Harbour 220, an event space on the 15th floor of 131 Macquarie Street in Sydney, has reopened after an extensive renovation.
Harbour 220 features a 220-degree view of Sydney Harbour and is suitable for corporate events and social gatherings in the heart of the CBD. In total, the venue can accommodate 140 guests for sit-down gala dinners and up to 200 for cocktail parties.
Harbour 220
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Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space with natural light, allowing the beauty of Sydney to be on display for corporate conference guests during the day. The venue can be easily transformed in the evenings for gala dinners and cocktail parties with an outdoor balcony offering views over the lit-up city.
A standout feature of Harbour 220 is its two private terraces, providing additional space for guests to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Exclusive catering services will be provided by Laissez-faire Catering, which offers a range of catering options, from formal dinners to exquisite cocktail parties.
Event brief
Around 10,000 top Amway China performers were treated to an extensive programme of events and excursions which rewarded exceptional performance and elevated brand allegiance. The massive delegation was flown to New Zealand in 12 waves over two months from October 9 to December 5, 2023, visiting Auckland and Queenstown for five days.
Encore Event Technologies produced sessions and the gala night for the 2023 Amway China Leadership Seminar, while the Auckland Convention Group and Queenstown Convention Bureau managed both the pre-event activities and local tourist attractions.
This bid win saw visitors filling 20,000 hotel nights in Queenstown and Auckland, funnelling an estimated NZ$40 million (US$25 million) into the economy.
Event highlights
Encore dedicated its heavyweight creative, production and technology expertise to deliver a brand-defining set of moments that matter. These included leadership sessions, cocktail receptions and 15 gala dinners with main show performances – embracing the organisation’s values and the best of New Zealand.
The highlight of the event was the stunning final gala night dinner which was staged 15 times for groups of approximately 600 per event. Held at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland and Queenstown Ice Arena, the galas – which took a year to plan – treated guests to a spectacular night full of technological wizardry and heart-pumping entertainment.
A wide range of innovative technologies were used with panoramic scenes of New Zealand’s natural wonders played across a 3D-mapped 180-degree projection screen via 80 table projectors. Snow machines, special effects and multi-sensory interactive displays of earth, water, fire and air also dazzled guests. In total, more than 600 hours of custom motion design content were created across the two locations.
During the meal service, the room underwent a dramatic transformation with lava projections oozing over the stage, creating an impressive backdrop for performers, Strings of Fire, who combined pyrotechnics and acrobatic stunts to music setting the stage ablaze.
Entertainment included trio JGEEKS who combined traditional Māori moves with modern dance techniques and humour, C-Pop singer Laurence Larson, and multimedia performers Vosper Tron. Throughout the evening, care was taken to ensure the performances and scenography intertwined to reinforce Amway values of harmony, wonder and partnership.
Challenges
Undertaking 15 gala shows for around 600 people at one time was no easy feat. Requiring around 12 months of planning, the massive events took up more than 6,000 work hours to put up 155m2 LED screens, 15 20K projectors, 80 table projectors, eight curved screen projectors, four floor projectors, six semi-trailers hauling equipment, and an ice rink.
Held at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland and Queenstown Ice Arena the galas, Encore was determined to bring the wow factor to the events using L-Acoustics L2D Loudspeakers as a key component. Encore is the only company in Asia Pacific to have used the new speakers outside of the global pilot programme.
“These aren’t your everyday speakers, they’re arguably one of the finest on the market,” said Encore’s director of innovation and technology, Daniel Lourenco. “We flew the speakers in from France, which was no easy feat, however, it was worth it to produce something incredible. These speakers reduce the amount of set up time and give greater horizontal dispersion at the front of the stage resulting in a sound quality that gives you goosebumps.”
“We haven’t done anything along this type of volume before,” said Andrew Priddle, Encore’s national head of production. “Logistically it’s been the biggest undertaking for us, and the sheer amount of rigging was a real challenge at times and ultimately a true accomplishment.”
The result of this was that delegates in Queenstown were treated to an incredible display on ice complete with a 3D-mapped “ice mountain”. Skater performers also wore 3D tracking beacons all driven by Disguise software – a real-time 3D simulator and media server that integrates traditional lighting fixtures, LED screens and projection surfaces.
“We used real-time generated tracking content using Notch and Zactrack automated follow-system, for video and lighting tracking of five skaters simultaneously. You’d see skaters followed by a visual trail of butterflies or fish which was stunning,” explained Priddle.
Scott Nodsle, Encore’s managing director of Asia Pacific, added: “Events can be a catalyst for change, whether it’s inspiring new ideas, fostering meaningful connections, or driving positive transformation within an organisation. Rewarding high performers beyond cash bonuses with an experience is invaluable. Colleagues having the time of their life with like minds is a proven motivator that enriches brand allegiance and we’re thrilled that this seminar was such a memorable success.”
Event 2023 Amway China Leadership Seminar Organiser Encore Event Technologies, Auckland Convention Group, Queenstown Convention Bureau Venue Gala nights – Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland, Queenstown Ice Arena Dates October 9, 2023, to December 5, 2023 Attendance 10,000
The Italian Exhibition Group Asia has recently acquired the F&B titles – the Speciality Food & Drinks Asia, Speciality Coffee & Tea Asia and Food2Go – from Montgomery Asia.
Slated to take place from June 26-28, 2024, at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore, these three event titles will be co-located alongside the inaugural edition of SIGEP Asia, the International Trade Show of Artisan Gelato, Pastry, Bakery, Coffee & Tea, held in conjunction with the 5th Restaurant Asia, the International Restaurant, Kitchen and Culinary Equipment & Supplies Exhibition.
Specialty Food & Drinks Asia 2023
IEG stated in a release that “these consolidated events promise a highly-specialised trade event catering to the needs of the F&B sector”, and attendees can expect to hear the latest trends and innovations, as well as network through receptions, conferences & seminars, masterclasses, and demonstrations on the showfloor.
Corrado Peraboni, CEO of IEG, commented on the recent acquisition: “This move marks another significant advancement for our Group on the global front. Over the past few years, we have deepened our commitment to organising B2B events in fields which we are notably strong, with a particular focus on the growing F&B sector.
“The events we hold in Singapore are strategically positioned within this key business hub in Asia, offering access to vital markets that are crucial for the growth of the food sector. This positioning greatly enhances the value of our IEG fairs, bolstered by the extensive network of companies and operators we have incorporated through this acquisition.”
Edmund Ong has been appointed as the new general manager of Trip.com, succeeding Ru Yi, who will assume the position of regional director, accommodation (Asia-Pacific).
Both appointments are effective January 1, 2024.
Having joined the company in 2014, Ong will strategise and drive Trip.com’s overall business operations in Singapore in his new role, and will continue in his role as senior director for Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Strategic collaboration will shine a spotlight on the MICE and business travel sectors at ATM 2024
The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has announced a strategic partnership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) for their 2024 edition, which will take place from May 6-9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Both ICCA and GBTA have been appointed as Knowledge Partners for the tradeshow, and are tasked with providing in-depth insights and opportunities for business travel.
Strategic collaboration will shine a spotlight on the MICE and business travel sectors at ATM 2024
According to the ICCA statistical forecast, which charts the history and performance of the International Association Meetings Industry from 1963 to 2022, 10,602 business events were recorded worldwide last year, of which 9,009 (85 per cent) were in-person. This represented a 349 per cent increase from the previous year when only 2,007 in-person events occurred. Interestingly, the Middle East accounted for the highest percentage of in-person delegates (94 per cent) in last year’s official figures.
The business travel industry is also experiencing significant growth, with the 2023 GBTA Business Travel Index Report stating that global business travel industry rebounded faster than expected in 2023. Pent-up demand following the pandemic and healthier economic conditions than forecasted were highlighted as significant contributing factors for this shift. The report also stated that global business travel spending rose by 47 per cent to US$1 trillion last year and is expected to grow to nearly US$1.8 trillion globally by 2027.
During ATM 2024, ICCA will deliver seminars covering a range of topics for the business events industry, while GBTA will outline the prevailing trends in the business travel sector.
Catherine Logan, regional senior vice president EMEA and APAC, GBTA, added: “Although one of the smaller global business travel markets, the MEA region has huge potential for growth and recovered more than any other region in 2022, reaching 95 per cent of pre-pandemic business travel spending. Business travel spend in the region is forecast to exceed this figure in 2023 and reach US$30.6 million and continue its growth trajectory going forward.”
The theme for the 31st edition of ATM is Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship. Last year’s event welcomed more than 40,000 attendees, the largest number recorded to date.
The guide aims to help businesses craft sustainable corporate travel strategies
BCD Travel China, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and Colorful Earth have entered a partnership for 2024 to help companies drive sustainable transformation in business travel.
As part of this collaborative effort, the partners are set to unveil the Sustainable Business Travel Strategy Guide, along with a suite of training programmes targeted at corporate clients, their travel managers and sustainability professionals.
The guide aims to help businesses craft sustainable corporate travel strategies
The travel guide and training programmes are expected to be available in the 2H2024.
This initiative is geared towards enhancing the ability to measure and control potential environmental and social impacts linked to business travel, empowering companies to make informed and responsible travel decisions. The partnership could also play an important role in achieving corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
Jonathan Kao, managing director for BCD Travel North Asia, stated: “We believe that our joint efforts with GSTC and Colorful Earth will inspire and enable companies operating in China to meet their ESG goals by adhering to the utmost standards of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.”
“This collaboration serves as a notable illustration of the outcomes possible when organisations with shared values join forces towards a meaningful goal. Together, we are not just participants but active shapers of the future of corporate travel, blending responsibility with innovation to forge a new path in the industry.”
“The necessity of this guide is more vital now than ever, providing a starting point for companies worldwide to navigate the complexities of sustainable business travel, ensuring a more environmentally conscious and responsible approach to business journeys,” said Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.
You’ve had a long career promoting Northern QLD with TTNQ. What’s unique about Northern Queensland for business events?
I’ll preface this by saying that while we’re a small location, we’ve got world-class business events facilities, as some people don’t expect that in a regional location.
But literally, when you walk outside the hotel, you’re looking at the Great Barrier Reef or the rainforest so you’re immersed in it. And because of that, you can create programmes that are quite different to what you would get in a capital city.
You’ve raised some specific challenges before, like having to constantly correct mainstream media about visiting the Great Barrier Reef. What’s been the problem?
Please don’t take this as critical towards journalists or news outlets, but good news stories don’t necessarily sell publications, controversy does. And much of the media controls so much of the narrative these days. So, things like coral bleaching and the state of the Great Barrier Reef have often been misrepresented.
People think the Reef is dying and that visiting it would cause further damage but it’s probably as pristine as it’s been since I’ve even lived in Cairns for over 30 years. Visiting the Reef contributes to its conservation. Every visitor pays a ticketed marine charge which goes back to the conservation and research of the reef.
Also, all operators that have permits to take visitors to the Reef have their conservation programmes that they fund themselves. If they don’t take visitors out there, they wouldn’t be doing reef monitoring and regeneration programmes because there’s otherwise no reason for them to go out there.
The other part that people don’t understand is that the tourist section of the Reef is probably less than about five per cent of the Reef sites. It’s over 2,000km long and has about 600 coral reef systems, and there’s only a very small number that have got permits for visitors.
Are there other challenges unique to Northern Queensland?
I’d say the global challenge of aviation access since Covid, but it is an even greater challenge for a region like ours. People have no choice but to fly here, as there isn’t the option of jumping in a car and driving. We’re a two-hour flight from Brisbane, or over 2,000km from our closest capital city in Australia. Hence, aviation is critical for our destination.
It’s not just about business events or tourism either. Freight is critical for our primary producers, so that’s probably been the biggest single challenge that we’re facing at the moment, as airlines are quite rightly restoring aviation to capital cities first because that’s where the population bases are.
We’re quietly confident that we’ll see aviation return to some capacity in the next 12 months. Internationally, we’re not doing too badly with about 70 or 80 per cent of our pre-Covid capacity, just with different carriers.
Cairns has been really popular with the Chinese market, which is only now starting to rebuild after almost three years of border restrictions. How is TTNQ working to rebuild this market?
We’ve got PR agencies based in China. We’ve also just contracted somebody to focus on responding to leads and destination information, because at the moment, the aviation access directly from China is still quite prohibitive and our flights from Singapore are very heavily booked with European travellers.
Through the pandemic, we ensured agent training was kept up, so it’s about keeping engaged. We’re confident once the market opens up and aviation gets back to more normality, we’ll certainly get back into that market.
You’re about to transition into consultancy and wave goodbye to your general manager role with TTNQ. What is one thing you wish you knew on your first day leading the Bureau?
I think the biggest thing to be successful in this role is the importance of partnerships and collaborating with other stakeholders. In my role, Business Events Australia is a critical partner for us in the international market.
As a small region and bureau, we rely on them for the tradeshow activity. But they’re also the legs on the ground in the region, raising awareness for our destination. We don’t have the luxury of having staff based across different countries.
Editor’s note: Douglas is shifting into a consultancy role, building on her more than 20 years of experience in regional tourism promotion, including in roles at hotels and the Cairns Convention Centre.
What are you most proud of achieving during your time?
Probably securing Amway China for 2019, because it was a fairly long process and we had been unsuccessful in a previous bid. The great thing about that was, it was a whole-city approach. We had 6,000 people visit over about three and a half weeks.
And while we were able to lead the bid, showcase the destination and present a programme that they could work with, at the end of the day, it was our industry that understood and delivered what these clients were looking for. We showed that as a destination, we can bring groups of around a thousand, house them in five-star accommodation, conduct a range of activities and deliver off-site events successfully.
So apart from the economic contribution that it made to the city, it was so good to be able to showcase the capabilities and test the city to say, we can do this and shouldn’t be shying away from these larger events.
Cairns has been announced as Tourism Australia’s host for its signature incentives event next year, now known as Australia Next. Why is that significant for TTNQ?
It comes back to the fact that we can get people into the destination to showcase what it’s all about. Having 120 qualified international incentive buyers experience the destination and its capacities, that’s critical for us. Because we know once people get here, they’ll have a much better understanding of what we have to offer. That’s what we’re looking forward to doing.
In hindsight of your time leading the Bureau, if there was anything you would have done differently what would that be?
This is an interesting question. I’d say it’s not about what I’d do differently, but rather, it’s about managing all our stakeholders’ expectations.
We only have three full-time staff and when I started, it took me a few years to get my head around how everything worked. I had to learn how to navigate to get the best results, balancing member and funding partner expectations along with our limited resources.
One change we made is partnering with places like Port Douglas to jointly run fam programmes. We provide airfare support, and they handle programme management due to resource constraints.
We are now collaborating with our members – such as hotels and the convention centre – to support their events financially while they handle programme delivery. This is how we’re combining our strengths.
What are you most looking forward to personally when you hand over the reins?
I’m probably just having a bit of downtime. The role has been pretty full-on, particularly in the last four years. I’m getting 30 years older than what I was when I first started. The plan is to spend time with family and friends while still being in the industry. I’m confident the destination has good things to come.
Following months packed with meetings and events, especially since Macau borders reopened in January this year, sister properties Sheraton Grand Macao and The St. Regis Macao – which are part of The Londoner Macao integrated Resort – expect the new year to bring even more positive developments.
Frank Sanders, multi property vice president, Sheraton Grand Macao and The St. Regis Macao, told TTGmice that “certain months performed even better than 2019”.
Sheraton Grand Macao will unveil a new look and brand later next year
“Summertime in Macau is usually a tad quiet for business events, but this year we had events even in July and August. Some of these summertime events were from China, drawn to Macau by the ease of access,” explained Sanders, adding that Chinese corporate groups were at that time deterred by visa bottlenecks at European and American embassies.
Both properties have also benefitted from a surge in Indian corporate group arrivals.
He said: “The rise of inbound Indian business is promising for us and Macau. Our Indian clients love Macau for its wide range of top hotels, F&B options, and activities.
“Indian corporate groups don’t want the usual meeting programme; they expect enriching and fun activities that allow them to appreciate the history and culture of the destination. Their desired programme is more complex than the usual group, and requires lots of logistical support. This is great for the destination because spending from a group then flows out to many industry players.”
Sanders is confident in 2024 being a great year, evidenced by advanced bookings for meetings and events. Event mix is expected to be more international in the new year, facilitated by Macau’s intensifying global destination marketing activities.
Furthermore, as more Indian groups experience Macau, positive word of mouth will fuel even more meetings and events from the giant source market.
However, Sanders suggested that “the full picture of demand” would not be clear at this point, as Sheraton Grand Macao has started progressive renovations that will last through 2024. The works are part of a rebranding exercise, with the new brand set to be unveiled later next year.
To catalyse business recovery, The Londoner Macao complex hosted a series of showcases between March and June this year. All staff from global sales offices and their clients in Singapore, Hong Kong and China were brought in to witness the extensive changes and new highlights in the complex.
Pre-pandemic The Londoner Macao was known as Sands Cotai Central.
According to Sanders, the trip was followed by “many event orders”.
Sanders has also hired a sales person in Hong Kong to resume sales representation activities, and restructured the management team to comprise a balanced mix of new and existing staff that led to “good chemistry and ideas”.
He told TTGmice: “One of the resulting outcomes from this new management team is a shift away from the wholesale model since June, and towards more OTAs, direct channels and MICE agents. This improves rate parity and our yield, plus gives us a lot more control over distribution.
“Having control over our room inventory is especially important for business events, which require guestrooms, banquet spaces and everything in the wider Sands Resorts Macao complex.”
Fuelling Sanders’ business optimism is Macau’s “destination transformation”.
He said: “I am new to Macau, but since being here (in April) I see gaming as a very small part of the destination. Macau just had the FIA Formula Three World Cup race as well as a golf tournament. In October, there were some major concerts and festivals. There is so much going on, and Macau has so much history and unique Portuguese influence.”
“Some event organisers used to be concerned about bringing meetings to Macau because of potential gaming distractions. Macau today has very diverse options across heritage, food and activities in a compact and easily accessible city.”
Onyx Hospitality Group is expanding its renowned serviced apartment brand, Shama, with five new properties across Asia.
Set to open in 2024, the upcoming Shama properties comprise Shama Hub Metro South Hong Kong and Shama Hub Qiantang in China; Shama Luxe Sathorn in Thailand; and Shama Medini Malaysia as well as Shama Suasana Johor Bahru in Malaysia.
Shama Central Hong Kong
The expansion will cater to business travellers, bleisure tourists, and leisure visitors seeking convenient, flexible accommodation, with all the essential amenities.
Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of Onyx Hospitality Group, remarked: “Shama is a brand under Onyx Hospitality Group’s management, guided by the concept of ‘Freedom to Explore.’ Our aim is to encourage residents to venture out, embrace the city’s vibrancy, and enjoy an exciting and fulfilling life, even when staying in an unfamiliar place, without the sense of loneliness.”
The group currently operates a total of 16 Shama locations, including six in Thailand, six in Hong Kong, and four in China.
One of the predictions indicate that cost-cutting measures will create business travel tension
In 2023, SAP Concur predicted that organisations would have to do more with less budget and fewer resources and expected that the year would also introduce greater integration and connection in workplace tools.
The year 2023 also brought exciting technological advancements to the market, accelerated the new distribution capability (NDC) transformation, and marked substantial progress in the return to travel (albeit at higher costs).
One of the predictions indicates that cost-cutting measures might create business travel tension
For the upcoming year, artificial intelligence (AI) is the connecting thread among SAP Concur executives’ predictions. Although SAP Concur solutions have had AI at their core for about a decade, increasing visibility inspired by generative AI in 2023 has brought these technologies to the forefront. AI is changing how all business is conducted, and travel, expense, and invoice (TEI) management is no exception.
Here for more trends set to define 2024, according to SAP Concur executives.
Virtual payments will simplify reimbursements Christopher Juneau, head of market strategy
“We’ll see business digitalisation efforts go a level deeper – and become substantially more integrated – in 2024. Continued adoption of AI, automation, and virtual forms of payment will drive streamlined processes in TEI. Instead of using a company credit card, employees will be able to expand their use of virtual payments for all business expenses, including travel.
“In turn, we’ll start to see two types of transactions emerge: trusted and exceptions. Most transactions will use trusted payment methods, and AI will quickly validate them as compliant, enabling near-immediate reimbursement. Exceptions will trigger AI-driven, automated audits to ensure compliance. In both cases, payments will be issued faster with more ease, and employees will have more time to focus on what matters most to them and the organisation.”
Technology-and some budget flexibility-will boost confidence Tom Lavin, chief controlling officer, marketing and solutions
“The theme of 2023 is doing more with less, and that will continue to be the case as economic uncertainty carries over into 2024. Although the outlook is improving, global developments including continued inflation, supply chain flux, and geopolitical unrest will have an impact on how businesses operate in the year ahead.
“Organisations should take a realistic approach to planning for 2024, build in some flexibility to course correct as needed, and lean into the benefits of emerging technologies. Embracing AI, automation, and data analysis will help finance teams bring more strategy to the organisational table and find a greater sense of confidence amid the uncertainty.
“And while we aren’t quite there yet, I expect that generative AI will have a very compelling use case in forecasting and budgeting. Finance teams spend significant time on financial planning. Soon, we may be able to ask generative AI to prepare a full budget based on available data from multiple sources, freeing up finance’s time to focus on quality control and decision-making instead of the busy work that goes into budget preparation.”
Predictive analytics for spend management will emerge Tim Lebel, vice president and head of spend products
“Organisations today have access to a multitude of financial data, but they lack the resources to make sense of it easily and rapidly. Existing spend management tools offer dashboards that compile information in one place for an employee to analyse, which takes time and considerable skill.
“Building on the technological progress that we saw this year, AI – especially generative AI – will begin to change this in 2024, creating an organisational ‘back office’ where computers work together to run the show. We’ll start to see more predictive analytics tools emerge in the year ahead with the capability to analyse data and derive trends, insights, and solutions to inform, improve, and optimise business operations, in spend management and beyond.
“For example, instead of manually analysing the data to make informed guesses, someone in finance, travel, or operations could simply delegate that work to a computer. Using generative AI, the computer could then provide data-backed recommendations – factoring in patterns that a human may never even notice – like the ideal time to book a business trip or the optimal date for a team meeting to minimise travel costs, ensuring the company is using resources in the best way possible.”
Cost-cutting measures will create business travel tension Amy Padgett, vice president, travel marketing strategy
“As organisations hammer out their business travel plans and policies for 2024, another year of budgetary caution will become a source of rising tension with employees. Although budgets may increase, doing more with less in response to inflation will remain the organisational mantra of 2024.
“We’re already seeing friction between employees and employers regarding flexibility and hybrid work. Increasing Gen Z workforce representation will also drive employers to adopt the latest technologies and treat sustainability as a top organisational priority to compete for young talent.
“Adding to this strife, the majority of global business travellers (67 per cent) are very willing to hit the road and most (92 per cent) say the future of their career depends on it. They also continue to see health and safety as the biggest threat to business travel. As organisations increasingly explore cost-cutting measures, like requiring that employees stay in less expensive accommodations that could potentially be in unsafe areas, enthusiastic business travellers are likely to put the pressure on employers to better meet their needs and expectations.”
Corporate Social Responsibility, NDC and AI will be front and centre in travel Charlie Sultan, president, Concur Travel
“We’re going to see a combination of costs and benefits from travel industry trends in 2024. For instance, larger corporate initiatives like improving sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion will keep carrying over to company travel programmes, putting new, higher-purpose responsibilities on travel managers, procurement, HR, and accounting departments.
“Acceleration of NDC among airlines, global distribution systems, travel management companies (TMCs), and online booking tools will push the industry into a when, not if, mentality. NDC, combined with reduced supplier payments to TMCs may create growing pains and put pressure on existing industry economic arrangements. TMCs will continue to look for more efficiencies and alternate sources of revenue, which may also lead to continued consolidation.
“AI has enormous potential to improve the employee and traveller experience. This potential will outpace past megatrends like blockchain, which often felt like a solution looking for a problem. Further into the future, we also could see continued adoption of driverless cars end up translating to other forms of transportation, and the industry embracing concepts like a one-pilot cockpit.
“As use cases for AI grow, companies that have fully integrated corporate platforms – not just TEI integration but also finance, procurement, HR, and other enterprise resource planning (ERP) functions – will realise the greatest gains from generative AI and large language models.”
For more 2024 trends and predictions to watch, download SAP Concur’s Travel and Expense 2024 ebook here.
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.
Having joined the company in 2014, Ong will strategise and drive Trip.com’s overall business operations in Singapore in his new role, and will continue in his role as senior director for Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.
