TTGmice e-news bulletin will be taking a break from December 4.
We will be back on January 2, 2024, when we will continue to deliver the latest headlines straight to your inbox. The site will continued to be updated with articles during the month, so do check back regularly.
In the meantime, TTG Asia Media wishes all readers Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
The inaugural Asia-Pacific edition of IBTM will now take place in Hong Kong in spring 2025, following a failed 2020 take-off in Singapore due to the pandemic.
The event is expected to attract more than 1,500 travel trade and business events professionals from Asia-Pacific and beyond, and provide a global business platform for industry players in Hong Kong and China.
Pang Yiu-kai, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) chairman, said in a press statement: “IBTM’s decision to host its inaugural flagship trade show for the Asia-Pacific region in Hong Kong is a strong testament to Hong Kong’s international standing and its unique role as a super-connector of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) by the global MICE industry.
“The event will not only bring more than 1,500 high-yield visitors from the global travel trade and MICE industry to Hong Kong but will also generate positive word-of-mouth with their personal experience. This, in turn, will help bring more MICE events to Hong Kong, creating multiplier effect contributing to the city’s economy.”
Vasyl Zhygalo, IBTM portfolio director, recognises Hong Kong’s “competitive edges, such as its diverse choice of venues, convenient transport facilities, and the provision of comprehensive professional support”.
He added: “Geographically, it is well positioned as a gateway between the world and the Mainland, especially cities in the GBA, which makes the city the ideal host of IBTM Asia Pacific. I am confident that this exhibition will help MICE trade members in different markets establish contacts with each other and explore opportunities in the region.”
To bring the Asia-Pacific flagship to Hong Kong, the HKTB teamed up with the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Hotels Association, Hong Kong Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and AsiaWorld-Expo to highlight Hong Kong’s latest tourism updates and growth momentum, showcasing the city’s unique edges with the strong support of China, while being closely connected to the world, as well as the city’s potential in developing multi-destination tourism in GBA.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Tourism Australia have signed a new multi-year strategic marketing deal to jointly promote leisure tourism to Australia.
This renewed agreement follows a separate agreement between Tourism Australia and SIA, signed earlier this year, aimed at promoting business events travel to Australia.
The three-year agreement will see the two parties provide joint funding to promote travel from a number of key inbound markets including the UK, Germany, Singapore, India and Indonesia. It is an extension of an existing partnership that sees collaboration to promote Australia as a premier tourism destination.
The Singapore Airlines group, including low cost carrier Scoot, currently operates more than 140 services per week from seven Australian cities direct to Singapore.
SIA’s chief commercial officer, Lee Lik Hsin, commented: “This partnership with Tourism Australia will allow us to jointly promote leisure travel through our Singapore hub, further driving traffic from key markets so that our customers can explore the beauty and diversity of Australia in 2024 and beyond.”
Tourism Australia’s managing director, Phillipa Harrison, added: “At this critical time when international travel is continuing to rebuild and return to growth, we are excited about formalising our partnership with Singapore Airlines to urge more travellers to choose Australia for their next holiday.”
Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) has signed a partnership agreement with the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), on the sidelines of the 62nd annual ICCA Congress, held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Under this new partnership, EWB will utilise IAPCO’s global network of PCOs, knowledge exchange and training programmes, and the development of new business opportunities. Meanwhile, IAPCO’s members will have access to EWB’s state-of-the-art facilities and professional expertise.
EWB is a member of 11 international organisations and associations specialising in the business events and tourism sector, including the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), and more.
Founded in 1968, IAPCO is a non-profit organisation committed to raising the standards of professionalism in the meetings industry regarding efficiency, timeliness, good management, and financial responsibility. Today, IAPCO has over 150 registered member offices in over 40 countries, to advance the profession of PCOs and promote the highest levels of professional conduct.
Nasser Qaedi, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), stated: “… IAPCO’s membership will certainly serve to champion the Kingdom as a dynamic global business events leader and a key hub for supporting, developing, and growing businesses in vital sectors by drawing more world-class events in line with Bahrain’s tourism strategy (2022-2026) objectives to achieve tourism product diversity and elevate inbound tourism substantially for years to come.”
IAPCO president, Sarah Markey-Hamm, added: “This collaboration not only expands our global network but also presents tremendous opportunities for our members to tap into the rapidly growing business events market in the Middle East. Through this alliance, we look forward to sharing knowledge, promoting professionalism and bringing training and business opportunities to the region, contributing to the success of Bahrain as a premier destination for international events.”
Michael Henssler has been named Centara Hotels & Resorts’ new chief operating officer.
He will oversee the company’s commercial, operations, and development divisions, as well as the expansion of the company’s global portfolio.
With nearly 30 years of experience, Henssler has held senior leadership positions in Europe, the Middle East, and China.
Dorsett Hospitality International has appointed Harmesh Singh as the new general manager for Silka Maytower Kuala Lumpur, and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hotel.
Having worked in the industry for more than 20 years, Singh has experience in sales and marketing as well as operations, and was most recently the director of sales & marketing for WEIL Hotel in Ipoh, Malaysia.
Brought to you by Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau
The impressive turnout and successful delivery of the 10th International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM 2023 Tokyo) in August bore testimony to Japan’s capital being an ideal host city for large-scale conferences.
The quadrennial congress aims to promote the exchange of knowledge in industrial and applied mathematics.
For this year’s edition, themed Industrial and Applied Mathematics for Sustainable Human Development, and hosted in Japan for the first time, about 4,000 delegates attended in-person with another 1,500 participating online.
Kazuko Toda, senior director, Business Events Team, Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB), told TTGmice: “Tokyo is honoured to welcome ICIAM 2023 Tokyo for the first time at Waseda University, one of Japan’s historical and distinguished universities.”
Tech-powered to offer immersive experiences
The hybrid format of the conference, held at Waseda University, was one of its highlights, according to professor Shin’ichi Oishi, congress director, organising committee, ICIAM 2023 Tokyo.
He told TTGmice: “During the Covid outbreak, universities across Japan offered classes online which resulted in advancements of online technologies. The wireless networks were enhanced and ventilation systems were re-enforced several times so that is why we were able to offer a hybrid conference.”
During the mega congress, delegates, both in-person and online, were presented with about 100 parallel sessions of lectures, talks and workshops at any one time. Cutting-edge digital technologies were deployed to ensure immersive experiences, professor Oishi explained.
For those with remote access, for example, 360-degree video-streaming at lecture halls enabled online participants to choose different vantage points as if they were present on-site.
The poster presentation sessions where delegates shared their research with fellow attendees adopted the use of telepresence avatar robots developed by iPresence.
Complete with live streaming, both on-site and online attendees could engage in direct conversations with the poster presenters at the venue with the help of the tele-robots, Christopher’s Chris Francis, president, iPresence, explained to TTGmice.
Besides, the tele-robots could also record a brief video of the presenters on their projects for subsequent replay.
This way, delegates who visited the venue at a later time could enjoy the novel experience of guided tours by the tele-robots that would play the recorded presentations – of their choice – in front of the corresponding posters.
For overseas delegates who require translation, they could also access an online simultaneous multilingual translation and transcription solution using their smartphones via a QR code provided at lecture halls.
According to professor Oishi, TCVB offered substantial financial assistance to alleviate the costs incurred for the technological boost, as well as the organisation of the conference.
Toda added: “TCVB and Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) were happy to provide generous financial and in-kind support while utilising our expertise to ensure the congress is efficiently planned and local resources are optimised.”
Providing rich cultural experiences
At the opening ceremony, the packed crowd at the Okuma Auditorium were introduced to the world of traditional Japanese arts with a stunning classical dance performance by the famed Kikunokai troupe.
Previously, its members had choreographed the dance scenes in renowned director Akira Kurosawa’s well-known 1990 film, Dreams.
To give delegates, especially first-time visitors to Japan, a taste of Tokyo’s unique sights and vibrant culture, TMG and TCVB also sponsored complimentary city tours and cultural programmes for delegates.
Event attendees could choose from day tours to visit popular sightseeing hotspots such as the Meiji Jingu Shrine, the new Japan National Stadium, TOKYO SKYTREE®, teamLab Planets TOKYO, Hama-rikyu Gardens and Asakusa; partake in a river cruise; or join the night tour to Tokyo Tower, Odaiba and Ginza.
Cultural experience programmes were centred on furoshiki (traditional art of wrapping using fabric) and origami (traditional art of paper folding).
The response for the tours was overwhelming and the cultural classes were also well-attended.
Associate professor, mathematical physics, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and University of Hassan II Casablanca, Lahbabi Salma, who found out about the furoshiki session from volunteers at the TCVB booth, had signed up out of curiosity.
She shared: “It was excellent and I liked it because it (furoshiki) is a preservation of culture.”
In line with the congress theme on sustainability, the furoshiki concept was also utilised for the conference bags for delegates, instead of providing them with plastic ones on-site.
An origami crane was chosen as the conference logo to present longevity and sustainability too. For those keen to delve more into this traditional art, a public lecture, The Possibilities of Origami: Art, Mathematics, and Applications in Engineering, by professor Jun Mitani, University of Tsukuba, was also available.
Delivering a fruitful congress
Delegates and exhibitors that TTGmice spoke to at ICIAM 2023 Tokyo were excited at being at the much-anticipated congress where they were able to learn more about the latest developments and innovations in applied mathematics, as well as engage with the community meaningfully.
Delegates such as associate professor, department of applied mathematics, Hunan University, Daniel Wu, as well as PhD student in applied mathematics from the Central University of Tamilnadu, Navaneetha Krishnan, attended the international conference because they relished the opportunity to further their knowledge in applied mathematics from exchanges with experts at the conference to keep abreast of the advancements in the field.
Another exhibitor, Elvira Hyvonen, head, European Mathematical Society (EMS) secretariat, looked to recruit more members from the pool of like-minded participants, while Apostolos Damialis, editorial director, EMS Press, felt it was a good opportunity to network with the community and catch up with old contacts.
Additionally, staff at the hospitality desk that TCVB offers also played an integral role in assisting overseas conference attendees with navigating the conference grounds, as well as the city.
Yumi Nakaya, a member of staff at the TCVB’s hospitality desk, told TTGmice: “Most delegates are keen to find out where the interesting food places and sightseeing spots are in Tokyo. When I recommend the complimentary city tours, I always encourage them to promote the city and spread the word when they return home.”
Ideal as host city
According to professor Oishi, Tokyo was chosen as the host city because the metropolis was able to cater to the huge scale of the academic congress.
For instance, Japan’s capital could accommodate the large delegate turnout of more than 3,000, as well as extensive conference requirements which include 100 parallel sessions.
“Most of the delegates are visiting Japan for the first time so we thought it would be best for them to visit Tokyo. It is accessible and culturally speaking, it is very diverse and there is much to do and see. Tokyo offers a ‘buffet’ of Japanese culture, ” he reckoned.
Among others, the city has also hosted the 1st International Societies for Investigative Dermatology Meeting, the 24th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education, and the 6th World Trauma Congress.
More international events, such as SIGGRAPH Asia 2024, World Physiotherapy Congress 2025 and the 25th International Federation of Fertility Societies World Congress 2025 are in the pipeline.
Toda added: “Our core values are ‘Sustainability-driven’, ‘High-tech’, and ‘Unique Experience’. ICIAM 2023 will set a prime example of the amazing experiences our city consistently delivers in line with these values, further establishing Tokyo as the world’s best congress destination.”
For details on the assistance available for your business event, visit https://businesseventstokyo.org/
The first edition of Thailand Mega Fair 2023 will be held at The Arena Riyadh in Saudi Arabia from December 13-16, to showcase innovative Thai products and services across its various industries.
The fair will encompass nine main sectors, including F&B, tourism & hospitality, business events, smart agricultural and innovation, fragrances, health & wellness, auto part, luxury building and décor, and lifestyle products.
There will be more than 200 brands presenting over 1,000 products from leading Thai companies and SMEs, and around 8,000 visitors are expected.
Attendees can also expect cultural performances, product launches, networking opportunities, and interactive demonstrations.
There will also be seminars by industry leaders such as Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, unveiling the latest advancements in healthcare; while SCG International will host a panel discussion titled ‘Unleashing KSA’s Growth Potential: The Resilience of Supply Chains in Action,’ providing valuable insights into the region’s economic landscape.
The Halal Science Center will also host a session, shedding light on the role of halal practices in various industries. Additionally, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau will provide insights into Thailand’s potential as a global business hub.
Saudi Arabia is considered a market with high potential and high-quality tourists. The number of tourists entering Thailand has increased from 96,000 in 2022 to 131,336 in the first nine months of this year, making it the top destination in the Central and East Asian region. It is anticipated that the number of Saudi Arabian tourists will increase to 149,000 in 2023 and 156,000 in 2024.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Craig Bond as senior vice president head of operations.
In his new role, Bond will focus on driving operational excellence across by establishing strategic routes to meet commercial and organisational objectives.
He was most recently managing director of La Vie Hotels & Resorts.
Saudi Arabia has beaten Italy and South Korea in the final rounds of bidding for World Expo 2030.
Capital city Riyadh won by 119 votes, far ahead of fellow contenders Busan which earned 29 votes and Rome 17. The votes were cast by 182 members of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
The World Expo, held once every five years, attracts intense competition, as the event brings immense economic benefits to the host city.
According to BIE, the UAE, which hosted World Expo 2020 in Dubai, is expected to continue to receive AED154.9 billion (US$42.2 billion) in gross value added (GVA) to its economy up to 2042.
The 2025 edition of World Expo will be held in Osaka, Japan.
According to The Korea Times, South Korea will now consider the possibility of bidding for World Expo 2035.
The World Expo 2030 win joins a growing line-up of major events bound for Saudi Arabia, including 2029 Asian winter games, which will be hosted in Trojena, a planned mountain resort development, and the 2034 World Cup.
The destination recently delivered on several high-profile meetings such as UNWTO’s World Tourism Day 2023 in Riyadh in September, the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in October, and the Eighth Extraordinary Islamic Summit in November.
Saudi Arabia has been building up its presence in the global events arena. In an earlier interview with TTGmice, Amjad Shacker, CEO, Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority, said the destination has all the ready hardware and is now investing in brand equity promotions for the local meetings and events industry, relevant education to build a pool of events professionals, and training packages for business in the events ecosystem.
