TFE Hotels has made key general manager appointments across their Australian and New Zealand network.
Christian Price has been named general manager for TFE Hotels’ five brands – The Interlude, Adina Apartment Hotels Melbourne Pentridge, North & Common, Olivine and Chapter Place events – at the redeveloped Pentridge lifestyle precinct.
Christian Price and Lucy Ockleston
Lucy Ockleston is now cluster hotel general manager supporting Adina Apartment Hotel, Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront, and the Travelodge in Australia’s Top End.
Additionally, Nigel Maxey is the new general manager of Vibe Hotel Melbourne Docklands; Emma Sutherland is now general manager at Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour; Sid Bhatia is Vibe Hotel Gold Coast’s new hotel general manager; Diana Quinones-Silva helms at Hotel Kurrajong Canberra; Ben Saxton will lead the team at A by Adina Canberra; Andrew Edwards has moved to Quincy Hotel Melbourne; and Jolanta Prusek will head the team at Adina Apartment Hotel Surry Hills.
Travellers arriving and departing Singapore by car via Woodlands and Tuas overland checkpoints can expect faster passage from March 19 as the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) adopts a QR code system for immigration clearance.
Currently, travellers need to hand over their passports to the ICA officer at the car counter.
Singapore will adopt a QR code system for immigration clearance at its Woodlands and Tuas overland checkpoints from March 19
A QR code can be generated for individuals, while a group code can be generated for those travelling in the same car. Travellers will need to download the MyICA mobile application on their mobile device and populate their passport details in the application.
First-time visitors and those re-entering Singapore using a different passport from their last visit to Singapore will need to present their physical passport for immigration clearance. They will be able to use the QR code for immigration clearance on their subsequent trips.
ICA officers will conduct face-to-face checks of travellers using data retrieved backend through the QR code.
According to ICA, the QR code initiative can deliver estimated time savings of around 20 seconds for cars with four travellers, to approximately one minute for cars with 10 travellers.
Overall waiting time can be reduced by more than 30 per cent if most car travellers use the QR code for clearance. This initiative also offers travellers contactless and more hygienic immigration clearance.
ICA plans to progressively extend QR code clearance to the other clearance zones at the land checkpoints. This will allow travellers in other means of conveyance to also enjoy faster and more convenient immigration clearance. Details will be announced in due course.
The Riau Islands Governor has called on Bintan and Batam suppliers to enhance their event facilities, to help advance the promotion of the region as a premier destination for business events.
Emphasising the need for enhanced facilities and event quality, Ansar Ahmad, the governor, expressed this vision during the recent Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (IHRA) National Coordination Meeting in Batam.
Ansar also advocated for collaborative promotional efforts with neighbouring countries like Singapore and Malaysia, utilising regional meetings such as IMT-GT (Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle) – held in September last year – to strengthen ties and attract more participants.
“We will continue to organise events in the Riau Islands to increase arrivals,” he added.
Guntur Sakti, the head of the Riau Islands Provincial Tourism Office, also outlined plans to develop not only Batam and Bintan, but also Karimun and Tanjung Pinang as free trade zones, aiming to enhance their appeal to visitors.
Ansar also requested a change to the visa policy for foreign tourists during the National Coordination Meeting. His proposal included revoking the visa on arrival (VOA) policy in favour of a visa-free approach or introducing a shorter visa facility with lower tariffs, considering a traveller’s average three-day stay in the region.
In response, Sandiaga Uno, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, shared: “The Ministry has proposed a short-term visa rate of US$10 per foreign tourist for seven days in the Riau Islands. However, the implementation of this policy, particularly for visitors from (outside of South-east Asia) is awaiting tariff guidelines from the Ministry of Finance.”
At press time, Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights has prepared a short-term visa with a maximum duration of seven days, applicable at five immigration checkpoints in Batam, Bintan, Karimun, and Tanjung Pinang. However, the final implementation hinges on the tariff decisions from the Ministry of Finance.
Highlighting positive tourism growth, the Riau Islands witnessed a more than 50 per cent increase in visitor arrivals in 2023 compared to 2022, totalling 1.5 million visits. The majority of visitors came from Singapore, Malaysia, China, and the Philippines. Meanwhile, domestic tourist visits from January to November 2023 amounted to more than two million people.
Fiji has seen an influx of incentive groups from China and Japan over the past few years, which Tourism Fiji is keen to continue attracting and maintaining interest in, outside of its top main markets of Australia and New Zealand.
“This year, we’ll be doing several roadshows in China and Japan. We also recently consolidated our Asian representation in our office in Shanghai. Our regional director for Asia there looks after South-east Asia, China, and Japan.
Thompson: exploring new inbound markets for Fiji. Photo: Rachel AJ Lee
“We also do a lot of regional work out of Singapore – where we have a direct flight – but the big markets for us are Australia, New Zealand, China, and Japan in Asia-Pacific,” Robert Thompson, executive director of regions, Tourism Fiji, told TTGmice at ITB Berlin last week.
As planners are now looking for new incentive destinations, Fiji has also been garnering interest from Singapore and Thailand, Thompson shared, as well as global companies based in Indonesia and Hong Kong. The sweet spot for Fiji is for groups of around 200 to 400 max, he added.
“We had a huge explosion (of groups) throughout 2022 and 2023, to the point our ADR increased about 40 per cent, with occupancy between 85 to 95 per cent. While this is great for the country in terms of revenue, it was bad because interested groups did not have many options on the ground, especially when Fiji’s major markets (Australia, New Zealand, and US) returned in full force,” he said.
Fortunately, the situation has improved because more incentive groups can provide a 12- to 18-month lead time now, as compared to just after Covid when groups arrived within a month’s notice.
“We can now map out capacities and inventories, and already have requests for 2025, 2026, and even 2027,” Thompson said.
When asked to describe Fiji’s lure and how it is sold to incentive planners, Thompson stated: “Fiji is a departure from what groups are used to, and the experience on the ground is unique. Happiness is the core of what it is like to be in Fiji, and we try to ensure visitors get to experience what that is. Many of our incentive groups include a visit or interaction with the local community.”
Fiji’s other selling point is barefoot luxury. “Don’t expect a butler in a crisp white shirt and suit, but instead, a smiling Fijian in a polo shirt who’ll bring you the cocktail,” he said.
This year, Thompson is testing the waters for two offline countries, South Korea and India; offline for Tourism Fiji means countries that Fiji does not have direct flights to.
“We plan to hold a roadshow (each) in South Korea and India. We’ve taken a big interest in India, as the outbound sector holds many opportunities for Fiji, but we do need to think about how (we are going to handle) large-scale groups (above 400),” he said.
Mona: proactive approach to quality management and improvement
Place Borneo, a professional congress organiser (PCO) based in Sarawak, recently became an accredited IAPCO (The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers) member, making them the first member from East Malaysia.
Mona Abdul Manap, co-founder and CEO of Place Borneo, said she received the membership approval in February, after going through the extensive reviewing process which included an event audit by one of IAPCO’s council members, Jason Yeh. Yeh is also the CEO and founder of Taiwan-based GIS Group.
Mona: proactive approach to quality management and improvement
During the audit, Yeh visited Place Borneo’s head office in Kuching, Sarawak, and also audited the ASEAN Food Conference held in October 2023, which Place Borneo managed as the PCO.
Mona expressed: “We are committed to delivering world-class standards for every congress we produce, and the IAPCO accreditation validates this commitment. By benchmarking ourselves against top PCOs worldwide, we ensure that our processes align with international best practices while being tailored for local contexts.”
She added that as an IAPCO-accredited member, Place Borneo is now bound by the standards of service demanded by the international industry, where deviations can result in a penalty or termination.
“We will work closely with national and state convention bureaus for bids and having an IAPCO member enhances the destination’s or local host’s capability to produce an international-scale congress, from the bid committee’s perspective,” she added.
Anderes Fourdy, based in Kuala Lumpur, is the other PCO in Malaysia recognised by IAPCO.
GBTA (Global Business Travel Association) Asia Pacific Advisory Board chair Peter Koh (fourth from right), GBTA regional director Elle Ng-Darmawan (second from left), and Singapore-based board members recently co-hosted a networking cocktail on March 7.
The event, held at Courtyard by Marriott Novena’s Las Palmas Rooftop Bar, was attended by some 90 corporate travel managers and suppliers.
A lucky draw prize of complimentary registration for the GBTA APAC Conference to be held from May 14-15 at Raffles City Convention Centre was also given out. The conference will be co-located with the Worldwide ERC APAC Regional Summit Singapore for the second year running.
From left: CHOOOSE’s Achille Mileto and Andreas Slettvoll; and Malaysia Aviation Group’s Philip See at the launch
Malaysia Airlines has unveiled a Corporate Carbon Programme, making it the first airline in Malaysia to introduce such an initiative.
Climate tech company CHOOOSE will power the Corporate Carbon Programme, which marks a significant expansion following the airline’s voluntary carbon offset programme launched in June 2023.
From left: CHOOOSE’s Achille Mileto and Andreas Slettvoll; and Malaysia Aviation Group’s Philip See at the launch
Corporate clients will be able to access their company portal where they can estimate and manage their carbon footprints more accurately. Companies can also view detailed analytics on emission trends, access in-depth carbon project content, and track their cumulative support for selected climate projects, while addressing their Scope 3 emissions.
Additionally, they can contribute towards projects that are removing or reducing carbon emissions around the world.
The programme will soon be expanded to include Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) credits, allowing corporate clients to contribute actively to sustainable aviation practices.
Philip See, group chief sustainability officer at Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said: “Extending our carbon programme to our corporate customers reaffirms MAG’s commitment to meeting net-zero targets and address carbon emissions; empowering corporate clients to take part in our sustainability journey in a meaningful way.
“We look forward to complementing the support of certified climate projects with the option to support SAF in the near future, recognising the crucial role it will play in decarbonising the aviation industry. By leveraging technology and partnerships, we hope to drive meaningful change in aviation guided by the MAG Sustainability Blueprint.”
FHA-Food & Beverage, Singapore’s biggest F&B tradeshow, will return to the Singapore EXPO next month.
Held from April 23-26, 2024, the show will boast 70 international pavilions. Show organiser, Informa Markets, anticipates the participation of over 1,500 exhibitors from 50 countries and regions, with an expected attendance of 60,000 attendees. There will be 12 core segments ranging from gastronomic innovations to sustainable practices.
Scenes from the showfloor in 2023
This year, in joint collaboration with The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, FHA-Food & Beverage has appointed Germany as the Country of Honour, where 37 exhibitors will be present within the Germany Pavilion, making it a substantial and historically biggest German participation. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend “German Day” presentations, wine-food pairings, and cooking shows.
This year edition will see the launch of an inaugural meat competition, in response to the volume of sales of meat in Singapore projected to reach 502,400 tonnes in 2026 from 411,100 tonnes in 2021.
Sponsored by the Meat & Livestock Australia, professional butchers and chefs can come together to challenge their craftsmanship and creative usage of beef and lamb. The competition will take place on April 24 and 25, and it aims to provide consumer education, as well as cooking ideas to promote beef and lamb consumption.
Back for a second instalment, the FHA Beer Awards 2024 seeks to showcase diversity and creativity of today’s brewing scene. Participants will be judged across 10 categories and winners of each category proceeding to participate in the Best of Show round.
Also in its second edition is Young Talents Escoffier – Singapore Selection. This competition serves as a platform for individuals under the age of 25 to showcase their culinary expertise.
For the first time at FHA-Food & Beverage, participants will receive accreditation from a distinguished panel of Michelin chefs in two categories: the Kitchen Category, featuring renowned chefs such as Emmanuel Stroobant of two-Michelin-star Saint Pierre, Jeremy Gillon of one-Michelin-star JAG, and more; and the Service Category, which includes sommeliers and wine professionals on the judging board.
Event planners on the lookout for a fun and lively experience in metro Manila should consider Uma Nota Manila, a restaurant and bar that tempts with Brazilian-Japanese cuisine, eclectic interiors, and Rio carnival-inspired music.
Located at Shangri-La Hotel The Fort at Bonifacio Global City, this is the third Uma Nota after Hong Kong and Paris, and is founded by Hong Kong-based siblings Alexis and Laura Offe.
Uma Nota Manila
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The menu is extensive and creative, from entrees of crispy tapioca with cheese squares and avocado sushi, to steaks with a twist and a black cod dish. Vegetarian, dairy, and gluten-friendly options are also available.
These items are paired can be paired with tipples – with a dash of humour and fun – such as a toasted coconut liqueur in a cup noodle-like receptacle or a drink mix pinned with the guest’s photo.
A dramatic hallway, hanging tree installation and playful lighting are some elements that help Uma Nota stand out. The space offers a standing capacity of 500 to 550 pax, or 174 pax seated. The event area can be split into four smaller spaces – The Living Room, The Bar, Meiji Room, and Tropicalia.
With music being an integral part of Uma Nota, the restaurant boasts a central DJ station and top-notch speaker system. Audiovisuals such as projector, speakers and screens can be provided on request.
Contact events.manila@uma-nota.com for more information like buyout prices, customisation of menus, and other special arrangements.
Jazeera Airways has appointed Barathan Pasupathi as its new chief executive officer. He takes over the role from Rohit Ramachandran, who will be stepping down after over seven years with the company.
He was formerly the chief financial officer of Jazeera Airways, and brings to his role over 30 years of experience in aviation, oil and gas, and supply chain management.
Before joining Jazeera Airways, Barathan was CEO of Jetstar Asia.
The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike
Behind the imposing, Brutalist concrete that defines Zurich’s Oerlikon district lies a surprising secret. While its exterior honours the neighbourhood’s industrial roots, stepping inside Mama Shelter reveals a vibrant, neon-soaked world that is a far cry from its rigid shell
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
Before joining Jazeera Airways, Barathan was CEO of Jetstar Asia.
GBTA (Global Business Travel Association) Asia Pacific Advisory Board chair Peter Koh (fourth from right), GBTA regional director Elle Ng-Darmawan (second from left), and Singapore-based board members recently co-hosted a networking cocktail on March 7.
The event, held at Courtyard by Marriott Novena’s Las Palmas Rooftop Bar, was attended by some 90 corporate travel managers and suppliers.
A lucky draw prize of complimentary registration for the GBTA APAC Conference to be held from May 14-15 at Raffles City Convention Centre was also given out. The conference will be co-located with the Worldwide ERC APAC Regional Summit Singapore for the second year running.