Design Hotels has appointed Stijn Oyen as managing director. He will define the future strategy and growth of the Design Hotels’ portfolio in his new role.
Oyen has a strong background in hotel operations, having spent the last 20 years with Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
He was most recently complex general manager for three properties in Mallorca – The St Regis Mardavall Resort; Castillo Son Vida, a Luxury Collection Hotel; and Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel.
PATA has appointed Soon-Hwa Wong as its ambassador for Greater China for a two-year term.
In this role, Wong will serve as a representative of PATA in the region. He will work towards achieving the goals of PATA, facilitating collaboration among stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry, and enhancing the presence of PATA in Greater China.
As the CEO of AsiaChina, he leverages his extensive network of high-level contacts and deep understanding of the two-way tourism and trade flows between Asia-Pacific and China to provide effective and tailored solutions for clients and partners across various sectors, such as destination management, aviation, car rental, urban mobility, travel agency, and startup.
With over 40 years of experience in travel and tourism, Wong’s various association leadership roles include being the immediate past chair of PATA. He is the current chair of PATA Singapore Chapter, and the honorary chairman of the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore.
Anna Rohm has been appointed as the new general manager of Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa.
With a seasoned international career in hotel management spanning Europe, the Middle East and Asia, she brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her new role where she will oversee day-to-day hotel operations and drive the resort’s overall business strategy.
Before joining Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa, Rohm served as hotel manager at one of the flagship hotels of the Banyan Tree Hotel Group in Thailand.
The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) has partnered with Carbon Positive Australia (CPA), a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising funds for tree-planting initiatives.
By engaging CPA, PCEC aims to empower its clients with a conscientious and carbon-positive approach to their events, where they will have the opportunity to Donate a Tree or contribute funds towards tree planting.
The funds will contribute to large-scale tree-planting projects, fostering environmental restoration and biodiversity. Moreover, these initiatives play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, while aligning with clients’ desire to mitigate the environmental impact of their events.
Beyond environmental benefits, this partnership will also bring about community development, as tree-planting initiatives involve local communities, create jobs, and foster a sense of shared responsibility.
This collaborative effort reflects PCEC’s dedication to sustainable practices, and offers its clients a meaningful avenue to make a positive impact on the planet while hosting memorable and environmentally responsible events.
Since 2001, CPA Australia has planted over 7.4 million trees, restored 5,400 hectares and captured 675,000 tonnes of carbon and counting.
How are tertiary institutions attracting students to choose degrees in MICE or events management over other subjects?
Students are attracted to educational programmes related to business events because such degrees prepare them for a career not only in a specific industry, but also in other related industries.
For instance, at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), we equip our students with knowledge and skills that are applicable both in the business events, hospitality and tourism industry,as well as other disciplines.
In addition to jobs in meetings and events planning, SHTM graduates can apply the knowledge gained to other industries such as luxury goods and even government departments staging various public events. Some graduates also become entrepreneurs; e.g., event planners.
How do universities equip graduates with both theoretical and practical skills?
Most hospitality and events management degrees in Asia include a practicum or internship component in their programmes. Universities like ours continue to update the curricula to reflect changes in the industry. We work in close collaboration with the industry and consult relevant stakeholders, including employers, to reflect industry needs and trends in our curriculum.
We are proud to support the industry and develop high-calibre talents by offering degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
At the undergraduate level, students apply what they have learned in the classroom to a real-life work environment by organising international conferences and events. They also undertake internships in tourism/events organisations in Hong Kong and abroad to gain hands-on experience.
Back on campus, the SHTM Event Society – founded by our students – provides an excellent opportunity for students to network with industry leaders and build networks for their career development.
At the postgraduate level, we are conscious of students’ desire to progress their studies and acquire industry experience at the same time, hence there is a “management practice” option.
Gen Z has different goals, aspirations and lifestyles from older age groups. In presenting business events as exciting and glamorous, are academia and employers perhaps ‘overselling’ this proposition?
The young generation today is different from older generations in many ways. For example, they consider work life balance more important than career advancement. The opportunity to express themselves in the workplace is also of high priority, and the way of communication has also changed. It is common for young people to engage in business communication via social media instead of a conventional medium like e-mail.
Older generations need to adjust their management style to accommodate the different aspirations and lifestyles of younger generations. In academia, we are doing our best to mitigate and narrow the potential gap between the aspirations of young people and the reality of the industry.
How can educational institutions help mid-career industry workers upgrade or reskill to better suit market needs?
To continue education, SHTM offers an Executive Development Programme. Offered as short courses, the programme meets regional and international demands, and helps mid-career professionals to upgrade their knowledge and skills.
Courses on the Use of Big Data Analytics, Metaverse, and the like help mid-career industry workers adapt to the changing needs of the industry while facilitating their professional development.
We also offer free online courses on the edX online learning platform which has attracted more than 200,000 users worldwide.
CEO of GainingEdge, Jon Sivertson, will be concluding his service at the global meetings industry consulting company at the end of February 2024.
The company’s senior partner, Mike Williams, is currently serving as acting CEO until a new permanent one can be appointed.
An active search for a new CEO is underway and anyone seeking to express interest in the position should contact GainingEdge Partner Bruce Redor.
As the new managing director of FCM Travel in India, what are the things on your to-do list?
There are a few key areas. Firstly, the widespread adoption of technology is paramount. In both personal and business travel, individuals have embraced technology wholeheartedly. We have a range of tech platforms powered by artificial intelligence AI that we aim to introduce to customers to enhance adoption.
Secondly, FCM has established an outstanding record in customer service with consistently high user experiences over the years. Our focus will remain in this area, and further elevate the user experience by leveraging the latest technology solutions.
We are also keen on developing a suite of non-air products, including hotels, railway car solutions, visa management, and sustainability. The goal is to position ourselves as a one-stop shop, offering a comprehensive suite of products to provide added value to our customers. We aspire to be travel partners, assisting our customers in growing their businesses.
Another of my priorities is our employees. As a certified ‘Great Place to Work,’ I will continue investing in our people because, ultimately, it is their commitment that will set us apart from others.
Could you paint a picture of India’s business travel performance last year?
Indian business travel rebounded last year, reaching pre-pandemic levels as demand surged. The primary driving force behind this growth was the eagerness of companies to meet customer needs, fulfil supply requirements, and expedite projects, leading to a substantial increase in travel activity.
Additionally, there was a notable uptick in demand for events and incentive business, with the exhibition sector making a robust comeback. Key contributors to the heightened demand for business travel in India included FMCG, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and banking companies.
Despite domestic air capacity exceeding pre-pandemic levels in terms of seat availability, international travel capacity remains a concern. Encouragingly, the gap between demand and supply is narrowing, and there are positive indications that international air capacity from India will return to pre-pandemic levels this year.
Obtaining visas continues to be a challenge, particularly for longhaul destinations such as the US and the Schengen region, with significant waiting periods. However, shorthaul destinations like Southeast Asia and the Middle East, along with domestic markets, benefitted as corporate entities explored alternative options.
Which outbound destinations are gaining popularity for incentive travel from India?
Vietnam is experiencing a significant surge in demand, with cities like Ho Chi Minh, Danang, and Hanoi becoming increasingly popular among Indian corporate travellers. Another destination generating substantial interest is Siem Reap in Cambodia. When it comes to longhaul markets, Japan and Turkey are steadily climbing the charts in terms of incentive travel popularity.
Do you see the emergence of India as an inbound MICE destination in the future?
There is significant activity unfolding in India with the emergence of new and noteworthy MICE venues such as the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre in New Delhi and The Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. These venues are established in cities encompassing top-notch hotels, dining options, and various tourist attractions.
I think that Mumbai and Delhi, being historically attractive to conferences and business travellers, position these convention centres favourably to draw substantial MICE attendance in 2024 and beyond.
Recently, India has also been making positive headlines, with its growing economy and business destination credentials. Across industries, from IT to pharmaceuticals, the growth is truly exhilarating. This growth signifies that industry-specific conferences, which were previously rare in India or often shifted to other parts of Asia, are now inclined to take place in the country.
Meanwhile, India’s rich culture and history have consistently drawn inbound travellers, and in the next two years, I think that India will not only be on par with its competitors in terms of infrastructure, but will also be a compelling incentive destination.
How do you perceive the evolution of domestic MICE demand in India compared to outbound MICE in 2024? Which specific MICE verticals do you anticipate gaining more traction in the coming year?
I anticipate a robust demand for both domestic and international destinations. Previously, most of the MICE movement used to be outbound, but these days, there is a lot more demand for inbound.
The MICE infrastructure in India has seen remarkable improvement, thanks to the establishment of new standalone venues and hotels equipped with state-of-the-art conferencing facilities.
The Indian aviation sector is also experiencing a boom, evident in the record aircraft orders from airlines. These factors collectively contribute to the escalating demand for domestic business events.
This demand isn’t limited to specific verticals. With the return to normalcy, whether it’s incentives, meetings, or participation in exhibitions, the demand is expected to be widespread.
Managed by XIN MICE (Beijing) and TTG Asia Media, CTW China 2024 will be held on March 26-28, 2024, at the Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Centre of International Sourcing (SHCEC), Shanghai, China.
It will be co-located with IT&CM China as China’s Only Doublebill Event in MICE and Corporate Travel.
The keynote speaker on March 26 will be Sun Weijia, special researcher of Counsellors’ Office of the State Council, and he will address the importance of how governments can influence the growth of meeting destinations.
Four guest speakers that will head onto the stage for the panel session following the keynote include Zhu Jun, senior manager of convention, exhibition and corporate events, Hong Kong Tourism Board Beijing Office; Lisa Xu, president of SITE China Chapter, and general manager of Shanghai Estar Event Management; Joost de Meyer, CEO of US-based First Incentive Travel; and Yu Dandan, deputy general manager of Beijing Zhongrunhua Petrochemical.
On March 27 will be the Association Day Forum, where the keynote speaker will be Jayne Gallagher, president of the International Association of Aquatic Product Inspectors, and founder and CEO of Honey & Fox. She will touch on how Chinese trade associations and Chambers of Commerce play an important role in facilitating the global push of their corporate members
She will be joined on stage by Zhang Lin, deputy secretary-general of China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association; Mariarosa Azzolina, president of Istituto Italo Cinese; and Deng Qing, director of the International Exchange Committee of Canal Cities of the World Canal History and Culture Cooperation Organization.
Both sessions will be moderated by Alicia Yao, vice chairman of the China Congress of Association and Chamber of Commerce.
In total, IT&CM China and CTW China 2024 expects to welcome more than 500 buyers, with at least 150 of them being international buyers. Of these, more than 35 per cent are expected to be from Europe and the Americas, with the rest coming from Asia-Pacific.
The 2024 Taipei Game Show (TGS), held from January 25-28, returned after a four-year hiatus to the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.
Official tallies over the four-day event counted around 36,000 attendees, and the event was supported by both domestic and international exhibitors.
This year, the TGS B2B Zone this year drew in more than 1,800 business visitors from 35 countries and regions over two days, leading to almost 2,000 business discussions, affirming Taiwan’s role as a crucial hub in the Asia-Pacific gaming market.
The B2B Zone biz-matching system continued to offer the business card exchange feature for a month, allowing all business visitors to extend their networking beyond the physical venue. TGS will also periodically host various themed business networking events and continue collaborations with global expos.
The Asia Pacific Game Summit, which addressed the latest industry trends, was also filled. Bandai Namco Entertainment, Square Enix, Shueisha Games, and Ubisoft Montpellier, shared their diverse experiences of developing major game titles. Industry experts from companies such as Moloco, Xsolla, Google, Worldpay, Cloudflare, and The Game Marketer participated, dissecting from multiple angles how game operators can address pain points in marketing, payments, cybersecurity, localisation, and cloud applications, sharing secrets to exploring new blue ocean markets.
The next TGS will take place from January 23-26, 2025.
Event brief
Organised by Destination Mekong, the fourth edition of the Destination Mekong Summit was hosted at OCIC Sales Centre in Phnom Penh from December 6-7, 2023.
The two-day hybrid event gathering was held under the theme Mekong in Motion, Mekong Emotion(s), and saw almost 40 speakers deliver engaging sessions to more than 250 tourism players from across the Mekong region.
Hosted annually, the Summit aims to provide a platform for industry stakeholders, policymakers and investors to come together to exchange ideas and insights, while contributing to sustainably growing tourism in the region.
Event highlights
The dynamic agenda took in a series of panel discussions and interactive workshops covering a range of topics relevant to the region’s tourism landscape, as well as an evening networking reception, industry matchmaking breakfast and a post-summit fam trip.
Plenary panel sessions included destinations to watch in 2024, empowering tourism players with essential skills and standards, and how innovation and collaboration is key to achieving a zero-waste tourism future.
In addition, the future of agri-tourism, developing adventure and community-based eco-tourism, and championing the region as a creative and transformative tourism hub were topics on the agenda.
A series of hands-on workshops were also held exploring a range of topics, from protecting children and vulnerable communities, and digital transformation in tourism and hospitality, to simplifying sustainability and promoting Cambodia as a wellness destination.
Making its event debut was ‘Mekong Stories’, which saw a host of industry players take to the stage to share their inspirational tourism tales. These included François Schnoebelen, director of EHT Paul Dubrule; and Sokleap Ngon, CEO and cofounder of Smiling Gecko Cambodia.
The host venue was also filled with stalls selling local wares and food, providing a promotional platform for local businesses and startups.
The Summit ended with an optional fam trip to the coastal city of Sihanoukville, with visits to the recently-launched, community-based TONTONTON Plastic Impact Tour and an overnight stay at Song Saa Island.
Challenges
Catherine Germier-Hamel, Destination Mekong CEO, said time – there were less than two months to organise the event – as well as resources and budget constraints were the main challenges.
“This forces us to be more creative because a lot of times when you have a full budget, you miss the boat. I think when you’re up against it, there’s this kind of tension that makes the event exciting and engaging.”
The tight budget and limited cash sponsors were compensated by finding Summit partners, who were able to donate venues, sponsor speakers and pay some transport costs. Germier-Hamel added that with the inability to pay speakers, she had to offer them an incentive, such as promoting their business on stage, while ensuring they add value to the audience.
“They can promote their business and project, but they always need to think about what they can offer to the audience; what value can they bring and which projects they can inspire, rather than just presenting and delivering,” she elaborated.
Another challenge was ensuring the Summit catered to the differing interests of attendees. “There are different needs and expectations, so what can be challenging is to really balance the interests of everybody because we want to create opportunities for participants but also for the speakers.”
Event Destination Mekong Summit
Organiser Destination Mekong
Venue OCIC Sales Centre, Phnom Penh
Date December 6-7, 2023
Attendance Around 250 delegates
