V. Sivakumar, the former minister of human resources, is now the chairman of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB).
As the new chairman of MyCEB, he is committed to exploring new opportunities to drive MyCEB’s progress. His focus includes strengthening Malaysia’s position as a premier destination for international business events, encouraging innovation by integrating the latest technology into event organisation, promoting Malaysia as a sustainable and eco-friendly destination for global business events, and developing local talent.
Sivakumar will also lead MyCEB’s board discussions, encourage active participation, and allow dissenting views to be freely expressed. At the same time, he will lead the board in establishing and monitoring good corporate governance practices in MyCEB and develop a good relationship between the board and management.
The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, which debuts in November, has appointed a team of six seasoned hospitality experts.
Having been with Marriott for 24 years, new general manager Tina Liu boasts an impressive business acumen and an extensive background in luxury hospitality. She has led teams at high-profile hotels, primarily in Thailand, and is fluent in Thai.
From left: Lewis Quinn, Leon Chan, Tina Liu, Evelyne Hahang, Clément Larre, Glen Cooper
Next is hotel manager, Lewis Quinn, who brings with him over 15 years of working in hospitality to his new role, while Evelyne Hahang takes on the role of director of rooms, having honed her hospitality skills for over 15 years in the UK, France, Australia, and Thailand.
Leon Chan, who hails from Singapore, is the director of sales & marketing. He has amassed 15 years of hospitality sales and business development experience working at high-profile hotels in Singapore and Hong Kong.
For F&B, Clément Larre leads as director, with Glen Cooper as executive chef.
The Singapore Edition has appointed Cedric Patrick Vinckier as director of F&B.
In his role, Vinckier will oversee F&B across all aspects of the luxury hotel and its four outlets, as well as in-room dining and banqueting.
Vinckier’s journey in F&B management began with a two-year chef apprenticeship at Radisson Blu Hotel in Dusseldorf, Germany. He then moved to France, serving as head waiter at the three-Michelin-star Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu for two years. Following his time in France, Vinckier joined the Vira Vira hotel in Pucon, Chile, as F&B manager, leading the team and elevating the hotel’s culinary offerings for two years.
Vinckier’s career trajectory continued as general manager of Michelin-star Le Normandie at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok from 2019 to 2021. He was also instrumental in the successful launch of Pelagos at the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Athens, which achieved a Michelin star and Wine Spectator award within six months.
Most recently, Vinckier served as assistant director of F&B at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, a position he held since 2023.
PATA recognises the critical role of business events in driving economic and social development; MGM Macau Hotel pictured
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is partnering with MGM to launch a capacity-building programme to empower the Asia Pacific region’s business events sector next week.
Titled Macao MICE Forward: Innovate, Sustain, Excel – Smart Solutions Training for Sustainable MICE, this programme will take place from September 24-26, 2024 in Macau.
PATA recognises the critical role of business events in driving economic and social development; MGM Macau Hotel pictured
The programme targets local business events stakeholders, and delves into crucial topics such as integrating technology and artificial intelligence into marketing efforts; exploring best practices and tools for sustainable event management; and examining emerging trends, technologies, and practices shaping the industry.
“The shift in the MICE industry highlights the need for greater flexibility and innovation to meet evolving delegates’ expectations, with digital readiness and being market-driven,” remarked PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid.
Iwan Dietschi, senior vice president of hospitality of MGM, added: “By partnering with PATA on this comprehensive training programme, we aim to equip the current and future practitioners in the MICE industry with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in an increasingly dynamic and competitive landscape.
“Together, we will ensure that Macau continues to excel as a premier destination for international business events, contributing to the city’s sustainable economic growth and global connectivity.”
Tourism Australia has appointed Jennifer Doig to the role of regional general manager South and South East Asia.
She brings a wealth of marketing experience in the Asia region to the role, and was most recently working for Dubai Tourism as director of global campaigns.
In her new role, Doig will drive trade and consumer marketing activity with the teams in Tourism Australia’s key markets in the region, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Malaysia Airlines can benefit from Prism’s global insights and contract optimisation, leading to opportunities for improved ROI
Malaysia Airlines, the national carrier of Malaysia, has selected Sabre Corporation’s PRISM solution to optimise its corporate travel segment.
Prism, a software and technology tool, will provide Malaysia Airlines with advanced data analytics, enabling a more tailored, and personalised travel experience for its business customers.
Malaysia Airlines can benefit from Prism’s global insights and contract optimisation, leading to opportunities for improved ROI
By ingesting data from over 5,000 sources worldwide amounting to more than 200 million individual corporate flight bookings in 2023, Prism provides insights and analytics, including contract profit modelling, performance reporting, and customisable reporting options. There are also more than 350 preformatted reports containing thousands of different data configurations.
One of the key benefits of PRISM is its ability to offer real-time data insights and trends, allowing Malaysia Airlines to make data-driven decisions and provide a more customised travel solution for its corporate clients. Additionally, PRISM is fully hosted on Google Cloud and now supports weekly data submissions, with the option for automated daily submissions via API.
With Prism, Malaysia Airlines will gain a deeper understanding of its corporate travel landscape while ensuring compliance with GDPR and other global data privacy regulations. The solution offers a built-in analytics tool, on-demand reporting, and API connectivity, providing airlines with the tools they need to effectively manage their corporate travel programmes.
Tripled levy may stall the winning of future business events; Mount Cook, New Zealand pictured
The New Zealand government has announced that travellers to the country will soon have to pay nearly thrice the amount in entry fees, a move which business events stakeholders fear will deter business events.
From October 1, international visitor and conservation and tourism fees will be raised to NZ$100 (US$62) from NZ$35. The decision was made after the NZ$35 fee, which was first introduced in July 2019, proved insufficient to cover the costs incurred by the impact of tourists on the natural environment.
Tripled levy may stall the winning of future business events; Mount Cook, New Zealand pictured
Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s CEO, Lisa Hopkins, told TTGmice: “We are deeply disappointed by the government’s decision to triple the International Visitor Levy, which goes against the advice and submission BEIA recommended. We are particularly sensitive to the impact this will have on visitors from Asia – a market that is crucial to the future of New Zealand’s business events industry.”
Still, Hopkins hopes that New Zealand’s “many outstanding assets”, such as its three new convention centres, its natural beauty, the tradition of hospitality and care (manaakitanga) and “status as an aspirational destination” will continue to attract business events.
Ken Pereira, head of business events at Auckland Convention Bureau, stated: “While we recognise the importance of funding for tourism to ensure our natural environment and tourism infrastructure remain world-class, increasing the international visitor levy at this time presents a challenge for our sector.”
This is because international visitor numbers have yet to recover to pre-Covid-19 levels, and this levy poses an additional barrier for business events clients in choosing New Zealand, he added.
Jessica Vandy, founder and managing director of New Zealand-based tourism and events agency The Tenth Letter Consulting, opined that the increased levy for international delegates will “have a lesser impact on business events attendance” as compared to the leisure sector.
“However, it is likely to be seen as an additional barrier for business travel, and it may end up disproportionately affecting student delegates or those who come from under-represented communities, with the increased cost potentially limiting their participation,” she pointed out.
“We believe New Zealand still offers exceptional value, and rest assured, the business events sector will do everything possible to ensure that hosting an event in Aotearoa is the easiest and best decision for our international visitors,” stressed Hopkins.
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From left: Visa Thailand’s Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa, and TCEB’s Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya at the launch event
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has partnered with Visa and Central Group to launch the Thailand MICE Privileges campaign, where at the heart of the campaign is the Thailand MICE Visa Prepaid Card.
The Thailand MICE Visa Prepaid Card offers exclusive benefits to business events travellers and SME operators, such as vouchers for shopping at Central and Robinson Department Stores, a 17 per cent discount on accommodation at Centara Hotels & Resorts, 15 per cent off limousine services, 10 per cent off dining, free airport luggage storage twice a year, and one free luggage delivery annually.
From left: Visa Thailand’s Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa, and TCEB’s Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya at the launch event
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of TCEB, said at the launch event: “TCEB is committed to positioning Thailand as a premier business event destination. The Thailand MICE Privileges campaign, in collaboration with our partners, offers exclusive benefits through the Thailand MICE Visa Prepaid Card. This prepaid VISA card is tailored to enhance the MICE travel experience and encourage increased spending and longer stays in Thailand.”
TCEB aims to attract 30,000 cardholders by 2025, with a five per cent increase in per trip spending. The bureau estimates that the combined spending of domestic and overseas business events travellers will reach 200 billion baht (US$6 billion), boosting the economy by 400 billion baht.
Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa, country manager for Visa Thailand, added: “We’re thrilled to partner with TCEB to launch this prepaid commercial card. As commercial card payments grow, this solution helps businesses of all sizes digitise payments. Our collaboration reflects Visa’s commitment to enhancing financial access for B2B operations and fostering sustainable economic growth.”
The Thailand MICE Visa Prepaid Card can be issued for a fee of THB 350 and can be topped up using the Deep Pocket app. It is accepted wherever Visa is used.
GBR Biology marine biologist Brittany Wassing at Moore Reef on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo credit: Luke Marsden
Incentive delegates can now deepen their understanding of the Great Barrier Reef and take action to protect it with the help of a brand new Guardian of the Reef platform.
The platform offers delegates various educational resources and opportunities to participate in eco-certified activities.
GBR Biology marine biologist Brittany Wassing at Moore Reef on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo credit: Luke Marsden
Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’s general manager partnerships and events, Tara Bennett, explained: “Delegates will learn about conservation with a series of short educational videos and fast facts to understand the issues facing the Great Barrier Reef and how they can help it simply by visiting.”
Guardian of the Reef was developed by Tourism Tropical North Queensland, in consultation with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, blending science and environmental education with Indigenous wisdom to link travellers with sustainable tourism experiences on and alongside the Great Barrier Reef.
Other ways incentive groups can contribute to sustainability initiatives include tree planting and wildlife rehabilitation.
For instance, carbon offsets for Australia Next 2024, held from September 9-11, have been made through a tree planting partnership with Reforest which will revegetate local wildlife corridors for the Lumholtz tree kangaroo.
Bennett told TTGmice: “We find that groups are looking for more ways to engage with nature, and we have many boutique businesses that can provide such experiences.”
During the event, the focus on sustainability also extended down to the menu, with 80 per cent of the food sourced within an hour of Cairns city from tea, coffee, and vegetables to rice.
She added that many “repurposed venues from Cairns various industries” have also been repurposed for off-site events, such as the Sugar Shed @ Yorkeys Knob.
“The Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region is the most eco-certified destination in Australia with 72 active eco-certified companies and 27 businesses undertaking the process with Ecotourism Australia,” noted Bennett.
V-Malaysia 2024 demonstrated Penang’s capability to host international conventions that deliver high value and high impact
The V-Malaysia 2024 Convention was successfully held at the Penang SPICE Convention Center from September 12-16, 2024.
Organised by global direct selling leader QNET, this year’s event – themed Unstoppable – drew over 9,000 participants from nearly 50 countries.
V-Malaysia 2024 demonstrated Penang’s capability to host international conventions that deliver high-value and high-impact
Supported by the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau, V-Malaysia has held a special place in Penang’s calendar for the past 12 years, and since 2023, it has grown so immensely that it is now hosted twice a year in Penang.
Wong Hon Wai, Penang State EXCO for Tourism & Creative Economy, emphasised the convention’s economic significance: “Since first hosting the V-Malaysia convention in 2008, Penang has seen a significant surge in tourism and international recognition. The vibrant life and commerce that QNET brings with each event have been instrumental in this growth.
“Between 2023 and 2024, Penang’s economy experienced substantial growth driven by a resurgence in the tourism sector, recording nearly seven million passenger movements in 2023 – a 64.5 per cent increase compared to the previous year.”
He added that such large-scale, repeated events help to create both temporary and permanent jobs in various sectors, particularly in hospitality, tourism, and event management, which greatly benefits the local economy.
The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike
Behind the imposing, Brutalist concrete that defines Zurich’s Oerlikon district lies a surprising secret. While its exterior honours the neighbourhood’s industrial roots, stepping inside Mama Shelter reveals a vibrant, neon-soaked world that is a far cry from its rigid shell
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
In her new role, Doig will drive trade and consumer marketing activity with the teams in Tourism Australia’s key markets in the region, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, which debuts in November, has appointed a team of six seasoned hospitality experts.
Having been with Marriott for 24 years, new general manager Tina Liu boasts an impressive business acumen and an extensive background in luxury hospitality. She has led teams at high-profile hotels, primarily in Thailand, and is fluent in Thai.
Next is hotel manager, Lewis Quinn, who brings with him over 15 years of working in hospitality to his new role, while Evelyne Hahang takes on the role of director of rooms, having honed her hospitality skills for over 15 years in the UK, France, Australia, and Thailand.
Leon Chan, who hails from Singapore, is the director of sales & marketing. He has amassed 15 years of hospitality sales and business development experience working at high-profile hotels in Singapore and Hong Kong.
For F&B, Clément Larre leads as director, with Glen Cooper as executive chef.