HYATT Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui has rolled out its Summer Executive Meeting Plan, which will be available to event planners from April to August this year.

Priced at HK$750 (US$96.60) per person, the package includes the use of meeting venues and technology and communications equipment, wireless broadband Internet access, one business lunch and two themed coffee breaks with a selection of refreshments. Terms apply and prices are subject to a 10 per cent service charge.

The hotel supports event planners with a suite of meeting spaces on the lobby level. The pillarless Regency Ballroom, set over 335m², can accommodate up to 400 guests and be partitioned into two smaller venues. There are also five salons, each ideal for small meetings and intimate gatherings. Salon I, II and III may be combined to accommodate up to 217 guests while Salon IV and V can take up to 64 guests.

Email hongkong.tsimshatsui@hyatt.com for more details.

PACIFIC World has hired Ville Mineurn as destination manager for England, setting the stage for its final phase of expansion in Europe, which has resulted in the opening of offices in Paris and Monaco earlier this year.

Mineurn will be based in London.

Pacific World’s EMEA regional director, Shaun Casey, said: “As an organisation, Pacific World is unique in the fact that it is the talent which we acquire that drives the business forward. Our strategic expansion into new destinations is dictated entirely by the knowledge and expertise of our staff. We are very excited to welcome (Mineurn) on board, allowing Pacific World to bring clients to one of the top MICE destinations in the world.”

THE refurbished 560-key Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur is gunning for more corporate clients in order to increase yield and maintain consistent business year-round.

According to Mohan Bhanu, director of sales for MICE, the hotel intends to raise its corporate contribution from 20 per cent of the business today to 60 per cent by the end of 2013.

To do so, the hotel is reaching out directly to companies and has also teamed up with Express Rail Link to provide accommodation for the latter’s VIP service package.

Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur is also leveraging on its proximity to the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) to attract corporate groups, said Mohan, adding that “we bring along PWTC’s corporate e-brochures when we go for international travel trade shows to promote their meeting facilities with our hotel offerings”.

Mohan said he would market the convention and exhibition centre to event organisers who had groups that were larger than what the hotel’s ballroom could accommodate.

PWTC has more than 23 million square metres of exhibition space, while the hotel has a ballroom that can seat 600 people in theatre-style.

THE Ascott has expanded its global network of Citadines serviced residences to Indonesia and Malaysia, with the opening of a property in Jakarta and Kuching.

With the 153-unit Citadines Rasuna Jakarta and the 215-unit Citadines Uplands Kuching, Ascott now has a total of 59 Citadines properties in operation across 31 cities in Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Citadines Rasuna Jakarta is located in the city’s central business district, putting guests within walking distance to embassies and office towers and in close proximity to retail and entertainment centres. It offers studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments that come with a fully-equipped kitchen, separate dining and living areas as well as modern amenities such as complimentary Internet access and home entertainment system.

Citadines Uplands Kuching also enjoys a prime location in Jalan Simpang Tiga, a hub for education and local federal government administration, and is a 15-minute drive from the Kuching International Airport, Borneo Convention Centre and Samajaya Free Industrial Zone. It offers a range of studios to two-bedroom units.

Chong Kee Hiong, Ascott CEO, said: “We have increasingly been getting requests from property owners for the brand, due to its popularity among savvy independent travellers. These travellers value urban living in prime locations and the flexibility to choose the services they require to personalise their stay experience. To cater to the demand, we will be opening 13 more Citadines in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Germany by 2015.”

Alfred Ong, the company’s managing director for South-east Asia and Australia, said: “Citadines Rasuna Jakarta and Citadines Uplands Kuching complement our existing Ascott and Somerset serviced residences in Indonesia and Malaysia, allowing us to reach out to a wider segment of customers.

They also reinforce Ascott’s position as the largest international serviced residence owner-operator with 10 properties in each of these countries. This positions us for stronger growth in Indonesia and Malaysia, where demand for serviced residences continue to rise on the back of strong economic fundamentals and high foreign direct investments.”

Ascott will further its expansion in Indonesia and Malaysia with Ascott Kuningan Jakarta and Ascott Sentral Kuala Lumpur this year; Ascott Waterplace Surabaya and Somerset Kencana Jakarta in Indonesia, and Citadines D’Pulze Cyberjaya and Somerset Puteri Harbour Iskandar in Malaysia in 2014; Citadines Marvell Surabaya in Indonesia and Somerset Medini Iskandar in Malaysia in 2015; and Somerset Damansara Uptown Petaling Jaya in Malaysia 2016.

THE Lost World of Tambun theme park in Perak, Malaysia is seeking to net a greater share of medium and longhaul MICE business, with sights specifically set on central Europe, China, India and the Middle East.

According to Calvin Ho, general manager of the Lost World of Tambun, the park aims to increase the medium and longhaul markets from the current five per cent to 40 per cent by 2015.

Currently, domestic tourists comprise 75 per cent of visitors to the park while regional tourists from South-east Asia make up 20 per cent.

Said Ho: “The Euro is down and the world economy has not fully recovered, but there are still able travellers. Perak is under-visited, and Malaysia on the whole is an affordable destination where travellers can get more out of their money.”

Aside from attracting families and eco-enthusiasts with its leisure and natural offerings, the theme park is keen to woo MICE visitors.

“We would like to grow the MICE component as it is a high-yield segment,” said Ho.

A 175-room Lost World Hotel is equipped with meeting facilities, and there is also an on-site teambuilding park with outdoor facilities such as a 13m high rope course and rock climbing activity with natural abseil.

To ramp up awareness of the Lost World of Tambun, which is also a member of the Sunway Group, Ho said there were plans to kickstart inaugural efforts to exhibit at international travel trade shows such as World Travel Market and Arabian Travel Market this year.

To further grow the longhual MICE segment, the destination will work on joint advertising with travel consultants, and organise media and agent familiarisation trips.

“Going for us are 1.5-hour direct flights from Singapore to Ipoh and we are just a two-hour drive from Penang and Kuala Lumpur,” Ho added.

“There are several theme parks in Malaysia but we are very unique with nine natural hot spring pools of various temperatures ranging from 37 degrees to 54 degrees, plus we are surrounded by a 400 million-year-old limestone mountain.”

BUSINESS Events Geelong, which represents Geelong and the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, has launched a new website to simplify the process of placing an event in the destination.

In the press statement, the MICE bureau said the new website – www.businesseventsgeelong.com.au – was designed for both experienced and first-time event planners. It features a number of planning tools to make the job of placing an event in the region easier, including a streamlined RFP function, which allows Business Events Geelong to tailor a personalised response to all requests.

The site also utilises a responsive web technology which intuitively configures the screen information to suit the device on which it is being used.

Visitors are also able to access all online content for free, including the bi-monthly newsletter, latest business events news, planner guides and Great Deals offered by venues and services.

Convention bureau manager, Terry Hickey, said: “We see www.businesseventsgeelong.com.au as a one-stop shop, with all information available within three or four keystrokes.”

GRAND Hyatt Hong Kong has introduced two new activities that will bring a touch of entertainment to meetings at the hotel.

Aimed at keeping meeting delegates refreshed and alert throughout the event, the Plateau Spa Rejuvenating Break offers a neck and shoulder massage or hand massage. Meeting planners who take this option will see the coffee break area transformed into a relaxing spa lounge, with aromatic candles and soothing music to set the ambience.

The Plateau Spa Rejuvenating Break is available at the supplement rate of HK$880 (US$113.40) for a 20-minute session, including two skilled therapists working in five-minute blocks.

The Wine Tasting Session aims to bond team-mates through a fun and educational wine appreciation activity led by the hotel’s own sommelier and wine ambassadors.

Held during meeting breaks, this 20-mimute activity includes two selected wines and is available at the supplement rate of HK$800.

All rates are subjected to a 10 per cent tax, and a minimum of six to a maximum of 12 guests is allowed for each activity.

JACQUES Arnoux, who founded Pacific World in Hong Kong in 1981, will retire from the company on March 31 this year.

Under his leadership Pacific World expanded across Asia becoming the leading MICE business in the region. Jacques was instrumental in Pacific World’s strategic development, selling the business to First Choice in 2006 (now part of TUI Travel).

Arnoux remained managing director until October 1, 2011 and became a member of the Non-Executive Board. In this role he accompanied the transformation of the company to a global player through a rebranding exercise in November 2011.

David Schelp, Pacific World chairman, said in a press statement: “Jacques is one of the icons in the MICE industry. He led the way 30 years ago, spotting the opportunities with the Pacific World brand. His long and successful career and wealth of expertise and knowledge is valued by all.”

Arnoux commented: “Seeing the business grow from one office in Hong Kong to having a presence in 16 countries has been a fantastic experience. I would like to thank the many colleagues, clients and suppliers that have contributed and supported me over the years. I am sure that Pacific World will have a prosperous and successful future.”

THE 532-key Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal opened its doors on Tuesday, with facilities catering to both leisure and business travellers.

Inspired by 15th to early 17^th century Renaissance architecture and the urban planning of the city of Venice, the hotel is located at the waterfront and consists of ten stately buildings arranged in a crescent formation.

Beautifully manicured lawns, unique water features and private beaches are some of the many highlights of the luxury property, which overlooks a 1,600m² pool and is backed by the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

“We are delighted to open our first hotel in the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi, a city we have waited to be in until finding absolutely the right location,” said Herve Humler, president and COO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, in a press statement.

Guests can choose to stay in rooms, suites or villas with one and two bedrooms, spacious outdoor terraces, separate arrival palazzo and private butler service.

The Ritz-Carlton Club Level provides a dedicated concierge, private check-in and five F&B offerings throughout the day within an exclusive lounge boasting panoramic views of the property, canal and city skyline.

Event planners can utilise the hotel’s 1,550m² Roma Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 900 guests and is divisable by three. There are also two expansive marble foyers with natural daylight, 14 meeting rooms and a traditional majlis.

Other facilities include 10 restaurants and bars, including three signature restaurants created by award-winning Japanese designer Super Potato.

ALMOST nine months after the opening of Gardens by the Bay on June 29 last year, interest from organisers of private and public events are still looking strong, said a representative of the attraction.

Darren Oh, assistant director (business), Gardens by the Bay, said: “All new venues tend to be highly sought after in the first six months, and Gardens by the Bay was no exception. We were swamped with event enquiries at the start. But now, after passing the sixth-month mark, we are still very much in demand.

“We find ourselves having to limit the number of events here to three a week, so as not to overload our operations team.”

Oh added that the horticulture attraction was able to maintain its popularity among event organisers due to its proximity to many quality hotels and convention centres, as well as “good word of mouth”.

He said: “Moreover, there is nothing else like Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. Our venues are different in nature, so we are able to cater to a wide range of events.”

Gardens by the Bay’s largest event space, The Meadow, with standing capacity for 30,000 people, has been booked for family day carnivals, sports events and concerts. Silver Leaf, an outdoor space surrounded by towering Supertrees, has hosted several private corporate parties and banquets.

Corporate demand for the indoor Flower Field Hall within the iconic Flower Dome is strong too, with many clients choosing to feature a tour of the chilly conservatory, which replicates the cool-dry climate of Mediterranean regions, with their banquet or award ceremony.

Event organisers who rent the Flower Field Hall for functions with at least 300 guests can purchase entrance tickets to the Flower Dome at a discounted rate of S$10 per pax.

“As the Flower Dome closes at 21.00, events that start late can have the entire venue to themselves,” said Oh.

Oh revealed that Gardens by the Bay “has many venues with the potential to host private events” and there are plans to “open more for commercial use eventually”.