BCD Travel gets closer to Asia-Pacific customers with Sri Lanka call centre
BCD Travel has opened a fully-owned service centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to facilitate more efficient programme deployment for clients in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore as well as to support its global travellers with frontline services during out-of-office hours in their regions.
The BCD Asia-Pacific Service Center draws on Sri Lanka’s abundant pool of skilled talent and favourable market economics. The company is said to be the first global travel management company to join the Sri Lanka Board of Investment, which demonstrates the facility’s contribution to the local economy and job creation.
The BCD Asia-Pacific Service Center is also creating a local Sustainability Committee and will appoint a local charity to further expand its outreach to the local communities.
“Coming out of the pandemic, our laser focus was on ‘building forward’ through a sustainable operating strategy,” said John Snyder, president and CEO at BCD Travel.
“Investing in a country emerging from political and economic instability not only supports our strategy for sustainable growth, but also demonstrates our commitment to care for our communities and feed the future.”
The BCD Asia-Pacific Service Center is pivotal to BCD’s preparation for the travel industry’s emergence from the pandemic and for clients’ subsequent growing demand for travel. The service centre currently has close to 200 full-time employees and is in active expansion mode. The company expects it to be one of its largest operations in Asia-Pacific by the end of this year.
The facility will be led by a local management team, with Pradeep Kumar at the helm as executive director. Kumar reports to Greg O’Neil, BCD’s president for Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa & Global Network.
Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre reopens with events on the books
The waterfront Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland has reopened with high interest from event organisers.
The venue is said to have secured 117 events for the 2023/2024 financial year, with an estimated value of NZ$3 million (US$1.8 million).
Viaduct Events Centre is regarded as one of Auckland’s premier waterfront venues, and used to host several major events, most notably New Zealand Fashion Week, New Zealand Design Awards, since its opening in 2011 and prior to its closure in 2018.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill said: “Auckland is proud to open the doors once again to this landmark building and offer it as one of our unique world-class venues available to hire.
“This hasn’t happened overnight so thanks to the hard work of the team at Auckland Live and Conventions and the wider Tātaki Auckland Unlimited whānau, we are able to expand the portfolio of venues ready to welcome a range of events.”
The venue spans three levels and offers 6,000m² of space. It takes in eight function rooms that are ideal for a wide range of events, from tradeshows to gala dinners. Its banquet space has capacity for up to 1,200 guests.
Event organisers enjoy easy access to five-star accommodation, world-class hospitality and a central transport hub.
Jan Tonkin, managing director of The Conference Company said the business events and conferencing sector is ready to return to the Viaduct Events Centre.
“The re-opening of the Viaduct Events Centre is welcome news indeed for business events hosts. Its harbour views, day-lit rooms and balconies make it a very appealing environment for meetings and conferences and the Waiheke Room is an ideal space for large scale dinners and exhibitions.
All in all, as conference organisers, we’re delighted to have the venue available once again and already have bookings there in May.”
Royal Albatross offers corporate bookings complimentary beer this May
For the month of May, The Royal Albatross ship in Singapore is offering complimentary unlimited beer, for corporates that book their Weekday Corporate Package on Mondays to Thursdays.
There are three corporate buyout packages available, all of which include 2.5 hours of sailing, and 1.5 hours of dockside.
Package A, an evening sail from 18.00 to 22.00, starts at S$10,500 (US$7,850) for a minimum of 30 pax, while the additional headcount is S$280 per pax up to a maximum of 130 people.
Package B is from 09.00 to 13.00, and will start at S$8,500 for a minimum of 30 pax, while the additional headcount is S$250 per pax up to a maximum of 130 people. Package C is from 11.00 to 15.00, and will start at S$12,500 for a minimum of 30 pax, with the additional headcount price the same as Package B.
For more private gatherings, Royal Albatross also offers section buyouts for Weekend Dinner Cruises, tailor-made to accommodate smaller groups of 30. Food is freshly prepared on board in the galley by the head chef and kitchen team, and can be buffet-style, or a four-course menu.
Contact info@tallship.com.sg
Pan Pacific Orchard makes two new executive appointments in F&B
Pan Pacific Orchard has added Amelia Matheson and Pedro Samper to its leadership ranks, ahead of its opening on June 1, 2023.
As director of F&B, Australian-born Matheson will lead commercial strategy for the restaurants. Matheson moved from Melbourne to Singapore in 2014 and she spent most of her career with independent F&B establishments. Prior to moving to Pan Pacific, her last role was with The Garcha Group where she managed a cluster of four boutique hotels.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s culinary programme will be spearheaded by Samper, who has honed his skills over two decades in Michelin-star kitchens across cities like Hong Kong, Japan, and Spain. The San Sebastian native was most recently Executive Chef at Four Seasons Resort Dubai in Jumeirah Beach. This is his first stint in Singapore.
MEETINGS 2023 confirms more than 230 hosted buyers
The two-day MEETINGS tradeshow, organised by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) for the business events community, has secured more than 230 leading business event organisers from Australia, North America, Singapore and New Zealand in attendance.
To be held at the new Tākina – Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 21 and 22, the event will comprise exhibition, educational and networking components.
BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins said the response to the MEETINGS 2023 programme has been phenomenal.
“Now, more than ever, it is important to bring buyers to New Zealand to educate them on our destination and show them our country is back open and ready for their business,” she said.
“BEIA has been working with Tourism New Zealand, Business Events Wellington, and Air New Zealand to target key decision-makers. We have filled all our available hosted buyer spots in record time and day buyer registration is now open with chances for domestic event organisers to win travel to Wellington for MEETINGS.”
Tourism New Zealand will be hosting eight high-end senior incentive and meetings planners from North America who will visit Auckland and Queenstown before and after MEETINGS in Wellington.
BEIA will also host two international buyers and one media representative from Singapore. These influential buyers will visit Auckland and Christchurch prior to the main event.
With 100 hosted or semi-hosted buyers flying in from Australia, 86 are key decision-makers who have not attended MEETINGS before or have not been hosted since 2018. Over 130 hosted buyers from across New Zealand will attend this year, with 47 per cent hosted at MEETINGS for the first time.
“It’s a massive vote of confidence for our sector, for the new venue, our host city and for the MEETINGS programme this year,” Hopkins said.
Air New Zealand has again partnered with MEETINGS to facilitate flights for buyers and 26 Wellington hotels are hosting accommodation.
Meanwhile, day buyers who register before May 17 can stand a chance to win flights and travel expenses to MEETINGS plus social function tickets in one of three prize draws.
The day buyer programme is free of charge, and attendees can join hosted lunch and refreshments throughout the day, as well as educational programmes at the Tourism New Zealand Knowledge and Destination Hub.
Sarawak strengthens international presence, debuts pavilion at global business events trade show
Brought to you by Business Events Sarawak
To leverage on the footfall and raise awareness about Sarawak, connect with new international counterparts and clinch more quality leads, the Malaysian state will debut at one of the world’s global trade shows for business events with its inaugural stand-alone pavilion this year.
IMEX Frankfurt is the annual international meeting point for business events where 2,500 exhibitors, as well as 3,000 decision-makers and global sector leaders are expected to attend the much anticipated event from May 23 to 25.
This year, the pavilion, Tribe Legacy Sarawak, by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) and themed Business Events Support Community Development, is an unique celebration of the industry’s strong involvement with local communities and contribution to economic, social and cultural sustainability in Sarawak.
The presence on IMEX Frankfurt’s show floor is expected to strengthen its position as an international destination for legacy, thought leadership and innovation.
Staying true to the theme of community development, the pavilion floor programme will focus on key talking points such as Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 where specially-curated plenaries will highlight the strategy’s six economic sectors and seven enabler sectors targeted for growth by the Sarawak Government.
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, minister of tourism, creative industry and performing arts Sarawak said: “PCDS is a pivotal government strategy for Sarawak to achieve economic prosperity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability by 2030.”
The pavilion will spotlight an exhibition on Sarawak’s legacy impact development, PCDS 2030 and the International Journal of Business Events and Legacies.
Reflecting Sarawak’s commitment to social sustainability, BESarawak has also partnered with several SMEs and NGOs to exhibit a range of local products.
Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak said: “We are encouraging associations, destination marketing organisations and convention & visitor bureaux from around the world to meet at the pavilion and discuss how we can collaborate to develop legacy impact and sustainability together.”
In addition to the exhibited features, a press conference will be held on the first day of IMEX Frankfurt (May 23) to unveil the 3-year Legacy Impact Master Action Plan and an official announcement by the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability on its commitment to legacy impact.
Since Kuching is Malaysia’s UNESCO City of Gastronomy, pavilion visitors will also be entertained with a creative mixology showcase by food and beverage provider, The Bibber’s Tale.
The range of artisanal beverages will introduce international palates to the unique flavours of ingredients native to Sarawak and flaunt the inventive relationship between the destination’s food and beverage industry and rich produce.
Additionally, pavilion visitors can meet with Sarawak’s six exhibiting industry partners: Borneo Convention Centre Kuching; Pullman Kuching and Pullman Miri Waterfront Hotel; tourism and hospitality services provider Hemisphere Corporation; professional conference organisers ARC Creators and Place Borneo and destination management company CPH Travel Agencies.
The minister added: “Starting this year, the pavilion will be a yearly affair at IMEX Frankfurt and we hope that with a consistent presence, Sarawak will become the preferred destination for business events. We are fully invested in business events as a business and collaboration platform to address economic, social and governance – ESG agendas.”
Keen to organise your next business event in Sarawak?
Find out more about the assistance available at the Tribe Legacy Sarawak pavilion at stand number B230
For more information on the pavilion, please contact Rose Bruce:
rose@sarawakcb.com
+6014-682-8204
Marina Bay Sands leads new precinct approach to boost area’s event potential
Singapore integrated resort Marina Bay Sands (MBS) says it is making headway with the launch of its Bay Precinct Strategy, which aims to position the property and the surrounding Bay area as the epicentre for international business gatherings.
The Bay Precinct Strategy is said to be the first of its kind, as it brings together different hospitality players, attractions, service providers and restaurants from the Marina Bay area, playing to their strengths in an enlarged business events ecosystem.
At press time, the partnership will comprise 10 hotels, including The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Westin Singapore, Swissotel The Stamford, Pan Pacific Singapore and The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. The close collaboration enables MBS and partner hotels to leverage each other’s strengths and assets to bring an expanded offering to international event organisers looking to host their events in Singapore.
“Authenticity, mass customisation, sustainability and wellness are some of the key drivers that will fundamentally shift the tentpoles of how future events are designed. Even as Marina Bay Sands is playing the lead role in hosting international events, we need to continually innovate and drive benefits beyond our own corners. The Bay Precinct Strategy allows us to do just that – we’re able to offer clients an enlarged platform and direct access to different services around the Bay, opening up the playing field. Event organisers are empowered to harness the best-in-town offerings to conceptualise their desired event experience,” said Paul Town, chief operating officer at MBS.
The integrated resort will also be joining hands with other service providers and attractions around Marina Bay, such as Gardens by the Bay, Satay by the Bay, and National Gallery Singapore to create trails that explore Singapore’s gastronomy, wellness, arts, culture, and more.
Event organisers can weave these interest-based trails into their programmes, thereby broadening the attendee experience beyond a single venue.
Besides progress on the business events front, MBS has also completed refurbishments to more than 850 hotel rooms and suites across two of its hotel towers. These make up a third of the hotel’s total room inventory.
The next phase of renovation will focus on the ultra-luxe suites. The hotel renewal will see more suites being created within Towers One and Two – from 137 previously to around 422 – to cater to the growing demand for luxury travel.
When works at Towers One and Two are completed end of this year, the renewal journey will continue into Tower Three, the Hotel Lobby and Sands SkyPark.
Japan brings forward end of covid border controls
Arrangements are underway to lift Japan’s Covid-19 border control measures this Saturday, ahead of initial plans to do so on May 8.
According to Japanese news reports, the decision is made in anticipation of an increase in overseas travellers during the Golden Week holidays.
The move will mean that all people entering Japan will no longer need to present certification of at least three Covid-19 vaccination doses or a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of departure.
However, the government is looking to deploy a voluntary testing system at five airports, targeting travellers with symptoms such as fever, with the aim of detecting new infectious diseases.
Japan will maintain its plans to downgrade the classification of Covid-19 under the infectious disease law to Category V, the same as for seasonal flu, on May 8.
Ludovic Gallerne helms as VP of global commerce at S Hotels & Resorts
S Hotels and Resorts has appointed Ludovic Gallerne as its new vice president of global commerce.
Gallerne brings over 25 years of experience to the role, and will be responsible for all commercial activities at the group’s extensive global portfolio of hotels and resorts in Thailand, the Maldives, Fiji, Mauritius and the UK.
He was most recently the vice president of sales & marketing for Asia & Middle East at The Standard Hotels.
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Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) has commissioned the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) to implement its Sustainable MICE, Taking Strides Towards Net Zero project under the MEET TAIWAN programme this year.
The project, which aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, will comprise three parts: evaluation and guidance, speaking out and taking action, and encouragement and honour.
The first segment, evaluation and guidance, provides three resources – helping business events companies reduce carbon emissions, the Taiwan MICE Sustainability White Paper, and helping business events companies gain ISO certifications and producing corporate sustainability reports.
These resources are designed to enhance the industry’s sustainability. MEET TAIWAN will provide customised consultation services to help industry players meet sustainability goals.
The second segment, speaking out and taking action, involves promoting Taiwan’s international image as a destination for sustainable business events. It carries on from last year’s Net Zero Carbon Events – Route to Net Zero report published by the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC)during COP 27. This year, BOFT and JMIC have co-organised an event for COP 28 to jointly promote the net zero initiative for the global business events industry. That, along with the Taiwan MICE Sustainability White Paper and carbon reduction results of Taiwan’s business events industry, will contribute to Taiwan’s sustainable business events image.
In addition, Taiwan has launched the 100 x 100 campaign, which calls on 100 business events stakeholders to carry out 100 sustainable actions.
For the third segment, encouragement and honor, Taiwan’s business events companies will be recognised for their contributions to sustainable events. The annual Sustainable MICE Awards this year will highlight achievements with an SDGs Action Award and a Carbon Reduction Action Award.
BOFT has also declared 2023 a year of carbon reduction and sustainability action for Taiwan’s business events industry.