Asia/Singapore Saturday, 25th April 2026
Page 197

Phuket selected as host of GSTC 2026

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This event is a pivotal first step for Phuket (pictured) in its aspiration to become a leading global sustainable tourism destination

Phuket secures the bid to host the 2026 Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC 2026) conference, aligning with its agenda to transform into a global sustainable tourism destination by 2027.

Scheduled to happen in April 2026 under the theme of Regenerative Tourism, more than 700 tourism experts from 60 countries are expected to attend, generating over 50 million baht in revenue in the process.

This event is a pivotal first step for Phuket (pictured) in its aspiration to become a leading global sustainable tourism destination

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau spearheaded the bidding process, collaborating with key stakeholders including Phuket Province, the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation (STDF), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration.

Bhummikitti Raktaengam, president of STDF, emphasised the foundation’s commitment to advancing sustainable tourism practices in Thailand through practical initiatives. This includes implementing a strategic master plan that fosters collaboration between the tourism industry and the public sector, focusing on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, implementing proper waste management, and preparing the tourism sector to address challenges posed by global climate change.

Hosting the GSTC 2026 conference marks the commencement of Phuket, the Andaman region, and Thailand’s journey towards sustainable tourism.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT governor, further emphasised the significance of hosting GSTC 2026 in showcasing Thailand’s dedication to environmental conservation and protection on a global stage. This initiative is poised to enhance the country’s tourism image and bolster confidence among travellers, particularly “high-quality tourists” from Europe, America, Australia, and Asia.

Experience Gold Coast rolls out new videos directed at associations and incentives

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The new set of destination videos shows off a range of event-friendly infrastructure and experiences

Experience Gold Coast has launched the next round of videos designed to attract international associations and incentive travel groups to the city.

In a similar format as the initial video launched last month, the video takes the viewer into the imagination of a meeting planner who pictures a destination with an extensive range of infrastructure and experiences, framed by a spectacular coastline and tropical rainforest, just like the Gold Coast.

The new set of destination videos shows off a range of event-friendly infrastructure and experiences

Experience Gold Coast’s director, business events Brooke Campbell said the assets are designed to appeal specifically to international association and incentive travel group organisers looking to plan their next event.

“We can support association conferences by tapping into the strength of our developed key sectors such as medicine, health, education, screen and sport for partnerships, opportunities and insights,” she added.

Caption by Hyatt Zhongshan Park Shanghai opens

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Premium Room

Hyatt Hotels has opened the Caption by Hyatt Zhongshan Park Shanghai, marking the introduction of Hyatt’s new lifestyle brand in the Asia-Pacific region.

The 254 key property offers business travellers the latest technological features such as digital keys, free Wi-Fi, personalised lighting system, Bluetooth media hub, and HD TV with streaming capability.

Premium Room

Taole Central, located on the second floor, functions as all-day venue for small business meetings, or for travellers needing a space to work out from. Taole Central also features a selection of locally inspired F&B options, afternoon desserts and pastries, and a grab-and-go market with 24-hour accessibility.

A series of authentic Shanghai experiences such as comedy talk shows and handcraft workshops will also be hosted here to help foster connections, share cultural insights, and enrich personal experiences.

There is also a 24-hour Fitness Centre on-site.

Eco-friendly initiatives within the hotel include measures such as digitalised keys, waste reduction by introducing self-activated food options, installation water dispensers on each guestroom floor, and the use of biodegradable packaging for laundry and shopping bags.

Tourism Malaysia presents strategic roadmap for Visit Malaysia 2026

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Malaysia will embark on a tourism marketing blitz under the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM 2026) campaign, with creating demand, increasing traffic, and prioritising target markets forming the strategic cores. The campaign aims to attract 35.6 million tourists and generate RM147.1 billion (US$30.8 billion) in receipts.

In detailing the VM 2026 roadmap last week, Tourism Malaysia said key initiatives would include branding and marketing blitz, strategic partnerships for joint promotions/tactical campaigns, and market segmentation.

Tiong King Sing, Malaysia’s minister of tourism, arts and culture, details objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026

Tourism Malaysia will carry out aggressive advertising campaigns, influencer marketing, and compelling content creation across digital (70 per cent) and traditional (30 per cent) media platforms. It will also establish strategic partnerships with airlines, OTAs, and land/sea border operators of neighbouring countries to enhance tourist arrivals.

Key target markets are prioritised into three tiers, led by first-level priorities such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia. The second-level priorities include South Korea, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and the UK, followed by third-level priorities comprising Chinese Taipei and Germany.

Attention will also be paid to emerging markets like Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, tourism products and travel experiences will be tailored for niche segments, such as nature-based tourism, experiential tourism, medical and wellness tourism, responsible tourism, luxury, weddings, Muslim-friendly, gastronomy, and bleisure travel.

Tiong King Sing, minister of tourism, arts and culture, said: “Our multi-pronged VM 2026 strategy provides a comprehensive framework to boost Malaysia’s visibility, enhance destination accessibility and elevate our tourism offerings. Through focused efforts and strategic collaborations, we are confident of achieving our yearly arrivals and target receipts in the run-up to VM 2026.”

Tiong added that the NTO would continue to engage industry stakeholders and international partners to refine and execute the VM 2026 strategies, positioning Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination in this region. Indeed, a meeting between Tourism Malaysia and industry players on April 30 has led to the creation of strategic plans to promote the destination among international and domestic markets, in support of VM 2026.

Malaysia’s notable tourism achievements for 1Q2024 are promising. From January to March, Malaysia welcomed 5.8 million arrivals, up 32.5 per cent over the same period in 2023. The top ten markets were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Brunei, India, South Korea, the UK, Australia, and the Philippines.

Creating impact beyond borders

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Event brief
Phillips APAC Connect 2024 is a five-day event that gathers Philips’ Channel Partners, the complete HS sales and marketing team from all districts, and key stakeholders. The event serves as a platform for team members to unite, learn, share successes, and inspire each other for 2024 and beyond.

Event highlight
Taking place at the Grand Hyatt Bali, Philips APAC Connect 2024 encompasses a range of workstreams such as a Channel Partner Summit, Sales & Marketing Conference, workshops, business training sessions, and awards hospitality programs. These initiatives are designed to recognise and celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of top performers throughout 2023.

Themed Create, Connect and Collaborate, Philips APAC Connect 2024 commenced with the APAC Leadership Meeting, laying the groundwork for collaborative efforts among executives from various regions and businesses. This transitioned seamlessly into the APAC Connect Channel Partner Summit held over the following two days, during which Philips actively engaged with their 170 Channel Partners, reinforcing their dedication to mutual growth and success both now and in the future.

The momentum surged onward with the APAC Connect Sales and Marketing Conference, devoting the remaining event days to internal excellence. Featuring insightful presentations and interactive training sessions, the event served as a platform for honouring Philips’ sales champions and nurturing team cohesion.

Memorable moments included the unveiling of the Smart Hospital Inception Program 3.0, a gala dinner featuring a cultural performance by Team Indonesia, a beachside party, and to conclude, a teambuilding activity held at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park.

Challenges
PMG Asia’s Events Division encountered a significant challenge – delivering the event within an extremely tight timeframe of less than two months. This limited window presented substantial compliance, programming, and logistical hurdles, necessitating the team to accelerate planning, design, coordination, and execution processes to meet deadlines efficiently.

The challenge was further compounded by the event’s regional scope, as it took place in Bali and involved coordinating internal and external attendees and speakers from across the Asia Pacific region. Additionally, there was a need to rent or manufacture equipment, collateral, and merchandise, all of which had to be shipped from overseas.

Another logistical hurdle revolved around effectively managing the expansive space of the Grand Hyatt Bali resort. This included ensuring that adequate wayfinding systems and manpower resources were in place to facilitate a smooth and efficient attendee journey throughout the event.

Despite encountering significant challenges, the PMG team adeptly navigated obstacles to deliver a seamless event experience. This success was achieved through meticulous planning, precise coordination, innovative thinking, and maintaining flexibility and adaptability throughout the process.

Event Philips APAC Connect 2024
Organiser PMG Asia Pacific, Events Division
Venue Grand Hyatt Bali
Dates February 26 to March 1, 2024
Attendance Over 500 participants

Switzerland Tourism begins phased global rebrand

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Jet d'Eau fountain is one of the most famous landmarks in Geneva, Switzerland, with its powerful spray reaching 140m into the sky

In an ongoing rebranding exercise, Switzerland Tourism has retired its iconic golden edelweiss logo and replaced it with the word Switzerland, with the Swiss cross taking the place of the letter ‘t’, set against a colour gradient backdrop of five shades of red.

Jet d’Eau fountain is one of the most famous landmarks in Geneva, Switzerland, with its powerful spray reaching 140m into the sky

The new brand identity was developed with Zurich-based branding specialist, Made Identity. According to the agency’s case study on the rebranding exercise, the new logo allows a stronger reflection of the Swiss flag through the inclusion of the Swiss cross in the wordmark while the five tones of red convey energy and the alpine glow of Swiss mountains.

While the new brand image was unveiled in Geneva on May 1, the full exercise will be implemented globally in stages. Switzerland Tourism, which the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau is part of, told TTGmice that more information would be shared with the Asian travel trade community at ILTM Asia Pacific 2024.

Topgolf Megacity aims to transform corporate events through gameplay

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Topgolf Megacity sports and entertainment complex in Bangkok
Topgolf Megacity is a sports and entertainment complex that supports small and large corporate events of up to 2,000 people

Brought to you by Topgolf Megacity 

For event planners looking for something different, Topgolf Megacity may offer what they need. 

A sports and entertainment complex in Bangkok, 35 minutes from the Central Business District, Topgolf Megacity offers a unique concept that blends sports, leisure and business in a dynamic setting. 

Opened in August 2022, Topgolf offers a variety of game formats that cater to all ages and skill levels, from first timers to seasoned players, regardless whether they know the sport or not. 

Tim Boda, managing director, Topgolf Thailand

“Bringing the joy of golf to everyone is at the heart of Topgolf,” said Tim Boda, Managing Director Topgolf Thailand. “Our mission is to revolutionise the game, making it accessible and enjoyable for all skill levels. In our first year, over two-thirds of players identified as non-golfers, with an equal split between female and male players. At Topgolf, our diverse range of technology-supported game formats is crafted to captivate players of all ages, drawing in newcomers and seasoned pros alike.”

Versatile spaces for play and business

Topgolf Megacity sports and entertainment complex in Bangkok
Fully equipped meeting rooms are available for corporate groups

At Topgolf Megacity, corporate events are taken to the next level. Its event spaces are nothing short of extraordinary, catering to groups ranging from a cozy 12 to a large group of up to 2,000 guests.

With a whopping 102 hitting bays, each accommodating up to six players, the excitement never stops.

Take your pick from the array of interactive games, engage in friendly competition and rack up points with the state-of-the-art microchipped golf balls.

There’s no need to worry about food and drinks either. Topgolf delivers both right up to the hitting bays.

Venture into the Puttyard, a challenging 18-hole par 55 course. Perfect for social gatherings or family outings, it’s a thrill for both amateurs and seasoned pros alike.

Need a space for those important business discussions? Topgolf Megacity has got that covered with a fully equipped 186m² function room, easily dividable into two separate spaces, and conveniently connected to the hitting bays.

Boda recognises the vital role corporate events play in introducing new faces to the Topgolf experience. From team-building days to product launches, Topgolf Megacity aims to be a full service provider for corporate event excellence.

Over the years, Topgolf has proudly hosted corporate events for a multitude of industries, including automotive, pharmaceutical, finance, and manufacturing to name a few.

“We’ve handled it all with our one-stop shop approach. Our largest corporate group boasted an impressive 5,000 participants over four action-packed days, and all of them were non-golfers. So whether you’re planning team-building adventures, important meetings, or unforgettable year-end parties, let Topgolf Megacity set the stage for your corporate success,” added Boda.

Variety of food and beverage concepts 

With five bars and restaurants to choose from, Topgolf Megacity is equipped with sufficient food options to ensure that guests can fill up as they play. 

Patio is its casual all-day dining restaurant that transforms into a vibrant beer garden at night. Guests can enjoy comfortable indoor and outdoor seating amidst greenery from The Puttyard while savoring bold Thai dishes, healthy comfort food, and international classics. Also at the Patio is Topgolf’s own food bus, BUSTED!, which serves vibrant Thai dishes prepared with American BBQ techniques that give the food an extra smoky punch. 

On its fourth floor is Pink Giraffe, Topgolf Megacity’s open air rooftop bar that offers all-round views of the surrounding landscape. Other bars include Devil’s Lounge, which offers 65 types of wines and whiskeys, as well as the two-storey Topgolf Sports Bar which has large screens for an enjoyable viewing experience. 

Topgolf offers several meeting packages designed for various event needs. Visit Topgolf Megacity to plan your next corporate outing, call +66 (0)2 114 1289, or email onestopservice@topgolfthailand.com

Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore welcomes new GM

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Dao by Dorsett has appointed Jessie Khoo-Gan as its new general manager.

She joins the team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and has amassed over 30 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry.

Prior to joining Dao by Dorsett, she has held leadership roles at Paradox Singapore Merchant Court, as well as at Pan Pacific Hotels Group and the Shangri-La Group.

Rubel Miah joins Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort, BDMS Wellness Clinic as GM

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Rubel Miah has been appointed as the new general manager of Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok and BDMS Connect Center.

With over 20 years of hospitality expertise, the French national was previously the general manager of Lebua Hotel Bangkok.

New Zealand business events sector launches Strategic Direction 2035

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Pīata Mai cover image

New Zealand’s business events sector has come together to launch Pīata Mai, a national statement of strategic direction outlining a focused vision for the industry over the next decade.

The strategy emphasises storytelling about the sector’s community impacts, its foundational values of people and place, and the economic and legacy benefits of business events.

Pīata Mai cover image

The 10-year aims and immediate objectives of Pīata Mai include commissioning credible domestic and international spend data, ensuring 95 per cent of the sector has taken action to measure and reduce environmental impact, and supporting the development of an enduring and equitable funding system for the visitor economy.

This initiative, guided by an industry stakeholder group and shaped through extensive consultations, is under the stewardship of the industry body, Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA). It aims to amplify the sector’s positive impact on culture, society, the environment, and the economy through to 2035.

Susan Sawbridge, former head of Major Events New Zealand led the consultation and delivery of the direction.

BEIA chair, Martin Snedden, said that Pīata Mai is a first for New Zealand’s business events sector. “It means ‘to shine bright,’ and symbolises the industry’s readiness to excel domestically and globally, driven by its commitment to resilience and sustainability.

The name was bestowed by New Zealand Māori Tourism, and illuminates the critical role and contributions of business events to communities throughout New Zealand, he added.

Lisa Hopkins, BEIA’s chief executive, added that Pīata Mai aligns with the broader goals of Tourism 2050, a vision set out by Tourism Industry Aotearoa in 2023.

“With increased international and domestic conferences anticipated, it’s timely to emphasise our strategic position and collaborate with our whanau (family) in tourism and hospitality…

“Our vision is a dynamic business events sector with a thriving community, environmental stewardship, and engaged individuals who are recognised for their contributions. Pīata Mai lays the groundwork for any organisation within the business events network to embark on a strategic journey aligned with this vision,” Hopkins concluded.

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