Phuket (pictured) is turning its focus towards business events
With Phuket tourism greatly decimated by the pandemic, as 95 per cent of its income was dependent on the sector, the resort island has “learnt its lesson” and will shift its focus to business events instead.
Speaking at the opening keynote for IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023 on September 26, Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, and adviser of Phuket of Tourist Association, shared details of the new Phuket Sustainable Strategies 2030, of which MICE & Mega Event City is one of the goals.
Phuket (pictured) is turning its focus towards business events
“The reason behind our ambition to be a MICE & Mega Event City is our belief that (events) will distribute income to the communities,” he explained.
Phuket’s business events strategies include organising festivals throughout the year; establishing art in all fields; cultural exploration and experiences; utilising technology for better reach; and achieving all-round sustainability.
While Phuket may have failed its bid for the Specialised Expo 2028, Bhummikitti said city leaders have learnt from the process and will continue to pursue bidding for other mega events.
Phuket stakeholders are already organising their own public events, like the Phuket Peranakan Festival 2023 in June that spotlighted Phuket Old Town. Coming up this October is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2023, which will feature plant-based and other culinary delights.
This win reinforces Melbourne’s (pictured) position as a coveted destination for global medical and healthcare conferences
Melbourne has won the bid to host the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CINP) World Congress on June 16-19, 2025.
This will mark the second time the event will take place in the city.
This win reinforces Melbourne’s (pictured) position as a coveted destination for global medical and healthcare conferences
CINP’s Annual Congress serves as a platform for the global exchange of knowledge between clinicians and researchers, connecting biologists, researchers, psychiatrists, neurologists, pharmacologists and psychologists from over 50 countries.
CINP2025 which will be held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Asian College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and is expected to draw over 1,000 of the world’s leading experts to Melbourne and will enable clinicians to hear about the latest advances in research and novel treatments, and researchers to learn about new clinical needs and challenges.
The congress programme will feature plenary lectures, pioneering scientific symposia, interactive poster sessions and a dedicated track for early career clinicians and researchers, including opportunities to network with global leaders in the field, as well as both educational and scientific workshops.
The bid, spearheaded by Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) with support from the Victorian Government and Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program will contribute an estimated A$5.9 million to the local economy.
With more than 23,000 professionals engaged in the medical technologies and pharmaceuticals sector, Victoria boasts an annual revenue of over A$12.7 billion (US$8.1 billion).
Victoria is home to a network of 22 pharmaceutical manufacturers, supported by 16 major medical research institutes, 11 teaching hospitals, and nine universities.
Adelaide (pictured) looks forward to receiving conference delegates
After an eight-year absence, the Professional Conference Organisers Association (PCOA) annual conference will be returning to Adelaide later this year.
Scheduled for December 10-12, 2023, Adelaide is expected to play host to 450 business event colleagues, who in turn manage events that attract over 160,000 business event attendees each year.
Adelaide (pictured) looks forward to receiving conference delegates
This will provide an ideal opportunity for Adelaide to demonstrate why it is Australia’s best connected and most flexible business event destination, and for PCOs, and conference and event managers to experience for themselves how the city has evolved into a hub of innovation and creativity.
As part of this PCOA experience, Business Events Adelaide has organised post-event familiarisations, including visits to new or redeveloped venues, innovation districts, and regions including the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley, providing an opportunity for business event bookers to gain deeper insights into the state’s business events ecosystem.
“As someone who lived and worked in the city some years ago, I am delighted to be bringing PCOA 2023 to Adelaide,” said PCOA councillor for NSW, Karen Sainsbury, who is also the founder and managing director of Cornerstone Events. “Adelaide has grown to encompass all the big city infrastructure expected of a business event destination but has lost none of its boutique appeal.”
Jakarta has transformed into a modern urban city to cater the needs of the citizens.
Jakarta has developed many infrastructures from airport, city toll roads, MRT, LRT and AC City buses.
Beside that Jakarta has built new investment for International Standard Hotels, Convention Centers & Exhibition Venues as well as Sports centres & International Standard Hospitals to cater the Global requirements.
Jakarta has also developed advanced IT & Telecommunications System to guarantee the high standard connectivity & communication including banking system.
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Abang None Jakarta Final at Jakarta Arts Building
JCC
jiexpo
Nusa Resto
As of the pandemic up to now, Jakarta has put a high standard for sanitation hygiene SOP which applies for the hospitality industry, commercial industry & other fields as a must common practices.
As a city of the Government Institutions seats, Foreign Diplomatic Missions & International Representative Offices, Jakarta put a high standards of Security to guarantee the safety & conveniences of the citizens & visitors.
Carrying the slogan of SYNERGY City, Jakarta has become a very ideal International MICE Destination in the Southeast hemisphere.
It’s a New MICE city offering an open business opportunities & investments through Conferences & Trade shows, blend with International standard of competencies ready to render the excellent services for all high valued delegates visiting Jakarta.
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Airport train
Balai Sidang Jakarta
Segara Ancol
As part of the City Sustainability, Jakarta has implement Green Conference, prohibiting the use of plastic as much as possible and substitute them with tumbler or recycled paper.
Beside that we implement food management from pre ordering until food waste management as well as water recycle system.
Jakarta is known for its exquisite gourmet city with lots of seafood, fruits & other unique delicatessen.
Play Golf by the bay or by the mountain or just simply enjoy the sandy beach at 1.000 island resort for your pre or post event.
Keep in touch with us at Jakarta International MICE City Team.
Jakarta Capital City Government | Department of Tourism and Creative Economy of Jakarta
Jl. Kuningan Barat Raya No. 2 – Jakarta 12710
Buyers and clients are eager to reconnect with China suppliers, but obstacles are in the way; Shanghai pictured
Demand for business events to China is gaining momentum and buyers are eager to reconnect following the removal of Covid-19 test requirements on August 30, 2023, but the number of hoops they have to jump through has increased.
Violet Wang, managing director of Realm and president, SITE China Chapter, commented: “Many companies are aggressively seeking to reconnect and the removal of pre-entry ART testing is a positive sign.
Buyers and clients are eager to reconnect with China suppliers, but obstacles are in the way; Shanghai pictured
“But the lack of seat capacity and visa application difficulties remain the main issues for international inbound. The reduction in hospitality service capacity and the booming domestic travel market, which has changed China’s business events landscape, are also major challenges.”
Kin Qin, deputy general manager, Century Travel Holiday Group, which specialises in inbound from South-east Asia, noted business recovery has reached 10 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
However, she pointed out that some RFPs, in particular for Beijing, cannot be responded to as “prices are unstable”.
As such, “Century is looking at Guangdong, which is less expensive, and there is also supply in places like Guangzhou (the capital) and Shenzhen”, shared Qin.
Recently, Century organised an incentive trip recently for some 300 employees of Panasonic from Malaysia, and visited Hong Kong and Macau, instead of the mainland. This is because nationals from 170 countries have visa-free access to Hong Kong, and nationals from 79 countries can travel to Macau visa-free within a certain duration of stay.
However, Qin remains confident in China’s draw. She opined: “China is a popular destination for Indonesian, Malaysian and Singapore business events, (where we work) with smaller groups between 20 and 300 people. Prices should stabilise and 2024 will be better.”
That is why Qin and the general manager of a Beijing-based DMC usually advise planners to take advantage of China’s 144-hour/six-day transit visa, which is still available.
The general manager added that planners could consider Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Hainan, where individual travellers from 59 countries can enter visa-free directly from overseas.
She added: “I’m recommending the transit visa to longhaul incentive groups, also because transit flights are cheaper compared to direct flights.”
With European and American incentives planning eight-day trips, the Beijing DMC is partnering with counterparts in Seoul and Tokyo to create four-day/three-night itineraries combined with Beijing or Shanghai.
“We have designed programmes like this, and for the meeting planner or organiser, the visa fee portion is reduced,” she noted.
Currently, China group visa fees range from US$40 to US$110 per person, and there are extra charges for expedited application approvals.
A travel technology solutions provider shared that corporate travel to China was doing well with C-suites wanting to “reconnect with teams and suppliers”.
He expects regional corporate meeting groups to return to China next year, and is planning to capitalise on China reinstating its 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Singapore since July 26.
Another corporate travel manager expressed the need for more clarity on visa applications and conditions.
He stated: “A high-level leader from the US wanted to change his itinerary to include a trip to another province at the last minute. The travel team had to seek clarification if it was ok for him to change at will, or if he needed to stick to the declared itinerary on his visa application.
“In the end, we had to get in touch with China immigration for guidance. (It looks like) the expertise of visa agents is required, as it is not just processing and reading of instructions.”
He added another issue that surfaced was the requirement to declare job history on the visa application among other potentially sensitive info.
Singh: India's business events sector has immense potential for growth
Despite India’s inbound leisure tourism market being slower to recover post-lockdown than other countries, demand for business events has already surpassed pre-pandemic years.
“India’s appeal as a MICE destination has been strong in 2023. In fact, demand this year has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. This resurgence indicates that India’s MICE industry is making strides toward becoming a sought-after global destination,” said Ramanpreet Singh, vice president, growth & strategy, SKIL Events.
Singh: India’s business events sector has immense potential for growth
India’s G20 presidency role will thrust the country’s business events capabilities into the global spotlight, and showcase its ability to host global business events.
International business events which took place in India in 2023 include the India International Garment Fair 2023, World Startup Convention 2023, Global Natural Farming Expo 2023, India Med Expo 2023, and India International Jewellery Show 2023. These events attracted delegates from across the globe, including key markets like the US, the UK, Australia, the Middle East, Turkey, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Jude D’souza, associate vice president, FCM Meetings & Events India, said: “The year 2023 is looking optimistic. FCM Consulting’s 1Q Report shows that face-to-face meetings are the number one reason for business travel. FCM Meetings & Events India has exceeded pre-Covid performance by more than 50 per cent as businesses enjoy the return of in-person meetings, catch-ups, and events.”
“There is still a backlog of product launches and conferences to come, hence the significant uptick in the MICE industry,” D’souza added.
Metro cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad are leading the demand for international business events.
Meera Charnalia, executive vice president and head – MICE, Thomas Cook (India), told TTGmice that the company has managed multiple domestic events across the country, as well as numerous inbound groups. This includes a group of 400 delegates travelling to the Delhi National Capital Region; another group of 300 delegates from 32 countries arriving in Delhi for an event, and a whopping 6,000 delegates from 130 countries gathering in Mumbai.
“Our pipeline for the year looks robust,” stated Charnalia.
Demand for incentive trips to India has also soared.
“Traditionally, India’s MICE industry has been centred around conferences, exhibitions, and meetings, with limited incentive demand. However, in 2023, the landscape has evolved. The year has seen a noticeable increase in the demand for incentive-driven events,” added Singh.
Despite these positive signs, industry stakeholders pointed out that India has yet to realise its true potential in the global business events landscape. Further infrastructure development and an aggressive marketing campaign are needed.
“India’s MICE industry has a high growth potential, (but it) requires sustained support from the government towards policy/regulations, (improved business events) infrastructure, and better connectivity and marketing,” opined Charnalia.
D’souza agreed: “Stronger marketing campaigns are required to showcase India’s diverse culture, attractions, unique experiences, and culinary offerings that delegates can enjoy.”
A screenshot of the ICCA panel during the online Congress media launch
With the 62nd ICCA Congress fast approaching, ICCA revealed more in-depth details about its new congress format, and what delegates can expect to take away from its member-led content sessions, during an online media launch today (September 25).
Themed It Starts With Us, the conference will take place from November 12-15, 2023, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.
A screenshot of the ICCA panel during the online Congress media launch
Ksenija Polla, head of education and legacy programmes, said that ICCA had identified 10 topics over the past few months, and discussions at the congress would see “collaborations for many years to come”.
To deliver the new congress format modelled on “uniqueness, diversity and inclusion” to “share knowledge and best practices” with delegates from 85 countries, ICCA is working with global events company Maritz, shared ICCA’s CEO Senthil Gopinath.
Ben Goedegebuure, chief global strategy of Maritz, described the 2023 congress as “something totally new”, where everybody is a “newcomer”, an “equal participant”, and it would be an event that “listens to everybody”.
The format will also allow attendees to build their own “congress experience” and participate in a “sharing hub concept” where they “co-create content in areas of interest to them”.
For instance, there would be 180 minutes of solution-finding with 80 topic champions facilitating conversation for the first two mornings.
“And on the final day, there will be 60 minutes of action-driven action to set the content for future events to engage members long after the congress,” Goedegebuure elaborated.
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), also promised an event that would offer “the right content, knowledge, networking and business opportunities” and an opening ceremony, welcome reception and gala dinner showcasing the hallmarks of Thai culture to ensure delegates have an experience and evening to remember.
Gopinath shared that the trajectory of the registration numbers, pegged to 2019 attendance, achieved 60 per cent of the prediction between March and September.
“Asia Pacific is still to register and members are waiting for government approval to attend,” he pointed out, adding that the 2023 congress is anticipated to be one of the largest in the association’s history.
Host destination, Bangkok, also reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a carbon-neutral event.
To do this, TCEB director Nooch Homrossukhon said the bureau would be working with ICCA and the local organising committee to track all carbon emissions and carbon offsets.
Chiruit added the aim was to build the Thai capital’s environmental credentials in the meetings industry, having clinched the Most Improved Award from the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) 2022 during the 61st ICCA Annual Congress in Poland.
The association will also look into the event’s sustainability impact, and produce a detailed report on how TCEB delivered carbon neutrality after the congress.
Thailand is hosting the ICCA congress for the third time, where the first was held in Bangkok in 1984, and the second in Pattaya in 2007.
The growth and opportunities ahead in the Asia Pacific business travel sector are reflected in the regional spending forecast
Business travel in Asia Pacific is forecast for significant growth for 2023 and beyond, with travel spending gaining 41% to US$567 billion this year – and rising to US$800 billion by 2027.
This is according to regional forecasts and trends for APAC from the 2023 GBTA Business Travel Outlook (BTI) which were unveiled this week at the GBTA APAC Conference in Singapore by GBTA CEO, Suzanne Neufang.
The growth and opportunities ahead in the Asia Pacific business travel sector are reflected in the regional spending forecast
China’s reopening and robust domestic demand will be a big catalyst for the growth. Solid rebound is also anticipated in Japan, South Korea, and Australia, along with the return of international business travel, which is anticipated to boost Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
In 2023, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to reach 92% of its 2019 business travel spending of $616 billion.
In 2022, the Asia-Pacific region continued to account for the largest share of global business travel spend, totalling US$402 billion or 39% of the global total. This is down significantly from the region’s 50% share of global spending 2021, however.
While business travel spending in the rest of the world grew at a rate of 80% in 2022, Asia Pacific’s spending increased only 15% from 2021 levels. The underperformance was fuelled by the economic shutdown in China and the subsequent decline of 4.6% in Chinese business travel spending last year.
Additionally, today’s business traveller in Asia-Pacific may spend less overall per business trip but may index higher on F&B, hotel expenses, as well as the desire for more premium options and blended (or “bleisure”) travel than their fellow corporate travellers in other global regions.
In a GBTA survey, Asia Pacific business travellers said on average they spent US$1,038 per trip last year, less per trip than North American travellers ($1,219), but more than Europe travellers ($888) and Latin American travellers ($661).
F&B expenses account for a larger share of per-trip cost in Asia Pacific (21%) than any other region including Latin America (17%), North America (17%), and Europe (18%). Air travel accounts for a similar share of per-trip cost in Asia Pacific (16%) and Europe (17%). However, it accounts for a higher percentage in North America (21%) and Latin America (26%) where employees likely travel further distances on business trips – especially international trips.
Lodging represents the highest percentage of per-trip spending in all four regions. However, the percentage is lower in Asia Pacific (32%) than North America (40%), Latin America (40%), and Europe (41%).
One-quarter of Asia Pacific-based business travellers (25%) say they booked their last work trip through “managed” channels (i.e., travel company or online booking tool). While higher than the share of Latin America-based travellers (19%) who did so, this is slightly lower than the share of North America (29%) and Europe-based travellers (32%). Similarly, Asia Pacific and Latin America travellers are more likely to book through retail channels.
Asia Pacific business travellers commonly fly premium. Of the Asia Pacific business travellers who took an airplane on their last work trip, two in five (40%) flew business class or first class. This is similar to the share of North America-based travellers (44%) who flew premium, but higher than the share of Europe-based (30%) or Latin America-based travellers (32%) who did so.
Similarly, almost two in five Asia Pacific-based business travellers (38%) stayed at an upscale or luxury hotel on their last work trip. This is similar to the share of North America-based travellers who did so (42%), and higher than the share of Europe-based (32%) and Latin America-based (24%) travellers.
Almost half of Asia Pacific-based business travellers (45%) extended a work trip for leisure time this year or last year. This is higher than the share of travellers who took a blended trip in any other region.
Around 70% are now traveling the same or more than the did in 2019, with 81% reporting business travel is worthwhile for them to achieve their business objectives.
The BTI annual report offers a comprehensive overview of business travel spending and growth across 72 countries and 44 industries and highlights the global business travel spending forecast and key trends for 2023-2027. Additionally, for 2023 the BTI also incorporates insights from a survey of 4,700 business travellers across five global regions including Asia Pacific, who reported their preferences, behaviours, spending habits, and the average cost of a business trip now.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), is refocusing on the region and stepping up re-engagement in Asia Pacific, nearly eight years after the association closed its regional Bangkok office in March 2015.
GBTA is currently in the process of hiring an Asia Pacific regional director, and plans to pilot its Global Equity Programme (GEP) in the region. Earlier in June, a new 12-member Asia-Pacific advisory board was appointed.
From left: GBTA’s Peter Koh and Suzanne Neufang. Photo: Caroline Boey
Peter Koh, chair of the Asia Pacific advisory board, said the launch of GEP – and call for sponsors – was aimed at providing free membership to corporate travel managers (CTM) in the “region’s emerging markets” such as Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.
Koh, who was active in focus groups after GBTA completed its acquisition of ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) in 2020 and was involved in the two-year process, expressed the need for buyers “to close the gap, connect and share”.
GEP, he pointed out, would help bring buyers from emerging markets on board and put them on par with education, offer them certification, and provide networking opportunities.
He said: “There was a gap with no association presence.”
Since its formation, the advisory board has set up risk mitigation and sustainability sub-committees. Another committee focusing on accommodation will be set up soon, Koh shared.
Suzanne Neufang, CEO, also highlighted the association’s 2022 rebranding – Many Voices. One Purpose.
Asia was slower to open, she commented, and when the region was “more normal” following the pandemic, GBTA took the first step to partner PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) for the inaugural Bangkok event.
According to Koh, the recent Singapore conference was attended by 632 attendees from 17 countries, including 127 buyers, and will return next year from May 13 to 14.
Neufang added the expo component of this year’s conference and registration were “sold out”, and with Asia Pacific contributing some 39 per cent of all business travel, there was a possibility that the event could expand to become an “international conference” like its US and European counterparts.
Koh said there was a hunger for information, while Neufang observed new corporate travel trends that used to start in the West “now start in Asia” and “innovations are here first”.
Neufang noted: “Asia Pacific buyers are the fastest growing market and many joined GBTA to attend the Singapore event.”
With China and India being such different markets, Koh shared that one-day country-specific sessions are being looked into, with the possibility of such events appearing on the calendar next year.
Newly-elected GBTA president Mark Cuschieri added that Asia was “shaping the role of global travel” and GBTA was committed to delivering the “pillars of community, education and advocacy worldwide”.
Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media, at IT&CM Asia 2022
IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023 will kick off in Bangkok, Thailand tomorrow with a far stronger attendance compared to its first post-lockdown resumption last year.
Some 500 exhibitors from 241 exhibiting companies and organisations, 400 buyers from 51 countries/territories, and 51 media professionals from 23 countries/territories will be in attendance.
Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media, speaking at IT&CM Asia 2022
This compares with 325 exhibitors from 135 exhibiting companies and organisations, 387 buyers from 55 countries/territories, and 64 media professionals from 26 countries/territories in 2022.
Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media, the organiser behind the double-bill event in Bangkok as well as the wider IT&CM business events industry-focused tradeshow series, said: “The mood across the business events industry is a lot more upbeat this year compared to the last, when we restarted the tradeshow in 2022.”
Ng added: “Some companies were eager to get back to business travel and events last year despite some travel obstacles. So, the appetite was clearly there.
“Now that the last remaining Covid travel restrictions have been lifted, along with the reinstatement of more flights around the world and in Asia-Pacific, companies are far more able to resume their activities. That has led to a corresponding surge in competition among destinations and suppliers to do their best to support event owners and organisers.”
Buyers keen to reestablish their supplier network and discover new event ideas will be spoilt for choice, as destinations like Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea and the Philippines lead a strong supplier delegation to IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023.
While IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023 promise opportunities for business creation and event ideation, Ng said attendees would also take home enhanced knowledge of the industry through keynotes and presentations led by industry leaders.
Some session highlights include a presentation on what makes the perfect incentive travel experience, led by the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence; and how the decarbonisation of business events can be accelerated. These sessions are presented on September 27 and 28 at the Knowledge Hub.
IT&CM Asia will be in its 31st edition this year, while CTW Asia-Pacific will be in its 26th. As a result of their proven contribution to forward bookings and business leads, both events have acquired loyal supporters, according to Ng.
“Many of our biggest exhibitors, in terms of booth size, are regular participants, like Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, Seoul as a standalone booth, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau,” he shared.
This year, Thailand has the honour of being the largest destination pavilion, followed by Macau and Hong Kong.
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