Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) has named Chang Chee Pey as its new senior vice president and chief experience officer.
Chang joins from the Singapore Tourism Board, where he had an illustrious 26-year career. He was integral to the growth and development of Singapore’s tourism sector, and was last assistant chief executive (marketing) at the organisation.
The Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City is offering 35 per cent off stays in celebration of its first birthday.
From now to October 31, enjoy the Funtastic One Birthday Promotion of up to 25 per cent off, with an extra 10 per cent discount exclusively for Ascott Star Rewards members.
Starting at a rate of 1,100,000 dong (US$45) per night, the promotion includes a welcome drink upon arrival, daily breakfast, daily complimentary drink coupon, and early check-in or late check-out. In addition, guests can explore the city’s culture and attractions with the hotel’s complimentary shuttle.
Furthermore, guests will receive a special code offering a 10 per cent discount at restaurants, spas, and workshops in Ho Chi Minh City.
For more information, visit Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Saigon.
1. Reef Unlimited
Reef Unlimited’s Reef Connect Program invites guests to immerse themselves in a stunning Great Barrier Reef experience while learning about conservation and First Nation Sea Country, as well as collecting underwater data with marine biologists.
Corporates also have the option of being a Marine Biologist for a day, or a Great Barrier Reef Ambassador. Departing from Cairns and Port Douglas, these guided full-day excursions cater to groups of up to 250 guests.
2. Little Vietnam Tours
Little Vietnam Tours likes to do things differently and ensure all guests enjoy Vietnam in their own way – perfect for corporate tours who want a deeper dive into the country.
After an online chat with a local Vietnamese expert, a personalised itinerary will be drawn up taking into account desired destinations and lodging experience, length of stay, group sizes, and F&B. Options include trekking with hill tribes in the northern mountains, photo tours of rural Vietnam, and learning about endangered primates.
3. Hong Kong Pearl Cultivation Association
This three-hour Pearl Workshop at the Sea – operated by the association – reveals the history and culture of pearl cultivation at the one and only pearl farm in Sai Kung.
The learning journey starts by taking a 15-minute boat ride from Hebe Haven to Ma Nam Wat in Sai Kung. Participants will learn from a professional instructor of how to harvest pearls, get to shuck their own pearl oyster, and design and create a pearl accessory with the pearl that they harvested on-site. The pearl farm’s maximum capacity is 40.
4. Junglewalla Desaru
The Lebam River Cruise in Desaru, Johor, involves naturalist guides with Junglewalla Desaru expounding on the mangrove ecosystem and its importance to the planet.
After the cruise, 60 participants will have the opportunity to get involved in a conservation project of planting trees with ReWild Desaru, a not-for-profit organisation, whose dual objective is to reforest Desaru with suitable food plants that will feed wildlife, while establishing a network of greenways and wildlife corridors useful for both man and beast.
5. Skil Travels
Skil Travels offers adventurous corporate groups the option to explore Mussoorie, one of India’s hill stations in Uttarakhand. The adventure begins with a sunrise visit to Lal Tibba, a scenic viewpoint that allows views of the snow-capped Himalayas on a clear day.
The group is then taken to the Himalayan Adventure Institute for four hours of adventurous activities. Run by army veterans, the institute offers rock climbing, a ropes course, flying fox, and various teambuilding activities. Afterwards, the group will sit down for a sumptuous lunch, before trekking to Kempty Falls. The day will end with pancakes and coffee at a boutique cafe called Café Ivy, where groups can wind down with sunset views.
6. SmallWORLD Experience
Be transported in a rickshaw – a popular mode of transportation in the 19th century in Asia – around the narrow streets of Macau’s old town. As there are only 10 rickshaws left in town, this environmentally-friendly activity is suitable for a maximum of 18 guests at one time. During the 45-minute tour, guests will make several stops at traditional shops in the city.
Manish Nambiar has been appointed as the new managing director of Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok and vice president operations, South-east Asia.
Manish will be responsible for the execution of operations, including service, operational brand standard delivery and the quality of all Kempinski hotels in the region. He will be based at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok and will lead four other properties in South-east Asia.
A veteran hotelier with almost 20 years of experience with Kempinski, he joins from his executive role as area general manager of Africa since 2021. In his previous position, he oversaw the operations of all Kempinski properties in the Africa region and was based at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra, in Ghana.
Manish started his career path with Kempinski S.A. as an F&B specialist in Tanzania, East Africa in 2004 and enhanced his expertise by opening various Kempinski properties in the Middle East and Africa.
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has appointed Takuya Shiraishi as executive director for the Singapore market.
In this role, he will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of strategies to promote Japan as a preferred tourist destination among Singaporean travellers.
The recently inaugurated Thai government, led by prime minister Srettha Thavisin, has turned to the business events sector to drive tourism revenue, unveiling a slew of initiatives to attract more business events travellers – especially from China – to the country.
To stimulate year-end tourist spending, the government plans to collaborate with businesses across all sectors to host top-tier trade fairs and festivals – position Loy Krathong and Songkran as world-class festivals, and hosting more exhibitions throughout the year.
The government will also incentivise business events visitors by introducing a dedicated Fast Track Visa programme.
In response to the developments, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is currently preparing an action plan, which will be announced in October.
In August 2023, TCEB revised its revenue projection for 2023 down to 96 billion baht (US$2.7 billion), from 109 billion baht in February. This decline is linked to the underperforming Chinese business events market, with lower carrier volume post-pandemic and visa processes hindering growth. China’s current focus on domestic spending has also boosted its own business events industry, impacting revenue flow to Thailand.
To stimulate the Chinese market, the new cabinet also approved a temporary visa-free scheme – operational from September 25, 2023, to February 29, 2024 – for visitors from China. Previously, inbound Chinese travellers were subject to a 2,000 baht visa-on-arrival free.
In response to the government’s behest to supplement flight volume to Thailand – an initiative written into its policy statement – national carrier Thai Airways International has committed to operating daily flights to six Chinese cities during high season, including Shanghai and Guangzhou from October 29, 2023, to March 30, 2024, and Beijing, Chengdu and Kunming starting December 1, 2023.
New Zealand will continue its work in supporting the professional development of the business events industry by hosting an in-person ICCASkills Training Hub in 2024.
International business events professionals can now apply to take part in a three-day in-person ICCASkills training event, scheduled to be held in New Zealand in September 2024. Individuals can also complete the training certification online.
Tourism New Zealand will also continue its ICCASkills scholarship programme, offering New Zealand business events professionals the chance to undertake the certification, sharing costs with the scholarship recipient’s employer.
Tourism New Zealand’s general manager New Zealand & business events, Bjoern Spreitzer, said: “New Zealand’s Business Events industry is maturing. We want to support the sustainable growth of our industry and help educate and develop the best business events professionals in our region. Encouraging professional development ensures the expertise of our people is recognised at a global level and helps to elevate New Zealand’s event standards.”
The announcement follows Tourism New Zealand’s inaugural scholarship with ICCASkills, which saw seven New Zealand business events professionals undertaking ICCASkills certification online this year.
One successful graduate was Jessica Carlson, director of Meetings & events, Accor New Zealand, Fiji & French Polynesia. She said: “ICCASkills has been a highlight for me and my professional development in recent years. The opportunity to learn from the high calibre of Instructors along with the networking and insights shared between the other students was invaluable. It allowed me to gain understanding and knowledge from across the entire ecosystem of business events, outside of my day-to-day role and experience. It has opened my eyes to exactly the size, scale and value of the industry we work in.”
Established by ICCA (the International Congress & Convention Association), ICCASkills is the only globally recognised professional accreditation for every sector of the business events industry. The in-depth curriculum has been developed by industry experts, including business leaders, academics and ICCA members, and is delivered through on-site and online learning environments.
ICCA’s CEO, Senthil Gopinath, stated: “This is wonderful news. When we first announced the collaboration between ICCASkills and Tourism New Zealand last year, both parties shared every confidence that it would prove successful. Our renewal agreement confirms this and is evidence of how innovative and impactful ICCASkills has been in New Zealand.
“Through two courses – CICE for experienced professionals, and CICS for new colleagues starting out – ICCASkills champions real-world learning and growth irrespective of age or experience. Positive feedback about the know-how and effectiveness of our expert instructors again shows the tangible value of attending courses designed for our industry, by our industry.”
Tourism New Zealand launched the new education programme as part of New Zealand Business Events week, at the BEIA (Business Events Industry Aotearoa) Annual Conference in Marlborough.
IBTM World’s 2023 Incentive Travel Report indicates that the recovery of the incentive travel sector is going from strength to strength, with its global market value projected to reach £174 billion (US$215.2 billion) by 2031.
The report finds that the sector is growing at an annual rate of 12.1 per cent, and predicts that the number of people participating in incentive travel programmes worldwide will grow by 61 per cent in 2024, compared to 2019.
These figures reflect the power of incentive travel schemes as a valuable resource to attract, retain and motivate talent and as an essential driver of culture and reputation, particularly as the modern workforce becomes ever more disparate with working-from-home and hybrid working. Benefits such as inclusivity, peer-to-peer relationships, and being able to take a partner on a trip have become more relevant to employees, according to 66 per cent of incentive travel agencies.
Despite its revival, the sector still faces significant challenges including talent shortages, inflation, rising travel and supply chain costs. Plus, tighter corporate budgets which have resulted in a reduction in the frequency of business trips and fewer employees attending face-to-face events. The report highlights the need for companies to adapt their incentive travel schemes to ensure they remain competitive.
The importance of authenticity, wellness and sustainability are highlighted, driving a new breed of incentive travel programmes which reflect the changing expectations of the workforce.
Employees now place more emphasis on incentives which provide valued experiences, support corporate social responsibility (CSR), and demonstrate concern for employees, with 35 per cent of respondents placing greater value on wellness activities and 44 per cent underlining the importance of CSR-focused team building. These incentives could include opportunities which enable employees to connect with local culture, and excursions which counteract loneliness, stress and burnout.
As companies continue to navigate the changing business travel landscape, the report shares advice for ensuring incentive travel schemes thrive into the future. This includes remembering the power of connection to enhance an experience and never losing sight of who the programme is aimed at to guarantee that what is on offer is relevant and engaging.
To view the report, please click here.
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has achieved a pioneering subscription to the Green Electricity Tariff (GET), a programme launched by the Malaysian Government and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the nation’s largest electricity utility company.
This subscription will supply the Centre with renewable electricity, making the Centre the first venue in Malaysia to be powered by green energy.
The GET Programme was created to empower electricity users across Malaysia to reduce their carbon footprint in electricity consumption. Through this initiative, the Centre can now power its facilities and events with renewable energy resources, sourced from solar power plants under Malaysia’s Large-Scale Solar Programme and TNB’s hydropower and renewable energy plants.
This subscription to GET marks a significant stride towards the Centre’s commitment to become a net-zero carbon venue by 2030.
John Burke, general manager of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, said, “In line with Malaysia’s sustainability agenda and the guiding principles of our industry and owners, our objective was to shift at least 25 per cent of our energy to renewable sources by 2030, but the subscription to GET has enabled us to do this much more quickly. This is a significant milestone for us, reflecting our continuous commitment to ESG practices and our desire to be one of the sustainability leaders in the business events industry. By subscribing to GET we have ensured that our clients’ events will be powered by green energy, and we are now working to build on this achievement by hitting our next target, which is to reduce overall power consumption by 25 per cent before 2030.”
He added that the GET subscription will enable “meeting and events planners to confidently organise events at the Centre, knowing that the impact of those events on the environment will be dramatically reduced”.
The Centre’s Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) targets are guided by the 12th Malaysia Plan – Advancing Sustainability, the Net Zero Carbon Emission pledge signed as part of our industry commitment and the ASM Global Acts, the corporate social responsibility programme driven by ASM Global (the Centre is part of ASM’s global network of venues).
Sustainability is a core focus for the Centre, which has a dedicated Sustainable Development Goals Taskforce guiding its sustainability progress. The Centre’s journey has encompassed various waste reduction initiatives, extensive recycling programmes, food waste minimisation efforts, investment in food composting technologies, development of sustainable sourcing practices, and the establishment of a hydroponic farm on the Centre’s rooftop.
Rooms
The hotel has 515 guestrooms including 21 suites. I stayed in the 46m2 River View Deluxe Room which has a magnificent view overlooking the Huangpu River.
The room has an open-concept bathroom, where the bathtub is placed right in the middle. Every bath, I delight in an unobstructed view of Shanghai skyline, pampering myself with amenities from AromaTherapy Associates.
The room also comprises a workstation, 55-inch TV flatscreen satellite HDTV, high-speed Internet access, spacious walk-in closet and a section holding Nespresso machine, and mini fridge.
MICE facilities
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong offers a three-storey standalone event space – with a dedicated entrance – of more than 3,200m2, comprising 16 multifunctional rooms and banquet venues.
The largest ballroom is located on Level 3 – the Grand Marquis ballroom. With a total area of 1,680m2, it can be divided into five smaller venues. On Level 2, in a space between Marquis 1 & Marquis 2 meeting rooms, sits a Culinary Theatre. This large open, full-service kitchen, has bespoke glass walls that can be adjusted from opaque to transparent upon request. I can see how events that require a live culinary demo or class would benefit from this as it allows guests to interact with chefs.
Other facilities
With bleisure travellers on the rise, family-friendly facilities are offered through the Family by JW programme. For instance, dedicated family floors on the 26th and 27th storeys, where the rooms are built for the little ones in mind featuring mini tents, kid’s bathrobes, and cartoon-themed bedding. Dedicated shuttle services from the hotel to Shanghai Disneyland are available on weekends too.
Other recreational facilities include a 24-hour access fitness centre, indoor pool and spa. As my stay came with lounge access, I could not pass up on indulging in the afternoon tea and snacks while taking in the breathtaking river view.
Other F&B options include a stylish steakhouse and bar at Flint; buffets featuring international dishes at Merchant Kitchen; three-story Le Manoir Ling offering Cantonese cuisine in a French setting; and a rooftop bar (check opening times).
During my stay, I was privileged to enjoy lunch at Le Manoir Ling, and was intrigued by how the concept of the restaurant is based on the story of a fictional Ms Ling and her birthplace in Shanghai, to her growing up years in Hong Kong and France. My lunch included a signature seafood broth, a roasted meat platter, drunken prawns, vegetables in a claypot, and a black truffle abalone rice. These dishes and more can also be enjoyed within the restaurant’s private dining rooms. Named after China’s ancient beauties Fu Rong, Min Xiu, and Ping Ting, these spaces are good for intimate corporate gatherings.
The property’s location is close to Lujiazui, the central business district, home to Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, and also the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Service
Every staff member I encountered was welcoming and helpful. I was greeted warmly upon check-in at the executive lounge, and the receptionist was very detailed in explaining the available facilities and opening hours.
Delivery of items to the hotel is a breeze. I had arranged for my luggage to be transported by a local logistics partner from Beijing to the hotel, and the luggage was already placed in my room upon check-in.
Delivery of my online shopping items was also well taken care of. They were either placed for safekeeping by the concierge or placed in dedicated lockers, located conveniently near the lobby, so guests could easily retrieve them. I encountered issues because of my phone’s compatibility with local Chinese apps, denying me access to items in the lockers. The hotel staff had patiently called up the delivery person for the access code and resolved the matter in no time.
Verdict
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong, and would definitely recommend the property to leisure visitors or corporate travellers heading to Shanghai.
Contact details
www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/shamj-jw-marriott-marquis-hotel-shanghai-pudong/
