Brij Hotels appoints Shiv Kumar Mehan as CEO

October 4, 2022

Brij Hotels has appointed Shiv Kumar Mehan as chief executive officer. He joins the senior leadership team to forefront operational excellence, innovation in brand building efforts and strategic development for the company.

His in-depth industry knowledge and expertise spans across three decades, having successfully launched and operated many hotels, resorts and various hospitality models. Over the years, he has led dynamic hospitality teams and has been instrumental in establishing multiple ventures in markets across the country.

Prior to joining Brij Hotels, he was the chief operating officer at Leisure Hotels Group.

Prioritising sustainability

By Caroline Boey

October 4, 2022

Event brief
Organised by Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) since 2012, the biennial CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESG) serves as a global networking platform for thought leaders, senior government officials, regulators, policymakers, and industry captains.

Organised as a hybrid event for the first time, CESG 2022’s theme – Towards Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Cities – focused on five key areas: Waste as Resource, Enhanced Hygiene Standards, Effective Pest Management, Sustainable Energy and Pollution Control.

Event highlights
According to an NEA spokesperson, CESG 2022 was significant for a number of reasons. First, it marked the resumption of face-to-face business meetings since the pandemic.

More importantly, following the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, CESG 2022 was a step forward for industry leaders, regulators and policymakers to reconnect and renew commitments to address sustainability and climate-related issues.

A new addition this year was the inaugural Youth Environment Leaders Immersion Programme, which brought together youth leaders to network and exchange ideas, and learn from industry captains in the environmental sustainability space.

Another new addition to CESG this year was the Start-Up Pavilion, which provided opportunities for start-ups to connect with buyers to advance the adoption and export of new environmental innovations.

There was also an Environment Expo, which featured thematic Pavilions, including the NEA’s Innovation Pavilion, Asia Climate Forum Pavilions and the Singapore Pavilions. About 30 per cent of exhibitors at the Environment Expo showcased digital solutions, among which robotics solutions featured prominently.

According to NEA, business opportunities and potential collaborations discussed this year have been valued at S$45 billion (US$32.6 billion) in the areas of waste management, cleaning robotics and climate risk mitigation.

CESG also walked the sustainability talk from the get-go. To reduce event waste and use fewer resources, NEA did away with event brochures and show dailies, and encouraged QR codes, websites, and collaterals a digital format. The venue’s temperature was also adjusted, which resulted in the waiving of business suit requirements to help participants stay comfortable, and only the main aisles were carpeted.

Event organisers also catered about 70 per cent of the estimated food needed for the event to help reduce excess food on the buffet line. NEA even went a step further and worked with sustainable food suppliers – where bread crusts and waste peels were converted into beer.

In total, CESG 2022 attracted more than 15,000 attendees from 65 countries and regions and featured 43 speakers and 63 exhibitors.

Challenges
The number of international participants for CESG 2022 was fewer than that of previous editions because of the pandemic and travel restrictions, which were only eased two weeks before the event.

However, CESG 2022 offered a virtual platform after the physical event so that participants could access on-demand conference recordings and opportunities to re-connect with all participating exhibitors and attendees (physical and virtual) even if they were unable to attend in-person.  – Additional reporting by Rachel AJ Lee

Event CleanEnviro Summit  Singapore 2022
Organisers National Environment Agency
Venue Sands Expo and  Convention Centre
Date April 17-21, 2022
Attendance 15,000

Prices and rates slip down the pecking order for travel managers

By S Puvaneswary

October 3, 2022

CTW-conference_640 — From left: TTG Asia Media's Karen Yue; Ajaay Kapur; CWT's Akshay Kapoor; and Manish Raj discussing why cost-cutting is less important post-lockdown

Cost considerations are no longer a top priority for travel managers post lockdown, as they prioritise a return on investment, as well as staff well-being and retention, noted panellists at the recently-concluded IT&CM Asia 2022.

Akshay Kapoor, head of sales – Asia Pacific, CWT, opined that while travel costs have risen significantly worldwide post lockdown, organisations will continue to spend on incentive travel to reward staff, and build employee loyalty and a sense of belonging.

From left: TTG Asia Media’s Karen Yue; Ajaay Kapur; CWT’s Akshay Kapoor; and Manish Raj discussing why cost-cutting is less important post-lockdown

In some cases, several companies have also increased the number of qualifiers for incentive trips because they believe that incentive trips will help in staff retention, he elaborated.

Manish Raj, vice president, global sales & new initiatives of a technology company based in India, shared that while travel costs have increased significantly post lockdown, business trips will continue to happen.

This is because in-person meetings have an edge over digital meetings, he opened, where physical interactions tend to positively impact the closing of deals, and provide better company visibility.

For instance, unicorn technology companies in India that seek further funding to grow their businesses and organisations have to make trips abroad to meet with investors and venture capitalists.

Meanwhile, Ajaay Kapur, vice president & head procurement, for a large banking, financial services and insurance company, shared that post-lockdown, airline connectivity, as well as safety and security of travelling employees, currently take priority over budget.

To optimise costs, companies should work directly with airlines and hotels, he suggested. – Additional reporting by Serene Foo

SHATEC introduces sustainability training programmes

By TTGmice

October 3, 2022

SHATEC-sustainability-course_640 — SHATEC will launch a new series of sustainability training initiatives from October 19

Starting from October 19, SHATEC will host a series of e-learning and in-person training courses to provide effective methods, strategies, and creative solutions to hospitality professionals during their sustainable development journey.

The one- and two-day courses will be released progressively, with online sessions on topics like Managing Waste in a Circular Economy; Water Conservation, Energy Conservation; and Energy Conservation towards Sustainability in Hotel & Tourism.

SHATEC will launch a new series of sustainability training initiatives from October 19

Also new for 2022 is a two-day in-person Sustainability Leadership in Hospitality workshop.

“Despite the extraordinary challenges Asia’s hospitality industry faced during the global pandemic, I am impressed at how well we are bouncing back. As future adversities may come our way, it is essential that we continue to build up our capabilities to grow responsibly and sustainably,” said Lim Boon Kwee, CEO of SHATEC.

G20 event a boon to Indonesian MICE industry; future plans in motion

By Rachel AJ Lee

October 3, 2022

Indonesia_press_meeting_640 — From left: Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Office’s country manager of Singapore Sulaiman Shehdek, and Sandiaga S. Uno, minister of Tourism and Creative Economy holds a panel with industry stakeholders

Indonesia’s G20 presidency will soon conclude with the 17th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit on November 15 and 16 but the country has leveraged the nationwide event to the best of its abilities, ensuring that the country’s business events sector is recovering well.

Sandiaga Uno, minister of tourism and creative economy, told TTGmice in an interview: “The domestic market movement is now at 650 million, way above the yearly target of 150 million. Some of this movement is related to MICE, (thanks to the) 300 or so G20 side events. There are also thousands of G20-related activities around the nation, so hosting G20 is extremely critical.”

From left: Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Office’s country manager of Singapore Sulaiman Shehdek, and Sandiaga S. Uno, minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, hold a panel with industry stakeholders

G20 has helped to shine the spotlight on less-touristy Indonesian destinations like Belitung for example, which hosted the Development Ministerial Meeting from September 7 to 9.

When asked what the ministry is focusing on now, Sandiaga said five locations that have been designated as “priority destinations” – Borobudur, Likupang, Mandalika, Danau Toba, and Labuan Bajo – will be heavily marketed as options for corporate groups and business events.

He elaborated: “We used to rely on Batam and Bintan a lot, but we want to go beyond that. We will also be hosting events such as the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Yogyakarta next February, and it would be a great opportunity to showcase (more destinations).”

Another focus of the ministry is the creation of more tourism villages, similar to Penglipuran Village in Bali Regency, named as one of the Cleanest Villages in the World by Green Destinations Foundation. These villages not only help to create jobs for locals, but it also provides community-based tourism as well as CSR opportunities for corporates.

“We have 4,000 tourism villages in our database, and are looking to increase it to 7,500 by the end of 2024. We are also looking to create 1.1 million new and better-quality jobs in tourism and creative economy, and tourism villages is one of the (engines to drive that). It also helps Indonesia to hit United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”

As to how the ministry is helping to alleviate the high costs of travelling right now – in terms of inflated airfares and ferry tickets – Sandiaga posited: “The tourism industry was hit the hardest, and is now dealing with inflation, and high food and energy prices.

“We are working with the industry to create a package where travel costs will be compensated with better experiences, better destinations, and better activities. When bundled, the increase in pricing (will not be too much).”

EEAA and AACB pool resources for Emerging Leaders programme

By TTGmice

October 3, 2022

teamwork_640 — This new programme will provide the younger generation with the foundation to move through the ranks as future leaders

The Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) and Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) have created a scholarship programme for the industry’s Emerging Leaders to build their leadership skills.

Led by EEAA director and Leading Well executive coach, Dan Londero, the programme will guide and prepare Emerging Leaders through the next phase of their business mindset to help them transition from good managers to excellent leaders.

This new programme will provide the younger generation with the foundation to move through the ranks as future leaders

The programme consists of three elements including a briefing for the employer, two one-day coaching sessions, and a one-on-one session with a Leading Well executive coach. All participants will receive recognition at the EEAA Awards Gala event on December 7, 2022, at the International Convention Centre Sydney.

Andrew Hiebl, CEO of AACB, said: “AACB is excited to collaborate with EEAA on this programme to provide a streamlined pathway for Emerging Leaders across our industry, including convention bureaux. It is critical that we come together to support tomorrow’s leaders and help drive the recovery and rebound of business events in Australia.”

Two long-term supporters of Emerging Leaders, Business Events Australia and Ungerboeck, are also sponsoring thirty scholarships.

Robin Mack, executive general manager, commercial & Business Events Australia at Tourism Australia, added: “Supporting the development of our industry, to ensure Australia delivers high calibre business events and remains a competitive business events destination internationally, is especially important at this critical time for the sector.”

Applications are now open for the Emerging Leaders programme with applications due by October 10, 2022.

Photo of the day: G20 meeting lifts Belitung’s destination profile

By TTGmice

October 3, 2022

Belitung Island, one of Indonesia’s “Ten New Travel Destinations”, hosted the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting from September 7-9, 2022.

In a historic occasion for the 4,800km² island of just 300,000 people, 20 countries and 20 global organisations came together in a small village environment, named Kampong Kecit. The village stands in one of Indonesia’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Tanjung Kelayang Reserve, which has been identified as a model for sustainable development by the Indonesian government.

Tanjung Kelayang Reserve comprises 360 hectares of pristine land and eight outlying islands, where 200 hectares have been designated as a private natural reserve and wildlife sanctuary.

In 2021, the island of Belitung was also officially designated a UNESCO Global Geopark on account of its rich geological diversity. The island features ancient rock formations, pristine white beaches and outlying islands, clear turquoise waters and preserved forests which are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including several species that are only found here.

British Airways rolls out top-notch cabins for Singapore services

By TTGmice

October 3, 2022

britishairways_club_suite_640 — British Airways' Club Suite

British Airways (BA) is launching new, improved premium cabins on board its Singapore flights to London and Sydney.

The First cabin will feature the airlines’ latest product while the Club Suite will launch in Business.

The first flight with the new First and Club Suites will depart from London on October 30, arriving in Singapore the next day.

The newly-designed Club Suite seats in Club World will offer direct-aisle access, a suite door for privacy and flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Other perks comprise 40 per cent more storage, a vanity unit and mirror, Wi-Fi, 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens, high definition gate-to-gate programming and PC/USB power, new furnishings and amenity kits as well as an enhanced service and an improved dining experience.

The airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft also includes BA’s newest evolution of its First suite. The First cabin is made up of eight suites that come with doors for more privacy. It also includes 24’’ high-definition touch screen entertainment TV systems and noise-cancelling headphones. Also provided are pyjamas and amenity kits, as well as à la carte fine dining.

Customers in lounges can continue to order food using their mobile devices directly to their table, an initiative introduced by the airline during the Covid-19 pandemic which it has decided to keep.

Calum Laming, chief customer officer, British Airways said: “Our new First and Club Suite seats have been created to suit the needs to our individual customers. We are delighted to introduce it on our London-Singapore-Sydney route which is our longest route across the network.”

BA will continue to roll out the Club Suite as its Boeing 777 fleet undergoes retrofitting.

Ascott Embassy Sathorn Bangkok opens its doors

By TTGmice

October 3, 2022

The Ascott Limited has opened Ascott Embassy Sathorn Bangkok on Sathorn Road, in Bangkok’s business district.

There are 393 deluxe rooms, studio apartments, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments available. Studio apartments and above come with washer-dryers, and fully-equipped kitchenettes.

On-site facilities include the 38^th-floor sky terrace which provides a 360-degree panoramic view of Bangkok, an infinity swimming pool, a gym, a children’s playroom, steam and sauna rooms, and a residents’ lounge that can be used by guests during their stay.

In addition to several meeting rooms for guests, F&B options include a speciality restaurant, and an all-day dining restaurant on level 37.

Cleofe Albiso helms Megaworld Hotels as MD

By TTGmice

September 30, 2022

Cleofe Albiso has been promoted to managing director at Megaworld Hotels. She was previously a group general manager.

Prior to joining Megaworld Hotels, Albiso held various positions with Marriott International, including director of sales and marketing at the Marriott Cebu City, and general manager of Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo.