Asia/Singapore Monday, 27th April 2026
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Australia hosts International SOS event for the first time

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This year’s Duty of Care events look to reimagine the future of organisational resilience to bring positive change

The International SOS Foundation has announced its 2024 Duty of Care Awards & Summit, which will take place on October 31, 2024, in Sydney, Australia.

The event will gather leading experts to discuss, debate, and share best practices while honouring organisations and individuals around the world for their dedication to protecting the health, safety, security, and well-being of their global workforce.

This year’s Duty of Care events look to reimagine the future of organisational resilience to bring positive change

This year’s Duty of Care Summit will feature industry-leading experts to discuss topics such as AI, Climate Resilience, Geopolitical Instability, Workplace Violence, Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Travel & Mobility Trends and more.

There is also an Awards component. Themed, Leading Change for a Re-Imagined Future, the Awards recognise outstanding organisations and individuals ranging from large technology conglomerates, and non-profit organisations, to airlines, financial services, and manufacturing companies.

There are six award categories: Duty of Care Ambassador (individual contributor), Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG), Inclusion & Diversity, Innovation and two brand new categories, Crisis Agility & Response and Workplace Wellbeing. The Awards will be evaluated by a panel of sector-leading expert judges and a host of internationally-recognised organisations. The shortlist will be announced by July 2024 with winners announced live at the Awards on October 31 in Sydney.

A colourful, worldly view

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Event brief
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) General Assembly meets annually as a global organisation of cultural heritage professionals. It acts as the principal advisory body on cultural heritage to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, and has more than 110 National Committees internationally.

ICC Sydney was selected to host its 2023 General Assembly (GA2023) from November 28 to December 2, 2023. The venue was chosen for its alignment with ICOMOS’ goals around sustainability, First Nations recognition, and existing commitments and partnerships.

GA2023 welcomed 1,853 professionals in cultural heritage and conservation fields from 100 countries. Programming focused on preservation efforts both in Australia and globally. Delegates represented a range of interdisciplinary sectors from within the heritage conservation community including archaeology, history, urban planning, architecture, and academia.

Event highlights
Themed around the integration of cultural heritage in modern contexts, the General Assembly leveraged ICC Sydney’s Reconciliation Action Plan, and Legacy Program to highlight First Nations culture and practices.

It featured a robust Indigenous Heritage programme, including a Welcome to Country by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, and a Gala Dinner crafted by ICC Sydney’s culinary team featuring an indigenous ingredient in every dish. This event fostered global dialogue and shone the spotlight on Australia’s rich cultural and environmental heritage.

Sustainable event delivery was achieved via ICC Sydney’s Silver EarthCheck certification and benchmarking focused on travel and tourism’s environmental impact. An ICOMOS EventCheck assessment determined that venue emissions accounted for just five per cent of GA2023’s overall footprint, thanks to the venue’s existing infrastructure. Edible table centrepieces were also donated after the meeting to aid the local community with partners such as Matthew Talbot Hostel.

The convenient downtown Sydney location facilitated delegate networking and exploring the host city. Proximity to public transport also meant a closer alignment with sustainability goals.

ICC Sydney CEO and group director – convention centres, ASM Global, Geoff Donaghy, said the shared values of ICC Sydney and ICOMOS in recognising the role and contribution of indigenous people in the nation’s culture, environment and sites of significance led to the team’s full support of the conference’s programme and commitment to legacy.

“Through the activation of ICC Sydney’s industry-leading Legacy Program and the inclusion of the comprehensive ICOMOS GA 2023 two-day Indigenous Heritage programme, specialists in relevant fields were able to engage with First Nations heritage to help drive positive legacies in their practices following the event,” he said.

Challenges
A key priority of ICOMOS was to acknowledge indigenous heritage throughout their event programme. From early on in the planning journey, ICOMOS challenged ICC Sydney to help them engage with and celebrate Australia’s First Nations Peoples, culture, and businesses. ICC Sydney’s team met this challenge by helping the organiser to activate the venue’s Legacy Program which aims to drive positive social and environmental legacies in the local community.

Organising an event of such scale and thematic depth also presents logistical and cultural challenges. Integrating cultural respect into every aspect of the event required meticulous planning and engagement with local communities and cultural leaders. The coordination between ICC Sydney and multiple stakeholders ensured that the event met and exceeded its cultural representation and environmental responsibility goals.

Event ICOMOS General Assembly 2023
Organisers ICC Sydney, and the International Council on Monuments and Sites
Venue ICC Sydney
Date November 28 to December 2, 2023
Number of attendees 1,853 professionals from 100 countries

Guoco Midtown unveils Singapore’s first purpose-built networking club

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Meeting room in theatre set-up

GuocoLand has completed the Network Hub, a pioneering business and social networking club, as part of its large-scale integrated development, Guoco Midtown.

Operated by GuocoLand, the Network Hub aims to realise the future of work. It is connected to a 30-storey premium Grade A office tower and offers various spaces for collaboration and wellness. The facilities include fully-fitted office suites available for short-term leasing, communal seating for hot-desking or collaborative work, soundproof pods for virtual meetings and focused work, and tech-enabled hybrid meeting and training rooms.

Meeting room in theatre set-up

One notable feature of the Network Hub is a large conference facility that can accommodate up to 160 people. This space is ideal for town hall meetings, annual general meetings, media launches, and training and networking sessions. The conference room is designed with a five-metre-high ceiling, glass panels that enhance acoustic properties, and large windows for ample natural lighting.

The ground floor and Level 2 of the Network Hub feature members-only lounge areas suitable for entertaining business partners, hosting informal meetings, or hot desking. Members can enjoy F&B from the Network Hub’s F&B establishment, Workspace Grains + Café by Cedele, or complimentary drinks on Level 2.

Additionally, the Network Hub offers two large, fully fitted private office suites, each with a dedicated entrance, signage, flexible meeting rooms, and a pantry.

Beyond flexible workspaces, the Network Hub enhances Guoco Midtown’s office tower with fitness, wellness, and event facilities. The rooftop of the Network Hub features a 40-metre lap pool and an exclusive private dining room that can host up to 18 people. Tenants can also book the private dining room and the pool deck for pool-side cocktail events accommodating up to 100 guests.

Easy dance around Switzerland

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1. The Lindt Home of Chocolate, Zurich
There are no Oompa-Loompas in this chocolate factory, but the numerous displays and audio story points within The Lindt Home of Chocolate detailing the makings of chocolate from cocoa beans to tasty treat as well as free chocolate tasting stations will surely put a wide smile on any visitor’s face. Self-guided audio tours are available in multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean.

2. The Dolder Grand Spa, Zurich
Nestled in one of the most prestigious resorts in Zurich, The Dolder Grand Spa is a 4,000m² heaven-on-earth for people who appreciate the finer route to physical and mental wellness.

The multi-award-winning spa offers many facilities to refresh and rebuild its guests, but what stand out are the meditation room with its dome inlaid with mirror mosaic, the relaxation room with hanging lounge chairs, and the winter-white snow paradise.

Incentive groups can arrange to rent the spa exclusively from 22.30 to midnight, or make arrangements to hire the two luxurious spa suites for VIPs. The suites are each equipped with two treatment couches and a steam bath, whirlpool, snail shower, reclining area, balcony, fireplace, and TV. The spa manager can also customise facial and body treatments for guests at the event planner’s request.

3. Initium, Geneva
Steady hands and breath are needed at this watchmaking workshop conducted by Initium in Geneva. Workshops are designed to welcome all, as no prior knowledge of watchmaking is required. Groups of all sizes will find a suitable programme, from intimate sessions for 12 in the Initium workshop to large gatherings of up to 100 in a external venue.

4. CGN’s Lake Geneva cruise
Enjoy the sights along Lake Geneva – including the iconic Jet d’Eau – onboard the beautifully restored Italie diesel-powered paddle boat. The vessel was commissioned in 1908 and brought to new life in 2016, and now sails the length of Lake Geneva from Le Bouveret to Geneva and back throughout the months of April to October.

Italie can take 500 passengers at once, and welcomes full and partial charters. Catering can be arranged onboard.

Overall, CGN has a fleet of 19 boats and offers a variety of cruises from several ports across the country.

5. Clos de la République, Lavaux
The terraced vineyards of Lavaux, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, is a sight to behold. Layers after layers of terraces are set alongside majestic mountains and the reflection of the sky on Lake Geneva. The serenity of this destination is breathtaking, and strolls down narrow alleyways to discover beautiful winegrowers’ houses make a therapeutic activity.

Be sure to visit Clos de la République, a vineyard that dates back to the 16th century and is the oldest family business in Switzerland. The 35-hectare estate, which boasts stunning views of the Lavaux surroundings from its many outdoor spaces, welcomes private events of all kinds, from conferences to teambuildings. Wine tasting and catering can be arranged.

6. GoldenPass Express
Journey in style and comfort between Interlaken and Montreux, via Montbovon, Château-d’Oex and Gstaad, on the panoramic GoldenPass Express train.

As top achievers take in stunning views of the Swiss landscape, dish out regional delicacies to delight their bellies. For an even more exquisite experience, book the group into the Prestige travel class, which is located 40cm higher on the train deck than other travel class, promising passengers a better view from their enormous windows. Here, champagne and caviar can be arranged.

7. Glacier 3000, Ormont-Dessus
This mountain station, which sits 3,000 metres above sea level, boasts guaranteed snow year-round and makes a memorable reward for top achievers.

It is versatile, thanks to its selection of indoor venues (restaurant on the fourth floor and sun terrace on the second) that can accommodate private groups, as well as an array of outdoor activities that are great for bringing teams together. Planners can take their pick of dogsled rides, glacier walks, sledging and skiing.

Whatever the choice is, the one attraction not to be missed is the Peak Walk by Tissot Suspension Bridge, which connects two mountain peaks and presents a stunning view of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in good weather.

8. Chaplin’s World, Vevey
The world’s only attraction dedicated to the life of Charlie Chaplin is found in the town of Vevey, where the comic actor, filmmaker, and composer lived for almost three decades with his wife and children. Here in Chaplin’s World, interactive exhibits, his conserved home, and remake of his famous sets, take visitors deep into his work and life, showing a precious side of him as a playful family man.

Chaplin’s World features three areas – The Manoir (his home), The Studio (a cinema and iconic film sets), and The Park (where Chaplin used to stroll through for rest and inspiration). There are areas within that welcome private events. The cinema, for instance, can be hired for presentations and award ceremonies while Hollywood Boulevard in The Studio and Chaplin’s Table in The Manoir are creative options for banquets.

Experience makers

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1. Vertigo, Brisbane
Only 12 guests can experience this exclusive gastronomic dining experience overhanging Brisbane Powerhouse’s industrial façade. Vertigo is where guests don safety harnesses and experience sky-high city views with a 17-metre drop beneath their feet.

2. Luxcoach, Melbourne
Australia’s first luxury coach comes complete with a cocktail bar and butler service. It hosts up to 20 guests and includes a 50-inch LCD TV, powder room and toilet facilities. The front of the bus also has an executive meeting setting for four VIPs.

3. International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch
Get the chills and thrills of Antarctica much closer to home. Visitors can go on a bumpy ride on the Hägglund field trip, experience a simulated cruise to Antarctica, see little blue penguins and learn about the first expeditions and modern-day life on Scott Base.

4. Grazeland, Melbourne
Dubbed an outdoor foodie playground, Grazeland has an extensive array of bars, food trucks and stalls echoing Melbourne’s multicultural population. The multitude of stalls means menus can be customised for unique events and there are two stages for live performances.

5. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne offers a picturesque Australian native setting for a garden lunch. As a seasonal pop-up, the Alto Structure on Dog Flat Lawn accommodated 350 seated guests for AIME 2024’s Sunday brunch. A cocktail setting would fit 500.

Jeju launches new Unique Venues; supports Green MICE initiatives

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Offering scenic views of the ocean, The Cliff cafe at Seogwipo Beach is ideal for indoor and outdoor events

Brought to you by Jeju Convention Bureau 

Offering scenic views of the ocean, The Cliff cafe at Seogwipo Beach is ideal for indoor and outdoor events

The Jeju Convention Bureau (CVB) is spearheading efforts to position Jeju as a premier MICE destination, emphasising unique venue offerings and sustainable practices. By promoting these event spaces and eco-friendly initiatives, Jeju is set to offer MICE participants unique experiences that leverage its scenic natural surroundings.

Expansion of Unique Venues

A key part of Jeju CVB’s strategy is the Unique Venues project, which aims to provide MICE participants with distinctive experiences by utilising spaces that showcase Jeju’s unique nature and culture. 

Since the project’s inception in 2020, Jeju has curated a diverse portfolio of venues that enhance event satisfaction through their exceptional ambiance and facilities.

This year, it has added three new Unique Venues to its roster — Snoopy Garden, The Cliff, and Yeomiji Botanical Garden — bringing the total to 16. 

These selections were made following rigorous assessments by MICE experts, who evaluated the venues based on their charm, utility, safety, and eco-friendly features. 

Snoopy Garden Jeju
The unique Snoopy Garden offers a themed idyllic space for meetings

Snoopy Garden: This venue comprises a themed-based exhibition hall and park centered around the beloved character Snoopy from Charles Monroe Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic strip. It provides an idyllic setting for meetings and leisurely exploration of the island’s natural beauty.

The Cliff: Situated by Seogwipo Beach, The Cliff is a café that offers breathtaking ocean views. Its romantic setting is ideal for both indoor and outdoor events, combining scenic beauty with versatile event space.

Take in the floral varieties at Yeomiji Botanical Garden

Yeomiji Botanical Garden: Known as “beautiful land,” Yeomiji Botanical Garden is a large greenhouse showcasing a variety of tropical and exotic plants. With extensive experience in hosting international events, it offers a range of themed outdoor gardens that provide a lush, vibrant backdrop for any event.

To encourage the use of these Unique Venues, the Jeju CVB offers an incentive programme that provide financial support of 20,000 KRW (approximately 20 USD) per participant, up to a maximum of 10,000,000 KRW (approximately 10,000 USD) for MICE events held at these venues. This initiative is designed to attract more events to Jeju and ensure that participants can fully experience the island’s unique charm.

Green commitment 

In addition, Jeju CVB is actively working to establish Jeju as a safe and sustainable MICE city under the slogan WE GREEN JEJU.

It has obtained ISO 20121: Event Sustainability Management System certification, which sets a global standard for managing events sustainably. This certification underscores the bureau’s dedication to operating MICE events in an economically, environmentally, and socially responsible manner.

Jeju CVB also supports local MICE businesses in obtaining and maintaining the ISO 20121 certification. The annual Jeju Green MICE Council further supports this goal by bringing together MICE experts to share innovative ideas and strategies for sustainable development of the sector.

The bureau has also developed a Green MICE manual, which provides comprehensive guidelines for organising environmentally friendly events. To incentivise the adoption of these practices, the bureau offers incentives for events that implement the manual’s recommendations. 

Through these initiatives, Jeju CVB continues to promote the value of the island’s MICE industry and contribute to the overall attractiveness of it as a destination that values and protects its natural environment. Expectations and interest are high for the bureau’s future projects.

To host your next event in Jeju, visit Jeju CVB.

Christchurch wins GIScience 2025 conference

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Technological innovations, such as the use of AI to analyse massive geographic data sets, are developing fast

Christchurch, New Zealand is set to host more than 300 leading international scientists for the 13h International Conference on Geographic Information Science (GIScience) in 2025.

The four-day event, from August 26-29, 2025, will bring together international participants from academia, industry, and experts on urban analytics, geographic computing, movement analysis, digital mapping, and GeoAI from around the world.

Technological innovations, such as the use of AI to analyse massive geographic data sets, are developing fast

Held biennially since 2000, GIScience is the flagship conference in its field. This is only the second time the event has been held in the Southern Hemisphere.

The conference is organised by the Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), along with partners at the University of Auckland, Massey University, and University of Otago, and supported by ChristchurchNZ and Tourism New Zealand.

ChristchurchNZ head of business events, Megan Crum, said conferences like GIScience 2025 not only boost the local economy, but they also contribute to scientific advancement, industry innovation, attraction of global talent, and improved social policy.

“For international GI scientists, our city will be a living classroom. We are an ideal example of a bicultural and multicultural community experiencing fast demographic and economic change, urban growth and rebuilding, alongside a diverse biosphere and sometimes turbulent physical geography. Christchurch is also a gateway to Antarctica, and it has an economy tied to the land through a large agricultural sector plus a fast-growing technology sector,” she said.

UC associate professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering Benjamin Adamsis, the lead local chair for the conference, added that geographic information plays a role in decision-making not only in the public and private sector to inform responses to disasters and critical issues for example, but also in the wider population, such as navigational support.

Dusit strengthens development team with two appointments

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Dusit International has made two key appointments to strengthen its global development team.

In the Middle East, Rami Massoud has joined the company as vice president of development (EMEA) based in Dusit’s regional office in Dubai. He will be responsible for the growth of Dusit’s portfolio of Dusit Hotels and Resorts across key existing and emerging destinations in the EMEA region.

Rami Massoud and Pornpim Hiranpradit

With over 25 years of experience in hotel development, real estate investment, and asset management, Massoud most recently served as the managing director of Hotel Assets Acquisition Consultants.

Pornpim Hiranpradit has been named director of development (Global), based in Bangkok, where she will spearhead Dusit’s development efforts across Asia-Pacific and support Dusit’s regional development offices worldwide.

She brings extensive experience in real estate and hospitality, having worked for real estate brokerage and management firms in New York as well as in hotel operations in Thailand.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower partners with ICC Sydney to provide better accessibility

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An Auslan interpreter in action

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by ASM Global, has joined forces with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower – an organisation dedicated to supporting people living with non-visible disabilities in their communities by raising awareness to help create a more inclusive society.

ICC Sydney’s CEO and group director – convention centres, ASM Global (APAC), Geoff Donaghy, said the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnership between ICC Sydney and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower will enrich the venue management team’s well-being and elevate its services for visitors.

ICC Sydney’s team members have grown their capacity to support people with hidden disabilities through training opportunities provided by Hidden Disabilities Sunflower; an Auslan interpreter in action

“We strive to make a difference in our community and leave a positive legacy considering the ways we can foster accessible events and better support community engagement.

“Reflecting trending delegate expectations for accessible events as identified in our RESPECT: Shaping Events for Success report and building on the development of our inaugural Disability Inclusion Action Plan, our latest partnership highlighted through our Legacy Program is another critical service provided to attendees helping them to experience the most inclusive events possible,” Donaghy said.

Director of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower ANZ, Justin Bruce said one in five Australians live with a disability and of those approximately 80 to 85 per cent are not immediately obvious to other people.

“Living with a Hidden Disability can make daily life more demanding for many people and it can be difficult for others to recognise, acknowledge or understand the challenges faced. Wearing the Sunflower discreetly indicates to staff that the wearer (or support person with them) has a hidden disability and may need additional help or simply more time.”

ICC Sydney director of event services, Malu Barrios, added: “Our partnership provides an invaluable platform for our team to strengthen their knowledge and skills in welcoming and supporting people with hidden disabilities. We’ve already implemented training on how to best communicate and support a visitor who opts to wear the sunflower lanyard while attending events at ICC Sydney.”

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower has identified a range of non-visible conditions from ADHD, Autism, Crohn’s Disease to Epilepsy and many more. Visitors to ICC Sydney are able to bring in their own Sunflower lanyard to identify that they may require adjustments to support their experience.

Changes in Asian incentive travel patterns a boon for Switzerland

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The extensive network of the Swiss Travel System

A combination of the robust rebound of Switzerland’s tourism industry, as well as tighter airline restrictions on large volume group ticket allotment, has forced Asian incentive travel groups desiring the European destination to be more flexible with their event dates and locations.

The result is an opportunity for the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB) to spread incentive movements throughout the year, and to drive groups to lesser-known areas.

The Swiss Travel System’s extensive network allows corporate incentive groups to get around the country with ease, no matter which city is used as their base

According to the country’s Federal Statistical Office, the Swiss hotel sector recorded 41.8 million overnight stays, a level never achieved before. It was an increase of 9.2 per cent over 2022. At the same time, domestic demand remained very high.

Barbra Albrecht, head of meetings & incentives worldwide and member of the Management Board with SCIB, said: “We had really, really good occupancy (inbound arrivals) in 2022 and 2023. Travellers from North America, South-east Asia and India were all able to travel again in 2022, and those markets really boomed for Switzerland. They came back in smaller groups, but still brought us very good business.”

Intense leisure demand stretched out accommodation and venue supply that business event groups also desired.

“Thankfully, incentive travel clients are quite flexible. They are ready to change dates instead of insisting on certain timings, and going to new places. That allowed us to spread groups out throughout the year. For instance, we had a lot of Indian incentives last November – that never happened before,” Albrecht told TTGmice.

“As for trying out new places, instead of always going to the same places like Interlaken, clients are happy to explore Bern and Basel. Switzerland is quite small and it doesn’t matter where you’re staying because you can be on a mountaintop in an hour and explore a top attraction in another city in the next hour.”

Albrecht emphasised Switzerland’s accessibility, made possible by the extensive network of the Swiss Travel System and the convenience of the Swiss Travel Pass, which covers land, sea and air via the Swiss Federal Railways, Lake Geneva boat cruise, panoramic GoldenPass Express and cable car rides to Glacier 3000.

Furthermore, the Swiss Travel System offers door-to-door express group luggage transfers for groups of 10 or more pax, with a maximum of 50 luggage items, travelling in the country by train, bus and boat.

SCIB has endeavoured to build public transport into its fam trips to demonstrate to event organisers the ease of moving groups from city to city in this manner. This also supports Switzerland’s sustainable living ethos, which Albrecht said many clients are drawn to.

When asked about the trend of smaller corporate incentive groups post-lockdown, Albrecht said it was due to budgets “remaining the same” but having to be spent on pricier airfares.

Dominique Oi, MICE manager South-east Asia with SCIB, added that it could also be due to tighter airline restrictions on the number of group tickets allotted for each agent.

“Large groups with more than 100 participants find themselves being split in two (on different flights), and the programme has to cater for staggered arrivals. As such, smaller groups are actually easier to manage now,” Oi reflected.

Both Albrecht and Oi expressed confidence in Asian markets contributing to even more corporate incentive travel movements in 2024 and in Asian top achievers unravelling even more exciting layers of the destination as they venture beyond popular locations.

Their confidence is partly due to Swiss International Air Lines’s new direct services to Seoul, launched May 7 this year.

SCIB was involved in 315 corporate incentive movements from Asia in 2023. This figure was likely just 10 per cent of the total events from Asia that were hosted in Switzerland, as many were handled solely by private organisations, opined Oi.

India and the collective South-east Asia region are among Switzerland’s top five performing markets for incentive travel. In 2023, Indonesia was South-east Asia’s top performer, followed by Thailand and Malaysia.

Oi said the the Philippines was a market to watch, as it has grown more than 30 per cent since SCIB opened its South-east Asian office in 2012. To grow the market further, SCIB is investing in in-market sales visits and destination education, such as airlines that Philippine groups can use for the best possible way to get to Switzerland, and the experiences available to top achievers.

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