The InterContinental Bali Resort has added the standalone Jimbaran Convention Centre (JCC) to its portfolio of event spaces, a venue that was built during the pandemic as part of refurbishment and upgrading efforts.
Touted as one of the larger event spaces on the island, the JCC is located adjacent to the resort’s main building and comprises more than a dozen multipurpose spaces. These range from the Imperial Grand Ballroom and Puri Kencana Ballroom on the first level, to the smaller Yudistira and Drupadi meeting rooms on the second level. The largest space available is the Imperial Grand Ballroom, good for 2,000 pax theatre-style, or 1,360 for a gala dinner.
Three outdoor spaces – Taman Gita Garden, Alun-Alun, and Sunset Garden – round up the function spaces available at the JCC, and can accommodate 100 to 2,500 guests.
Prior to the inclusion of the JCC, InterContinental Bali Resort offered only eight meeting spaces.
Puspa Rianti, InterContinental Bali Resort’s director of sales & marketing, told TTGmice that the property has to make a stronger push for more business events, so as to “generate more income as business is now very volume-driven”.
She noted that the “market hasn’t recovered 100 per cent”, in reference to 2019 figures.
While InterContinental Bali Resort has just 425 keys to support its large venue portfolio, Puspa said there is a close partnership with neighbouring Le Meridian, Ayana, and Four Seasons hotels to help house spillover corporate groups. For instance, a recent 900-pax government-affiliated group was split over two properties.
As 2023 is the election year for Indonesia, InterContinental Bali Resort aims to welcome more government-related meetings. Puspa said her team is working with local DMCs to obtain business.
“But I feel that we are now ready to welcome more international groups, especially from Asia-Pacific, such as Singapore and Hong Kong,” she opined.
In China, one of the hotel’s target markets, marketing activities have commenced. There is also attention on South Korea, an “upcoming market” that has generated several incentive travel leads.
Beyond this region, Puspa said Europe continues to be a strong source market for her property, with many incentive travel groups coming out of Germany and Belgium.
The hotel, which was the official hotel for last year’s G20 meeting, will welcome two sporting events – the Oceanman Bali and World Beach Games – this year.
While business events demand is building, Puspa expressed worries over the “very, very short lead time”, which brings about operational challenges due to manpower shortages.
