Abu Dhabi expects vast benefits from hosting ICCA Congress later this year
When the 63rd ICCA Congress 2024 heads to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this October, interactions and new knowledge from the high-profile gathering of meetings industry professionals and leaders will shape plans for the city’s business events industry advancement and raise the capability of association executives and meetings practitioners across the UAE.
Mubarak Al Shamsi, director, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, told TTGmice that Abu Dhabi stands to benefit a lot from hosting the congress.
Recalling the motivation behind the city’s bid for the congress hosting rights, Mubarak said: “We understood (from the start) that we were not just bidding for the sake of it, for the sake of having an event in Abu Dhabi. We understood that ICCA represents the global associations and meetings industry, and we will take our learnings from the congress and use them to develop the blueprint for the advancement of Abu Dhabi’s MICE sector.”
As Abu Dhabi presses on with its commitment to become the business events hub of the UAE and to leverage both business events and tourism for economic growth, Mubarak said “it is clear that the congress will be a key part of the destination’s continued evolution as a leading MICE destination”.
He emphasised Abu Dhabi’s readiness for the congress, pointing out that the city was ranked top destination for association meetings in the Middle East by ICCA in 2022.
“The international associations community recognises Abu Dhabi’s many strengths – iconic venues, great attractions, good connectivity where you can access two thirds of the world with only six-hour flights from Abu Dhabi, and the diverse investments our government has made into different industry sectors like innovation and life sciences,” he added.
He said the number of business events in Abu Dhabi had surged more than 44 per cent in recent years, bringing more than 960,000 delegates onto its land.
Positive impacts from the congress will spread beyond the city, opined Jasmine Lew, senior project head with Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, who believes that the congress in Abu Dhabi also presents a valuable opportunity for the international meetings community to engage with Middle East associations.
She said: “There are many associations in our region, but they are not yet functioning at an international level. They are not doing conferences at an international level; some are not even meeting at a regional level. Hence, the congress is a catalyst for capacity and capability building.”
Lew hopes to attract members from international associations to mentor local representatives.
Mubarak also sees benefits for ICCA. The congress will function as a vehicle for the association to “build its footprint in the region and expand its Middle Eastern network”.
With the congress taking place in four month’s time, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau and the city’s meetings sector stakeholders are firming up destination experience programmes for attendees.
However, Mubarak said it was not time yet to “give away details”.
“Just know that Abu Dhabi is a very competitive destination and we recognise that a big part of the congress experience is the destination experience. We are thinking out of the box and will deliver something that has never been done before at an ICCA Congress,” he teased.
Lew simply said that delegates would be taken out and around Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi’s tourism offerings have expanded with new lures like Snow Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The former promises snow activities all year round while the latter has a part to play in marine life rehabilitation. Coming up within the year is the interactive art presentation, teamLab Phenomena in the Saadiyat Cultural District.
In an earlier interview with sister title TTG Asia, Abdulla Yousuf, director of international operations with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, stated that the city’s existing attractions were still refreshing for many visitors, and visitor experience development efforts were focused not only on highlighting new draws but also finding new ways to enjoy current attractions and landmarks.
Business travel rethink needed as sustainability, costs, and expectations shift: Mastercard
Predicted price increases, new traveller expectations, and a growing focus on sustainability are requiring organisations to rethink how they manage business travel, communicate policies and control costs.
This is according to Mastercard’s recently released whitepaper Overhauling travel & expense policies: New corporate priorities and traveler expectations on Travel and Expense (T&E) policies which offers crucial insights that can reshape how companies manage business travel.
Over 400 travel decision-makers and business travellers were surveyed to identify changing expectations around business travel.
Key themes covered in the report include sustainable travel, where younger generations are increasingly expect sustainable options, with 61% of companies promoting sustainable travel; and lodging policies, where 53% of companies now include vacation rental websites in their policies as a cost-saving measure.
Other themes include seating class policies, an analysis of cost/benefit for different seating classes (business, economy) with a focus on employee comfort; and integrated tools, tools that integrate booking, payment, and expense management.
This analysis, conducted with the BTN Group, includes perspectives from travel decision-makers at large companies and frequent business travellers, providing a holistic view of the current and future business travel landscape. They offer actionable insights for local companies to enhance their T&E policies, ensuring they stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.
As business travel evolves, decision-makers can proactively manage policies to control spending, educate travellers, and deploy technologies like AI to audit expenses. Nearly half of the surveyed business travellers agree that business travel is critical for their organisation’s growth, and four in 10 see it as essential for their career advancement. Over 42% believe that their company’s travel policies need enhancement to support increased travel.
The full report can be found here.
Tour guiding industry to converge in Japan in 2026
The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) will host its 21st international convention in Fukuoka, Japan, in 2026.
This will mark the first time the country will host this prestigious event.
In January this year, the final bid presentation was delivered at the WFTGA 2024 convention in Siracusa, Italy. Following the association’s final decision, it was officially announced that the international convention would be held in Fukuoka.
Over 2,500 leaders and professionals from over 60 countries and regions in the tour guiding industry will gather at this convention to share their knowledge and experiences. Pre- and post-convention activities will offer delegates the opportunity to explore Fukuoka and other parts of Japan.
The host organisation for this event is the Kyushu Association of Interpreters, Translators, and Guide-Interpreters, a proud member of WFTGA. The Executive Committee received tremendous support and promotion from the Fukuoka Convention Center and the Fukuoka Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with additional backing from various Japanese government agencies such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Japan Tourism Agency, and Japan National Tourism Organization.
Vocational education key to a resilient business events industry
Ringa Hora, Services Workforce Development Council, and Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) are coming together to develop vocational education and learning for the business events sector.
Ringa Hora will be adding its voice to the Workforce Steering Group, one of the key focus areas industry highlighted as part of Pīata Mai – the strategic direction for New Zealand’s business events industry to 2035.
BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins said that the Workforce Steering Group was established to provide a collaborative forum for cross-sector industry representatives who are part of BEIA’s membership and subject-matter experts in areas of shared interest.
“Collaboration is at the heart of the development of the steering group that will include broad expertise from the industry representing small and large businesses and those in a leadership or management roles,” she noted.
Ringa Hora is focused on responding to industry needs by developing fit for purpose qualifications and standards. Initial feedback from industry is a desire to explore micro-credentials in the workplace that blends experiential learning and practical application based on business needs.
“This ties back to Pīata Mai’s vision of creating a resilient sector, attracting and retaining talent,” Hopkins said.
“Talent attraction firstly relies on people knowing the sector exists. Traditionally, the sector has attracted people from hospitality, tourism and PR, but there is additional breadth of variety and challenge which only business events offer. There is something so satisfying about delivering an incredible event which leaves a lasting impression on its audience, and having the opportunity to rub shoulders with truly fascinating people.
“We hope that people from these sectors will see it as a next step in their career, and the vocational training supports this.”
Ringa Hora will have four representatives on the Workforce Steering Group including a cross-section of senior and operational kaimahi (staff) with expertise ranging from relationship management, qualifications, product development and moderation in the vocational education area.
Mel Harrington, general manager, partnership & engagement for Ringa Hora told industry leaders at MEETINGS 2024: “This supports the broader vocational education and training priorities outlined in the business events industry’s strategic direction to 2035 (Pīata Mai) and our own strategic vision.”
Ringa Hora will assist with insights from industry into upcoming qualification reviews for the industry, informing and critiquing existing or new product developments relating to skills and qualifications needed by industry.
“Our role is advocating on behalf of industry to contribute strategically to design qualifications and skills aligned with the strategic direction and national priorities.
“Importantly, in working with industry we want to showcase and celebrate role-models in businesses to recognise best practices and encourage future employees to be part of an exciting, fun and rewarding career in the business events sector,” Harrington said.
Unexpected twists
Event brief
A Polish incentive house contacted Kuala Lumpur-based DMC, Within Earth Holidays, to organise a memorable seven-day programme in Malaysia for their client, a food manufacturer, who wished to incentivise their top distributors.
Event highlights
As this was the first visit to Malaysia for all 55 delegates, the programme was designed to showcase Malaysia’s natural attractions, history, architecture, beach and city experiences.
The delegates arrived in Singapore on February 17 and travelled by coach to Malacca. They enjoyed a guided tour of the historical city, visiting sites such as Bukit China, Porta de Santiago, Church of St. Paul, and the Stadthuys Building. That evening, Within Earth Holidays took them on a river cruise.
On the second day, the group travelled by coach from Malacca to Putrajaya, where they went on a half-day tour. They then continued onwards to Kuala Lumpur for another half-day tour. Highlights in Kuala Lumpur included photo stops at the King’s Palace, the National Monument, and the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
The third day brought the group to Cameron Highlands, where they enjoyed the cool mountain air and visited a tea plantation, Butterfly Park, and strawberry farm.
On the fourth day, the group went on a guided jungle trek in Taman Negara National Park during the day, as well as a night walk in the tropical rainforest, where they spotted several nocturnal animals.
The fifth day included a brief stop at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, where delegates learned about the conservation efforts for wild elephants by the Department of Wildlife and National Park. After lunch, the group returned to Kuala Lumpur and flew to Langkawi, where they spent the night.
The sixth day was spent enjoying the beach and taking a cable car ride up Mount Machinchang. The final day saw the delegates return to Kuala Lumpur to fly home.
Challenges
Saini Vermeulen, Within Earth Holidays’ executive director, recounted a last-minute scramble. Their pre-booked hotel in Taman Negara, secured six months in advance, had no record of the reservation.
Saini said: “There weren’t any other comparable four-star hotels available. This forced us to adjust the itinerary, impacting the planned route.”
“We opted to take the group to Cameron Highlands first, followed by Taman Negara the next day. They then returned to Kuala Lumpur by land before flying to Langkawi. Our initial plan involved a more cost-efficient overland route from Cameron Highlands directly to Langkawi. However, the hotel, acknowledging their error, generously covered half the return airfare as a gesture of goodwill. We absorbed the remaining cost.”
Just a week before the group’s arrival, a senior staff member managing the account was hospitalized with heart and lung complications. This unfortunate event coincided with the busy Chinese New Year period, when Within Earth Holidays was already stretched thin, handling over 30 leisure groups simultaneously. This unexpected situation resulted in a temporary staff shortage.
Because of this Saini had to multi-task and oversee details prior to the group’s arrival.
He added: “Adding to the challenges, the incentive house from Poland requested a live band for the very first night’s dinner in Kuala Lumpur at the 11th hour. Finding a band during the festive season is no easy feat. Fortunately, we managed to secure a talented group of buskers to perform for the evening.”
Event Incentive Trip 2023
Organiser Within Earth Holidays
Venue Malaysia
Dates February 17-23, 2024
Attendees 55
Embark on a restorative journey with Wai Ariki Hot Springs
Standing on the shores of Lake Rotorua, New Zealand, is the brand-new, Māori owned-and-operated Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa.
The purpose-built spa and bathing facility is built on the legacy of Ngāti Whakaue (local Māori tribe) culture, healing practices and manaakitanga – the centuries-old and internationally renowned Ngāti Whakaue concept of welcoming manuhiri (visitors). Wai Ariki means chiefly waters in Māori.
At this cultural wellness destination, groups can relax their body, mind, and soul by paying a visit to the Sanctuary, which offers a range of facials and massages; or indulge in a two-hour-long Restorative Journey through Rotorua’s geothermal waters.
The two-hour-long Restorative Journey begins with a series of waterfall showers, before proceeding into three saunas of differing heat levels, interspersed with wades in an ice-cold pool, and capping off with an ice cold bucket dunk. These fire and ice caves gives visitors a series of hot and cold, wet and dry experiences to invigorate the body and soul to provide transformative well-being.
Guests are then invited to soak up the healing properties of the spa’s geothermal waters in five pools ranging from an ice plunge pool at 12°C to the hottest pool that caps out at 41°C, all of which open out to a panoramic view of Lake Rotorua.
After which, visitors are then invited to slather themselves in mud and lay on lounges to rejuvenate and nourish the skin, and connect with the land as the Ngāti Whakaue have done for hundreds of years.
The final leg of the journey is the steam cave, where guests should allow the mud to soften while lying on a heated platform, before cleansing themselves with a shower.
Aside from its wellness offerings, Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa is open to host private corporate buyouts. The Sanctuary portion alone is good for up to 40 pax, while the Restorative Journey concourse is good for 150 pax. Both can be combined to accommodate around 200 pax.
Fairmont Singapore & Swissôtel The Stamford welcome new director of culinary operations
Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford has appointed local industry veteran chef Vijay Shanmugam as director of culinary operations.
In this role, Vijay oversees strategic planning and operational execution across the complex’s 12 restaurants and bars such as two-Michelin-star JAAN by Kirk Westaway, and Prego. Catering for events at the Raffles City Convention Centre is also under his purview.
Over almost 30 years, Vijay has scaled the ranks of the regional luxury hotel landscape, both home and away, across multiple prestigious hospitality brands including Hilton, Conrad, Parkroyal, Intercontinental, Shangri-La, and Raffles.
Onyx Hospitality Group launches Shama Hub
Onyx Hospitality Group has unveiled Shama Hub – an extension of its serviced apartment brand, Shama – which offers a lifestyle that celebrates creativity, flexibility, and community engagement.
Strategically located in vibrant neighbourhoods, Shama Hub properties are easily accessible to attractive areas, allowing guests to seamlessly connect with the pulse of the city and explore its local culture.
Each Shama Hub property offers an array of amenities designed to enhance both convenience and social interaction for residents. These include self-service laundry facilities, a fitness centre, communal hub spaces, and self-service business cabins.
In addition, these Shama Hubs offer the exclusive Shama Social Club lifestyle programme, an initiative that enriches the guest experience by fostering a sense of community and connecting residents to the unique essence of each locale.
Shama Hub Qiantang Hangzhou, China and Shama Hub Metro South, Hong Kong are two new properties that have been added to the Shama Hub portfolio.
Shama Hub Metro South, Hong Kong is located in the Hong Kong Southern district and is an ideal hub for individuals or families seeking long-term accommodation close to the city while being surrounded by nature. The property features 26 floors and 139 rooms, with seven room types ranging from studios to two-bedroom units. Just a two-minute walk from Wong Chuk Hang MTR station, guests enjoy easy access to attractions like Ocean Park, Hong Kong Island, Aberdeen district, and more.
A new addition in the heart of Hangzhou, Shama Hub Qiantang Hangzhou, China features a variety of room types that cater to short- and long-term residents. Guests can choose from studio kings, one-bedroom suites, or studio flex twin rooms.
Situated in the Dajiangdong area, Shama Hub Qiantang Hangzhou, China is just a short walk from Dongsha Lake Park and the Grand Convention and Exhibition Centre, and is also within close proximity to shops, malls, restaurants, and major transport hubs. The property is only a 40-minute drive from the city’s international airport.
Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of Onyx Hospitality Group, shared: “At Shama Hub, we believe in providing more than just a roof over your head; we offer an experience that defines you.
“It is not just a club; it’s a community that fosters connection, exploration, and a sense of belonging.”
New CEO takes reins of The Lux Collective
The Lux Collective has named Olivier Chavy as its next chief executive officer.
Hailing from France, he will be responsible for the overall strategic direction and performance of The Lux Collective while pursuing its expansion in high potential markets. He will work alongside the board of directors, key executives, general managers and staff of the resorts, to innovate and craft distinctive experiences that will further set the iconic hotel group apart.
During his career, Chavy has held leadership positions with groups such as Travel+Leisure, Mövenpick, and Hilton.
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The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has announced six key appointments in the functions of business development, strategy and operations that will support its global expansion in management and franchise contracts as well as catalyse strategic growth.
The new appointments to Ascott’s business development team are Venessa Koo, vice president, business development for Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam; Teo Junrong, vice president, business development for Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia; and Thomas Lamson, vice president, business development and product & technical services for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
In addition, Joseph Wong, managing director for China, will drive business development on top of overseeing all aspects of Ascott’s operations, in this key market.
Ascott also welcomed Steven Chan as vice president, global franchise services and regional general manager for Indochina, as well as Sophie Mougel as vice president, strategy and regional general manager for the Philippines and Malaysia. Both helm dual portfolios that tap into their deep local knowledge to harness new opportunities in these markets.