Marriott Bonvoy Events rolls out new offer for corporates

February 25, 2026

Screen Shot 2026-02-16 at 4.10.19 PM_640 — Marriott recognises the importance of shared experiences in forging lasting connections

Marriott Bonvoy Events has unveiled its 2026 APEC Group & Catering Offer – Where Connections Create Possibilities – across participating properties in Asia Pacific, excluding Greater China.

Designed for the 2026 rebound in regional business travel, the promotion provides Marriott Bonvoy members with double points and a five per cent discount on master-billed rooms for group stays. Organisers can further customise their value by choosing between complimentary room nights or welcome drinks for their attendees.

Marriott recognises the importance of shared experiences in forging lasting connections

To simplify logistics, the offer integrates ResLink, a digital tool that allows guests to book contracted rates directly through a customised event link. Moreover, organisers utilising ResLink for their entire group block can earn up to 20,000 bonus points. This commitment to value extends to catering-only events, which also qualify for double points, a five per cent discount, and complimentary welcome drinks for all guests.

Beyond standard incentives, the 2026 programme addresses modern bleisure and ESG trends. Participating hotels may offer discretionary rewards such as locally inspired experiences, exclusive leisure privileges, or complimentary carbon offset options.

Full details and specific rewards are subject to individual hotel terms and conditions.

Amari Bangkok names new GM

By TTGmice

February 25, 2026

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Amari Bangkok has appointed Jose Luis Duran Sanles as its general manager.

He brings over 15 years of hospitality experience and most recently served as general manager of Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel.

His career includes leadership roles at Anantara Siam Bangkok, Shangri-La Bangkok, and Conrad Seoul.

oneworld welcomes new CEO

By TTGmice

February 25, 2026

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oneworld has appointed Ole Orvér as its CEO, effective April 1, 2026.

Orvér brings more than 20 years of aviation experience and most recently served as chief commercial officer at Finnair.

Prior to this, he was senior vice president – network management at Qatar Airways and has held leadership roles at Air Berlin, LOT Polish Airlines, and SAS Scandinavian Airlines.

International boxing convention spotlights Vietnam’s growing status in the sport

By TTGmice

February 25, 2026

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The Grand Ho Tram muay thai boxing sport tourism — The Grand Ho Tram hosts bi-monthly muay thai, MMA, boxing and kickboxing events

Brought to you by The Grand Ho Tram

The Grand Ho Tram hosts bi-monthly muay thai, MMA, boxing and kickboxing events

Vietnam’s boxing scene has been growing steadily in recent years, making it a strong contender for the sport in the region.

Amidst the country’s rise in the sport and growing popularity as a tourism destination, the 41st Annual Convention of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) will be held in Vietnam, and in South-east Asia, for the first time.

Scheduled from May 24 to May 28, 2026, the convention will take place at The Grand Ho Tram, following a competitive RFP bidding process held in July 2025. The IBF Annual Convention is a key event that brings together world champions, managers, promoters, and boxing officials from around the globe to discuss regulations, rankings, and the future of professional boxing.

For The Grand Ho Tram, being selected as the official venue sponsor reflects its growing reputation as a venue capable of supporting specialist sporting conventions that require both operational reliability and an international-standard setting.

“Being selected by the IBF affirms the international standards of our facilities and services. We are proud to see Vietnam emerging as a choice destination – not only for tourism, but also as a host for top-tier professional sporting events,” said Walt Power, CEO of The Grand Ho Tram.

Official press conference announcing the appointment of The Grand Ho Tram as the official venue sponsor for the 41st IBF Annual Convention; The Grand Ho Tram CEO Walt Power pictured third from left

Located approximately two hours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Grand Ho Tram is an integrated resort comprising InterContinental Grand Ho Tram, Holiday Inn Resort Ho Tram Beach, and Ixora Ho Tram by Fusion, offering more than 1,250 keys. This scale allows organisers to accommodate delegates, meetings and official functions within a single destination, streamlining logistics for international events.

As the official venue sponsor, The Grand Ho Tram will be hosting the Opening Welcome cocktail, Meet the Champions Event, and Gala dinner.

The resort’s experience in hosting sporting events also factored into the IBF’s decision. It currently stages bi-monthly muay thai, mixed martial arts and kickboxing events,

“Having supported such sporting events in the past, the hotel teams are familiar with the requirements and set up for such events.The ballrooms, outdoor venues and our international hotels (Intercontinental and Holiday Inn) were key consideration factors for the IBF,” said Timothy Tan, vice president of Sales & Marketing, The Grand Ho Tram.

He added that the resort is working with IBF to ensure the participants experience the vibrant culture of Vietnam through the property’s culinary offerings and entertainment options.

With around 300 international delegates expected, the IBF Convention is also expected to benefit Vietnam’s sports and tourism industries.

Lim Song, the organiser’s representative instrumental in bringing the event to Vietnam, added: “The IBF Convention is not just about boxing; it’s a cultural and economic bridge. Our goal is to leverage this event to boost Vietnam’s sports and tourism industries, placing the country at the centre of the world boxing map.”

For more information about what The Grand Ho Tram offers, visit thegrandhotram.com.

Design Hotels appoints Asia Pacific senior director

By TTGmice

February 23, 2026

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Design Hotels has named Aik Wee Ong as senior director Asia Pacific, strengthening its leadership team in the region.

He most recently served as deputy managing director at a Singapore-based design-and-build studio, where he led a multidisciplinary team and supported business growth.

Ong previously spent over a decade with Design Hotels, playing a key role in developing the brand’s commercial presence across Asia-Pacific and building relationships with member hotels and regional partners.

Affordability, direct flights secure Colombo for IASP 2027

By Feizal Samath

February 23, 2026

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Colombo Sri Lanka — Red Brick Cargills Building in Colombo

Sri Lanka has been selected as the host for the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)’s 34^th World Congress in Colombo in June 2027.

“We had 13 proposals from across the world to host this conference. However, the IASP board made it clear they wanted a host from a lower- and middle-income country. Six of the 13 bids met that criteria. We then looked for a country with a strong record in suicide prevention and a host city accessible to our diverse delegates.

“Sri Lanka proved to be an amazing central location for everyone,” said Wendy Cliff, IASP’s head of membership and events, during a visit to Colombo earlier in February.

During her visit, Cliff inspected venues in the Sri Lankan capital and met with stakeholders for the 2027 conference, which is expected to attract 700 to 900 high-level international delegates.

Cliff noted that hosting the congress in Colombo would significantly lower registration fees and other participant costs. Other deciding factors included Sri Lanka’s accessibility, with direct flights connecting Colombo to Australia and most European cities. The 2027 event follows IASP’s 2025 congress, which was held in Vienna.

In an official statement, the IASP also noted that Sri Lanka’s successful bid reflects the country’s journey in suicide prevention. After recording the world’s highest suicide rate in the mid-1990s, the nation has since achieved some of the most dramatic reductions ever documented.

Upcoming events in Sri Lanka include the International Conference on Industrial & Medical Gases, and the 2^nd International Conference on Tropical Dermatology, both scheduled for March. These will be followed by the Sri Lanka-German Business Forum in April, and the 19^th Asia Pacific Congress of Paediatrics in July.

After recording a milestone of almost 2.4 million tourist arrivals in 2025, the country has set an ambitious target of three million visitors for 2026.

Utsunomiya leverages Tokyo proximity to drive 2026 MICE ambitions

By Kathryn Wortley

February 23, 2026

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Light Cube Utsunomiya_640 — Light Cube Utsunomiya

Utsunomiya, near Tokyo, hopes to welcome more international conventions in 2026 by capitalising on its location, a partnership with nearby cultural destination Nikko, and ongoing development to support business events.

The Tochigi prefectural capital has been increasingly attracting the attention of event organisers due to its proximity to Tokyo – 50 minutes’ away by Shinkansen – and the launch of several new venues.

For example, the 2022 opening of Light Cube Utsunomiya has resulted in a “significant increase” in the number of hosted events, including international conferences, according to the Utsunomiya Convention & Visitors Bureau (UCVB). The space, which is connected directly to the station, comprises a hall for 2,000 pax, conference rooms, meeting rooms and three outdoor spaces.

The opening of unique venues such as Oya History Museum, located in a former underground stone quarry; Wakayama Farm, known for its vast bamboo forests; and Utsunomiya Futa-arayama Shrine, whose history dates back 1,600 years, has further stimulated interest.

In 2024, the economic impact of Utsunomiya-hosted business events reached 2.1 billion yen (US$13.7 million).

As such, UCVB aims to increase Utsunomiya’s global presence through greater representation at major tradeshows, and hosted fam trips for overseas industry associations. Staff are also working closely with Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture, whose shrines and temples are UNESCO World Heritage-listed, to offer cultural programmes and excursions for business events attendees based in Utsunomiya.

“Our goal is to boost the local economy and create a vibrant, attractive city that continues to foster international exchange and growth for years to come,” Etsuyo Komaba of the UCVB told TTGmice.

ABEA calls for Bid Fund boost and establishment of a National Business Events Data Hub

By TTGmice

February 23, 2026

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shutterstock_2264683841_640(new) — ABEA urges federal funding boost and national data hub to secure business events sector

The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently increase investment in the sector, warning that Australia is losing its competitive edge to international rivals.

In two formal submissions to the minister for trade and tourism, Don Farrell, the ABEA has proposed an expansion of the Business Events Bid Fund Program (BFP) and the creation of a first-of-its-kind National Business Events Data Hub.

ABEA urges federal funding boost and national data hub to secure business events sector

ABEA CEO Melissa Brown has requested an increase in BFP funding to A$9 million (US$6.4 million) per year, extending the programme’s horizon to 2032. Since its inception in 2018, the fund has returned a staggering 53:1 on investment, generating almost A$1.4 billion in economic value from 205 successful bids.

Despite this success, latest data indicates a downturn. In the year to September 2025, expenditure from business events fell by seven per cent, and visitor numbers dropped by five per cent compared to the previous year.

Australia is losing ground as competitor destinations significantly increase their support, Brown noted. For example, Canada recently expanded its programme to CA$60 million (US$43.9 million) and New Zealand secured an additional NZ$6 million (US$3.6 million).

“With certainty of funding beyond 2029, Australia could grasp the opportunity to win the next generation of high-impact international conferences,” Brown said.

The second submission seeks an initial A$250,000 investment to develop a National Business Events Data Hub and Dashboard in 2026.

The industry currently relies on outdated 2019 data to measure its total economic impact – estimated then at A$35.7 billion. While current visitor metrics are tracked, they often fail to capture the sector’s broader contributions to trade, research collaboration, and talent attraction.

“Policy and investment decisions demand timely, credible data,” Brown said. “A modern data foundation will allow the government to see the full value of business events, not just as tourism, but as a driver of productivity and national capability, as well as providing real time data to inform business decisions by operators.”

The proposed hub would integrate datasets from venues, bureaus, and organisers into a secure digital platform, allowing for real-time performance tracking and industry benchmarking.

Melia’s new all-inclusive resort is poised for premium incentive retreats

By Karen Yue

February 23, 2026

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Paradisus-Bali_Lobby.jpg_640 — Paradisus by Meliá Bali’s lobby

Melia Hotels International’s all-inclusive resort brand has made landfall in Asia, and the property in Bali, Indonesia, has been designed with high-end corporate incentive groups in mind.

Paradisus by Meliá Bali, which takes over the former Meliá Bali hotel in Nusa Dua, has undergone a careful transformation to give it “a higher level of sophistication and luxury along with new spaces”, said Eduardo Perera, general manager of Paradisus by Meliá Bali.

There are eight meeting rooms, a grand ballroom, flexible outdoor event spaces, and eight restaurants on property that welcome a range of gatherings. Facilities are carefully designed with zoning in mind, allowing corporate groups to operate with privacy and focus, and without disrupting leisure guests.

Paradisus by Meliá Bali operates with the brand’s patented Destination Inclusive concept, which “moves beyond the traditional perception of all-inclusive as simply meals and drinks bundled together”.

Perera said the guest experience is designed to “transform the traditional resort holiday into a true gateway to cultural discovery and immersion”.

At the Bali property, the Destination Inclusive concept is brought to life through locally inspired cuisine, cultural and wellness programmed, as well as curated offsite experiences for guests in the premium categories.

“We are also introducing a dedicated wellness pillar focused on biohacking and longevity, alongside daily practices such as yoga, breath work and meditation, which naturally align with Bali’s identity. The experience is underpinned by our Mediterranean essence and Spanish warmth, blended with the sincerity and hospitality of the island,” he added.

Perera told TTGmice: “For incentive groups in particular, the all-inclusive model works well. It simplifies budgeting and logistics, while still offering high-quality dining, wellness programming and curated destination experiences that can be built into the itinerary.

“Ultimately, we are able to host corporate groups without compromising the experience for leisure travellers, because the layout and programming allow both segments to coexist comfortably.”

According to Perera, Melia Hotels International recognises the growing interest among travellers in all-inclusive resorts and that such options are lacking in Asia, especially at the luxury end.

The new Paradisus by Meliá Bali seeks to provide travellers with “convenience and confidence in what they’re paying for”.

Youthful, new chapter begins for Rang Mahal in Singapore

By Karen Yue

February 23, 2026

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RangMahal-Q3-RestoInterior&Patio-100925-11_640 — Rang Mahal’s interior

Rang Mahal, a well-known establishment for Indian fine dining in Singapore for the past 55 years, has taken on a new address in the lobby of Naumi Hotel Singapore.

Along with its new location, Rang Mahal has transformed into a family- and group-friendly restaurant serving quality modern Indian cuisine. The interior adopts a vibrant blush palette and features romantic floral murals and colourful blooms. Altogether, the space offers plenty of Instagrammable spots.

Here, corporate buyouts are welcome. Rang Mahal can be set up for dinners and social cocktails with presentations, and can accommodate 60 guests comfortably.

Catering comes from Rang Mahal’s renowned kitchen, and menus can be customised to suit the event.

Marriott Bonvoy Events rolls out new offer for corporates

Amari Bangkok names new GM

oneworld welcomes new CEO

International boxing convention spotlights Vietnam’s growing status in the sport

Design Hotels appoints Asia Pacific senior director

Affordability, direct flights secure Colombo for IASP 2027

Utsunomiya leverages Tokyo proximity to drive 2026 MICE ambitions

ABEA calls for Bid Fund boost and establishment of a National Business Events Data Hub

Melia’s new all-inclusive resort is poised for premium incentive retreats

Youthful, new chapter begins for Rang Mahal in Singapore

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