Oneworld debuts dedicated lounge in Seoul

January 24, 2024

20240117_0155_1-edit_640 — The lounge features the alliance’s bold Travel Bright branding

The oneworld alliance opened its first-ever fully branded dedicated airport lounge in Seoul, built in collaboration with global aviation ground services provider Swissport, and the team behind its ASPIRE Airport Lounges.

Featuring the alliance’s bold Travel Bright branding presented in a sophisticated and welcoming way, the lounge’s design incorporates subtle nods to South Korean culture, capturing the colourful Lantern Festival in mesmerising glass art and the ‘Gat’ hat in a welcoming bar, mixing traditional and contemporary aesthetics.

The lounge features the alliance’s bold Travel Bright branding

The 555m2 lounge features a wide choice of distinct zones and spacious comfortable seating areas with relaxing, private or more sociable spaces in which customers can unwind, work or dine. There is seating available for up to 148 customers.

Situated in Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport, the lounge is no more than a 10-minute walk from the furthest oneworld airlines’ departure gates. Incheon International Airport is served by seven oneworld member airlines: American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways and SriLankan Airlines. Between them, these oneworld member airlines operate more than 60 weekly flights to Seoul, connecting the Korean capital with more than 900 destinations worldwide through the oneworld member network.

Gerhard Girkinger, oneworld vice president, customer experience, delivery and membership, said: “With oneworld celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2024, we are incredibly proud to be opening the very first oneworld branded lounge experience for our member airlines’ customers.

“The new oneworld lounge is an exciting next step in our vision to making travel bright. Together with ASPIRE, we have combined refined fixtures and finishes, digital technologies, and warm and ergonomic settings to create smart and memorable travel experiences.

“Our new Incheon lounge resets the benchmark for contemporary travel and will serve as the blueprint for future oneworld lounges in select airports around the world.”

The new lounge is open daily between 07.30 and 23.45 (apart from Monday and Saturday when it opens earlier at 04.30), for eligible oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers departing from Seoul on oneworld flights, as well as First and Business Class customers travelling with oneworld member airlines.

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som introduces corporate wellness initiatives

By TTGmice

January 24, 2024

Zulal_Wellness_Resort_by_Chiva-Som_Outdoor_Sunset_Group_Meditation_Class_640 — Group meditation class at sunset

In response to the increasing demands and challenges of the modern workplace, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar has developed a series of corporate wellness and executive wellness experiences.

Combining holistic personal treatments with group activities, these corporate getaways are designed to boost physical and mental wellbeing in the workplace, enhance team bonding, encourage creativity, and improve workplace productivity.

Each participant will undergo a personal consultation with a health and wellness advisor who will craft a customised wellness programme tailored to their specific needs, as well as provide them with tools to support and promote their optimal wellbeing as an employee within a team. Comprehensive blood testing is also available for all participants to analyse the body’s internal functions and to further curate the wellness journey.

Corporate coaching sessions – a crucial component of the executive wellness offering – will be led by experienced career development facilitators. These sessions will focus on personal development topics such as productivity, time management, goal setting, and more than anything else mental balance in the workplace.

Also included within each retreat is a range of teambuilding activities, such as corporate sustainability initiatives such as mangrove planting, circle of trust communication sessions, and outdoor activities including paddle tennis and beach volleyball.

The wellness programme can also include culinary experiences such as group cooking classes and barbecue nights, designed to strengthen team bonding while educating participants on the benefits of healthy food preparation and the importance of healthy eating habits.

Corporate groups may also avail a 200m² Eshar Banquet Area, one of Zulal Wellness Resort’s event spaces. Meanwhile, with full Wi-Fi and audiovisual facilities, Wadina Boardroom spans 48m² and can accommodate up to 15 individuals around the table.

Prices vary according to group preferences and include accommodation, full board, individual health and wellness consultation, personalised treatments, and group activities.

Skyscanner appoints Bryan Batista as COO

By TTGmice

January 23, 2024

Bryan Batista has been appointed as Skyscanner’s new chief operating officer.

He was previously senior vice president of international at Gopuff, and was Booking.com’s senior vice president Trips and CEO of Rentalcars.com before that.

In his new role, Batista will lead Skyscanner’s teams focussed on developing the company’s long-term strategic vision, business operations as well as non-flight verticals such as accommodation, car rental and future travel options.

Kevin Rautenbach assumes international director role at SKÅL International

By TTGmice

January 23, 2024

SKÅL International Thailand – the national representative committee of SKÅL International – has announced the immediate resignation of its current president, Kevin Rautenbach, following his appointment to the newly-formed, 14-member Executive Board of SKÅL International.

SKÅL International is the world’s largest association of travel and tourism professionals in 78 countries.

Rautenbach, who has held the position of president of SKÅL International Krabi and Thailand since January 2023, will now assume the role of director for Region 11 at SKÅL International. Region 11 encompasses Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand.

In his new position, Rautenbach is precluded from holding any other senior role in the organisation.

His new appointment comes halfway through his tenure as president of SKÅL International Thailand which will now undergo a reorganisation of its Executive Committee to fill Kevin’s position.

Elle Ng-Darmawan takes on new role at GBTA

By TTGmice

January 23, 2024

The Global Business Travel Association has revealed that Elle Ng-Darmawan, who joined the association in December 2023, is its new regional director for Asia-Pacific.

Based in Singapore and reporting to Catherine Logan, GBTA Regional senior vice president for EMEA and APAC, Ng-Darmawan brings extensive expertise in membership engagement, the business events sector, and a deep understanding of the region to support GBTA’s initiatives.

Perth unveils bold plans to redevelop waterfront precinct

By TTGmice

January 22, 2024

Perth-Convention-&-Exhibition-Centre_640 — An artist's impression of the revitalised waterfront with PCEC as an anchor

New plans for a refreshed waterfront precinct were unveiled last week, as the Western Australian Government entered negotiations to redevelop the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC).

PCEC was built in 2004 with a lease held by Wyllie and Brookfield until 2039. Wyllie and Brookfield, while working with the State Government, have identified an opportunity to redevelop the precinct.

An artist’s impression of the proposed revitalisation of the waterfront

A concept proposal has been submitted by Wyllie and Brookfield, and the State Government is now formally evaluating the proposal for the future of the PCEC.

The proposal would create an iconic waterfront precinct on the Swan River, with a world-class and highly competitive convention space to attract major business events to Western Australia.

It would deliver a new tourism and hospitality hub for Perth which includes improving connectivity to Elizabeth Quay, showcasing the Swan River and Kings Park, and delivering a new public realm including outdoor theatre on the Swan, as well as new public waterfront facilities and new F&B venues.

The existing Convention Centre building would be significantly refurbished to increase capacity and capability to attract new major business events, while development opportunities would be provided for a new premium hotel, residential apartments across the affordability and accessibility spectrum, and commercial and innovation space.

Early estimates, based on an independent economic study, indicate the redevelopment would provide billions of dollars in economic benefit to the State, driving significant tourism and hospitality activity for Western Australia. In addition, the proposed redevelopment would unlock a new pipeline of construction jobs for the future and create new local jobs across a diverse range of industries.

Western Australia’s tourism minister, Rita Saffioti, said: “This is a massive opportunity to transform our city’s waterfront and truly cement our status as a world-class destination to visit and do business.

“A redeveloped PCEC will be particularly important in attracting major business events to our city, which would be huge for our local economy in bringing more visitors strong business events tourism will help underpin further tourism investment in this State.”

A business case for the redevelopment will now be finalised and presented to the State Government for evaluation in mid-2024.

MyCEB inks MoC with ASTINDO during trade mission to Jakarta

By TTGmice

January 22, 2024

Image_1_640 — From left: The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau’s Azman Haji Tambi Chik; and Asosiasi Travel Agent Indonesia’s Pauline Suharno

The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Asosia Travel Agent Indonesia (ASTINDO), during a trade mission to Jakarta, Indonesia.

The MoC is a strategic framework marking key areas of collaboration between MyCEB and ASTINDO, which includes joint marketing and promotional efforts for the business events sector. The agreement is also expected to co-develop leads through information exchange of market intelligence on campaigns, initiatives, programmes and projects.

From left: The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau’s Azman Haji Tambi Chik; and Asosiasi Travel Agent Indonesia’s Pauline Suharno

CEO of MyCEB, Azman Haji Tambi Chik, announced the formal finalisation of a new partnership: “I am confident that this newly established relationship will empower us to achieve objectives that are beneficial to both Malaysia and Indonesia, including the restoration of our countries’ business events industry, facilitating knowledge exchange, and exploring opportunities for other business cooperation.”

During the three-day visit, MyCEB also paid a visit to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia, and met with Vinsensius Jemadu, deputy minister for tourism product at events. During this meeting, the Ministry expressed strong support for the collaborative efforts in building a robust ASEAN business events (BE) community between Indonesia and Malaysia.

The envisioned ASEAN BE community aims to strengthen regional ties, promote economic growth, and enhance the overall profile of the business events industry across South-east Asia. This endorsement reflects a shared commitment to fostering cross-border collaboration and elevating the region’s standing as a prominent hub for international business events activities.

MyCEB also seized the opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships with the Indonesian Exhibition Companies Association (IECA-ASPERAPI).

“IECA-ASPERAPI is proud to witness the Bureau’s continued dedication to building global connections. This trade mission is a testament to a productive long-term partnership and the importance of cross-border collaboration in revitalising and expanding the business events sector,” Hosea Andreas Runkat, chairman of IECA-ASPERAPI, said.

Euromic convenes in Asia for the first time

By S Puvaneswary

January 22, 2024

Euromic in KL — Euromic’s Rajeev Kohli (extreme right) standing with fellow Euromic members and outbound MICE agents at a networking event at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

For the first time in its five-decade history, Euromic members convened in Asia to hold their annual general meeting.

Supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Euromic members from all over the globe engaged with the local trade specialising in outbound business events from January 17-21. The Malaysia event was followed by a one-day event in Singapore on January 22.

Euromic’s Rajeev Kohli (extreme right) standing with fellow Euromic members and outbound MICE agents at a networking event at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

On January 19, Pacific Travel Asia Association CEO, Noor Ahmad Hamid, was in attendance, and shared with Euromic members an overview of the travel trends in Asia, to help them better understand the market.

This comes as Euromic unfolds plans to open their first Asian sales office in 2025, shared Euromic president, Rajeev Kohli, who is also joint managing director of India-based Creative Travel. The location of the office, and the number of staff it will have, have yet to be decided upon.

“The rationale behind setting up an office in Asia is that 55 per cent of the world’s population lives in Asia, so we cannot afford to ignore Asia,” shared Rajeev.

Currently, this non-profit marketing association of DMCs has sales offices in the US, South Africa and Germany.

Addressing the business performance for 2023, Rajeev noted that a majority of Euromic’s members recorded significant growth last year compared to 2022. As such, he anticipates a very positive year for its members this year.

He said: “Market demand has returned. I think this is because multinational companies better understand the value of incentive travel and the need for bonding opportunities for employees. The pandemic was a period of isolation, and now it is a time for in-person experiences.”

As tourism returns, sustainability has also moved front and centre, with Euromic aiming to be the first tourism association with 100 per cent of its members certified for sustainability.

Rajeev stated: “We have mandated that every member, by the end of 2024, should obtain a sustainability certification. Some are already accredited, and we have partnered with Biosphere to help with those that have not been.”

OCTB and MUIC Kansai launch Tech Tours Kansai

By TTGmice

January 22, 2024

LP-image_640 — Tech Tours Kansai emphasises support for industrial and incentive tours

Anticipating opportunities presented by Expo 2025 running from April to October 2025, the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (OCTB) has partnered with Kansai Innovation Center (MUIC Kansai) to launch Tech Tours Kansai, a new platform to develop custom-tailored industrial tours.

The Tech Tours Kansai team can coordinate custom-tailored tours that accommodate any group’s needs and requests. They cover a wide range of the Kansai region’s prominent industries, such as gastronomy, traditional craftwork, manufacturing, next-generation energy development and more.

Tech Tours Kansai emphasises support for industrial and incentive tours

More than just industrial site visits, tours include visits to significant cultural properties, culinary experiences, first-hand experiences with traditional crafts, and more comprehensive offerings across the Kansai region.

The one-stop service will be able to manage every step of the travel itinerary, from pre-planning to follow-up, including accommodation, transportation, and dietary requests, as well as coordinating special excursions and spousal programmes.

Aside from OCTB and MUIC Kansai, Nippon Travel Agency, and Kinki Nippon Tourist, are also participating organisations.

Expo 2025 will be Japan’s first major post-Covid international event, offering an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Osaka and the Kansai region as a premier meeting and event destination.

UFI announces dates and hosts for 2024 conferences

By TTGmice

January 22, 2024

Chapter-meeting_640 — UFI MEA Conference in May 2023

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced its 2024 series of regional conferences and co-located events, taking place between March and September.

The 2024 dates, hosts and locations will kick off with the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference, held from March 7-8, 2024, hosted by the Macau Fair and Trade Association in Macau, China.

Next, the UFI Middle East & Africa Conference will be held from April 15-17, 2024, hosted by the Rwanda Convention Bureau in Kigali, Rwanda.

In June 11-13, 2024, the UFI European Conference will be hosted by Messe Zürich in Zurich, Switzerland.

Lastly, the UFI Americas Conference will be held from September 10-12, 2024, hosted by OCV Monterrey – Oficina de Convenciones y Visitantes de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.

For the second year in a row, UFI will also run the Event Directors Summit, a one-day event that is strictly limited to event, exhibition, and portfolio directors from the organiser community. These events will be co-located with the Asia-Pacific and European Conferences.