Companies looking to make up for the prolonged disruption to work interactions are intensifying their teambuilding and performance recognition events, say event planners at IT&CM Asia 2022.
Manish Raj, vice president – global sales & new initiatives with India-based Moveinsync Technology Solutions, said the remote work culture that has taken root in the country has made teambuilding opportunities even more precious.
Raj: need to bring new and existing staff together
“Many companies in India have yet to reopen their offices (post-lockdown) for staff to return, and the work-from-home movement is set to stay since organisations are realising the economic and personal benefits of such arrangements.
This means that many new employees are joining companies without opportunities to meet their colleagues,” Raj told TTGmice.
“The need to rebuild social capital is intense, not just to welcome new hires but also to ensure existing staff continue to feel connected with each other after two years and more of interaction on online platforms like Zoom and MS Teams,” he added.
According to Raj, many business events are now focused on social goals – like getting staff aligned with the corporate direction, getting them to interact and bond, and making them feel visible and recognised. Teambuilding and incentive events are therefore leading the business events recovery for India.
Sandeep Khosla, managing director and CEO of 247 Facility Services in India, said his firm has a number of teambuilding events in the pipeline for the coming months, with most coming from IT companies.
“Some companies have only brought 40 to 45 per cent of their staff back to the office, so the need to connect teams is critical,” he said.
Khosla added that his upcoming overseas teambuilding events will involve 80 to 150 participants – the typical staff strength for each project led by his clients.
Most clients are looking at South-east Asian destinations such as Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand, he shared, as the region enjoys good air access from India, and most destinations here have done away with Covid tests and quarantine requirements.
Driven by a similar desire to motivate and bond teams, World Master International Travels Philippines’ president, Leilani C Agana said incentive travel demand has rebounded strongly.
“Companies are determined to show their staff and business partners that everything is back to normal now, so incentive travel programmes that were disrupted in the past two years are being brought back bigger and better,” said Agana, pointing to plusher budgets and elevated accommodation and activity options.
More teambuilding and networking elements are included in these incentive travel programmes too, she shared.
Her company has so far confirmed a 15-pax incentive travel group to Singapore in October, and a 40-pax group to South Korea in March 2023.
Inbound business into Malaysia from markets which contract in US dollars are benefitting from the much-weakened ringgit against the greenback.
Local media in Malaysia reported that the national currency reached an all-time 24-year low of 4.52 ringgit against US$1 on September 14, in line with lower oil prices. The ringgit continues to slide, and as of press time, it stands at 4.55 ringgit against the US dollar.
Locations like Kota Kinabalu in Sabah (pictured) are not as well known as Thailand to European clients
Noor M Ismail, general manager at Panorama Destination Malaysia, explained that the weakened ringgit is an added value to overseas organisers and delegates as it partly compensates for high airfares which have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. A weak ringgit against major currencies also gives overseas delegates a stronger purchasing power.
Noor added that he is encouraging clients to lock in the low rates by placing deposits for their future events.
“It also provides us a much-needed cash injection, having not been able to do much business at the height of the pandemic,” Noor said.
At the current exchange rate, a room at a five-star international chain property in Kuala Lumpur’s city centre can be purchased for US$150.
Saini Vermeulen, executive director, Within Earth Holidays, said Malaysia’s value-for-money proposition, coupled with its easy entry requirements, have also encouraged more delegates from longhaul markets to extend their stay in Malaysia.
He shared that some attendees are extending to beach destinations such as Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu with their partners, while others are adding a few more days for a golf game. Compared to 2019, Vermeulen noted there were more bleisure extensions this year.
Buyers at IT&CM Asia who had previously not considered Malaysia, are keen to explore the country’s offerings.
Mihai Luca, director of Travelsmartinfo based in Romania, said clients who have already been to Thailand are now seeking new destinations, and Malaysia fits the bill.
He added: “Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo are exotic destinations that are not as well known as Thailand.”
Luca added that many companies in Romania did not increase their travel budgets post-lockdown, hence Malaysia makes for a very attractive proposition.
That is why he wants to learn more about the country, and is at the show to meet with Malaysian DMCs and hoteliers.
Similarly, Sabina Pe, managing director of Bridges Travel based in the Philippines, agreed that the weakened ringgit provides added value to outbound packages.
As such, she is also looking for Malaysian DMCs to establish connections with at IT&CM Asia, as well as obtain advice on incentive programmes and activities.
For her market, Singapore and Thailand are already popular outbound destinations in the region. On the contrary, more information was needed about Malaysia’s business events offerings, and more marketing activities are needed to be held in the Philippines to increase its awareness.
Incentive travel demand to Europe from Indonesia remains high, but according to local planners, shorthaul trips within Asia are more feasible due to the rising cost of travel, the ease of access, and the availability of seats.
Stephanus Suharli, the owner of Xpert Indonesia, told TTGmice that Thailand, Japan, and South Korea currently rank highly for his clients.
An aerial view of the Seoul Olympic Stadium in South Korea
And although Europe remains in high demand for incentive travel, Stephanus shared that obtaining seats and visas have been progressively more difficult since June 2022 as more countries reopened.
“There are many enquiries for incentive travel, but meeting clients’ expectations of travel time, itineraries, and budgets, are the challenges we face today in securing the business,” he lamented.
Moreover, prices have risen across the board. In 2019, a ticket to Japan including taxes cost around 7.2 million rupiah, (US$486), but today the airfare alone is eight million rupiah while taxes alone cost seven million rupiah.
“Although the land arrangement prices remain the same, the overall package is now very costly. Even as groups agree to the increase, seats may not be available,” Stephanus said.
These days, to materialise the business, Xpert Indonesia asks their clients to pick a destination, and the company will help them find the dates where airline seats are available.
“Only when we managed to secure the seats and clients agree on the budget that we move on to creating the programme,” Stephanus said.
Rudy Techrisna Satyadi, managing director at Multi Holiday Travel, agreed: “In the past, we discussed the destination, the land arrangement and dates of travel with the clients before booking the flights. Now, it is the other way around.”
His clients are similarly looking at Thailand and Japan, as well as Vietnam.
Rudy also noted that clients tend to prefer mono destinations, and are avoiding domestic flights. To provide clients with fresh experiences, attractions are now located within easy reach of their chosen destination.
Rudy added that incentive travel budgets will inevitably need to be increased.
Meanwhile, for Orange Incentive House, under Panorama JTB Tours, Europe continues to appeal as it offers multiple destinations that make the incentive trip more value-for-money. Moreover, ground arrangements in places like Thailand, have also gone up.
If clients choose to spend it regionally, however, Vidya Hermanto, chief experience officer of Panorama, shared that Singapore appeals because it provides a multi-destination option as it has cruises that also call at ports in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Hilton Singapore Orchard has unveiled the Smart Oasis, a unique meeting space located on Level 5 of the hotel that comprises seven function rooms and two breakout areas.
Large with a residential feel, Smart Oasis is a flexible, porous space that is ideal for boardroom meetings or midscale business seminars for up to 185 guests with seven separate conference rooms and breakout spaces. Previously part of the hotel’s carpark, the space was creatively converted into a meeting area by design firm Avalon Collective.
Meeting rooms are named after different local tree species such as Tembusu, Ficus, Rhu and Mahogany, and are equipped with the latest technology including oversized LED screens for hybrid meetings and screenings. The majority of rooms offer two LED screens for additional content and flexibility, custom-built conference tables with built-in plugs and USB ports, and ergonomic chairs.
Event and catering options are highly customisable. The hotel’s events team can also work to create unique experiences such as art jamming, culinary demonstrations, yoga, and bespoke breakout corners to make guests feel at home, with exceptional food and drink to inspire connection.
Reserved exclusively for the Smart Oasis is an always-on Butler’s Pantry, stocked with refreshing homemade beverages, as well as healthy snacks that attendees can help themselves to throughout the day.
In total, Hilton Orchard Singapore boasts over 2,415m2 of function and meeting spaces across 16 versatile venues, including two pillarless ballrooms good for 900 guests.
Voytek Klasicki has been appointed general manager of Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket.
Klasicki is no stranger to Phuket, having been the general manager at Cape Panwa Hotel 24 years ago. Most recently, he spent the last 15 years working for Centara Hotels and Resorts.
A seasoned hotelier with more than 40 years’ experience, Klasicki has worked in countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, The Maldives and Thailand.
The days are getting hectic for business hotels in Asia-Pacific, as easing travel restrictions globally pave the way for returning corporate gatherings.
This is a happy problem, representatives of hotel companies told TTGmice. Strong pent-up demand for face-to-face meetings is helping to lift business after two rather quiet years during the pandemic.
Most of the business events returning to Asia are regional gatherings; Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit pictured
Antony Meguerdijian, vice president sales, South-east Asia, Japan & South Korea for Accor, revealed that there is “strong demand” for hotel venues in Bangkok, Malaysia and Singapore, and enquiries are most intense for Phuket in Thailand; Danang and Hanoi in Vietnam; and Seoul, Jeju and Busan in South Korea.
“We had anticipated strong pent-up demand and this has certainly been released as gathering restrictions were eased across the region,” he remarked.
For now, Meguerdijian said bookings are mainly from regional groups, although there are some from the Pacific and Europe. The strong rebound is expected to continue into 2023, with demand driven by insurance, multi-level marketing and fast-moving consumer goods companies.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, too, is seeing strong returning demand for its properties across South-east Asia this year, and the momentum is expected to sustain through 2023.
Frederick Wong, Hyatt’s vice-president for revenue, sales and distribution in Asia-Pacific, said business recovery is driven by “a really strong desire (among companies) to reconnect as local pandemic restrictions have eased in the region”.
The majority of business events taking place at Hyatt properties in South-east Asia are regional gatherings, but Wong said enquiries from Australia and South Korea are on the rise, with some interest coming in from Hong Kong too.
He added that business events from Europe into South-east Asia are beginning to surface, with most coming from companies in IT, multi-level marketing and pharmaceutical sectors.
At press time in August, Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of hotels in Singapore and Malaysia has recovered 25 per cent of 2019’s business, stated Marriott International’s area vice president for Malaysia, Singapore and Maldives, Rivero Delgado.
Sunway City Kuala Lumpur Hotels, whose properties were a favourite among event planners pre-pandemic, has also reported strong bookings since Malaysia reopened borders and permitted in-person gatherings from April 1. Sunway properties are welcoming a mix of government, corporate and association meetings, as well as religious events, with most international gatherings drawing attendees from Asia-Pacific.
Sunway City Kuala Lumpur Hotels, director of commercial, Jeanne Chan said forward bookings, as well as leads in the process of materialisation, are indicating greater prosperity in 2023 compared to 2022.
“We had anticipated strong pent-up demand and this has certainly been released as gathering restrictions were eased across the region.” Antony Meguerdijian Vice president sales, South-east Asia, Japan & South Korea, Accor
Meet differently
Returning events are showing some changes in the way they are planned and delivered, observed hotel representatives.
Accor’s Meguerdijian said Covid-19 fears still linger, prompting organisers of large events to either split the group across several hotels as a precaution, or stretch programmes across two to three weeks to facilitate staggered and smaller arrivals. Interestingly, while infection concerns remain, organisers are showing a preference for resort destinations – particularly luxury properties – with relaxed Covid-19 restrictions.
Organisers are also gravitating towards outdoor venues, drawn by the ease of social distancing and supply of fresh air, as well as properties that can charm their guests with new and authentic destination experiences. In response to the latter, Accor has launched local discovery, wellness and dining experiences at its South-east Asian hotels and resorts.
For Hyatt’s Wong, business events are stretching out, from one to two nights previously to three to four nights as the current average. At times, some events even run beyond seven nights.
Meanwhile, event technology adoption continues to remain important, even as in-person meetings resume.
Wong explained that hybrid event formats enable attendance flexibility, especially when some level of travel restrictions remain and can hamper participation by overseas guests, such as those from China.
Maintaining its support for clients who require virtual and hybrid event arrangements, Hyatt partnered with Swapcard to introduce an end-to-end virtual and hybrid events platform. The technology gives organisers access to a bespoke programme that unifies on-site and virtual experiences, with Swapcard’s Artificial Intelligence helping to enhance remote attendees’ experience.
Accor too, is all hands on the event technology deck. It collaborated with Microsoft to introduce All Connect, a hybrid meetings concept supported by Microsoft Teams. With this, Accor hotels can provide an enriched hybrid experience for meetings, conferences and events, allowing organisers to combine physical in-hotel meetings with virtual interactions across multiple locations simultaneously.
For hotels keen to snag that new piece of event business, swift action is needed. Marriott’s Delgado said organisers are now expecting immediate responses to requests and enquiries, as short lead times become the norm.
“Planning events in the new normal has taught industry leaders to keep testing, thinking, assessing and learning, so they can be nimble and change what is not working,” he reflected.
Challenges abound
Like travel and tourism in general, business hotels are seeing strong demand restrained by limited air capacity and flight frequencies.
Meguerdijian said the impact on event bookings is significant.
“Many routes have not resumed and flight frequencies have been drastically reduced. This makes it very challenging to move large groups of people around the region,” he told TTGmice.
Technology, too, is a double-edged sword for the events industry. Companies that turned to online meetings during the travel disruption are choosing to retain some of that remote activity to reduce their cost of business travel. Meguerdijian warned that in the long term, this could dent business travel and hurt hotels.
Another hurdle is the manpower crunch that is prevalent across Asia. Wong said many hotels had lost staff through retrenchment during the government-imposed lockdowns and border closures.
While hotels have turned to hiring agencies to plug the labour shortage, Wong said the solution was not perfect, as agencies themselves are short on candidates.
Hyatt has implemented several initiatives to mitigate manpower challenges, including better use of clustered resources, insourcing functions previously supported by contractors while outsourcing other roles where it made sense, and training and recruiting multi-hire roles to work across different hotels and different functions.
“We have also introduced greater flexibility for employees in their hours, and ensured transparent communication with customers and clients about the challenges we face in this area,” said Wong. “Through efficiencies and continual recruitment, we have been able to address these factors and make the most of this travel resurgence.”
Global inflation is a worrying issue too, but Sunway’s Chan is optimistic that Malaysia’s favourable foreign exchange rate, complemented by the country’s diverse cultures, multilingual society and favourable weather year-round, will position the destination as a desirable option.
Veteran hotelier Christian Metzner is the new general manager of W Singapore – Sentosa Cove. He was previously general manager with W Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
With an extensive background in sales, marketing and revenue management, Metzner brings with him close to three decades of luxury hospitality experience and a fresh strategic vision for the property.
Hailing from Germany, Metzner’s career with Marriott International began in 1996 at the Arabella Sheraton Complex South Germany in Munich, and since then he has held numerous positions within the company.
Hyatt has opened the Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, located in Raa Atoll
Hyatt Hotels Corporation is expanding its brand portfolio in Asia-Pacific with a pipeline of landmark luxury and lifestyle hotels and resorts that are expected to open in late 2022 and 2023.
The expansion will see several brands entering new markets, such as The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Japan, the Andaz brand in Thailand, and the Hyatt Centric brand in South-east Asia with a new hotel in Malaysia.
Hyatt has opened the Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, located in Raa Atoll
Fuji Speedway Hotel, the first hotel under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt will open in October with 120 rooms. Located in Shizuoka and 80 minutes by car from Tokyo, the property is set amid Mount Fuji and the legendary Fuji Speedway racing circuit, offering a getaway for motorcar lovers and professional racers, business executives, couples and families alike.
Also opening in October is 222-room Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, the first Hyatt Centric brand in South-east Asia, while Andaz Pattaya Jountien Beach will open in 4Q2022 with 204 rooms.
Some of the additional luxury and lifestyle hotel openings planned for 2022 and 2023 include Grand Hyatt Shenzhou Peninsula, Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Andaz Macau, Grand Hyatt Kunming, Andaz Nanjing Hexi and Alila Donghu Wuhan.
The recent opening of Park Hyatt Jakarta marked the first of Park Hyatt in Indonesia.
Confident in the region’s path to recovery, Carina Chorengel, senior vice president-commercial, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt said: “As people seek to reconnect, explore new destinations, or revisit reliable favourites, we are seeing greater demand for premium accommodations and longer stays at Hyatt hotels.”
Speaking at the Media Event in Jakarta as part of its Journey with Hyatt across Asia roadshow last week, Chorengel noted that there is growing demand for premium rooms, suites and villas.
According to Chorengel, properties in Asia-Pacific – Australia, South Korea, and South-east Asian countries – are thriving, while China hotels and resorts are well supported by the domestic travel market.
“With nearly 70 per cent of our global portfolio classified as luxury and upper upscale, we are well positioned to meet the growing demand from high-end travellers in each segment we serve,” she added.
Hyatt is all set to join in the current travel trend, where sustainability is the new luxury and immersive, authentic experience on the rise.
In her presentation, Angelina Hue, director of brand marketing and communications Asia-Pacific, Hyatt, said: “(The) Alila brand is a great embodiment of what it means to be sustainable yet offering luxurious experience.”
Alila Villas Uluwatu Bali works on zero waste operation, as explained by the hotel’s general manager, Hemal Jain. He shared that all waste generated on the property is taken to the hotel’s lab, where it is segregated and donated to like-minded organisations for conversion into useful items.
Some examples of how the hotel is internally converting items include turning ice buckets into lamp shades, rubber tyres into planter boxes, wine bottles into glasses, and (used) room slippers shredded and used as bean bag stuffing.
“People want to make choices that are responsible and resonate with their personal values,” said Hue.
Business events leaders will gather in Singapore to discuss the next steps for collaboration and growth; The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore pictured
The inaugural Asia CEO Summit will take place from October 5-7, 2022, at The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore.
It will bring together around 100 leading senior representatives and CEOs from global business events organisations who will chart a sustainable pathway of growth for the region’s business events industry. The summit will also facilitate the exchange of insights on global markets’ experience in the resumption of physical business events.
Business events leaders will gather in Singapore to discuss the next steps for collaboration and growth; The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore pictured
The by-invite-only event is supported by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and co-organised by Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS), Association of Event Organisers (AEO), Society for Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
Kick-starting the three-day event will be the Joint Leadership Summit (JLS) on October 5, 2022. The JLS will see regional government and industry leaders engage in a high-level discussion on key industry issues that will set the course to realise the potential of business events in the region. Measures of collaboration to facilitate and ease the organisation and dissemination of business events will also be discussed.
Carina Bauer, AEO chair, said: “… Asia has always been a major player in the global exhibitions market, and we remain confident about its potential as the region’s reopening picks up pace. While countries in Asia are experiencing varying stages of recovery, it has further underlined the importance for the region to come together in its efforts to create a sustainable pathway of growth.”
Monica Lee-Müller, president, UFI, added: “Around the world, business events are catching up to their pre-pandemic levels faster than expected – but Asia is lagging behind. In Singapore, we will work with government stakeholders and representatives to identify and overcome obstacles around regulations and travel restrictions. The world needs Asia to fully reopen. Asia has always been and remains a major player in the global exhibitions market. And Asia can benefit from the reopening experience of other global regions.”
Even as in-person gatherings return, several business events stakeholders are choosing to keep a virtual component at their events, to provide more accessibility and opportunities for those unable to attend.
Vincent Lim, president of CIS Network and organiser of Archidex, opted to keep the virtual component to encourage more attendees, especially those who wanted to save on travel costs and wanted the convenience of attending from home.
Virtual components of events are here to stay
Although Archidex had a physical component held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from June 29 to July 2, the virtual exhibition fared well too, attracting numerous first-time regional architects – 60 per cent of the online audience – below the age of 40.
Buoyed by this, Lim pointed out that next year, Archidex will continue to have a virtual component, and he hopes that it will be able to reach out to a younger audience who are tech-savvy, and who are comfortable navigating a digital platform.
Similarly, Mona Abdul Manap, CEO of Place Borneo, also opted for a hybrid format for the inaugural TTLx Summit, a two-day homegrown conference in Kuching that will be held from September 20-21, 2022.
The hybrid format will make it easier for her speakers, as Samuel Hungsoo Kim, founding president of the Centre of Asia Leadership Initiatives, and Florian Kaefer, founder and editor of the Sustainability Leaders Project, are both unable to be present in person.
For Mona, the hybrid format will also allow participants who chose not to travel to attend the sessions, as well as pose questions for panellists. To ensure traction online, only selected sessions will be streamed.
She added: “We ensured that the sessions were kept to a maximum of one hour. While we streamed some live, others could be watched upon demand.”
Joyce Surendra, cluster director of sales and distribution representing Pullman Miri Waterfront and Pullman Kuching, also told TTGmice that the demand for virtual connections is still ever-present.
“This is especially so for the corporate sector, where offices can be located in multiple locations. We currently see demand coming from the pharmaceutical, and oil and gas sectors.
“Accor’s All Connect enables corporate customers and meeting planners to combine physical in-hotel meetings with virtual interactions across multiple locations simultaneously. People can easily present content and see virtual participants as if they were in the same room,” she elaborated.
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A seasoned hotelier with more than 40 years’ experience, Klasicki has worked in countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, The Maldives and Thailand.
Hailing from Germany, Metzner’s career with Marriott International began in 1996 at the Arabella Sheraton Complex South Germany in Munich, and since then he has held numerous positions within the company.
