ORGANSING a meeting in Melbourne is now easier with Melbourne Convention Bureau’s new website.
Accessible at www.melbournecb.com.au, the website features comprehensive event planning tools and destination information in the form of three search module for accommodation and venue capacity, event service type, and tours and activities.
Users can request proposals and make comparisons on the site, as well as use the Google map integration to see the hotels, restaurants and attractions close to the preferred venue or accommodation.
The site also stocks useful collateral such as downloadable brochures, videos and maps.
A Planning Toolkit will help planners with promotion and delegate boosting for an event, and they can access the Melbourne Planners’ Guide for tips about visiting the city and Victoria.
Karen Bolinger, CEO of MCB, said the new site was part of the bureau’s digital strategy to engage more with industry stakeholders.
“MCB’s new website was developed from research across key clients and partners to deliver a comprehensive planning tool for holding business events in Melbourne,” she said.
First, a quick history. The Sarkies brothers built the 100-room Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O Hotel), Penang in 1885 and, in 1922, extended the property with 40 more rooms in The Victory Annexe. The Heritage Wing reopened in 2001 after a major refurbishment, while The Victory Annexe reopened last year with thrice the number of rooms (122 suites). It was here that I checked in, after a mere 20-minute drive from the airport. The hotel is located in the heart of George Town and is the only one in this UNESCO World Heritage Site that fronts the Andaman Sea.
Rooms
I stayed in a Corner Suite. At 123m2, it’s wonderfully spacious, with many touches of the colonial era – the claw-footed long bath on black-and-white Victorian floor tiles, white plantation shutters that open to sea views while you luxuriate in the bath, pedestal ceramic basins, lazy ceiling fans, a two-poster bed and many other features. Very charming.
Meeting facilities
The Sarkies knew the value of MICE. They added a grand ballroom to the hotel in 1903 and soon it became the venue for the island’s major official functions, weddings and banquets. With such an illustrious MICE history, I was expecting a lot by way of MICE facilities. I was not disappointed.
The new Victory Annexe offers a ballroom that seats 300 pax for banquets and five meeting rooms that can accommodate 16-150 pax. What I like is they are all sea-facing, with modern, elegant decor. Many of the meeting rooms were occupied that day. In the evening, the hotel was also hosting a festival opening. Big cars were pulling up on its cavernous porch, in them dignitaries and other Who’s Who. Little has changed from the days of the Sarkies.
I took a peek at the grand ballroom in the Heritage Wing which the Sarkies built. It has been renovated of course but the royal boxes, gallery and full stage are still there. Imagine a colonial theme dinner party here, with a few gentlemen and ladies in Victorian costumes fanning themselves away in the royal boxes! The grand ballroom seats 400 pax for banquets. There are also six function rooms accommodating 15-180 pax in the Heritage Wing.
F&B My favourite time of the day was 5pm, when cocktails and canapes are served at The Planters Lounge to guests staying at The Victory Annexe. It’s everyone’s favourite time too, for we were all there in the terrace enjoying wine and sea breezes. The poolside terrace close by offers a lot of privacy and spectacular views of the sunset and the Andaman Sea, a fantastic area for a cocktail party.
No Asian group would not want to miss dining at Sarkies, one of Penang’s best-loved eateries featuring local and international buffet, which has made its new home in The Victory Annexe. An outdoor setting in the gardens on a lovely day or evening would be equally delightful.
For something more elegant and formal, head for 1885 in the Heritage Wing.
If you want to impress a small group of C level executives, do a private, exclusive cocktail/dinner in the expansive balcony of any of the four Corner Suites of The Victory Annexe. The balcony offers a 270-degree view of the sea.
Putrajaya International Convention Centre will host a major Chinese event this year
MyCEB steps up promotional efforts in China to keep the flow of major events coming from first- and second-tier cities, writes S Puvaneswary
Malaysia has seen strong growth in Chinese business events over the last few years, with the average group size expanding from 190 delegates in 2011 to 340 in 2013, according to data collected by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB).
Last year saw two major events from China being held in Malaysia – the 2013 International Dragon Award Annual Conference in August, which drew 5,000 local and international delegates; and the Malaysia-China Economic Summit 2013 in October, which was attended by more than 1,000 business leaders from the two countries. The latter had a VVIP guest list that included China’s president Xi Jinping and Malaysia’s prime minister Najib Razak. Both events were held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
This year will also welcome several big events from China such as the Saw Clansman Association of the State of Malaya at Resorts World Genting, with an estimated 1,000 delegates; and International Chinese Film Festival in May at Putrajaya International Convention Centre, with more than 2,000 delegates from China. In February, Roche Annual Sales Conference was held at KLCC with 1,400 delegates from China.
Attractions and hotels have reported good performance in the business events segment last year and expect to see the same in 2014.
Bill Holman, consultant/director, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, said the number of corporate groups from China has risen year-on-year, with most hailing from first- and second-tier Chinese cities.
The theme park can cater to teambuilding programmes, corporate family days, gala dinners and themed parties. The area by the wave pool can host dinners for 1,500 delegates.
Sheryl Lim, director of business development at Hilton Petaling Jaya, expects to see significant year-on-year growth in the Chinese market this year. “We will be working closely with tourism players to customise solutions for their China bids. (We will) continue to invest in the hotel and leverage Hilton’s global assets, knowledge and resources to emerge as the preferred hotel venue for the MICE sector,” she said.
The property, recently refurbished, boasts a refreshed exterior, lobby and lobby lounge, as well as 18 meeting rooms including a pillarless ballroom for 1,000 delegates in theatre set-up.
To further penetrate the Chinese MICE market this year, MyCEB participated at IT&CM China last month and will conduct roadshows in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing with Malaysian MICE suppliers. It will continue to work with industry partners to host fam trips for corporate clients and key MICE planners, and leverage on Tourism Malaysia’s presence in China as an extended sales team to promote the destination for business events and to obtain leads, said Zulkefli Sharif, MyCEB CEO.
MyCEB has also extended its Malaysia Twin Deal++ subvention programme to events confirmed by June 30, 2014.
However, BMC Travel managing director, Billy Leong, who has noted forward bookings to be slow so far this year, warns that business will be challenging in 2014 due to the stronger Renminbi giving Chinese clients greater buying power and more destination options.
How I did Reckitt Benckiser (Thailand) 2013 Sales Conference
Destination management company, Luxury Tours Malaysia, had only a week to put together the logistics, venue, teambuilding activities and gala dinner for Reckitt Benckiser’s (Thailand) four-day annual sales conference held in Kuala Lumpur in January 2013.
Its manager, Ganneesh Ramaa, said the group of 240 comprising top level management and sales staff, were originally supposed to hold their event in Dubai but changed the venue at the last moment, as a number of delegates could not obtain visa to enter the United Arab Emirates.
He added: “Our partner in Thailand passed this group to us and we immediately set to work. As this was during the peak Chinese New Year holiday season, we had numerous challenges. The client wanted a five star international brand which could cater as the conference and gala dinner venue as well as provide accommodation facilities.
“There were not many five-star international brands at that time which had 180 vacant rooms and conference facilities which were large enough to include 34 tables, in half-moon seating, and a stage.
“We used our good relations with Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel to secure the hotel venue and they were flexible on payment terms and let us have an extra 15 rooms, as additional delegates confirmed their attendance at the last moment.
“They also gave us good rates due to our long-term relationship with them. The biggest challenge was meeting the client’s requirement of having rear projections. For this we had to engage a contractor to build a stage for performance and presentation.
“Getting a contractor was not easy as this was during the holiday season and many contractors were either on leave or were rushing jobs as they had order backlogs to fulfil. Again, through much persuasion we managed to get a contractor to do the necessary within 24 hours.
“For the gala dinner entertainment, we hired Malaysian Drum Symphony and they had two days to coordinate a line-up which showcased drumming from the various ethnic groups in Malaysia.
“We managed to pull off a successful event simply because we had good relationships with our suppliers.”
Delegates who were lucky prize winners at the event
Need to know
Sunway Lagoon’s new draws
Vuvuzela water ride
Sunway Group, which operates the 21-year-old Sunway Lagoon, recently announced it will open Asia’s first Nickelodeon-branded attraction zone within the theme park come March 2015.
Highlighting Nickelodeon’s hit characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Explorers’ Oasis will comprise nine attractions and six rides.
There will be immersive attractions such as the Oasis Lagoon Splash Pad and climbing structure, an interactive water play area using reactive technology, daily signature slime events, retail shops, games and F&B establishments.
The new zone will add to the existing rides and attractions in Sunway Lagoon, which total more than 80 and span over 35 hectares.
Other new attractions to debut in the theme park include a high-dive show at the Giant Surf Pool area from May with 20-minute performances thrice daily as well as Cleopatra’s Adventure within the Scream Park in the second half of 2014.
The only integrated resort city in Selangor is where companies can hold an annual corporate dinner for 1,000 pax and where delegates can eat, shop, ten-pin bowl, catch a live show or the latest movie all in one location.
Swing in style on Langkawi Island
The first Els Club in Asia will open this month on Langkawi Island, giving golf enthusiasts a chance to play on an 18-hole championship golf course nestled in centuries-old lush rainforest with towering tropical foliage, and overlooking the picturesque shores of the Andaman Sea.
The Els Club Teluk Datai is said to be one of the most incredible courses within the Els Club collection.
A private boardroom equipped with the latest in audiovisual technology is available for up to 24 guests.
For more information on Els Club Malaysia, visit www.elsclubmalaysia.com/about.
Silka Cheras opens its doors in April
Adjacent to the newest shopping mall Cheras Sentral, Silka Cheras opened last month, offering 319 guestrooms with four room categories: Superior (26m²); Silka Room (32m²); Studio (38m²) and the open-concept design, Silka Suite (42m²). Facilities include an all-day dining outlet and a function facility for up to 220 people, theatre-style.
The hotel is just a 15-minute drive away from the heart of Kuala Lumpur City Centre and 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Other attractions within a 5km radius include the Alam Damai Recreation Park, Velodrome, National Swimming Centre and Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium.
I-City offers a few tricks up its sleeves
Selangor’s theme park, i-City, will welcome a 240-room Best Western hotel in September as well as a shopping mall and a convention centre in 2017, allowing it to draw more MICE business. Its Wax Museum will have new exhibits this month that are interactive, taking a bow or waving at visitors. Other new attractions that have come online since 2H2013 include the House of Horrors and Trick Art Museum.
The Trick Art Museum renders two-dimensional paintings in three dimensions by creating illusions. Each exhibit looks different when seen from different angles. At a perfect angle from camera lenses, the paintings seem to just ‘jump out’.
The museum comprises five themes, each in a separate room: famous masterpieces, Egyptian lost tomb adventure, animal kingdom, marine life and modern classics. Unlike a real museum, visitors are free to roam around, make as much noise and spend as much time here as they wish. In fact, when posing with exhibits on the floor, they are encouraged to step on them or lie on them to create a realistic photo.
Tickets are at RM10 (US$3) for adults and children. Website: http://i-city.my/tourism
Malaysia Airlines to suspend flights to Los Angeles flights
Malaysia Airlines will suspend its flights into Los Angeles following a route rationalisation exercise effective April 30. The airline will continue to offer one-stop air connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and several major cities in the US through a codeshare arrangement with American Airlines and Japan Airlines, its partner airlines in the Oneworld alliance.
Mega development announced for Malacca
An iconic waterfront development in what is said to be South-east Asia’s largest cluster of islands has been planned for Malacca, featuring an international cruise terminal, a theme park, seven-star hotel and the Malaysia Eye. The RM40 billion Melaka Gateway to be completed by 2025 will comprise one natural and two man-made islands. It is expected to drive home Malacca’s maritime importance through the new Melaka International Cruise Terminal and Ferry Terminal for up to three cruise ships, a world-class maintenance and repair facility for mega yachts, and the region’s largest marina with up to 1,000 berths.
THE Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre has added culturally themed F&B presentations for its conference packages – the Day Conference Packages (DCPs) with a Difference, and Sundown Hour Packages for TenOnCall (TOC) clients.
DCP clients looking to add some colour to their conference can now choose to have a Malay, Chinese, Indian or Western theme for their half or full-day programme.
“The carefully crafted and tailored themes incorporate gastronomically-inspired menus designed to excite, inspire and stimulate the creativity of participants,” said Angeline Lue, the centre’s director of sales & marketing.
Besides the themed menus, which were created by the centre’s 51-strong culinary team, the packages include tailored décor and appropriately attired staff.
DCPs with a Difference now come with free flow coffee and tea for the duration of the event and chilled juices during coffee breaks. These are on top of existing DCPs offerings such as arrival snacks, IT and audiovisual support, free Wi-Fi, a 10 per cent discount for standing lunches, etc.
To round off a day of meetings, the TOC Sundown Hour Packages offer free flow beverages for two hours, a basic PA system and sound technician on standby for a minimum of 50 guests. What’s new is the menu of Asian-inspired mocktails and cocktails with names such as Asian Alchemy, Asian Negroni, Sencha Spice and more.
According to Lue, the centre is always looking “to enhance the guest experience and Malaysia’s rich multicultural heritage proved a fantastic inspiration when we started thinking about upping the game on our already popular Day Conference Packages and TOC offerings.
“This, combined with our Culinaria initiative which places special emphasis on our F&B in order to stand us out from our competitors, provided the perfect opportunity to expand our DCPs and TOC products to give clients more presentation choices in the execution of their meetings and their participants,” Lue added.
A PROVINCE in southern Luzon this week landed an unprecedented three key back-to-back conferences organised by ASEAN and the UN World Tourism Organization (WTO).
Legazpi City in Albay province will host the 40th Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three National Tourism Organizations (May 15-17), the 26th Joint Meeting of the UN World Tourism Organization Commissions for East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia (May 18), and the UNWTO-ASEAN Conference on Tourism and Climate Change (May 19-20).
Commented Maria Ong-Ravanilla, DoT Region V (Bicol) director: “It’s a breakthrough for Albay, which is viewed as something of a dark horse…having been recognised and chosen for these three events is more than enough for us.”
The emerging MICE destination received 800,000 visitors in 2013 for a 66 per cent increase in tourist arrivals over the previous year, Ong-Ravanilla added.
The 115-room Oriental Hotel in the city, which has 2,200m2 of meeting space – including a 1,191 m2 ballroom that can accommodate up to 700 pax for cocktails – will welcome a third of the estimated 1,000 delegates coming to these three events. Remaining delegates will be billeted at the 40-key St Ellis and 40-room Hotel Venezia.
Albay’s natural attractions will come under the spotlight during the conferences through themed dinners at the Cagsawa Ruins, Ligñon Hills, and a tertulia dinner party at the Nuestra Senora de Porteria church in Daraga town.
To further showcase the destination, UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai will be flown to a helipad near the Mayon volcano crater for cocktails with local dignitaries, and then to luxury resort Misibis Bay at nearby Cagraray Island, Ong-Ravanilla said.
ADELAIDE is capturing a slice of the lucrative business market with 86 business events worth more than A$80 million (US$75 million) bagged during the nine months between July 2013 and March 2014.
Events confirmed include Royal Australasian Colleges of Surgeons in 2017 (2,000 pax); two wine industry conferences to be held in 2016 and 2019 (3,000 pax); an international Health Conference in 2016 (700 pax); the 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Clinical Nutrition in 2017 (700 pax); and a national Health Conference in 2015 (800 pax).
A press release from the Adelaide Convention Bureau states that a further 48 events worth another A$83 million are still in the pipeline and will be announced in the next few months.
South Australian Tourism Commission’s destination coordinator, Caitlin Jones, said: “I believe the redevelopment of the Adelaide Convention Centre has been key in attracting all these organisers because it has helped to position us as one of the world’s premier conference centres.”
The A$350 million redevelopment of the convention centre will be done in two stages: the first will expand the existing facility westwards over the railway lines to link with Morphett Street bridge, to be completed later this year; the second, to be finished in 2017, replaces the existing plenary building with a multipurpose, state-of-the-art facility with capacity of up to 3,500 seats.
A key area of interest for Adelaide and South Australia is the health and medical sector. Leon Bignell, South Australia’s tourism minister, said in a press release that the new Royal Adelaide Hospital medical research centre SAHMRI will be an “added draw card” in luring expert conventions to the city.
Highlighting the difference in tourist expenditure, Bignell said business visitors spend on average A$632 per day as opposed to A$179 for a leisure visitor.
To cope with the upcoming influx of visitors, three new hotels, the Quest King William South, the Mayfair and Ibis Adelaide will open later this year, and a A$300 million casino development is underway, which includes plans for a luxury hotel.
MICE from across the border holds steady for Macau despite new tourism laws and restrictions on government travel. By Prudence Lui
Despite many hotel developments in Macau, the destination’s past can still be glimpsed at Senado Square
Despite China’s stringent new tourism laws and restrictions on government travel and event expenditure, Macau – sitting across the border and recipient of a large number of Chinese arrivals – reported growth in its business events sector.
Macau welcomed 1,030 business events in 2013, up eight per cent year-on-year, and attracted more than two million participants to its shores.
Macau Economic Services director, Sou Tim Peng, said this was possible because the new laws and restrictions did not target business travellers.
Sou added that the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, introduced in 2011, had a part to play in the destination’s sturdy MICE performance, as it facilitated the participation of Chinese delegates in conventions and exhibitions held in Macau.
The Convention and Exhibition Stimulation Program was also credited for lifting business events performance.
In 2013, the programme supported 14 events from China, more than it had in 2012. These 14 events drew 15,683 Chinese participants, up 10.5 per cent from the year before.
MGTO director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, said the Convention and Exhibition Stimulation Program had attracted several repeat businesses from the mainland.
“These events see a year-on-year increase in participant numbers. We are also seeing more incentive groups coming from pharmaceutical, IT, transportation and electronics industries,” she said.
Stakeholders in Macau’s MICE sector have also reported upbeat business from across the border.
SmallWORLD Experience CEO, Bruno Simões, has seen more bookings from China, although the market represents a small 15 per cent share in his company’s revenue.
Simões shared an optimistic observation: “The Chinese market is becoming more demanding and spending a bit more. A few years ago, the opportunity to travel is in itself an incentive. Today, many companies must offer unique experiences that their (winners) cannot access on their own.”
MGM Macau enjoyed sustained Chinese MICE performance in 2013 and expects a “small increment in 2014 from the Chinese MICE segment”, said executive director of sales and guest services, Irene Wong.
Macau continues to attract Chinese corporate groups
The Westin Resort Macau reported significant growth from China, especially from Guangdong and Shanghai markets. Director of sales and marketing, Antony E Box, told TTGmice: “We forecast that the Chinese market will continue to generate growth. To ensure this, proactive face-to-face sales development is key to positioning our unique offerings, such as outdoor venues, lush landscaped gardens and opportunities for a variety of teambuilding activities in and around Colane and Macau.”
Galaxy Macau’s assistant vice president of hotel and event sales, Samson Woo, also noted a 20 per cent rise in Chinese MICE spend last year, due to greater demand for activities and entertainment.
Meanwhile, MGTO launched an additional MICE support scheme at the start of 2014. The International Meeting and Trade Fair Support Program provides assistance and financial support to event organisers.
See the other side of Macau
A-Ma Temple, built in 1488, is covered in one of the walking routes
To encourage visitors to explore lesser known quarters in Macau and boost community tourism, the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) unveiled a new programme called Step Out, Experience Macau’s Communities last September.
Four walking routes have been launched under the programme, each designed to cater to specific interests.
For instance, A Tour of Historical Trails takes participants to landmarks that played a prominent role in the destination’s past, such as Avenida da Praia Grande and Praça de Ponte e Horta.
Other walking routes are A Tour of Nature and Creativity, A Tour of East Meets West and A Tour of Arts and Culture.
Tour maps are available in traditional and simplified Mandarin, English and Portuguese. Interested travellers can also get a sneak peak of the various highlights of each of the four routes via videos.
In time to come, MGTO will roll out smartphone applications for the routes and build directional signs and maps at starting and finishing points of the trails.
Bruno Simões, CEO of SmallWORLD Experience in Macau, welcomes Step Out, Experience Macau’s Communities.
“They are great for both incentive groups and leisure travellers,” Simões said.
“In fact, we are using 80 per cent of the featured sites and routes in our own city races and treasure hunts. We are already recommending these routes or something similar to our clients.”
However, not all corporate event specialists are aware of the new programme. Paradigm Consultants International, business development manager, Jake Erlich, is one of them.
Erlich told TTGmice that MGTO should market the programme to event companies if it wants “companies such as ours to develop programmes incorporating these routes”.
“Then we would be more likely to take time to visit (the routes) and consider how we could develop programmes around these locations,” he said. – Prudence Lui
Need to know
Wynn Tower’s winning new look
Wynn Tower at Wynn Macau has been given a facelift. Guestrooms now feature a fresh, light-colour palette as well as wall fabrics, carpets and lamps that were created exclusively for the property. In-room entertainment systems have also been upgraded.
A new experience also awaits guests at the hotel’s spa, which now sports refurbished treatment rooms.
Visit www.wynnmacau.com for more information.
Make movie magic
Galaxy Macau has developed a treasure hunt-style teambuilding activity called Movie Maker, which will see teams roaming the integrated resort with iPads and other tools in hand to help them complete various tasks in their mission and film their activity at the same time. Films made by the different teams will then be edited into a clip that serves as a memory of the group’s stay at Galaxy Macau. Contact (853) 2888-0888 for details.
Go wow at the House of Dancing Water
Grand Hyatt Macau is offering a House of Dancing Water WOW package which includes one night’s accommodation in a Grand Suite King, two tickets to the spectacular House of Dancing Water performance, 500 Hyatt Dollars redeemable at Grand Hyatt Macau’s restaurants and two tickets to the Dragon’s Treasure show.
Package prices vary according to the seat category, from HK$2,633 (US$340) for C-Reserve tickets to HK$3,233 for A-Reserve tickets. Prices excluded a 15 per cent tax. Other terms apply.
ICCA has released its annual ranking on top countries and top cities for international association meetings, with little change in the line-up for top 10 countries but some movement among the most popular cities.
The US, Germany and Spain continue to lead in terms of the number of meetings held in their respective countries each year. The US hosted 829 meetings, Germany welcomed 722 and Spain saw 562.
Meanwhile, Japan and China have made progress by advancing one and two ranks to take seventh and eighth spot respectively. Japan witnessed 342 meetings while China was a hair’s breadth away with 340.
Paris has dislodged Vienna from the number one spot, which that latter has held since 2005 to claim the title as the city with the most meetings. Paris (204 meetings) was number two in 2012.
With 186 meetings last year, Madrid has overtaken Vienna’s 182. Barcelona (179) takes fourth place, followed by Berlin (178) which fell from third to fifth place this year. Singapore holds strong from last year at sixth place with 175 international association meetings while London dropped to seventh (166). Istanbul rose to eighth, leaving top 10 newcomers Lisbon and Seoul to share ninth place.
ICCA’s CEO, Martin Sirk, said: “It shouldn’t be surprising that our 2013 figures have demonstrated the strength of the international association meetings sector, since the overall picture for our industry is significantly better than has been the case for quite some time. But it should be remembered that this is a sector that has shown significant growth in every single year since the financial crisis hit the world economy in 2008.
“The international association meetings sector is a solid, reliable performer, in good times and bad, and the longer term trends are the most critically important factors when preparing strategic plans and investment decisions. I am convinced that every serious meetings destination, internationally ambitious venue, and forward-thinking meetings management company should include international associations in their marketing and development strategies.”
ICCA has released its annual ranking on top countries and top cities for international association meetings, with little change in the line-up for top 10 countries but some movement among the most popular cities.
The US, Germany and Spain continue to lead in terms of the number of meetings held in their respective countries each year. The US hosted 829 meetings, Germany welcomed 722 and Spain saw 562.
Meanwhile, Japan and China have made progress by advancing one and two ranks to take seventh and eighth spot respectively. Japan witnessed 342 meetings while China was a hair’s breadth away with 340.
Paris has dislodged Vienna from the number one spot, which that latter has held since 2005 to claim the title as the city with the most meetings. Paris (204 meetings) was number two in 2012.
With 186 meetings last year, Madrid has overtaken Vienna’s 182. Barcelona (179) takes fourth place, followed by Berlin (178) which fell from third to fifth place this year. Singapore holds strong from last year at sixth place with 175 international association meetings while London dropped to seventh (166). Istanbul rose to eighth, leaving top 10 newcomers Lisbon and Seoul to share ninth place.
ICCA’s CEO, Martin Sirk, said: “It shouldn’t be surprising that our 2013 figures have demonstrated the strength of the international association meetings sector, since the overall picture for our industry is significantly better than has been the case for quite some time. But it should be remembered that this is a sector that has shown significant growth in every single year since the financial crisis hit the world economy in 2008.
“The international association meetings sector is a solid, reliable performer, in good times and bad, and the longer term trends are the most critically important factors when preparing strategic plans and investment decisions. I am convinced that every serious meetings destination, internationally ambitious venue, and forward-thinking meetings management company should include international associations in their marketing and development strategies.”
Obstacles abound, in the form of limited air access and night entertainment, but Brunei MICE sellers are bent on winning over the Chinese, writes S Puvaneswary
Brunei’s lush forests, such as the one in Temburong pictured above, can be explored as part of a pre/post-meeting programme
An Air access and limited entertainment options in Brunei are main obstacles to the Sultanate’s quest for corporate events from China, but local MICE specialists are not letting that stop their courtship of Chinese clients.
Currently, Royal Brunei Airlines is the only airline serving the Bandar Seri Begawan–Shanghai route with three flights weekly. It operates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday using the Airbus 320 with a configuration of 12 business class and 132 economy class seats.
This is the only point in China that Royal Brunei Airlines flies to.
Inbound MICE specialists in Brunei said the destination needed more direct flights to China, especially to first-tier cities, in order to gain a bigger share of the Chinese MICE market.
Khirul Zainie, managing director of MegaBorneo Tour Planner, told TTGmice that he is only targeting small groups of less than 50 people from Shanghai, as securing seats for larger groups is a challenge.
Khirul added that Brunei will be sold as a dual destination, either combined with Malaysia or Singapore. Explaining the rationale, he said: “Brunei lacks attractions that appeal to Chinese MICE travellers such as night entertainment, gaming and drinking. It is easier to sell when Brunei is combined with another destination where travellers can drink, shop and have venues for night entertainment.”
Freme Travel Services manager, inbound and MICE division, Sugumaran Nair, shares Khirul’s contraints with seat capacity.
“If we get a bigger group (of more than 50 pax), we will have to split the group and have the delegates arrive into Brunei in batches,” he said. “We will have a stronger chance of securing more business from first-tier cities like Beijing and Guangzhou if we had direct flights. Most MICE organisers prefer direct flights due to time constraints as the average stay in Brunei is about three days.”
Last year, Freme saw an uptick in incentive business from China over 2012. It is still too early to gauge how 2014 will pan out for the company, but Sugumaran said forward bookings are coming in.
Jodie Chu, tour coordinator for Bon Asia Holidays, said the company had confirmed a number of incentive groups for 2014 with an average of two- to three-day stay. Sabah was usually a popular choice for twin programmes with Brunei, she noted.
Also in on the Chinese MICE action is Orchid Garden Hotel. Mohd Iswandi Maaruf, director of sales, said the hotel is working with inbound operators handling the Chinese market to create conference and leisure packages.
He said the hotel works well for Chinese MICE groups because of its Vanda Chinese Restaurant and proximity to Brunei International Airport and Brunei Convention Centre.
Private MICE stakeholders in Brunei are supported by Brunei Tourism’s efforts to promote the Sultanate as a meetings and incentives destination. The bureau is going direct to the top 1,000 corporate firms in Greater China, most of which are headquartered in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, while its China office will also participate at ITE 2014 in Hong Kong.
A MICE guide has also been produced to raise awareness of the destination and its event infrastructure. It provides meeting planners with details of meeting and convention venues, recreational activities, tourist spots and the range of services and support offered by Brunei Tourism to organisers who are hosting events with international participation.
According to Salinah Salleh, the bureau’s tourism officer for marketing & promotions, Brunei gets more leisure visitors from China, compared to business event travellers.
Brunei lacks statistics on MICE arrivals, although available tourism data showed 26,407 Chinese visitors in the first 10 months of 2013, an increase from 2012 which saw 24,504 arrivals.
Salinah said: “Our goal is to have MICE planners consider Brunei when they are looking for a new destination for incentives, meetings, conferences, product launches or teambuilding activities. Brunei makes a very convenient and refreshing pre/post-conference destination (for events held in) nearby meeting capitals such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok.”
Salinah also recommended twinning Brunei with Sabah or Bali for programmes that feature the sun and the sea, or with Dubai for a desert and jungle experience, or use Brunei as a stopover for groups travelling to and from Australia or New Zealand.
Need to know
Get back to nature
City folks attending meetings in Brunei should take the chance to get closer to Mother Nature. Start the day with morning tea at a local restaurant in Bangar, the capital of Temburong district, then continue onwards to Batang Duri Village.
Light refreshments at Freme Rainforest Lodge can be arranged, before proceeding further on to Bukit Patoi Forest Reserve. Here, stroll down the wooden walkways to the Canopy for a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and enjoy the serenity.
Return to Freme Rainforest Lodge for lunch. For groups with energetic delegates, a series of outdoor teambuilding activities can be planned for the afternoon.
Contact Freme Travel Services at fremeinb@brunet.bn for arrangements.
Shopping like a local
One of the best ways to see how the locals live is to visit the local market. The Kg Kianggeh Open Air Market is a lively place where a wide selection of fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood are sold by friendly merchants. Some stalls also sell fresh coconut and sugar cane juices, as well as grilled fish, offering shoppers an opportunity to snack as they explore the market.
A taste of Indonesian cuisine
Considered one of Brunei’s most established Indonesian restaurants, Pondok Sari Wangi specialises in dishes from Java, Padang and Sulawesi. Ayam penyet (flattened crispy, fried chicken), ayam rendang (chicken cooked in a rich and spicy coconut sauce), tahu telur (beancurd omelette) and beef satay come highly recommended. Pondok Sari Wangi has three branches across Brunei, in Gadong, Sengkurong and Citi Square.
Explore a night market
Besides visiting a local market, visitors to Brunei should make time for a walk through Pasar Malam Gadong, or Gadong night market. For just a few dollars, one can load up on freshly cooked local favourites such as hati buyah (stir-fried slices of beef lungs) and pulut panggang (rice and prawns or beef wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over fire).
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