Anjali Masih is the new director of human resources at Kuramathi Maldives. She brings over two decades of experience in several hospitality brands and owning companies in the United Arab Emirates.
Prior to joining Kuramathi, she was the director of human resources & training in The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah.
In her new role, she will champion an inclusive culture of growth and create a sustainable workforce by emphasising team building, colleague development, succession planning and improving overall employee welfare.
Macau (pictured) resumeed quarantine-free travel with Mainland China last month
Reopened borders and quarantine-free travel have facilitated a return in interest among China-based event planners looking to hold events and meetings in Macau.
Sands China’s vice president sales, Stephanie Tanpure, has reported seeing good traction from event organisers, with “solid RFPs” for 4Q, where group sizes are also considerably larger.
Macau (pictured) resumed quarantine-free travel with Mainland China last month
She said: “Quarantine-free entry is the first thing that event planners will consider, therefore the easing of travel restrictions is definitely a favourable factor in attracting groups. With reopened borders, it is easier to attract Mainland clients, especially those situated within a 1.5-hour radius from Macau, such as in the Greater Bay Area.”
Tanpure added that the resort “took the initiative to reach out to and keep in touch with China clients” throughout the pandemic, and held a total of 13 online events via its Smart Stage to promote Macau and its diverse offerings.
Earlier in June, Sands China unveiled Macau’s first hybrid meetings space, Smart Stage, at The Londoner Macao, an Extended Reality (XR) studio. And of all the six integrated resort operators in Macau, Sands Resorts Macau accounts for 85 per cent of the available event venues.
hOn a similarly positive note, Artyzen Hospitality Group, area vice president/Macau operations, Rutger Verschuren, told TTGmice: “Considering there will be an end to Covid at one stage, we do receive RFPs from organisers who want to be jump-ready once travel is no longer discouraged and restrictions are eased.
“However, group events require advance planning with site visits, and there have been many factors that have disrupted travelling for events. We hope that with the control of the Covid situation in our key feeder markets, and relaxed measures by the authorities, the situation will improve soon.”
During the pandemic, The Artyzen Grand Lapa took the opportunity to spruce up its contemporary Chinnery Ballroom good for 200 guests, as well as its adjoining Atelier function room, and is ready to welcome events back.
Aside from meetings and events, the Venetian Macao and Macau Fisherman’s Wharf are reportedly experiencing brisk business in the exhibitions sector.
According to Alan Ho, vice president of the Macau Convention and Exhibition Association, the event calendar is filled with exhibitions every week until the end of the year.
He explained: “Many exhibitions that were suspended during the pandemic were shifted to 4Q2022, such as the 10th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo Tourism Expo that was rescheduled from July to September.”
New events like China (Macau) High-Quality Consumption Exhibition, and the Hengqin Global Bay Areas’ Forum, will also be debuting in late November.
Ho attributed the pick-up in exhibitions to the easing of visa policies, whereby Chinese business travellers saw there visas expedited when presenting an invitation letter issued by designated event organisers in Macau.
“From September 1, overseas visitors visiting Macau have also been granted a three-month multiple-entry visa, with a maximum of 30 days stay in Hengqin. This favours those who are planning to attend exhibitions and promote trade exchange in the region,” he added.
Mercure Tokyu Stay Osaka Namba is slated to open on December 1, 2022
Accor will introduce its first dual-branded hotel to Japan with Mercure Tokyu Stay Osaka Namba, slated to open on December 1 this year.
In partnership with Japanese real estate company Tokyu Resorts & Stays, the property will offer the best of both companies – Accor’s global reach and international loyalty programme Accor Live Limitless (ALL), and Tokyu Stays’ domestic network and hotel facilities.
Mercure Tokyu Stay Osaka Namba is slated to open on December 1, 2022
The 288 guestrooms are ideal for short-stay and long-stay guests, with a portion of guestrooms offering washer-dryers and kitchenettes, one of the signature features of Tokyu Stay properties. There is also an all-day Italian dining restaurant on site.
The hotel is within a four-minute walk from Namba station which offers a direct train line to Kansai International Airport. Local landmarks like Shinsaibashi shopping district and “America Town” are also easily accessible.
Garth Simmons, CEO, Accor Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea said: “This property offers the perfect setting for local and international visitors to explore the local scene whether they are in town for business or leisure, and enjoy the warm hospitality that is unique to this region.”
“(The hotel’s location) will continue to attract attention as a sightseeing base for Kansai in the future. We anticipate that guests will discover a new charm of Osaka Namba at this sophisticated dual-branded hotel,” said Toshihiro Awatsuji, president & CEO, Tokyu Resorts & Stays.
The three winners delivered change delivering change from the heart of their geographical and cultural communities
The International Congress & Conference Association (ICCA) and BestCities Global Alliance are celebrating three outstanding Associations that are winners of The Incredible Impacts Programme.
The Incredible Impacts Programme is a joint initiative by ICCA and BestCities Global Alliance that is committed to legacy building. The winning Associations have set the industry standard in the last 12 months and driven real change through passion, education, creativity, and fun.
The three winners delivered change delivering change from the heart of their geographical and cultural communities
Aside from being awarded US$7,500 for future projects, the winners will also get the chance to speak about their initiatives and experiences at the ICCA 61st Congress in Krakow from November 6-9, 2022.
The winners are:
International Society for Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, where the association planned a series of interactive city-wide events in Glasglow, which brought together experts, artists, students, and the general public. Children were also encouraged to build brains, and everyone was encouraged to explore brain installations, empowering them to become advocates for brain health and lead healthier, smarter lives.
International Water Resources Association (IWRA), where the association sought out five global ambassadors to represent their local communities operating on the front line of water security issues to share their stories during the IWRA World Water Congress. Topics included sanitation and homebuilding in the Dominican Republic; safe access to surface and groundwater in New Delhi and Nepal; and water access rights in Zimbabwe to agrochemical pollution on The West Bank.
The University of the Faroe Islands, where the association hosted a Football is Medicine event that showcased the many benefits of playing soccer. Experts from all aspects of sports medicine, nutrition, and training delivered a compelling programme detailing how football can be used to enhance and enrich the lives of people everywhere.
GWTS 2022 will be held at Parkroyal on Beach Road (pictured)
Global Women’s Trade Summit (GWTS) 2022 Singapore, an international summit connecting businesswomen across the globe to explore business and market potential, will be welcoming female business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals from September 13-14, 2022 at Parkroyal on Beach Road.
Themed Business Sustainability & Resilience, GWTS 2022 will address the topics of business sustainability and resilience during the two-day summit through panel discussions, workshops, and trade exhibits, along with matching and networking opportunities.
GWTS 2022 will be held at Parkroyal on Beach Road (pictured)
The summit will witness the participation of more than 200 registered delegates from 14 countries, and will feature over 20 leading speakers covering topics around technology, branding, risk management, business culture, keys to business sustainability, and more.
As the fifth annual instalment, GWTS 2022 is organised by the International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry (IWFCI) Singapore, a global non-profit and non-government organisation established to support women entering the business and developing trade across the globe, and is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board.
The event will also be graced by Guest of Honour Amy Khor, senior minister of state, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & Ministry of Transport; The Honourable William Hodgman, Australian High Commissioner To Singapore, country ambassadors, and presidents of the 12 IWFCI chapters.
Diana Abruzzi, founder of IWFCI, said: “Having survived the pandemic, businesses have awakened to a more complicated and fast-changing world. IWFCI, throughout its global chapters, has continued to support our members to assist, navigate and adapt to these changes.
“This is why IWFCI is committed more so than ever to holding our Global Women’s Trade Summit in a time such as this.”
To further their endeavours with the annual event, GWTS will host its upcoming 2023 edition in Japan, and its 2024 edition in Indonesia.
The soon-to-open Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Business Events Wellington has secured another two international conferences for New Zealand’s capital city.
The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)’s will be heading to Wellington for their Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in October 2024.
The soon-to-open Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre will be fully utilised by the 900 delegates expected to descend on the city for the four-day event.
The event will be held in New Zealand for the first time in seven years.
Another major conference Business Events Welllington has secured is the Trans-Tasman Member’s Choice Symposium to be held in partnership between the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and New Zealand Psychological Society. Taking place in May 2023, it will be the first event held in Tākina – even before its official opening the following month.
This is the first time the event will be held in person having launched in 2021 with record virtual attendee numbers.
APS is the largest professional body representing psychologists in Australia with over 30,000 members. The event is expected to bring more than 600 delegates to Wellington.
El Kwang has been appointed chief commercial officer at The Venues Collection in Australia.
Based in Sydney, Kwang brings communications and content creation skills to his new role and will lead a team of 40 at The Venues Collection.
A strong advocate for industry collaboration, Kwang recently led the programme for the Forces of Change Leadership Series with Marina Bay Sands, he was instrumental in the Singapore MICE Forum and was the co-chair of the Rome and Bangkok editions of the SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) Global Conference.
Having lived in South-east Asia for more than a decade, Kwang also recently finished a three-year stint as vice president finance and development on the SITE Global Board of Directors.
Centara Korat Hotel in north-east Thailand opened a new restaurant, House of Kin, on September 13, 2022.
Suitable for incentive groups and meeting delegates, the all-day dining restaurant offers buffets and a la carte dining featuring seafood, Korat cuisine, alongside Japanese, Chinese, and Western dishes.
House of Kin
There will also be a candy wall along with a special candy shop offering ice cream, chocolate and pralines, cakes and brownies.
Buffet options include Classic (690++ baht or US$26.50++), Premium (1,190++ baht) and Grand (1,490++ baht).
An iconic landmark in the heart of downtown Bangkok, the newly-renovated Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) is set to be “The Ultimate Inspiring World-Class Event Platform for All”.
The new QSNCC is expected to attract over 13 million visitors annually, more than double the six million visitors per year prior to the renovation. Beyond MICE offerings, it can now also accommodate lifestyle events ranging from concerts, fashion shows, arts & craft, to gaming and e-sports.
More than 160 activities are already lined up to take place at QSNCC by 2023, in a show of confidence for the new platform.
The number of visitors to QSNCC is expected to be over 13 million annually, more than double the six million per year prior to the renovation
Some major high-profile events include APEC Economic Leaders’ Week and South-east Asia’s biggest gaming expo, Thailand Game Show.
New event types are also keen to come onboard too.
They range from the world’s leading leather trade fair, Asia-Pacific Leather Fair (APLF); Asia’s international fruit and vegetable trade fair, Asia Fruit Logistica; to Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok. They were previously held in Hong Kong and Singapore.
According to Grace Lee, event director of APLF, since the ASEAN bloc re-opened for business, and with Bangkok located at its centre, the capital became its commercial hub and restart point to woo Asia-Pacific buyers back.
She said: “The newly-renovated QSNCC, equipped with world-class exhibition facilities, is situated in central Bangkok. It is well-connected by all modes of transport and will be a highly convenient place to welcome international buyers and business travellers.”
David Axiotis, executive director, Global Produce Events (HK) Limited, who chose QSNCC for Asia Fruit Logistica, also believed that the venue “will be an ideal event platform to showcase innovation and to provide business opportunities for all exhibitors.”
He explained: “Thailand is a hub for Asia’s fast-growing fresh fruit and vegetable business and the new QSNCC is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, strategic location, technology and services.”
Sanchai Noombunnam, country general manager – Thailand, Informa Markets, who is organising the Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok, concurred: “The new QSNCC is situated at the heart of Bangkok and as a city centre, easy to access for all transportation. It allows exhibitors and visitors a hassle-free commute to the venue. QSNCC is at the forefront of sustainability and is mindful of our impact on the environment and community – which align with Informa Markets’ business and show commitments.”
Besides for the first time, QSNCC will host the T-Pop Concert Fest, headlining leading Thai pop artists such as PP x Billkin, 4EVE and Bowkylion.
Phatrapreechakul added: “We are convinced that there will be all kinds of event hosts and exhibitors who will choose QSNCC as their venue. This will enhance QSNCC’s reputation as an industry pioneer for both Thai and Asian event venues.”
Discover the new experience of “The Ultimate Inspiring World-Class Event Platform for All” at QSNCC here.
For event organisers and planners keen to explore QSNCC as a venue, reach out to us here.
In order to jumpstart tourism recovery in the Philippines, Philippine tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has emphasised the urgent need for the government to adapt to prevailing global health practices – and is backing the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’s (IATF-EID) recommendation to make mask-wearing optional for outdoors.
The IATF-EID has recommended that mask-wearing outdoors is made voluntary across the country, while senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals are highly encouraged to continue wearing masks.
The removal of the outdoor mask mandate could help jumpstart tourism recovery in the Philippines
“With the recent improvement of the global tourism landscape as a result of immunisation, countries around the world have been instituting various measures such as the reopening of international borders, and relaxation of health and safety protocols and requirements, resulting in an immediate positive economic impact of these countries and faster recovery of their respective portfolios,” she said in a statement.
She noted that based on a comparative analysis of mask mandates, Covid-19 incidence, and tourist arrivals of the Top 5 ASEAN countries comprising Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, more liberal mask mandates did not appear to cause an uptick in Covid-19 cases.
She added that aside from ASEAN countries, the Philippines’ key markets in Asia and other parts of the world (Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong) have also started to lift mask mandates.
Citing the province of Cebu as a model in liberalising mask mandates since June 8, she stated that the province has maintained its risk classification at low levels.
Expressing optimism for the country’s tourism industry, Frasco said lifting the mask mandate “will give the Philippine Tourism Industry a better chance to regain its vibrant and booming operations”.
The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike
Behind the imposing, Brutalist concrete that defines Zurich’s Oerlikon district lies a surprising secret. While its exterior honours the neighbourhood’s industrial roots, stepping inside Mama Shelter reveals a vibrant, neon-soaked world that is a far cry from its rigid shell
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
In her new role, she will champion an inclusive culture of growth and create a sustainable workforce by emphasising team building, colleague development, succession planning and improving overall employee welfare.
