Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan in Sabah has appointed Syntio Camilleri as general manager and Elsie Boon as director of business development. Camilleri was general manager of Sheraton Bandung, while Boon was director of business development at Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu.
Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan
Sutera Harbour Resort
Nicolas Reschke is now group director of sales & marketing with Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Reschke joins from Courtyard by Marriott Nusa Dua in Bali, where he was director of sales and marketing.
The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort Langkawi
The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort Langkawi has appointed Norsidah Ahmad as its new director of sales & marketing. Norsidah’s career in hospitality spans 10 years across Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Prior to this new role, she was the complex director of sales for the Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort and Four Points by Sheraton Langkawi Resort.
Hansar Hotels Group
Hansar Hotels Group has appointed Indra Budiman as CEO. He was general manager of Hansar Samui Resort at Bophut Beach. He has 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, gained through properties such as Sheraton Bandung, Le Méridien Singapore, Four Seasons Jakarta and Hôtel de la Paix in Siem Reap.
The Peninsula Bangkok
The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels has appointed Katja Henke general manager of The Peninsula Bangkok, replacing Nicolas Beliard who will be transferred to The Peninsula Paris from January 1, 2013. Henke will rise to this new role from her position as hotel manager of The Peninsula Shanghai.
Crowne Plaza Danang
Crowne Plaza Danang has appointed Adwin Chong general manager. Chong has more than 25 years of experience in hospitality and F&B management. He joins from Crowne Plaza Resort Xishuangbanna in China, where he was executive assistant manager.
Park Hyatt Saigon
Park Hyatt Saigon has made Marco Torre executive sous chef. Torre will be in charge of the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Opera, and the Events Kitchen. He started his culinary career working in a number of Michelin-star restaurants throughout different regions in Italy, such as Lake Garda. He was last with Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
Sydney pumps US$1.6 million into attracting conferences
HAVING identified the conference segment as an important income generator, the City of Sydney is poised to invest A$1.5 million (US$1.6 million) in Business Events Sydney (BESydney).
Over the next three years, the independent, non-profit organisation will receive A$500,000 annually to promote Sydney as a global business events destination.
During the last financial year, BESydney secured 103 events for the city, which will bring in roughly A$225.6 million in economic gain and 58,000 visitors in the coming years.
Deputy premier of New South Wales (NSW), Andrew Stoner, who will be leading the development of the new Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct, said: “Business event delegates stay, shop, eat, celebrate, explore in our city, helping to drive demand for our tourism providers.
“As part of an aligned economic development strategy, these events also stimulate trade and investment opportunities for local businesses, fuel knowledge exchange, and more broadly promote innovation and productivity.”
CEO of BESydney, Lyn Lewis-Smith, said the increased support was the final piece in the puzzle in the city’s efforts to secure more business events.
“Our future success will be underpinned by a whole-of-city approach to attracting, winning and delivering world-class conference, corporate meetings and incentive programmes,” she added.
Sydney pumps US$1.6 million into attracting conferences
HAVING identified the conference segment as an important income generator, the City of Sydney is poised to invest A$1.5 million (US$1.6 million) in Business Events Sydney (BESydney).
Over the next three years, the independent, non-profit organisation will receive A$500,000 annually to promote Sydney as a global business events destination.
During the last financial year, BESydney secured 103 events for the city, which will bring in roughly A$225.6 million in economic gain and 58,000 visitors in the coming years.
Deputy premier of New South Wales (NSW), Andrew Stoner, who will be leading the development of the new Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct, said: “Business event delegates stay, shop, eat, celebrate, explore in our city, helping to drive demand for our tourism providers.
“As part of an aligned economic development strategy, these events also stimulate trade and investment opportunities for local businesses, fuel knowledge exchange, and more broadly promote innovation and productivity.”
CEO of BESydney, Lyn Lewis-Smith, said the increased support was the final piece in the puzzle in the city’s efforts to secure more business events.
“Our future success will be underpinned by a whole-of-city approach to attracting, winning and delivering world-class conference, corporate meetings and incentive programmes,” she added.
Business travel demand steady but unlikely to grow: Advito
DEMAND for business travel for 2013 will hold steady amid poor global economic conditions, but is unlikely to chart any significant growth, according to a recently updated forecast by Advito, BCD Travel’s independent consulting unit.
Advito has based its predictions on the assumption that economic fears regarding the eurozone and China will not come true, though these concerns themselves will tame demand.
It expects the number of flights to grow in 2013, but by less than between 2010 and 1Q2012. Within the Asia-Pacific region, the report stated that Asia-based airlines would struggle to maintain profitable and deal with “the twin competitive threats of low-cost and Middle Eastern carriers”. Traditional Asian carriers were thus unlikely to increase capacity significantly.
Meanwhile, Advito has maintained its original forecast of moderate airfare increases in the coming year as a result of stable oil prices and strong demand relative to supply. Year-on-year increases will be smaller compared to over the last three years. Asia-Pacific, specifically, will see prices of air tickets climb four to five per cent due to expectations of strong long-term growth.
On the hotels front, demand is forecast to follow an upward trajectory in Asia-Pacific. On a global basis, the report said 2013 would likely see the “fiercest negotiations between hotel companies and their corporate clients” and hotels would see rate increases higher than 2012 although “not as much as they are looking for”. Limited new supply has created more of a seller’s market, but demand is still not as robust as suppliers would like, it explained.
Hoteliers looking for an eight to nine per cent rise in negotiated rates will have to settle for five to seven per cent instead, said the report.
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