java) and Malang (East Java) Expansion plans Five more hotels to open in stages up to 2019
A conference room at Avani Kalutara Sri Lanka
By Minor Hotel Group, Thailand Competitive set Includes Aloft, Angsana, Pullman, Andaz and Hotel Indigo Rate Lead in price in Sri Lanka tends to be about US$150++ and Vietnam US$100++ Why it is needed Launched in 2011 to complement the five-star Anantara brand. Avani offers relaxed comfort and contemporary style in city and resort locations to guests who value details that matter. How it reinvents mid/upscale The name stems from the Sanskrit word, ‘earth’, which Avani expresses through a grounded personality and simple sense of style. Each resort exhibits a passion for design, an emphasis on tailoring details to deliver complete satisfaction, and service that is genuine and spontaneous. How many in operation Three resorts, two in Sri Lanka and one in Vietnam Expansion plans 2014 will see new additions to the brand in Malaysia (Sepang), Vietnam (Hai Phong), Thailand (rebranding of Amari Atrium Bangkok) and Seychelles Barbarons.
In the pipeline are Avani properties in Bali, Ambalangoda (Sri Lanka) and a second property in Bangkok. We expect to shortly make an announcement on developments on the African continent.
We plan to grow the brand across Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean and in the Middle East.
Best Western Plus Grand Howard Bangkok ballroom
By Best Western International, US Competitive set Novotel Rate On average US$90 Why it is needed Best Western has traditionally offered customers hotels based on the core values of comfort, value for money and excellent service. But as we expand into new markets, especially in Asia and the Middle East, there is a need to cater for customers who want these qualities, but also that little extra. Best Western Plus offers more upscale amenities and facilities such as a fitness centre, business centre, spacious in-room work areas and a range of products tailored to the needs of each market. How it reinvents mid/upscale
Many international hotel companies operating today start in the upscale sector, then try to expand into other segments. Best Western, on the other hand, has a proud 66-year history in the midscale segment and understands the needs of the everyday hotel customer. How many in operation 11 in Asia and the Middle East, with just over 1,200 rooms. Thailand and India are our biggest markets for the brand (three hotels each); two in the Philippines and two in Saudi Arabia. Expansion plans 10 more are set to open in Asia and the Middle East, adding a further 1,700 rooms. Indonesia and Malaysia will see three new Best Western Plus hotels. Firm plans for two hotels in Bangladesh.
A current Country Comfort: The brand will have a refreshed identity and look
By SilverNeedle Hospitality, Singapore Competitive set Best Western Plus, Country Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Premier Inn, Travelodge (Australia), Wyndham Garden Hotel Rate A$100 (US$89) to A$150 in Australia and New Zealand under the existing brand Why it is needed Country Comfort, a well-known brand in Australia and New Zealand, was recently rebranded and updated with a fresh identity and look. The 28-year-old brand will spearhead new franchising business in its existing ANZ markets and the broader Asia-Pacific region. The target market comprises travelling sales people, small business owners and mid-level managers that spend more than half their time on business on a limited per diem budget. The refreshed brand promises convenience, quality and value. How it reinvents mid/upscale By delivering what road warriors need the most and removing what they don’t, so they avoid unnecessary expenses. Guests will enjoy an excellent stay, including the best-in-category sleep experience with superior amenities including a high-quality bed, an invigorating shower experience and a nutritious breakfast. Apart from competitive rates, a Fair Value Promise includes free WiFi, local calls and mini-bar items priced 30 per cent above local convenience stores. Laundry and dry cleaning will also be just 20 per cent above street pricing. How many in operation None under the refreshed Country Comfort brand; 23 under the existing brand Expansion plans Actively pursuing opportunities to manage, lease or franchise Country Comfort in South-east Asia, North Asia, South Asia and Australia/New Zealand.
Next Brisbane, exterior shot
By SilverNeedle Hospitality, Singapore Competitive set Aloft, Crowne Plaza, East, Pan Pacific, Radisson Blu, Traders Rate From A$230 (US$205) at Next Hotel Brisbane Why it is needed Next Hotels is a game-changing concept created specifically for the modern business traveller. Guests demand full control over their time, particularly when they are travelling in unfamiliar cities, often on a budget and busy schedules. At Next Hotels, that control rests with guests as cutting-edge technology puts them in charge of everything they do, from reservations to check out. Using the Next Hotels mobile app, guests can check in before arriving through an encrypted code and access their rooms, bypassing the reception desk. How it reinvents mid/upscale By committing fully to the core concept of having services work according to the guests’ wants, needs and more importantly, schedule. Along with the technology aforementioned, Next Hotels will also feature smart spaces and intuitive service. The Club Lounge, another innovation, is an exclusive space designed to work around each guest’s schedule. It features the ‘in transit zone’ comprising full shower facilities, luggage storage lockers and recliners. Guests can relax during early check in, use free WiFi, or freshen up for late flights after check-out without disrupting their plans. How many in operation The first Next will open in Brisbane in mid-2014 Expansion plans The second will be in Colombo in a mixed-use that includes a lifestyle mall and high-rise residential tower.
We have an aggressive expansion plan for the next five years.
Grand ballroom of Dorsett Grand Chengdu
By Dorsett Hospitality International, Hong Kong Competitive set Dorsett: Novotel, Traders; Silka: Ibis Rate Dorsett’s ADR Jan-Nov 2013: HK$900 (US$116); Silka HK$600 Why it is needed The market is dominated by international hotel chains from outside Asia and this is where we make a difference. Being a true Asian-based company, we have a better understanding of the needs of our Asian travellers, in particular, with regards to hospitality and service. How it reinvents mid/upscale Dorsett are contemporary midscale hotels in carefully chosen urban locations, providing business and leisure travellers with instant, easy access to city centres and business centres. Anchored in Asian traditions of hospitality with flashes of eclectic British touches, these hotels are energetic, innovative, dynamic destinations designed to create a more energised business and leisure travel experience. Silka Hotels Designed with the value-savvy and smart traveller in mind, Silka Hotels offer the best in convenience and comfort, providing hassle-free hospitality essentials.
Quick, easy and efficient, Silka targets customers who are looking for the basics done right, with great service and value. How many in operation Seven Dorsett hotels (two in China, three Hong Kong and one each in Singapore and Malaysia)
Five Silka Hotels (three in Hong Kong and two in Malaysia) Expansion plans Eight Dorsett and one Silka are in the pipeline. The group has a strong appetite to grow all its brands, which also include Dorsett Grand and d.Collection, in South-east Asia, Australia, UK/continental Europe.
Eaton Hong Kong Diamond Ballroom
By Langham Hospitality Group, Hong Kong Competitive set Our aspirational competitive set (based on design) includes Ace Hotel, Nolitan, Casa Camper and Mama Shelter. Actual depends on location Rate From US$150 Why it is needed Eaton hotels are for the cosmopolitan, adventurous, culturally-savvy traveller interested in a lifestyle, fun and affordable stay. This brand bridges the gap between a four-star and five-star. We understand that different travellers have different needs. So we came up with options like the Smart Room and Family Room, in addition to conventional rooms and suites, all within a reasonable price range and done with great style and design, together with great service and eco-chic hospitality solutions.
Eaton hotels are located in the heart of the city and local experiences such as local tours to the nearby tourist spots and daily tai-chi classes. How it reinvents mid/upscale ‘Cool living’ with style and sustainability is what Eaton is about. Guests get great value in well-designed, functional rooms with all the essentials, and honest, reliable, dynamic service. Our Social Hub brings people together to work and play. Eaton’s Affordable Art programme is our way to help new artists to showcase their art using our public spaces as an open gallery. There is a trendy bar with fantastic cocktails and remarkable DJs. How many in operation Five (Hong Kong, Toronto, New Delhi and two in Shanghai) Expansion plans We are looking at expanding and increasing our Eaton hotel footprint globally at the right location, with the right partner and opportunity.
Leisure Inn Grand Chanakya, lobby
By StayWell Hospitality Group, Australia Competitive set Includes brands like Country Inns & Suites by Carlson Rate US$48-US$80 in the Indian market Why it is needed There is a growing middle class in the country that is looking for quality world-class budget accommodation. We believe that even corporate travellers would prefer to stay in a product like ours that offers all the services at a competitive price.
Our product is fresh and young with a focus on F&B. The existing hotels in this segment in India don’t focus on F&B. We will have speciality restaurants in all of our Leisure Inn properties in India. How it reinvents mid/upscale We emphasise on location, extensive facilities, well-appointed rooms and international standard services, which properties operating in this bracket don’t offer.
In our properties a guest will get facilities like 24-hour service, multiple restaurants, coffee shop and banquet space, which are generally expected in a four or five star property. Even though we have international expertise, we focus on local experience. So in our properties, local people are hired to run the hotel, as they understand the needs of that particular market. How many in operation One in Jaipur, Rajasthan Expansion plans The group is looking to open Leisure Inn properties in cities like Hyderabad, Greater Noida, Raipur, Chennai, New Delhi, Thane and Bengaluru in 2014. Internationally, the group has a target of more than 100 hotels within the next three years across Australia, South-east Asia, India, China and Europe.
Oasia Hotel and Residences, lobby
By Far East Hospitality, Singapore Competitive set In Singapore, Sheraton Towers and Royal Plaza on Scotts Rate From S$200++ (US$158++) Why it is needed Oasia is our differentiated offer to business travellers who desire comfort without excess, aesthetics without ostentation, attention without pretension, relevance with elegance. We take into consideration business travellers’ focus on their work and ensure every component of our service and design complements their mission.
Rooms at 25m² are modestly sized and designed to optimise comfort whether they choose to work or rest. The hotel’s unique club lounge that extends into a lap pool also provides another option for them to unwind after a hectic day. How it reinvents mid/upscale We bring first-class experience to this segment but still maintain exceptionally reasonable prices for our guests. The high standards of guest experience that we provide are possible because we constantly reinvent the benchmarks that are typically associated with hotels under this category.
We believe in adopting efficient designs and deployment of manpower, and this allows our guests to enjoy benefits that rival those of luxury hotels. This includes Oasia’s central location, comfortable rooms, well-equipped gym, unique club lounge and easy access to other facilities in a mall connected to the hotel. How many in operation One in Singapore Expansion plans Three planned
A ‘Talk’ U-shaped meeting room at Ozo Hong Kong
By Onyx Hospitality Group, Thailand Competitive set Includes Ibis, Ramada Encore, Park Inn, Marriott Courtyard, Centra Hotels and Resorts Rate The lead-in rate for Ozo Wesley Hong Kong is HK$1,300 (US$170). In Ozo Samui, launching early this year, it will be from 3,000 baht (US$91) Why it is needed Guests are becoming more savvy and are looking for quality services, connectivity and comfort at a reasonable price. We recognise that this segment is becoming increasingly popular, especially as both business and leisure travellers are looking to reduce costs and maximise their value for money. Ozo is a refreshing alternative to other select service brands. There is no compromise on the quality of product, from the comfortable bed, to bathroom amenities, technology and connectivity. How it reinvents mid/upscale
Ozo aims to surprise guests with the room product and service culture. Staff are trained to offer useful and intuitive assistance on the local area; in fact, each has his own specialist subject. Ozo understands that today’s traveller is short on time, so the rooms are cleverly designed, making sure no time is wasted looking for switches or trying to figure out the shower. Even checking in is fast and paperless via a tablet. How many in operation The first Ozo in Hong Kong opened in May 2013 Expansion plans Six under development, two due to open this quarter in Colombo and Koh Samui. They will be joined by Ozo hotels in Pattaya, Kandy, Galle and Penang soon after.
By Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, US Competitive set International midscale brands Rate US$80-US$120 Why it is needed The emergence of the middle class in India, China, the Philippines and Indonesia, together with the increase in infrastructure investment, will spur not only domestic travel but an increase in travel within Asia-Pacific. This will result in a growing requirement for midscale hotels in key locations, especially in tier II cities that can meet the demands of these new savvy travellers. These travellers seek consistently clean, friendly and affordable accommodation when they travel for business or leisure. How it reinvents mid/upscale
The midscale brand is friendly, fresh, vibrant and uncomplicated with a 26-year track record of delivering a quality guest experience. Newly launched in Asia-Pacific, the new generation Park Inn by Radisson focuses on providing the modern essentials that resonate with today’s business and leisure travellers.
Park Inn by Radisson delivers a great night’s sleep in a flexible and connected room. The hotel’s lively, colourful design will appeal to Gen Y traveller while its ‘Adding Colours to Life’ philosophy enables the brand to deliver a quality experience that takes into account local cultures and preferences. Its restaurant and bar and meeting and leisure facilities are deliberately geared at the traveller of tomorrow. Guests enjoy free Internet access. How many in operation 128 globally, four in Asia-Pacific Expansion plans Globally there are 67 hotels in the pipeline, seven scheduled to open in Asia- Pacific.
Pentahotel Shanghai studio 1
By Rosewood Hotel Group, Hong Kong Competitive set Aloft, Hotel Indigo, and Ace Hotel internationally
Rate In Hong Kong, over US$100; in Shanghai, US$75-US$100 Why it is needed Pentahotels guests are road warriors, local digital nomads and independent-minded travellers who are looking for affordable yet stylish accommodation, with add-ons like free Wi-Fi, plus a cool communal space where they can relax during downtime. Pentahotels’ mix of fun with functionality, comfort with creativity and style with simplicity, has established its appeal in Europe and is set to take off in Asia among travellers with the same mind set and needs. It’s a ‘neighbourhood lifestyle’ approach, with a cool, hip vibe. How it reinvents mid/upscale
Pentahotels pushes the design envelope in a direction that’s not typically taken in Asia. The signature Pentalounge – an upbeat combination reception, lobby, bar and café – is a new ‘third place’, an extension of one’s lifestyle and a gathering place for both guests and neighbours. The hotel eliminates unnecessary frills in favour of fuss-free efficiency and uncomplicated comfort, while New York loft-style guestrooms, contemporary rustic décor, quirky, local cultural references, and fun and friendly service create a singular hospitality experience. How many in operation 18 (three in Greater China – Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai; 11 in Germany, one in Austria, two in the UK and one in the Czech Republic Expansion plans Announced projects include three hotels in China, four hotels in the UK and five hotels in Belgium, with a target of 80 Pentahotels in operation or under development by 2020.
Seda Bonifacio Global City E-lounge
By Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts, Philippines Competitive set Undisclosed
Rate Examples, Seda Fort Bonifacio Global City, from 6,000 pesos+++ (US$135+++); Seda Abreeza in Davao City, from 4,200 pesos+++
Why it is needed There is a tremendous opportunity in the country’s flourishing foreign and domestic tourism industry. Our Seda hotel line is well-positioned to capture more than its fair share across various regions with our superior product and strategic location within Ayala Land’s mixed developments. How it reinvents mid/upscale
Seda offers a new concept in hospitality: urban lifestyle hotel. It offers a fluid hospitality experience with modern accommodation, state-of-the-art technology and exceptional service – all supporting the excellent value-for-money proposition.
Seda is Filipino for ‘silk’, a distinct fabric that represents the brand’s commitment to providing a seamless accommodation experience. As each Seda hotel is easily accessible to an Ayala mall and office spaces, it offers the convenience and security of a high-energy, central location, combined with warm, efficient service and global best practices. It is designed as an ideal environment where relaxation, play and work can mix. How many in operation Three, in Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City. Seda Nuvali Laguna will open in the first quarter Expansion plans In development are Seda Vertis, Quezon City and Seda Circuit, Makati, both targeted to open within the next two to three years.
Further expansion is in the works as Seda hotels are intended to be an integral part of Ayala Land’s mixed-use development projects in key cities of the Philippines.
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.
Start your delegates’ day with a ride in the side-car of a vintage 1930s motorcycle along the tree-lined streets of Shanghai’s old French quarter, as they catch a glimpse of locals going about their everyday chores.
Shanghai’s iconic Fairmont Peace Hotel has added 1,200m² of meeting space on its roof terrace and mezzanine level.
Located in Pudong’s Lujiazui CBD and sitting on levels 84th to 105th floors in Shanghai Tower, J Hotel will have 180 rooms, each about 70m2 in size. The lobby will be on the 101st floor.
Broadly, Asia-Pacific will see the highest rate increases compared with North America and Europe, according to American Express Global Business Travel Forecast 2014. But you don’t have to put your road-warriors in a hole. 
