STEEP hikes in domestic airfares, by as much as 29 per cent quarter-on-quarter according to American Express India, have forced companies to replace air travel with train journeys.

Anurag Agarwal, managing director of Southend Travels, who has seen a drop of 15 to 20 per cent in air ticketing volume, told TTGmice e-Weekly: “The corporate sector has become more cautious, a result of steep domestic fares (and) little difference in fares offered by low-cost carriers and full-service carriers. In some sectors, fares are higher on low-cost carriers.

“Companies have cut down on non-essential travel. Train travel has also become more popular especially in areas where there are rapid train services such as Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express.”

Subhash Verma, chairman of Travel Plus and president of the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India, has also observed a shift to train rides among corporate clients, along with a three per cent decline in domestic travel within India.

Verma said, “Corporates are looking at cost-cutting measures. They are trying to switch junior staff to train travel.”

On the weekend before the festival of Diwali, which falls on November 13 this year, airfares between Mumbai and Delhi on low-cost carriers such as GoAir and Indigo have reached as high as Rs16,000 (US$298), while Air India is charging Rs7,000.

In contrast, an air-conditioned, first class ride onboard the Rajdhani Express for the same sector costs the traveller only Rs4,000.

Sandeep Shastri, vice president and general manager of Global Business Travel, American Express India, said: “The increase in travel demand, inflation, reduction in flight capacity and flight network disruptions are some of the contributing factors to the increase in airfares. We believe that the environment will continue to be dynamic, and to stabilise business travel expenses, companies should look at cost-effective travel programmes and execute multi-year contracts with key domestic and international carriers.”

MACAU Government Tourist Office (MGTO) deputy director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, will replace Joao Manuel Costa Antunes as director on December 20.

Antunes stepped into the role in April 1988.

In an interview with Teledifusão de Macau, Macau government Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U, explained that the arrangement was a normal change in personnel.

Antunes told TTGmice e-Weekly: “(Following the succession), I will continue my public career as the full-time coordinator for the Macau Grand Prix Committee, and focus on preparations for the 60th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix.

“I am proud to say that the past 25 years in MGTO have been the best period of my life. This experience gives me great pride and satisfaction to move on in my public and private life. I know that I couldn’t have achieved this without the efforts and support of my colleagues and industry partners.”

THE NEXT ICCA Congress will be held in China for the first time when it heads to Shanghai in 2013.

The event is expected to draw 800 to 1,000 delegates from more than 80 countries and regions. Shanghai International Convention Center has been selected as venue for the congress, which will run from November 2 to 6 next year.

To draw attention to the 52nd congress in 2013, the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration (SMTA) staged a presentation and reception during the closing ceremony of ICCA Congress 2012 on October 24 in San Juan.

Shen Shanzhou, vice chairman of SMTA, said: “The ICCA Congress has never been to mainland China before. We believe the 52nd ICCA Congress will be a milestone and an occasion that new horizons will be explored for the future development of the meetings industry in China.”

MALAYSIAN event and exhibition contractor, Instant Tradeshows & Exhibitions, has developed a mobile application that guides users to fairs and exhibitions in the destination.

Called MyExpo, the free application provides details such as floor plans, special promotions and short video footages of fair and exhibitions that are due to take place in Malaysia.

K Kaarthik, managing director of Instant Tradeshows & Exhibitions, said the application was developed with the intention of informing the public about upcoming events.

Kaarthik is now in talks with show organisers in the ASEAN region and India to have their conferences listed on MyExpo.

Meanwhile, the company is also obtaining 10 units of modular double-decker booths from Germany. The 4m by 8m booths, which can be conveniently assembled and dismantled according to international safety standards, will be made available for rental from January 2013.

BANYAN Tree Hotels and Resorts has opened its first urban resort property in China.

Located along the Huangpu River, the Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund offers 130 guest rooms, four F&B outlets, the signature Banyan Tree Spa which will span three floors within the hotel, and four meeting rooms that can be configured to accommodate 10 to 90 guests.

Pancho Llamas, general manager of the hotel, said: “Following the success of our group’s three other urban resorts – in Bangkok, Macau and Seoul – Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund capitalises on our core brand value of rejuvenation and offers a sanctuary for the senses within the context of Shanghai’s vast urban cityscape.

“Business and leisure travellers may take advantage of our many amenities and facilities, such as an award-winning spa, a multitude of dining venues and various meeting spaces, during their visit.”

SCOTT Boyes, regional general manager of Accor NSW and ACT, has been elected to the Business Events Sydney’s (BESydney) Board of Directors following its annual general meeting on Tuesday.

He will take on the role of members director, after having received the most votes from BESydney’s strategic partner and members.

Gary Daly, general manager sales of Luna Park, and Kate Smith, managing director of WaldronSmith, are other members directors on the board.

PAHANG’S Bukit Gambang Resort City (BGRC), said to be the largest water theme park resort in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, has set its sights on the international MICE market to fill its inventory of event spaces.

First launched in 2009, BGRC opened a dedicated MICE centre in May, offering 10 meeting rooms and a pillarless grand ballroom that can seat 3,100 people in a banquet setting. The massive ballroom gained fame recently when it made its way into the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest pillarless ballroom in the country.

With the opening of the dedicated MICE centre, the resort city now boasts 31 event spaces including those in the Caribbean Bay Suites and Bukit Gambang Water Park Visitor Centre, and is supported by 1,866 guest rooms in Caribbean Bay Suites and the new-build Arabian Bay Resort.

BGRC’s current business mix comprises 60 per cent MICE and 40 per cent leisure, and guests are predominantly locals. But it is looking to capture more international interest.

Karen Tan, spokesperson of BGRC, said business and leisure travellers from China, India and Singapore were on its radar, and efforts to connect with these markets include participation in travel trade fairs and organisation of familiarisation trips for MICE planners.

BGRC will add 11 break-out rooms to its inventory next year, while a safari park, focused on education and conservation, will open in 2Q2013.

THE 695-room pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon, slated for a summer 2013 opening, has appointed Andy So as general manager.

So brings 24 years of hotel experience to his new role. Prior to joining pentahotels, he was executive assistant manager, sales and marketing for Grand Hyatt Macau; opening team director of sales and marketing for Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsimshatsui; and director of sales and marketing for Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong.

The soon-to-open property will boast a full floor of meeting and function space, as well as recreational facilities such as a gym and an outdoor pool.

ROYAL Cliff Hotels Group and Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (PEACH) in Thailand have collectively rolled out a new meeting package that will be valid for events taking place between January 16 and May 31 next year.

Called the Royal Cliff Ultratech Meeting Package, the offer is priced at 1,700 baht (US$55) per person per day for the full-day package and 1,500 baht per person per day for the half-day alternative.

The half-day package includes use of a meeting room, one coffee break, buffet (a minimum of 40 pax is required) or set lunch with a customisable menu, four hours of Wi-Fi access, standard meeting stationery, slide and overhead projector, video conferencing facilities, a standard sound system, among other things.

The full-day package offers the same inclusions, but with an additional coffee break and double the duration for Wi-Fi access.

A minimum guarantee of 15 people is required for event organisers to access the Royal Cliff Ultratech Meeting Package. Other terms apply.