New Habyt members do not need to pay hefty security deposits
Flexible housing provider Habyt has partnered with Singapore-based startup, Rently, which allows new Habyt members the freedom to rent a home with zero upfront cost.
New members can enjoy deposit-free rentals across hundreds of rooms – from fully-furnished co-living rooms to four-bedroom flats – in Singapore and Hong Kong, a first of its kind in Asia-Pacific.
New Habyt members do not need to pay hefty security deposits
Unlike traditional rental processes that require a substantial upfront deposit, this partnership enables new members to allocate their funds more flexibly, avoiding the burden of initial payments.
In celebration of this partnership, Habyt has rolled out a flash deal which includes a 20 per cent discount for Singapore rentals and a 10 per cent discount for Hong Kong rentals, applicable to leases starting from now until December 31, 2023.
This offer is valid for new members signing a minimum three-month lease in Singapore and a minimum one-month lease in Hong Kong. The flash deal is not valid for selected properties in Hong Kong, including Tsing Fung, Austin Avenue, and Knight on Wyndham.
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is the flagship trade event for the global meetings and event industry in the Asia Pacific region.
With just three months to go until AIME 2024, it is all systems go to create an event that will be even better than the last – it’s the reason AIME remains the leading event on the professional event planner’s calendar.
In 2024, AIME expects to host 500 buyers from around the world, welcome 3500 visitor buyers and more than 400 exhibitors from various business events sectors and countries – including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Macau and many other destinations.
AIME is delighted to announce a larger showfloor in 2024, expanding the event’s footprint by an additional two bays at its home, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
This growth allows the introduction of new zones, including The Boutique and DMC Network and bringing a number of first-time exhibitors to AIME.
A dedicated zone for the world’s boutique experience makers, The Boutique will showcase such operators as small independently owned wineries with intimate spaces, design-led luxury venues with a distinct personality and services to match, and other bespoke and highly customizable experiences.
Also, for the first time at AIME, a dedicated zone for Destination Management Companies (DMCs) will exist – the DMC Network. This space will bring together on-the-ground teams from all over the world who are perfectly positioned to curate tailored experiences for conferences, incentives and events in their region.
AIME 2024 will also feature dedicated spaces on the showfloor for those all-important impromptu meetings, facilitating more networking opportunities across the three days of the event.
Photos from AIME 2023
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AIME 2023 - Activate NextGen
AIME 2023 - Welcome Event
AIME 2023 - Tradeshow
AIME 2023 - Showfloor
AIME 2023 - Knowledge Program
A dedicated tech zone – which will be double the size of 2023, continues to highlight the importance of event technology companies and suppliers to the global industry.
Kicking off the three-day event on Monday 19 February, AIME’s highly anticipated Knowledge Program is themed “The 4Ps of GLOCALISATION”, which is inspired by the AIME global community’s wish of harmonising the relationship between global insights and local nuances.
Exploring the intricate dynamics of glocalisation’s transformative impact will be two magnetic keynote speakers, award-winning marketing executive Lisa Ronson and bestselling author, TV host and founder of the 100 Things movement Sebastian Terry.
Breakout sessions across the day will highlight how to align a “Glocalisation” mindset with the pivotal 4Ps – People, Planet, Purpose, and Profit – to achieve deeper brand engagement and sustainable business success.
The AIME 2024 Knowledge Program is attended by Hosted Buyers, Media, Exhibitors and Visitor Buyers who upgrade their ticket, but opportunities for education and inspiration continue for all attendees on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 February, with the Ideas Academy presented by Spice Magazine.
Each Ideas Academy session is delivered silently via individual headphones, with high-quality, informative content providing practical takeaways for attendees to implement in their business.
Sessions will run continuously and are free for all attendees. Bookings are not required.
As AIME enters its 31st year, it’s clear that it is the place where Asia Pacific does business – and where it has a lot of fun, too!
AIME 2024 will run 19 –21 February, 2024 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
For more information or to register to attend AIME visit: aime.com.au
InterContinental Bali Resort has appointed Jeremy Brook as the new director of sales and marketing.
Brook brings a wealth of experience and a track record of success in both sales and marketing strategies. He is adept at fostering strong and productive business relationships and is known for his strong team-building skills.
He has previously worked at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula in Vietnam, InterContinental Hong Kong, Bulgari Hotel London, Peninsula Hotels Brand, to name some.
Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay has named Jamie Tan as its new hotel manager.
A seasoned professional, Tan has over 20 years of experience in the hotel industry, including a tenure of 15 years at Pan Pacific Hotels Group.
In her new role, she will take charge of the hotel’s operations team, which encompasses front office, culinary, food & beverage, security, engineering, housekeeping, and lifestyle (spa and wellness).
Dorsett Melbourne has appointed Stephen Cane as its new general manager, bringing over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry to his new role.
Most recently area general manager at Accor, Cane moved back to Melbourne from London where he lived for 20 years, 12 of which he worked as general manager to four- and five-star hotels.
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.
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.”
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.
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
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Main Entrance
Horizon Lounge
The immersive 150m long Aurora is a visual treat
Splash Bay
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).
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.
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.
He has previously worked at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula in Vietnam, InterContinental Hong Kong, Bulgari Hotel London, Peninsula Hotels Brand, to name some.
In her new role, she will take charge of the hotel’s operations team, which encompasses front office, culinary, food & beverage, security, engineering, housekeeping, and lifestyle (spa and wellness).
Most recently area general manager at Accor, Cane moved back to Melbourne from London where he lived for 20 years, 12 of which he worked as general manager to four- and five-star hotels.
