Philip Yu has taken over as general manager of the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. Yu first joined Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in 2007 as resident manager, part of the opening team of the Hyatt on the Bund, Shanghai, and has assumed a number of other roles since. He was last general manager of Hyatt Regency Hangzhou.
HONG KONG – Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
INDIA – Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation
Vinod Ajmera has been promoted to managing director of of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. He was executive director as well as additional director for tourism with the Rajasthan government.
INDONESIA – Raffles Jakarta
Richard Schestak has moved from Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh in Cambodia to oversee the opening of Raffles Jakarta in the position of general manager.
MALAYSIA – Hilton Petaling Jaya
Charles Marshall is now general manager of Hilton Petaling Jaya. Marshall has over 30 years of hospitality experience and was most recently general manager for Crowne Plaza in Kuala Lumpur.
SINGAPORE – Parkroyal on Beach Road in Singapore
David Donald is now general manager of Parkroyal on Beach Road in Singapore. He was previously general manager of the 196-room Parkroyal hotel in Parramatta in the Greater Sydney area.
SINGAPORE – Fairmont Singapore & Swissôtel The Stamford
Fairmont Singapore & Swissôtel The Stamford has promoted Ng Sok Hia to executive assistant manager, sales & marketing. She was previously director of sales & marketing for the hotel complex.
SINGAPORE – Sofitel So Singapore
Sofitel So Singapore has named Jessica Khoo director of sales and business development. Khoo has held directorial positions in sales and marketing for hospitality bigwigs such as The Ascott and The Millennium & Copthorne Group.
THAILAND – Centara Hotels & Resorts
Jamie Crisp has been nominated director of sales for the Maldives, Centara Hotels & Resorts. Based at Centara’s headquarters in Bangkok, Crisp will be responsible for the company’s three resort properties in the Maldives. He was last director of sales for Evason & Six Senses Resorts in Hua Hin.
THAILAND – Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has picked hotel veteran Jesselyn Koh as general manager of the hotel group’s first Four Points by Sheraton property in Thailand, Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15. Koh was most recently general manager of Four Points by Sheraton Qingdao, China.
Asia, Europe fuel MICE growth for Thailand
SPURRED by strong demand from Asian feeder markets and expanding trade from Europe, Thailand’s MICE industry grew 12 per cent over the past three quarters, chalking up a revenue of 64.3 billion baht (US$2 billion), according to the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
TCEB is confident the industry will bring 940,000 delegates to the country with a revenue of 88 billion baht this financial year which ends in October.
Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, TCEB’s president, said: “We expect the fourth quarter shall bring (similar) growth. The progress will be (driven) by the execution of strategic marketing movements… as well as the strengthening of Thai MICE to tackle the launch of AEC (Asean Economic Community in 2015),” he said.
International conventions were the key driver of the industry’s growth during the first three quarters of the current financial year, drawing 223,463 delegates, or 29.9 per cent of total MICE arrivals, and generating a revenue of 22.1 billion baht. Incentives drew 196,088 travellers (26.3 per cent), generating 12.5 billon baht, followed by meetings (174,701 delegates,18.2 billion baht) and international exhibitions (152,820 delegates, 11.5 billion baht).
Asia accounted for 72.7 per cent of MICE travellers (543,016 delegates), delivering revenue of 46.8 billion baht. During the same period, 83,772 European delegates visited Thailand, generating 7.2 billion baht, while MICE arrivals from the US was 43,165, contributing 3.7 billion baht.
Thailand-based DMCs have witnessed similar trends.
James Drysdale, director of Inspired Event Travel, told TTGmice e-Weekly: “The MICE market has been very buoyant, driven primarily from the Asian markets. We have seen both conference and incentive groups coming into Thailand from Australia, the UK, Europe and the US, so while Asia is the larger of the feeder markets, the other markets are performing too. Yields from Australia, the UK and the US remain higher than Asia, as has typically been the case.”
“Quoting activity is up on prior years. However, we are seeing significant downward pressure on costs. Clients are looking more than ever to maximise the reach for their spend,” he added.
Asian Trails also saw growth in its MICE business but had not experienced shortening lead times from Asian clients, which is an emerging trend across the industry.
Reviews
Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
A versatile powerhouse
Arena @ Expo, a multipurpose concert hall at the Singapore Expo is a flexible space for high octane concerts and lifestyle events.
Amari Bangkok
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
