BEIA welcomes new government, calls for more sector recognition

November 27, 2023

BEIA MEETINGS 2023 held at Tākina Wellington — BEIA's MEETINGS 2023 held at Tākina Wellington

Following the formation of New Zealand’s new coalition government, the business events industry is calling for all-of-government recognition for the sector.

Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s (BEIA) chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, pointed out that the industry straddles a broad variety of ministerial portfolios.

BEIA’s MEETINGS 2023 held at Tākina Wellington

“New Zealand’s business events industry impacts not just tourism, but diverse industries and government departments. Our sector has immense potential to influence New Zealand’s economic and social indicators, and our global reputation as an exceptional world-class destination.

“We want to work with government to support the sector, enabling it to increase its reach and potential, but, most importantly, realise the positive impact the sector plays in delivering outcomes for New Zealand and New Zealanders.”

Hopkins added that BEIA has prepared a “comprehensive briefing document” for the incoming ministers, and will “proactively engage with Ministers and their policy advisors of many portfolios, including Trade, Immigration, Foreign Affairs, Health, and Economic Development”.

Business Events is one of Tourism New Zealand’s top four strategic markets, delivering investment, jobs, and economic growth, and significantly contributes to the hospitality, retail, and transport industries,

As such, BEIA is calling for sustainable funding through the application of a visitor levy for distribution across the visitor economy, including business events.

“New investment is also needed to secure international conferences for New Zealand. As the world’s last developed nation to unveil a range of state-of-the-art, eco-friendly centres, we are setting the benchmark for others, but we are playing on a global stage which requires support. The returns, however, are significant.”

Hopkins also called for the new minister for tourism and hospitality Matt Doocey to provide direction and support to the TDLG (Tourism Data Leadership Group), to ensure the industry is measured accurately to reflect its value.

“As well, we look forward to continuing the good mahi (work) done to date with Immigration, as we collaborate on a process to streamline access to New Zealand for attendees from non-visa waiver countries. This is an excellent example of government and industry working together to find a solution,” Hopkins stated.

Improved air links to Western Australia a boon for Malaysian incentives

By S Puvaneswary

November 27, 2023

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Kuala,Lumpur,,Malaysia,-,May,14,,2013:,Airasia,Jet,Airplane — AirAsia Malaysia expands network with first route to Australia

Corporate incentive planners are buzzing with excitement after AirAsia Malaysia recently announced the launch of its inaugural flight between Kuala Lumpur and Perth on March 11, 2024.

These seven new services will complement AirAsia X’s – an affiliate airline – existing daily medium-haul operations connecting Kuala Lumpur and Perth.

AirAsia Malaysia expands network with first route to Australia

This will bode well for the Malaysian incentive market, said Koh Yock Heng, group managing director, Apple Vacations, as there has been “a notable decline in outbound European tour bookings and incentives to Middle East and Europe” due to geopolitical issues.

Koh added: “This enhanced air connectivity will play a crucial role in advancing our efforts to promote Perth and Western Australia for both incentive and leisure travel.”

On what would appeal to Malaysian incentives, he pointed to Western Australia’s favourable weather conditions, renowned wineries, exceptional opportunities for nature and wildlife sightseeing, and diverse range of experiences.

Corporate Information Travel’s (CIT) business development manager, Foo Sze Zhaun, indicated that this announcement will strengthen the existing collaboration between CIT and Tourism Western Australia in attracting Malaysian outbound corporates and leisure travellers to Western Australia.

Foo also expressed optimism that more flights will also help stabilise airfares, as Perth is a “perennially-appealing destination located just. 5.5 hours from Kuala Lumpur”.

Meanwhile, Zahira Tahir, founder and CEO of Universal Holidays Travel and Tourism, opined that the new air routes have also created an opportune moment for her company to enter the Australian incentive market.

She elaborated: “This is a new market for us, which we plan to actively engage by participating in tradeshows in Australia to identify potential partners.”

Business travellers ready to hit the road, but on their own terms: SAP Concur

By TTGmice

November 27, 2023

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Asian,Business,Man,In,Room — 60% of Asia-Pacific business travellers are very willing to travel for business, yet 92% will decline an assigned trip if they do not get their way in terms of flexibility, health and safety needs, or social and environmental concerns

Corporate travellers in Asia-Pacific are exhibiting a greater willingness to travel for business, but not without higher expectations to prioritise safety, flexibility and sustainability, according to new research by SAP Concur.

Business travel is returning steadily, with nearly all (94%) Asia-Pacific travellers asserting that the future of their career depends on successful business travel in the coming year. Three-fifths (60%) are very willing to travel for business, which is a 12% increase from the 48% who were this willing last year. The stakes are shown in the value put on travel ̶ many (46%) believe it’s vital to maintain customer relationships.

60% of Asia-Pacific business travellers are very willing to travel for business, yet 92% will decline an assigned trip if they do not get their way in terms of flexibility, health and safety needs, or social and environmental concerns

While there is a greater inclination to travel, the vast majority (93%) of Asia-Pacific business travellers expect flexibility to book travel outside of company policy when policy conflicts with their needs or values.

Flexible arrangement includes employers allowing staff to book travel that falls outside of company policy to help facilitate a healthy work-life balance (53%), and a rising priority – to book more sustainable travel options (40%).

These expectations show that for business travellers, it isn’t just about value; it’s about values. Two-fifths of Asia-Pacific business travellers (40%) expect their company to allow them to make travel choices outside of company policy to book more sustainable travel options.

Moreover, 90% of travellers said they will take extra steps over the next 12 months to reduce the environmental impact of their business travel. Nearly a quarter (24%) would directly decline a business trip if they had concerns about the environmental impact of the travel.

Companies may need to swiftly make adjustments to accommodate such employee sentiments, otherwise their business and financial operations may be compromised. Already, the survey had found that many travellers were going outside their company’s purview to book business travel, thus hampering their employer’s visibility into travel spend.

Half of Asia-Pacific business travellers (50%) book their travel directly using an airline, hotel or car rental company’s website or app, while slightly fewer use their company’s travel agency or department (41%). Many change or cancel flights using a direct approach too – 41% typically use the airline’s website or app, and 19% call the airline directly.

This behaviour of taking matters into their own hands may gather momentum if employees’ expectations for greater control over the nitty gritty of their trips remain unmet. Already, more than a third of Asia-Pacific business travellers (34%) said they would decline a business trip that does not give them the flexibility to make adjustments outside of company policy.

Despite the clear advantages and opportunities afforded by corporate travel, 93% of Asia-Pacific business travellers perceive threats to their business travel today.

Nearly nine in 10 Asia-Pacific business travellers (89%) said their business travels are already being affected, with the most common impact being reduced travel budgets (42%). Many have also seen policy changes that impact the comfort and pleasure of their business travel, including employers requiring travellers to stay in lower quality accommodations and/or less safe areas (34%), and taking cheaper flights even if it means layovers, indirect routes or alternative airports (32%).

“As companies seek to balance corporate budget restrictions with the re-opening of business travel post-pandemic, it’s imperative they recognise the experience of business travellers and seek solutions that can help meet traveller expectations within the capacity of corporate travel programs and budgets,” said Charlie Sultan, president, Concur Travel, SAP Concur. “Tools, policies and practices to maintain spend visibility and control, meet compliance, and deliver employee duty of care obligations must be top of mind.”

The survey, running in its fifth year, polled 1,050 business travellers in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand in April this year.

For more information, the full report can be downloaded here.

First phase of Mohegan INSPIRE opens November 30

By TTGmice

November 27, 2023

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[Photo_4]_INSPIRE_SplashBay_glass-domed_inddor_water_park_640 — Splash Bay

The Mohegan INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in South Korea is set to welcome guests on November 30, 2023, with a soft opening that includes 1,275 hotel rooms, business events facilities, entertainment, and signature restaurants.

The three towers will each have a distinct concept, while meetings and events facilities include the INSPIRE Arena, a multi-purpose indoor performance venue with a total capacity of 15,000 seats. The opening will also include Splash Bay, a glass-domed indoor water park (swimming pool available to hotel guests in the initial phase), more than 10 INSPIRE-owned restaurants such as Michael Jordan’s Steak House; and Aurora, a 150m-long digital entertainment street featuring large LED screens.

Mohegan INSPIRE

1 of 4

Following this announcement, INSPIRE Mall – an integrated space combining shopping, dining and entertainment is expected to open in 1Q2024. Opening later in 2Q2024 will be the Discovery Park, a 100,000m² outdoor entertainment facility; an international food court in collaboration with Glow Seoul; Splash Bay’s water attractions; Korea’s largest digital content exhibition centre; and an indoor children’s playground.

INSPIRE is a large-scale integrated entertainment resort in the International Business Center III near Incheon International Airport in Yeongjong-do. The resort is the eighth property of its parent company, Mohegan. Spanning a land area of 461,661m², equivalent to 64 soccer fields, the facility required an investment of approximately two trillion won (US$1.5 billion).

Hilton Kuching upgrades MICE hardware

By TTGmice

November 27, 2023

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Photo_1_640 — Grand Ballroom setup during the Meetings Redefined: Unveiling a New Era at Hilton Kuching event

Hilton Kuching unveiled its recently-refreshed Grand Ballroom and meeting spaces at its recent Meetings Redefined: Unveiling a New Era at Hilton Kuching event.

The Grand Ballroom now has married cutting-edge technology with aesthetics, featuring a large LED motorised screen and ambient lighting. This setup enhances the mood for any event, merging sophistication with advanced audiovisual experiences.

Grand Ballroom setup during the Meetings Redefined: Unveiling a New Era at Hilton Kuching event

Meanwhile, the meeting rooms have been transformed into contemporary spaces, flooded with natural sunlight and offering breathtaking river views. Equipped with 85-inch interactive touchscreen TV panels, wireless capabilities, and laptop mirroring, these rooms provide state-of-the-art amenities for seamless meetings.

Hilton Kuching offers a Premium or Standard Meeting Packages, where Premium Packages include personalised setups, dish presentation, and individual plating for guests. The hotel also offers clients Reset & Recharge packages that allow meeting attendees to conduct business while enjoying a stay at Hilton Kuching’s newly-renovated rooms.

On the sustainability front, the hotel avoids single-use plastics by using glass bottles for meetings and events and snacks that are free of single-use plastics. Recyclable-friendly pens and stationery made from cardboard materials are provided. Meeting rooms are also linen-free, eliminating water wastage associated with laundry.

Hilton Kuching also spotlights locally-sourced, sustainable ingredients indigenous to Sarawak in its culinary menu, to celebrate the rich flavours of the region while significantly reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint. It also participates in Hilton’s Meet with Purpose programme, allowing event planners to offset their carbon emissions and invest in a portfolio of verified carbon reduction projects through its partner, ClimeCo.

AsiaWorld-Expo commits to partnerships for Asia-Pacific’s benefit

By Karen Yue

November 24, 2023

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AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) in Hong Kong signed an Agreement On Strategic Partnership And Cooperation with the Korea International Exhibition Centre (KINTEX) in Gyeonggi Province on November 14, sparking the start of collaboration to develop Asia-Pacific’s events industry.

The agreement encompasses various key areas of collaboration, including active exchange of business development strategies, exploration of potential business opportunities and marketing strategies, enhancement of employee training in both venues, and arrangement of reciprocal site visits.

(Second from left) AsiaWorld-Expo’s Irene Chan and Korea International Exhibition Centre’s Jae Yul Lee

By leveraging the extensive experience and local expertise of both professional teams, AWE and KINTEX will promote expo and cultural events with joint effort and cross-city power of alliance.

Irene Chan, CEO of AsiaWorld-Expo, said in an earlier press statement that the agreement was an extension of her company’s “close cooperation with the exhibition and entertainment industries in South Korea, having successfully hosted numerous remarkable exhibitions and concerts which attracted a large number of international visitors”.

“This signing ceremony marks a new chapter in our cooperation, facilitating communication among industry professionals, expanding the scale of conference and exhibition activities in both cities, promoting business and incentive travel, and attracting more large-scale international and regional events. Leveraging our strategic location in the heart of the Greater Bay Area, AWE is committed to fostering the thriving development of the MICE industry in the Asia-Pacific region,” stated Chan.

In an interview with TTGmice in Hong Kong on November 23, Chan said: “If we can join forces to attract more events and delegates over to Asia-Pacific, we will do it.”

She believes that collaborative efforts could earn Asia-Pacific events that rotate within the region or lead to spin-offs that benefit several cities.

She shared that the AWE team actively researches on topics that would benefit Hong Kong and Asia as a whole, and determines if events specialising in such topics could be successful for a long time. The team would then speak to relevant event organisers on the possibility of staging such events in Hong Kong.

One outcome of this effort is the birth of Super Terminal Expo 2024, set for November 5-7.

“It is exciting because it is an inaugural show for the transportation and logistics industries in Hong Kong and the rest of Asia. Our business development team has been working on this event topic for quite a few years, even before the pandemic,” said Chan.

She added: “Super Terminal Expo in Hong Kong will be organised by Informa Markets, a big player, and will cover airport terminal, cargo terminal, logistics railway terminal, and more. It will be groundbreaking.”

China offers visa-free entry for citizens of six nations

By TTGmice

November 24, 2023

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China will temporarily exempt citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia from needing entry visas in a bid to boost tourism recovery.

China is making it more accessible for travellers; Beijing Daxing International Airport pictured

The exemption will be in effect from December 1 this year to November 30, 2024.

It will be available to those visiting China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, or transiting for no more than 15 days.

More buzz on the block

By Karen Yue

November 24, 2023

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Can you give us a look back on the initial days of Macau’s reopening through the lens of the Galaxy International Convention Center (GICC)?
We opened with quite a bang. One of our first shows was a big Kpop entertainment concert by music group Treasure on April 22. That, I feel, was our baptism by fire. That led straight into our first conference by USANA BabyCare with 10,000 attendees from China and overseas.

We then had two Blackpink concerts in May.

We have done two mega conferences so far. This week, while you are here, we are hosting the two-day 2023 Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum (November 21 and 22), which is organised by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the International Tropical Timber Organization.

So, in short, we have been enjoying a very good and steady run. We are happy with the progress, and we have also recruited more to join us along the way.

Are there certain types of events that are better suited for GICC?
We have to look at what fits our building – we have spaces that are at the high end, so they cater to a niche market. Ultimately, we want a good mix of international and regional meetings and events that will bring business to the complete complex.

Andaz Macau and Raffles at Galaxy Macau both opened in quick succession in recent months, while Phase 4 construction is underway. What advantages do they bring to the whole Galaxy Macau package, especially when your teammates talk to event owners/organisers?
As an integrated resort, we sell a destination within a destination. There is so much for people to do here at Galaxy Macau, besides being able to meet here, but we also encourage our guests to head out and see Macau.

When it comes to promoting our destination – Galaxy Macau – we highlight the wide range of hotels, entertainment, and shopping that we have under one roof. We offer people a good spectrum of things all within walking distance, and people like that.

So, you could stay at the Raffles at Galaxy Macau, dine at The Ritz-Carlton, Macau, attend a meeting at Galaxy International Convention Center, go shopping at the Galaxy Promenade, and watch a performance at one of our venues.

For event organisers and owners, our collection of eight hotels allows them the flexibility of accommodating different tiers of guests at different places. For all events taking place here, our priority is to push our own hotels. It is a matter of convenience, as attendees can easily walk from their hotel to the event site.

How will 2024 look for GICC, and how are you readying your teams to ensure top-notch business development and client fulfilment?
We forecasted a 60 per cent growth year-on-year for 2024, and this is in line with Macau’s ambitious target for tourism and business events. With this goal in mind, we are doing a number of things to make sure we are ready for this growth spurt. We are ramping up our teams, recruiting smarter people, and rethinking our operations for efficiency while pushing for high standards.

We are investing in young talents through internship programmes. However, the concerning thing about our industry is that the number of new talents entering the marketplace is never going to be enough to keep up with the growth of the industry. That’s a reality, but we have to do what we can to spot and nurture promising young talents.

While we are expanding our teams, we are also investing in existing staff through training.

We will conduct a brand standard workshop for MICE soon. With so many international hotel brands operating within Galaxy Macau, we see the need to implement a single brand promise and service standard for all our teams that are facing event clients.

You spoke of how there will never be enough talent to fill all the manpower needs of our industry. So, how will you cope with the increasing number of events that are expected to sweep into GICC?
Well, yes, there are only so many people and we have to deliver on our events. We are leveraging technology where suitable to speed things up and ease the workload on our people, such as in information management, event management, production of event materials, etc.

Internally, we are using more AI solutions, such as for writing briefs and directional signage.

We are also bringing in good partners as a way of working smarter. They enable us to boost our capacity and capability without the burden of overheads. There are peaks and troughs in the business events industry. You don’t want to carry staff throughout. You want to carry an average and be able to flex up when needed.

Macau’s government has tied compulsory non-gaming investments with its latest round of gaming licence renewal. What does this mean for Galaxy Entertainment Group, and specifically for its venue side of the business?
The shift away from gaming development certainly has a direct and positive impact on us. There are now more events being developed and brought in.

However, I see the need for the industry to make sure that the events coming into Macau are good for the city, that the investment in events development brings great returns. There has to be a long-term vision. Specifically, there must be legacy creation so that benefits from events will continue beyond, say, 10 years. Measurements need to look beyond the monetary value.

How do you see this non-gaming investment mandate impacting Macau’s travel and tourism industry as a whole?
There is a positive impact on visitation. Already, we are seeing a bigger mix of demographics coming to Macau because of the many new attractions and festivals.

When I first started with Galaxy Entertainment Group (in 2019), we never had a focus on a kids’ club. Right now we have a mascot and a kids club. When you walk through our properties, you see more multi-generational families and also younger guests who eat in different restaurants, try out different activities, and overall just spend on many different areas.

We are also seeing some event attendees coming for a conference here but also bringing along their families.

OK, one very important question to round up our conversation – who is your mascot?
That’s Wavey the Peacock. The kids love him. He makes an appearance at our public events. Come Christmas, Wavey will be out on full steam making his rounds across all our properties and spaces.

MICE industry should extend DEI focus to encompass accessibility

By S Puvaneswary

November 24, 2023

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Room_109_13Nov23-118_640 — Panellists discuss how to create a more equitable and diverse industry

The business events community should adopt a more comprehensive perspective on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), extending its focus to also encompass individuals with disabilities – whether physical, mental, sensory, or intellectual.

This imperative was emphasised during the session Shattering the Status Quo: Rethinking Accessibility for Real Inclusion during the 62nd ICCA Congress in Bangkok last week.

Panellists discuss how to create a more equitable and diverse industry

Rory Archibald, senior business events manager at VisitScotland, stressed the crucial integration of accessibility for individuals with disabilities into the DEI discourse within the business events domain. He highlighted the significance of education as a means to heighten sensitivity to the needs of such individuals.

Aileen Crawford, head of tourism and conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau, underscored the importance of ensuring individuals with disabilities can navigate conferences freely.

Reflecting on an industry conference held at an old hotel, she described a session led by a person in a wheelchair, with 10 able-bodied delegates assisting in navigating the floors. This experience served as a powerful realisation for the able-bodied, showing the significant challenges faced by those with disabilities in conference navigation and how important it is for event organisers to plan more inclusively.

Crawford cited Wales as a destination actively embracing inclusivity, with its Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Wales adopted legislation to foster a comfortable and welcoming environment for delegates who may have previously felt uncomfortable attending large events.

Crawford opined: “I think this really speaks in our world in the live events field to sensory, and you are beginning to see more places incorporate quiet rooms where people can go and decompress.”

It also exemplifies a positive trend toward creating more inclusive and accommodating spaces within the events industry.

Simon Heartfield, director of sales at Hilton Birmingham Metropole, revealed the challenges the property faced with a workforce shortage post-lockdown. In response, the company sought to diversify its recruitment channels, collaborating with several charities to support individuals facing mental health challenges, including the Down Syndrome Society in the UK, and organisations aiding those who are marginalised.

Among the new hires was an individual with Down Syndrome, whose presence injected a fresh dynamism into the team. Her unique contributions have not only enriched internal dynamics, but also positively impacted interactions with both team members and clients.

This success story affirms the value of embracing diversity and the positive outcomes that can result from inclusive hiring practices.

Navigating risks in business events with ease

By Rachel AJ Lee

November 23, 2023

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is_our_business_a_risky_business_(20)_640 — Bettina Reventlow-Mourier speaking to the audience

From natural disasters to contractual challenges, risk is an inherent part of planning and hosting in-person events, and it plays a major role in helping buyers and suppliers decide on a destination or provide RFPs.

During the Is Our Business a Risky Business? session during last week’s 62nd ICCA Congress, Bettina Reventlow-Mourier, deputy convention director, Wonderful Copenhagen, pointed out that the sector “underestimated the consequences” that the pandemic left on the meetings industry.

Bettina Reventlow-Mourier speaking to the audience

As such, to create greater mutual understanding and awareness of selected risks and risk scenario, the Copenhagen Convention Bureau launched a risk assessment whitepaper in September 2023.

The paper’s survey results confirmed that risk plays a major role in organisational decisions for both buyers and suppliers. While 98 per cent of buyers responded that risk, in general, influences their organisation’s decision to select a host destination and suppliers, 100 per cent of suppliers said that risk has at least some influence on their organisation’s decision to quote for an event or conference.

Among the risks that were of concern to buyers interviewed for the paper are travel restrictions, destination technology infrastructure, inflexible supplier contracts, and regional and global instability. For suppliers, risks were related to client demands for flexibility in contracts, flexibility on delegate numbers, workforce retention, acquisition, and overall budget management.

One potential solution, Reventlow-Mourier suggested, is the concept of risk sharing across partnerships through transparent dialogue, sliding scales for room blocking and catering, and legal support to navigate complex contracts.

“To build a holistic approach, we need to intensify our dialogue, share best practices, and engage in risk discussions. We also need to get advice from risk management professionals, and develop tools that contribute to an overall code of conduct. It can be difficult to mitigate what we don’t know,” she concluded.

BEIA welcomes new government, calls for more sector recognition

Improved air links to Western Australia a boon for Malaysian incentives

Business travellers ready to hit the road, but on their own terms: SAP Concur

First phase of Mohegan INSPIRE opens November 30

Hilton Kuching upgrades MICE hardware

AsiaWorld-Expo commits to partnerships for Asia-Pacific’s benefit

China offers visa-free entry for citizens of six nations

More buzz on the block

MICE industry should extend DEI focus to encompass accessibility

Navigating risks in business events with ease

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