The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) is organising its 68th annual convention in Colombo, Sri Lanka from July 6 to 9. The convention is likely to draw about 400 to 500 delegates, including media representatives.
The event is supported by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators.
TAAI’s annual convention will be held at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Photo: VSimage)
The opening ceremony of the convention will take place at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall while business sessions will be conducted in two hotels – Cinnamon Grand Colombo and Shangri-La Colombo.
The theme of the convention is Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives and will focus on promoting regional tourism besides positioning Sri Lanka as a preferred destination among Indian outbound travellers.
“Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has been resilient in spite of the economic challenges. India has now once again become the number one international source market for Sri Lanka and we hope that the island nation will receive more Indian tourists post our convention,” said TAAI’s president Jyoti Mayal at a virtual media conference on the event.
Sri Lanka received 19,915 Indian tourists in April alone, and 66,347 Indian tourists between January and April 2023.
India follows after Russia as Sri Lanka’s second biggest source market.
Apart from the convention, TAAI will be organising pre- and post-fam tours covering destinations including Bentota, Galle and Kandy. TAAI has partnered with four airlines including Sri Lankan Airlines, Air India, IndiGo and Vistara, to offer special round trip fares for its attendees, with prices ranging from 16,000 rupees (US$194) to 30,000 rupees.
“We want to promote experiential travel to Sri Lanka from India. These fam tours will help our members to understand different products on the same lines that they can promote among their clients,” added Mayal.
PAL Holdings, the parent company of Philippine Airlines, has appointed Lucio Tan III as its president.
He takes over the post from his grandfather Lucio C. Tan and will continue to provide stability and ensure the company forges ahead with a collaborative and cohesive approach in serving the best interests of its customers.
He has held a number of positions in the family’s business empire over the years, including vice president of PAL Holdings in 2021, and president and chief operating officer of Tanduay Distillers in 2019.
Although companies are more price sensitive to event entertainment post-lockdown, planners find that in general, budgets can be worked around to meet expectations.
Instead, other important factors have come to the fore in the selection of event entertainment – community tie-back, a large dose of interaction, and the ultimate goal of the business gathering.
Careful considerations
Budgets have tightened in the current environment, forcing clients to carefully consider their event entertainment selection.
Christo Alexander, general manager (Asia) of SongDivision, has seen more requests with tighter budgets and unrealistic expectations. His company uses the science of music and the art of engagement to engage people and create teams.
But he is relieved that the pendulum has also swung the other way.
“Apathy would be a good word to describe entertainment in the corporate realm before Covid, because event planners thought they could just get a good band to entertain and if needed, they would add a show-stopper element,” said Alexander.
“But now, I feel everything’s been stepped up a level and event planners are thinking more deeply about what entertainment can bring to their corporate events,” he continued.
Global Travel’s head of events, Timothy Teo, too, finds that the right choice of entertainment with a “strong link or message” can be justified, even if budgets are constrained. For instance, general meetings are observed to favour a “big opening number such as an upbeat dance performance” to energise the crowd.
Teo added that there are “always budget-friendly alternatives” for every type of entertainment, but cautioned that showmanship and professionalism may be compromised.
Global Travel brings indigenous acts to client events
Community tie-back and interactive entertainment
Stakeholders say clients feel that having at least one piece of local entertainment is pivotal to the success of the event.
Alexis Lhoyer, co-founder & chief business officer of Chab Events, has observed that providing access to “meaningful, authentic experiences relevant to the destination” is even more important these days.
He relayed an example of how a recent incentive trip in Bali organised by Chab Events saw 500 guests interacting with underprivileged children from various schools and orphanages around the island to craft angklungs, an Indonesian musical instrument consisting of four bamboo tubes suspended in a bamboo frame.
“After guests had built their instruments, everyone came together to create a 15-minute performance, under the guidance of a local singer. The instruments were then donated to the local schools. It was a magical moment of interaction, and all guests loved the authentic experience,” Lhoyer shared.
Similarly, Teo observed: “Incentive trips usually seek to discover the culture of the country, and entertainment that is unique to the destination, and/or has a strong cultural tie-back are much preferred.”
Michelle Sargent, director, Australia & New Zealand, CWT Meetings & Events agrees, saying that clients seek out local entertainment “to feel a connection to the destination they are visiting”.
She pointed out: “One of our clients who organised an event in Fiji chose to support local non-profit organisations such as women’s groups and local choirs to entertain guests at the welcome functions.”
Experiential entertainment is another consideration these days.
Chab Events
SongDivision’s work with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), for example, saw them host six onboarding events for new recruits last year as part of PwC’s introduction to their corporate culture. Called the UN-Conference, these were deemed so successful there are plans for a repeat with four events from July 2023.
“At these events with PwC, we went really deep with the organising committee, organising morning raves, doing sonic acupuncture, music-led meditation and the gala band. The music was spread out and was the main thread that held these conferences together,” said Alexander, who added that clients and their guests have gone beyond wanting to just watch a show.
Sargent concurred: “Experiential music agencies like Rock And Roll Team Building and SongDivision are proving very popular for both teambuilding activities and entertainment. No matter the type of event or age group, music seems to be the one component that can help groups connect instantly.”
She shared examples of how a recent group travelling to Nashville decided to conduct a songwriting challenge for their guests at the Johnny Cash Museum. Meanwhile in Australia, the Bangarra Dance Theatre group is a popular choice for welcome events, as indigenous dancers provide guests with a feel for the destination and its cultural past.
Over in South-east Asia, Sargent observed that entertainment takes a more dynamic approach with water drummers and traditional fire twirling displays.
Event entertainment possibilities arranged by CWT
The Big Picture
To ensure that the corporate message is conveyed clearly, event planners first need to understand the goals of the client and their events.
“Too often, event companies are briefed on the entertainment portion, but miss the big picture. By understanding the bigger picture, (event planners like us) can push our creativity to craft our themes, and design entertainment and décor that will support and enhance those goals,” opined Lhoyer.
SongDivision’s Alexander also noted that company videos are becoming almost cinematic entertainment pieces, using music to create emotional connections to corporate messaging.
More companies in Asia are also getting staff to perform for each other, so as to foster a sense of belonging which eventually retains talents.
Having a selection of music with lyrics that tie in with the messages and paired with video content can also help enhance an attendee’s experience at any corporate event.
Teo elaborated: “For example, a theme like Beyond Boundaries could offer a visual experience of the vast wonders of the world through open fields, a fjord, the great oceans, up through the cosmos, and so on. These images, with the right selection of music, will play with the audience’s emotions and get that message across subtly and subliminally.”
Further emphasising the power of music, Sargent said: “Having your guests leave with a song that is associated with the event is a wonderful way to ensure the memories of the event would live on. – Additional reporting by Adelaine Ng
Singapore is Cvent's top meeting destination for 2023, and Singapore hotels feature prominently in the top 10 meeting hotels in APAC
Singapore has taken the top spot on Cvent’s list of Top 10 Meeting Destinations for Asia Pacific.
The other destinations that made the list, in running order, are Sydney, Bangkok, Seoul, Melbourne, Tokyo, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Gold Coast, and Phuket.
Singapore (pictured) is Cvent’s top meeting destination for 2023, and Singapore hotels feature prominently in the top 10 meeting hotels in APAC
As pandemic restrictions eased and travel resumed, many destinations across Asia Pacific witnessed an influx of international visitors and regional tourism boards worked diligently to promote their cities and attract these travellers to their locales. With tourism to the region continuing to grow, pursuing strategic partnerships, unveiling of new tourist attractions, and embracing technology to reach a broader audience have been topping the agenda for tourism boards in the region.
The strong market revival in Asia Pacific also prompted hotels to launch new properties, invest in renovations and continue expanding their footprint to better accommodate travellers and groups.
When comparing this year’s rankings to 2019, newcomers to the Top 10 include Fairmont Singapore (#1), Conrad Centennial Singapore (#4), Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore (#5) and InterContinental Singapore (#6). Hotels that prioritise state-of-the-art meeting facilities are also prominently featured in the Top 10, demonstrating the enduring worth of such investments in attracting MICE business.
The Top 10 Meeting Hotels in Asia Pacific are, in running order, Fairmont Singapore, Hyatt Regency Sydney, Shangri-La Singapore, Conrad Centennial Singapore, Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore, InterContinental Singapore, Pan Pacific Singapore, Hilton Singapore Orchard, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, Singapore, and JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach/
These lists – which also include regional rankings for North America, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa – were compiled based on sourcing activity through the Cvent Supplier Network, one of the world’s largest venue-sourcing platforms.
This is the first time Cvent has published the annual lists since the pandemic upended the meetings and events industry in early 2020.
To view all Cvent Top Meeting Destinations and Cvent Top Meeting Hotels worldwide, click here.
Bali Convention Management (Bacoma), a new business event solution company, has been formed to become a strategic subsidiary of the MICE Department of Bali Tourism Board (BTB) to market the island as a business events destination.
Levie Lantu, CEO of Bacoma, said the idea of forming a business entity was conceived by BTB board members during the pandemic after seeing how the pandemic devastated the business events industry.
A screenshot from Bacoma’s website
He said: “In order to revive tourism and business events, Bali needs to go out and be proactive in approaching businesses. (Ideally), the Bali Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Bali CEB) should lead the way, but with no income, the government cannot provide the needed financial support. Therefore, board members deemed it important for Bali CEB to be privatised. With capital from an ‘angel’ investor, Bacoma came into being.”
Levie explained that Bacoma’s role was to look for regional and international businesses, and share the leads with the local business events community through open bidding or appoint suppliers – such as hotels, transport, venue providers, and event planners – through BTB member associations.
“We will only share the business with companies based in Bali. This way we do hope that the business events industry in Bali will revive and its GDP will grow,” he said.
Currently, Bali does not have many local PCOs, and only a handful have the capacity to handle large international events. With Bacoma’s help, Levie is hopeful that more local PCOs will be able to eventually handle large events.
“For example, out of 100 events held in Bali, only around 25 were organised by local companies, which also meant that only 25 per cent of the tax becomes the direct income for Bali,” he explained.
As to how Bacoma will generate income, Levie expects funding to come from event sponsorship, marketing activities, and good rates from hotels.
Although set up in 2020, Bacoma only started its activities late last year. Despite this, Bacoma managed to secure a 2023 International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities Conference which will be held at Merusaka Nusa Dua from November 6-9 with 500 delegates; and the International Medical Conference on November 10-13 in a new convention centre currently under construction in Sanur with around 3,000 delegates expected.
Bacoma has also partnered with the World Tourism Network Indonesia to organise the first WTN Siummit-time 2023 which will take place at Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa from September 28 to October 3.
From left: Events International’s Hema Kandy; Big Orange Super Tech Group’s Veronica Tang; PGSB's Abdul Rahman Mamat; MITEC’s Mala Dorasamy; and ABS Greentech’s R.M Ravichandrar S Ratnam
Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), in line with the Centre’s ongoing Environmental, Social and Corporate (ESG) effort to tackle food security and mitigate environmental challenges, will be hosting the first annual Asia Smart Farming (ASF) Conference and Exhibition 2023.
The event will be held at MITEC from October 3-6, 2023, and MY Events and ABS Greentech will be event partners.
In its recent hosting of Diplomatic Representatives for the event, MITEC reaffirmed its commitment to reducing environmental impact and attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with the #myWorld Programme, which has been in effect since 2018.
From left: Events International’s Hema Kandy; Big Orange Super Tech Group’s Veronica Tang; PGSB’s Abdul Rahman Mamat; MITEC’s Mala Dorasamy; and ABS Greentech’s R.M Ravichandrar S Ratnam
The partnership between MITEC and relevant stakeholders aims to the bridge gap in achieving SDG 2, End Hunger by ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture through smart farming practices.
MITEC’s CEO, Mala Dorasamy, said: “The MoU signed with ABS Greentech and MITEC in March sets forth as the joint support to accelerate the growth of this initiative to improve the carbon footprint in the industry. There has been escalating global utilisation of pesticides and fertilisers, which has negative effects on the ecosystem components. This highlights the urgent need for sustainable and environmentally conscious practices of smart farming.”
The negative impacts of pesticide-reliant agriculture have become more apparent when the use of chemicals in agriculture is increasing twice as fast as food production.
According to Food and Agriculture Organization statistics, the value of pesticide imports has increased by almost 300 per cent.
R M Ravichandar S Ratnam, group CEO of ABS Greentech said: “In today’s world, ecological-based farming can offer a long-term answer for producing sufficient food for the country that is of a high quality and both safe for humans and the environment. Therefore, our primary goal is to promote the adoption of an innovative holistic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach as an alternative method for local farmers to reduce their reliance on pesticides”.
ABS Greentech, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and other private organisations, has been implementing the new holistic IPM and integrating new technologies to cultivate pesticide-free vegetables in the tropical lowlands of Malaysia. The revolutionary No-Self AND (As Nature Does) and microalgae biofertilisers are examples of the latest ecologically-based technologies that will be promoted and implemented in Malaysia.
The Centre is committed to its ESG efforts to assist in promoting a strategic partnership with ABS Greentech to highlight the potential of sustainable farming practices and demonstrate the significance of global cooperation in advancing agricultural innovation to address food security and mitigate environmental challenges.
Cairns Convention Centre will be opening next month after an A$176 million (US$116 million) expansion.
The expansion project encompasses a significant number of enhancements. Among the additions are a rooftop banquet area, three state-of-the-art meeting rooms, and an exhibition and plenary lecture space capable of hosting 400 people, providing a total of 10,500m2 of new floor space. This significant expansion enables the Centre to accommodate multiple or larger events, with conferences and exhibitions for up to 2,500 guests possible across the entire venue.
A rendering of the Cairns Convention Centre
“With face-to-face events more popular than ever, we have proactively equipped the venue with cutting-edge audiovisual equipment. This technology meets the needs of not just the many live events we host but also their hybrid and digital requirements. This ensures that every delegate, whether here in person or on the other side of the world, has an incredible event experience,” said Janet Hamilton, general manager at Cairns Convention Centre.
The new Trinity Level is a key part of the expansion, offering guests breathtaking views of two world heritage sites – the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. The Trinity Room, an ideal setting for gala dinners and large cocktail functions, can accommodate up to 500 people; while the outdoor Trinity Terrace offers panoramic views of the Trinity Inlet, providing a unique backdrop for cocktail functions, lunches, and other events seeking to embrace Cairns’ tropical climate.
The Centre’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship also remains unwavering. The expansion project incorporates numerous eco-conscious features such as high-performance glazing on the building, which increases energy efficiency by up to 30 per cent. Meanwhile, 1,200 sun blades and biophilic design living greenery over the facade reduce heat gain from the sun.
“Smart building management systems monitor and control power usage daily. All the lighting is high-efficiency LED with automated dimming control and motion sensors, we have solar-boosted hot water generation and energy-efficient fans and equipment. We are installing electric vehicle charging stations and priority is given to Energy Star ratings when buying new appliances,” added Hamilton.
Sands Expo and Convention Centre (pictured) is the first convention centre in Asia to collaborate with the EIC as a strategic partner
Marina Bay Sands’ Sands Expo and Convention Centre has formed new strategic partnerships with two MICE professional bodies – the Events Industry Council (EIC) and Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).
The three-year partnership with EIC will provide Marina Bay Sands with a robust platform, offering strategic recognition and thought leadership opportunities in collaboration with EIC’s Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), CMP Fellows, and Knowledge programmes.
Sands Expo and Convention Centre (pictured) is the first convention centre in Asia to collaborate with the EIC as a strategic partner
As part of the partnership, 100 client-facing staff in Marina Bay Sands will be accredited with the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) within the next 12 months, up from the current 50.
With the integrated resort playing a bridging role, the partnership will enable more EIC-led initiatives to take place in Asia, including training programmes and study missions. This will result in an exchange of best practices and raise the standards of business events offerings in the areas of sustainability and innovation across the region.
Sands Expo and Convention Centre is the first convention centre in Asia to collaborate with the EIC as a strategic partner.
Marina Bay Sands has also deepened its longstanding partnership with PCMA. Since 2015, Marina Bay Sands and PCMA have worked closely together on various initiatives, including talent development programmes and collaborating on industry issues, fostering a shared mission of driving excellence and innovation in the business events sector.
With the new phase of the PCMA partnership, Marina Bay Sands will leverage the collective strength of Las Vegas Sands’ properties in Singapore and Macau to further amplify the shared objectives of PCMA, addressing critical topics such as sustainability, innovation, technology, talent development and audience engagement.
From left: UFI’s Kai Hattendorf; AIPC’s Sven Bossu; ICCA’s Marta Gomes and Senthil Gopinath at the press conference during IMEX Frankfurt
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, AIPC (The International Association of Convention Centres), and ICCA (The International Congress and Convention Association) have announced at IMEX Frankfurt that they will continue to their strategic G3 partnership.
The strategic partnership was formed in 2019, with the aim to facilitate collaboration and generate more comprehensive and better-aligned benefits for the three associations’ respective members.
From left: UFI’s Kai Hattendorf; AIPC’s Sven Bossu; ICCA’s Marta Gomes and Senthil Gopinath at the press conference during IMEX Frankfurt
The alliance launched a programme of exploring exchange and reciprocity in four primary areas: educational content, research, standards and advocacy. Initial alignment happened across the respective research projects. Also, the organisations opened their respective global main events to members from all three organisations to drive exchange across industry verticals.
Beginning in 2020, the global pandemic changed the priorities – and the focus shifted towards supporting the industry with global guidance and good practice reports. This resulted in the publications of “Good Practice Guide: Addressing Covid-19 Requirements for Re-Opening Business Event”, “Good Practice Guide: Convention and Exhibition Centres as Temporary Vaccination Centres”, and the whitepaper “Business Events are the Fast Track to Recovery”.
With the pandemic chapter closed, the three organisations have reviewed the previous work, and decided to continue and strengthen the collaboration. AIPC, ICCA and UFI will align along the key areas of advocacy and standards, research, professional education, and networking. By joining forces, the three global associations will increase their impact in encouraging, supporting and recognising excellence in the business events industry.
“In an ever more challenging environment, good, constructive collaboration is the best way forward. That is why collaboration is such a core element of UFI’s genetic code. As the three global trade associations for the events sector, AIPC, ICCA, and UFI will build on the achievements since 2019, and continue to deepen the joint efforts – for the benefit of all the members of the associations, as well as for the global events industry as a whole”, said Michael Duck, UFI president.
From left: The two properties in China and Japan that were recently acquired
Frasers Hospitality, a strategic business unit of Frasers Property, has formed two joint ventures with established real estate players, Tishman Speyer and Alyssa Partners, in China and Japan, respectively.
As part of these joint ventures, Frasers Hospitality has entered into two sale and purchase agreements to acquire its inaugural premium rental apartment assets in Shenzhen, China; and Osaka, Japan with a combined asset value of approximately S$170 million (US$126 million).
From left: The two properties in China and Japan that were recently acquired
The 325-unit premium rental apartment in Shenzhen, China, is a leasehold asset jointly acquired with Tishman Speyer. Situated in the heart of the Luohu commercial and shopping district, the property, which will be managed and branded under Frasers Hospitality, forms part of a mixed-use development project that topped off last year and is slated to open in the 4Q2024.
The 124-unit premium rental apartment in Osaka, Japan, is a freehold asset acquired through a joint venture with Alyssa Partners. Situated in the Namba precinct, the property is currently operational and at close to full occupancy.
The acquisitions are in line with Frasers Hospitality’s post-pandemic transformation and expansion strategy to evolve into an international lodging real estate player and strengthen its position and growth as an investor of choice in the long-stay lodging segment.
The pair of acquisitions adds to Frasers Hospitality’s expanding portfolio in North Asia with close to 3,400 units in 16 properties across China, Japan and South Korea. Following the recent signing of a management agreement in Chengdu, China, under the Modena brand, there will also be a total of 11 properties in multiple cities across North Asia slated to open over the next three years.
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He has held a number of positions in the family’s business empire over the years, including vice president of PAL Holdings in 2021, and president and chief operating officer of Tanduay Distillers in 2019.
Careful considerations
