Malaysia Airlines will deploy its flagship Airbus A350-900 aircraft on both of its daily nonstop services between Kuala Lumpur and Doha starting April 1.
The aircraft boasts a seating capacity of 300, including 40 in Business Class, 32 in Economy Comfort, and 228 in Economy Class. With a 1-2-1 configuration, the Business Class cabin features the Thompson XL Vantage seats, providing passengers with comfort and direct aisle access, in addition to more storage space to ensure practicality and accessibility.
The airline currently operates the twice-daily service which departs from Kuala Lumpur via MH164 at 02.55 and MH160 at 21.00, with return flights from Doha departing via MH165 at 08.05 and MH161 at 01.50. These services include Qatar Airways’ codeshare on both routes.
Malaysia Airlines will deploy its flagship Airbus A350-900 aircraft on both of its daily nonstop services between Kuala Lumpur and Doha starting April 1.
The aircraft boasts a seating capacity of 300, including 40 in Business Class, 32 in Economy Comfort, and 228 in Economy Class. With a 1-2-1 configuration, the Business Class cabin features the Thompson XL Vantage seats, providing passengers with comfort and direct aisle access, in addition to more storage space to ensure practicality and accessibility.
The airline currently operates the twice-daily service which departs from Kuala Lumpur via MH164 at 02.55 and MH160 at 21.00, with return flights from Doha departing via MH165 at 08.05 and MH161 at 01.50. These services include Qatar Airways’ codeshare on both routes.
Business Events Adelaide has released the 16th edition of its Planners Guide.
Key features of this year’s Guide include a fly-through of Adelaide’s innovation, cultural and business event precincts, and sample itineraries for corporate incentive groups. Maps embedded in each page also demonstrate Adelaide’s connectedness.
The Guide helps organisers with their choice of accommodation, restaurants, wine regions and experiences on offer in South Australia. It is distributed to more than 6,000 event planners globally.
Cover page of the Adelaide Planners Guide 2024
Damien Kitto, Business Events Adelaide’s CEO, explained that this year’s Guide was built specifically for online viewing.
“The 2024 Planners Guide is designed to be more interactive than previous iterations, with plenty of video content allowing us to show rather than tell why Adelaide is the ideal business event destination,” he said.
A host of Business Events Adelaide members have taken the opportunity to promote their products and services directly to the domestic and international audience, and members still have the opportunity to be included.
“The design allows for changes to be made as they happen, meaning that business event organisers always have the most up-to-date information, and members don’t need to wait a year to add more content,” Kitto added.
Fun and colour were some of the themes at AIME 2024. Photo: Adelaine Ng
The 2024 Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has concluded in Melbourne, with organisers declaring it a resounding success and setting their sights on higher business results than last year’s show.
This year’s edition saw more than 600 international buyers and 570 exhibitors (up 63 per cent and 51 per cent respectively year-on-year), and featured a larger show floor, new zones for Destination Management Companies and boutique accommodation, which saw a rapid uptake with 30 stands booked.
Fun and colour were some of the themes at AIME 2024. Photo: Adelaine Ng
The technology zone also doubled in size from last year and for the first time, a podcast booth was featured on the show floor, for post-event engagement. The Accelerate programme – aimed at nurturing an upcoming generation of event planners – was also launched, and the AIME Rockets initiative allowed 30 budding professionals to gain invaluable industry insights and connections.
According to AIME’s event director Silke Calder, the event drew rave reviews from delegates for its insightful Knowledge Program and neon-themed Welcome Event at Grazeland, celebrating Melbourne’s vibrant street food scene.
“They were blown away by the programme we put together for the first day, especially the first-time visitors. Our partnership with (brand experience company) BEAM was very fruitful and we managed to get the right topic and speakers,” Calder told TTGmice.
Calder believes AIME is well-positioned to surpass last year’s record of A$200 million (US$131 million) in deals inked. “I’d love to see us hit A$300 million this time around,” she said.
“It feels like we are definitely back. The interest we observe from countries, not only within the Asia-Pacific but also from those outside seeking to participate, is enormous,” she added.
Julia Swanson, CEO of Melbourne Convention Bureau, shared Calder’s optimism.
“Business is looking strong. The association market is back and they are extending their booking window. International business (events are also) definitely back and people are not looking one or two years ahead, but five to eight years ahead again, which is fantastic,” she said.
Swanson also highlighted the complete recovery of Melbourne’s aviation sector, emphasising the establishment of new routes to countries like Vietnam and India, which have contributed to improved connectivity.
Vinsensius Jemadu, Indonesia’s deputy minister for tourism products and events, told TTGmice that participating in AIME has been strategic for his country.
“Our arrivals from Australia last year hit a record 1.4 million, bettering pre-Covid numbers. This year, we doubled the size of our pavilion to 54m² with 12 products represented. We are looking to expand it next year to have 20 products,” he said.
“The best part about AIME has been the strength of its database and I had a comprehensive discussion with AIME’s organisers about their matching system linking the network with our sellers. We were impressed by the quality of the buyers,” Vinsensius added.
First-time exhibitor Shane Thantirimudalige, managing director of Sri Lankan DMC Beyondary, said he would wait to see if his meetings translate into bookings in the coming months before deciding whether participating in AIME has been worthwhile.
“We had a good year from Australia last year, with all 80 tours highly successful. So when AIME reached out to us, we wanted to see how we could increase the volume of visitors, because I think there is huge potential,” he said.
“But I wish we had a better stand position (instead of being right on the edge of the showfloor) for better exposure.”
Next year’s AIME has been slated to take place from February 10-12, 2025.
Adelaide is coming into its own as an incentive destination, with interest strongly building from the region and recently presenting a solid showcase as Tourism Australia’s host city for the return of its signature incentives showcase, Dreamtime.
Armed with the philosophy of “show, not tell”, Adelaide demonstrated its ability to design and execute high-level experiences in front of 80 international incentive planners at Dreamtime, including about 30 from one of its key target markets, China.
Aerial view of Adelaide City
“Our corporate incentives is blossoming and it’s a real growth area for us. We also have significant government funding that we didn’t have before, to dedicate time and resources towards building this market,” said Tony Saulter, general manager strategy & public affairs, Business Events Adelaide.
Positioned as a boutique city, Adelaide was building momentum for incentive business with several wins for 2021 before they were cancelled by the pandemic. But the story they now tell proudly consists of new luxury hotels and experiences.
This includes the opening of Sofitel Adelaide near the Riverbank precinct; Adelaide Oval Hotel located at the iconic cricket ground; and Eos by SkyCity Adelaide, bringing a new level of luxury accommodation. An upcoming Marriott hotel will also mark the debut of the international chain in the city.
The ultra-luxurious Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island has also reopened after being destroyed by bushfires in 2020, welcoming guests back to the exclusive and sustainable retreat.
Beyond hotels, new venues and attractions are enhancing Adelaide’s incentive offering. The A$20 million (US$13.4 million) Event Centre at Morphettville will host major concerts and exhibitions. Glamping experiences have launched at Monarto Safari Park, one of Australia’s largest open-range zoos.
Adelaide’s world-class wine regions like the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills continue to expand, with several boutique wineries and cellar doors opening recently, as if Adelaide did not already have enough fine wine experiences on offer.
However, it is not just about the assets. Adelaide also made the most of Dreamtime to showcase its ability to weave next-level wow factors into the incentive experience.
A highlight for delegates was breakfast on the Adelaide Oval, arriving through the players’ tunnel to cheer squads and fireworks, while a choir sang from the roof – all these added to the emotional factor.
The rise in Adelaide’s incentive offering is supported by a growing Business Events Adelaide team that has expanded – from just nine staff two years ago to 16 currently. This includes a dedicated director of Asia who is based in-market visiting key clients across the region regularly. There are also plans to employ additional Chinese-speaking staff to assist with securing more business from the Chinese market.
Rundle Mall in Adelaide CBD
“Greater China is showing a great deal of interest and we’re also seeing a lot of activity out of Singapore,” said Saulter.
“Apart from that, India will be a growing focus over the next 12 months because it has shown to be an emerging market on the back of our Indian student population overtaking the number of Chinese students, which is increasing our visibility in India,” he said.
Saulter added that Adelaide has maintained strong relationships with direct-selling companies, particularly in Greater China. The appetite for new destinations also puts the South Australian city in a prime position for business.
“Incentive planners tell us they have already done Europe and Dubai, so they’re looking farther afield.
“They are looking for unique Australian experiences that involve a range of activities – whether it involves something wildlife related, our beach culture or the wine and seafood. I hope that we’ve been able to show our flexibility for experiences that in some cases, money cannot buy, like closing off a city street for a party as we did at Dreamtime,” Saulter added.
According to the latest Australian Tourism Research data, India was the largest inbound business events market for Sydney in 2023, surpassing China for the first time.
Increased direct flights, a friendly visa regime and a slow recovery of the Chinese market were the main reasons behind India occupying the numero uno position in Sydney’s inbound business events market.
Sydney is pulling in numerous Indian business events; Sydney Opera House pictured
“I can’t disclose the number of business events from India that happened in Sydney last year, but I can say the number of business events delegates travelling to Sydney from India grew more than 20 per cent from 2019 to 2023.
“The direct flight capacity from India to Sydney has increased four times since 2019 with a total of 12 flights weekly at present. We are also in talks with Air India and Qantas to add more flights this year,” Joo-Rei Mathieson, associate director, global corporate & incentives, Business Events Sydney (BESydney) told TTGmice on the sidelines of his recent trade engagement in New Delhi.
Indian outbound business events to Sydney are primarily fuelled by incentive trips, with participation in global association meetings following closely.
Intending to further grow the business events market from India, BESydney has launched a Sydney Meeting Fund. This initiative has been designed to help groups from India offset a portion of their costs for business events in Sydney. It is designed for smaller groups of around 100 to 250 people, and the funding support is accessible through BESydney’s website.
“To qualify for support, the event must not have a confirmed location in Sydney yet. Additionally, the event should have a minimum duration of three nights and four days,” Mathieson explained.
Interested event planners should submit their applications by May 31, 2024, and the event needs to take place by December 31, 2024.
The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, in partnership with Tourism Western Australia, will host G’day Australia this year.
One of Tourism Australia’s signature trade events, G’day Australia 2024 will be held from October 13-18. Around 300 Aussie Specialist travel agents from across the world are set to gather in Western Australia, and meet with Australian tourism businesses face-to-face.
G’day Australia will boost tourism in Western Australia; Perth pictured
G’day Australia will provide a boost for tourism in Western Australia and across the country, with state and territory tourism organisations supporting a national fam programme around the event.
Meanwhile, experiencing Australia for themselves will help visiting travel agents encourage international visitors to stay longer and spend more in Australia, which is good news for Australian tourism businesses and the more than a million jobs the sector directly and indirectly supports.
In the past, 100 per cent of the travel agents who took part in G’day Australia have said they planned to sell more of Australia as a result of the event, which will help the state’s tourism sector continue on its path to surpass 2019 international visitation numbers and grow sustainably into the future.
Hong Kong-headquartered events and exhibition company, Pico, commemorates three decades of operations in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) this year, and is planning for continued expansion and sustained growth in the region.
Pico’s senior vice president of EMEA, Caroline Bee, told TTGmice: “We have significant growth plans for increasing our exhibition market share (and) live event portfolio, and (intend to) bring meeting planners (more) offerings in the region…
Bee: Pico’s future is bright in the Middle East, where the region spells significant growth opportunities
“We are also expanding our incentive business (as) employers are becoming more aware of the importance of recognition and reward for effective talent retention.”
Pico is expanding particularly in Saudi Arabia, where the country is pursuing visionary goals for 2030 through massive and ambitious infrastructure projects such as NEOM. At press time, Pico has delivered multiple projects for NEOM urban area, the rebranding of Saudia Airlines, and Noor Riyadh, which is regarded as the world’s largest light art festival.
Bee elaborated: “Key priorities include cultivating a highly skilled team in Saudi Arabia and expanding our production facility there. The strategic ownership of our factories is pivotal in our approach, providing complete control over the supply chain from both cost and quality perspectives.”
Hence, team growth in EMEA will involve building a specialised practice centred on metrics and measurement to enhance operational efficiency.
“We are actively developing a distinctive data strategy designed to empower clients in measuring ROI in their event marketing endeavours. This initiative is exciting, as the group continues to enhance operational efficiency by moving towards becoming a fully data-driven enterprise. To realise this vision, we are incorporating top talent with expertise in this unique skill set and providing comprehensive training,” she said.
A tailored approach to marketing campaigns is necessary in the region because of the diversity of its people, with over 200 nationalities residing in the UAE alone, according to Bee.
Meanwhile, Bee noted that 2023 was an “exceptional year” for the company in EMEA, with many major projects accomplished. These include the opening and closing ceremonies of the Arabian Gulf Cup in Iraq, and the FIFA museum during the FIFA World Cup Qatar.
Bee aims to continue this momentum in 2024.
She concluded: “Looking ahead, major events like World Expo 2030 in Saudi Arabia and the FIFA World Cup in 2034 offer unparalleled opportunities for us to showcase innovative event management solutions and reaffirm our commitment to sustainability and technological advancement in the dynamic landscape of mega-events.”
This project shows Christchurch’s commitment to understanding and optimising the long-term benefits generated by business events
ChristchurchNZ will undertake a three-year project – The Conference Legacy Project – to evaluate the legacy impacts of business events on Christchurch and the broader New Zealand landscape.
Announced at Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Event, the New Zealand project will gather evidence-based information to quantify the value of hosting conferences. Key focus areas will include the impact of hosting business events on scientific advancement, industry innovation, the attraction of global talent, improved social policy, community well-being, cultural and regenerative initiatives, and trade and investment.
This project shows Christchurch’s commitment to understanding and optimising the long-term benefits generated by business events
Business events researcher professor Carmel Foley from the University of Technology Sydney will lead the study, and inspiration will be drawn from Sydney’s successful eight-year evaluation model.
Large international events in Christchurch, including the 1,100-delegate Asian Seed Congress, supported by ChristchurchNZ and held at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, will be among the first of the targeted studies.
Megan Crum, ChristchurchNZ’s head of business events,l said: “We recognise the impact of conferences extends well beyond tourism and should not be measured merely by direct financial contribution.
“Christchurch has matured into a premier destination for business events, and the city recognises the importance of assessing the lasting and long-tail impacts of these events. The insights we gain will play a pivotal role in shaping future strategies and identifying funding opportunities.”
Hospitality giant Accor has introduced its latest campaign for meetings and event organisers, ‘We must start meeting like this’, at the Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Event.
Accor’s ALL Meeting Planner loyalty members who organise an event, meeting, or group gathering at any of the group’s 400+ hotels across the Pacific region with a minimum spend of $5,000 (in the local currency of the participating hotel where the event is held) during the campaign period will enjoy a range of exclusive benefits.
This includes double Reward points, the chance to win an ALL Gift Card valued at A$1,000 (US$745) each month; and go in the draw for one of two grand prizes, a trip to Paris at the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, or the Maldives at the Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru. Both prizes include a five-night stay for up to four people and include return flights.
To participate, event organisers simply need to become a member of ALL Meeting Planner (free of charge); register for the campaign as an ALL Meeting Planner member before their event by July 31, 2024; and hold the event by September 30, 2024. This campaign is available at all Accor hotels in the Pacific region that are part of the ALL Meeting Planner programme.
All year-round, ALL Meeting Planner event organisers can earn points, utilise points to cover up to 15 per cent of their event bill, and access redemption rewards, including experiences at Accor Stadium and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
