The CHOOOSE Climate App helps organisations worldwide to measure, reduce, and manage their travel emissions
CHOOOSE has partnered with SAP Concur to launch its new CHOOOSE Climate App, a carbon emissions management solution available on SAP Concur App Center in the SAP Concur Endorsed Apps category.
Andreas Slettvoll, CEO at CHOOOSE, said: “Climate App’s integration with Concur Travel and Concur TripLink can significantly contribute to accelerating access to climate solutions working to reduce global travel emissions. The integration enables companies worldwide to measure, reduce, and manage their travel-related CO2 emissions, bringing us one step closer to the net-zero society we are all working to achieve.”
The CHOOOSE Climate App helps organisations worldwide to measure, reduce, and manage their travel emissions
The Climate App automates flight-related carbon emission measuring and reporting and allows companies to reduce their carbon footprint or address unavoidable emissions by supporting verified, high-impact climate solutions, such as carbon removal, offsetting projects, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Travel emissions are automatically calculated based on the latest industry standards.
Benefits of integrating Concur Travel and Concur TripLink with the CHOOOSE Climate App include:
High-precision emission calculations, automatically generated from travel data in SAP Concur solutions.
Track, manage, and report on the performance of your corporate programme through the live carbon emissions dashboard.
Access and select from high-impact, vetted carbon solutions within an SAP Fiori native app.
Access rich content to track and learn about the selected climate solutions and the Sustainable Development Goals they impact for Environmental, Social & Governance reporting and communication purposes.
Businesses that use SAP Concur solutions can choose from a portfolio which contains climate solutions with proven impact around the globe, vetted by CHOOOSE carbon professionals and certified through internationally recognised standards. The portfolio of climate solutions ranges from renewable energy and nature-based solutions to community-based projects to Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
SAP Concur App Center offers 270+ partner applications that connect to and enhance SAP Concur solutions, enabling businesses to optimise travel and spend management programmes.
Christchurch Airport's Scott Callaway announces welcome packages at Meetings NZ. Photo: Adelaine Ng
Event organisers can now book a welcome package for business events groups at Christchurch Airport, in what is believed to be the first of its kind for an airport.
Unveiling the offer at New Zealand’s Meetings event last week, event planners can now book a purpose-built welcome lounge complete with signage in the terminal, as well as digital signage in various configurations from the arrivals hall through to baggage claim.
Callaway: airport packages to welcome delegates now available for event planners. Photo: Adelaine Ng
“The reaction we’ve received from conference organisers is that they absolutely want this,” said Scott Callaway, general manager of trade development Christchurch Airport.
“Our research revealed that organisers of large-scale meetings want the experience to begin upon arrival. It’s also the sort of thing that we can include in bid documents when the city is bidding for an event of more than 1,000 delegates, so it would come at no cost to the organiser,” he continued.
Christchurch Airport is offering the packages at a base rate of NZ$3,000 (US$1,902) per day for 22 panels of mixed sizes. It also provides additional opportunities for increased visual brand exposure of event sponsors.
“(Traditionally), you’d have to deal with the advertising agency that owns the assets and it’s a bit of a minefield to navigate for costs and number of screens. Making these packages available just makes it so much easier for event organisers to create a welcome experience,” said Callaway.
The welcome lounge is currently set up as a pop-up space at the airport but the plan is to make it a permanent build. A cafe next to the lounge is also in the works.
Held in Christchurch last week, the in-person Meetings tradeshow was hailed as a triumph, as a record 211 exhibitors met with 410 event organisers from Australia and New Zealand across two days.
The event was also the perfect opportunity to kickstart business events by showing off the re-designed city of Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake, as well as the brand new Te Pae Convention Centre.
Watson: NZ has regional areas with lesser-known activities that would work for incentives. Photo: Adelaine Ng
“The appetite for Australians to do business events here is strong,” said Sydney-based Leona Watson of Leona Watson Leadership Adventures.
“I think people are ready to expand beyond the borders of Australia and there’s an additional layer of confidence now that we’ve had a few months without any risk of a potential lockdown, and I think New Zealand is a very safe bet for us.”
“What I’ve also discovered (at Meetings) are some unusual regional areas with quirky little activities and adventures, which I always knew about but now I’m really diving deep into them. I’m excited by how you can just take a helicopter ride and make it into this ridiculously amazing experience, whether that’s for a group of 10 or 1,000 people on an incentive,” she said.
Another buyer revealed that some corporate groups are still playing a game of wait and see.
“The biggest concern is the airline capacity,” said Heather Coplestone, managing director of Destination Pacific Australia.
“It’s good to know that Air New Zealand is putting on additional services but it needs to increase it even more. There’s also the concern about service levels. We know New Zealanders have a can-do attitude and they’re very capable, and they’ve been very truthful in sharing with us what they can and can’t do, which is encouraging,” she said.
Air New Zealand is currently operating at 40 per cent of its pre-Covid international capacity, with plans to increase this to 65 per cent by next month. Meanwhile, capacity to Australia is at 50 per cent capacity with expectations this will bump up to 70 per cent in July.
“People are keen to come and they’ll come quite quickly,” said Leonie Ashford, Tourism New Zealand’s international bids manager.
“There’s real demand that you can feel from offshore incentive business because (companies are looking) to reward their employees,” she added.
Voco Orchard Singapore has refreshed its business events portfolio with the rollout of its Thoughtful Meetings offer.
With the Thoughtful Meetings offer, organisers can customise their accommodations and events experiences with two additional perks from the list below. This offer is valid for events taking place till December 31, 2022, with a minimum of 30 delegates per event day or 30 rooms per night.
Grand Ballroom
One room upgrade to Club Room with Club Benefits
One complimentary room night for every 30 paid room nights
Complimentary one-way shared transfer to any destination in Singapore
Additional 10,000 IHG Business Rewards points
One round of drinks for the group
One complimentary delegate package for every 30 paid delegates per meeting
50 per cent off room hire for max two breakout rooms
15 per cent off audiovisual equipment
30 per cent off for one dedicated LAN line (50mbps)
Welcome break on arrival
Unlimited soft drinks during coffee breaks and lunch
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has opened Le Méridien Petaling Jaya, 11km south-west of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital.
The 300-key hotel offers an array of meeting and event spaces, such as a 1,700m2 grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. There are also eight other meeting rooms, good for smaller corporate and social gatherings.
Other facilities on-site include an executive lounge, an infinity pool on the rooftop, fitness centre on the 29th floor, as well as a family programme for business travellers travelling with their families. There are also two F&B options – the all-day dining restaurant Pasar Baru, and PJ’s Bar & Grill on the 30th floor.
Le Méridien Petaling Jaya is 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport or a 10-minute drive from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport.
Constellar has announced that Chua Wee Phong, chief executive (markets), will be stepping into the role of chief executive (venues) with effect from July 1, 2022.
Chua has been chief executive (markets) at Constellar leading the exhibitions arm of the business since February 2021.
Chua Wee Phong
His new appointment comes at a time when event activity in Singapore is off to a strong restart. At the Singapore Expo, confirmed venue bookings for 2H2022 are now at 60 per cent of pre-Covid levels in 2019. As such, Chua has been tasked with evolving the venue’s business, as well as accelerating the sustainability roadmap for Singapore Expo to become carbon-neutral by 2024.
Constellar Holdings’ CEO Jean-François Quentin will continue to oversee all matters related to its group of companies. Having covered the role of chief executive (venues) since October 1, 2021, he will now cover the role of chief executive (markets) with a greater focus on the development of Constellar’s events business in Asia, as well as expanding Constellar’s presence in the global marketplace.
Busan aspires to become an international MICE city
The city of Busan in South Korea has won the hosting rights for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) World Conference in 2025.
The largest international event on anti-doping, WADA 2025 is expected to welcome more than 1,800 visitors from 18 countries and provide an economic boost of around 10 billion won (US$7.7 million) in both production and added value.
Busan (pictured) aspires to become an international MICE city
WADA is an international surveillance body that promotes fair competition by athletes participating in international sporting events such as the Olympic Games and the protection of their health and well-being. Its World Conference is held every five to six years, where current international anti-doping regulations are reviewed, and discussions are had to identify ways to promote fair competition in sports.
Busan’s bid was led by the Korea Anti-Doping Agency, in partnership with Busan Sports Council, Busan Metropolitan City, Busan Office of Education, and Busan Tourism Organization.
Previous host cities of the World Conference are Lausanne, Switzerland (1999), Copenhagen, Denmark (2003), Madrid, Spain (2007), Johannesburg, South Africa (2013), and Katowice, Poland (2019).
For the past two pandemic years, Australia has continued to keep the dream of travel alive through remote campaigns. These included Tourism Australia’s Australia in 8D, using innovative audio technology to create a 360-degree dreamlike soundscape of the country, and distributing the incentive publication, Australia Next.
More recently, a double campaign launched in March during AIME showed that Australia was intent on playing the offensive to win the business recovery game worth A$36 billion (US$25.5 billion) to the country.
Vivid Sydney 2022 returns from May 27 to June 18, giving international business events in the city during that period a chance to enjoy spectacular sights and entertainment
A re-visioned Event Here This Year encouraged domestic market decision-makers to go local and in-person, while an international campaign targeting business events trade media in many regions including South-east Asia, South Asia and China promoted Australia as a friendly destination with fresh perspectives.
Evidence of the strategy working is beginning to show, with a high number of international event planners indicating they were keen to return to Australia, especially for incentive events.
Melbourne was quick to announce at the end of April its victory – the city secured six international incentive groups from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and New Zealand. Melbourne Convention Bureau said the win would bring a “busy season” in May when the first group of 162 South-east Asian and New Zealand delegates arrives, filling close to 1,661 room nights and injecting more than A$898,000 in economic contribution to the state’s economy.
Sydney has similarly seen an immediate shift in business with borders reopening to visitors.
“Internationally, there was a clear change in sentiment as soon as the announcement was issued…with an influx of enquiries for international business in late 2022 and 2023” said Sinead Yeo, director, global corporate and incentives with Business Events Sydney.
“Some clients are cautious and testing with smaller groups, while others are keen to revert back to large-scale travel as soon as possible to celebrate with their teams or communities. Many are preferring to travel to closer regions, with Australia as the nearest western destination to Asia,” Yeo added.
Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) also noted that team bonding is emerging as a strong theme for incentive groups this year.
“After two years of hibernation, what I’m seeing with incentives is that comradeship has become even more important,” said Kelvin Yin, MCB’s regional director, South-east Asia and India.
“I have a group of 35 people from Malaysia, from top bosses to middle management, travelling together and taking turns to do a self-drive through Tasmania and regional Melbourne. Pure teambuilding has taken priority,” he observed.
According to indicators from the Business Events Australia Asia (hybrid) showcase in March, attended by 110 decision-makers and corporate planners, more movements are in the pipeline.
“Ninety-eight per cent of those from South Asia and South-east Asia said they were considering Australia for an incentive in the next 12 months,” said Robin Mack, Tourism Australia’s executive general manager of commercial & Business Events Australia.
“Even for China, with the travel friction that’s in place, the number was 69 per cent. So, I think they’re really good indicators for how we’re shaping up for that rebound and it’s certainly positive,” he added.
Melbourne secured six international incentive groups by the end of April
Many event planners have been pleasantly surprised by the number of new products and experiences on offer as Australia reopened her borders.
“The infrastructure development has been unprecedented in the last few years and there’s a lot to show as people are returning. We’ve had almost 100 new or refurbished hotels representing an extra 12,000 rooms,” said Mack.
These include the luxury eco Silky Oaks Lodge with 40 suites located in the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest on the banks of the Mossman River, and the Dorsett Gold Coast sitting adjacent to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre with direct access to The Star Gold Coast.
There is also the much anticipated Crown Towers Sydney which highlights 20 spacious villas with outdoor terraces, opulent finishes, and 24-hour butler service. The hotel includes a ballroom and boasts some of Sydney’s best dining, such as Nobu among its eight restaurants, all of which can be booked for exclusive use.
New experiences are also on offer like the Reef Magic Pontoon, a double-decker floating platform in the Great Barrier Reef with an onboard bar and dining area that can be exclusively booked for up to 350 passengers with VIP helicopter transfers.
Even more is on the way, promised Mack.
“The industry’s shift towards prioritising more sustainable business events products has also not gone unnoticed. Among several initiatives, an urban skyfarm with conference facilities in Melbourne is weeks away from completion at the time of writing. It will offer guests the ability to enjoy a post-meeting tour of the working farm and sample from the rooftop orchard and herb gardens.
Travellers at the baggage claim at Christchurch International Airport
New Zealand has announced that it will no longer require inbound travellers to conduct a Covid-19 pre-departure test effective June 20, 23.59.
The move brings forward the initial date planned for the change by six weeks, or July 31.
Travellers at the baggage claim at Christchurch International Airport
“We’ve taken a careful and staged approach to reopening our borders to ensure we aren’t overwhelmed with an influx of Covid-19 cases. Our strategy has worked and as a result it’s safe to lift pre-departure test requirements much sooner than planned,” said Covid-19 response minister Ayesha Verrall in a press statement.
“Around 90 per cent of international arrivals undertake their required testing once they are in the country, with only a two to three per cent positivity rate. So we don’t anticipate a significant increase in border cases once the requirement is lifted.”
“Factors such as the availability of and cost of getting a test are increasingly becoming a barrier for people intending to travel here, especially as other countries wind back testing availability or the requirement for a test on entry themselves,” she added.
Lisa Hopkins, CEO at Business Events Industry Aotearoa, welcomed the announcement.
“This means one of the last roadblocks for travellers to return to New Zealand has been taken away. It just delivers on the confidence that event organisers are looking for.”
However, New Zealand will still have a set of border surveillance measures for detecting any possible new variants of Covid-19, including requiring travellers to self-test on Day 0/1 and again on Day 5/6. A positive result would then require a PCR test.
Separately, travellers transiting through New Zealand will no longer need to be vaccinated, nor be required to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
As companies continue to reimagine and adapt for the next era in business due to the impact of the Coved-19 pandemic and societal change, corporate travel priorities are also shifting with the focus now on factors influencing the next era of business travel.
Discussions on GBTA forums now show that corporate travel managers (CTM) are prioritising sustainability, and the industry is pursuing carbon-offsetting programmes, according to CEO and executive director Suzanne Neufang.
During a recent Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) webinar, Strategic Event Procurement’s principal Therese Jardine noted that “risk mitigation” ranked ahead of savings in the priority rankings.
Jardine posited there would be no savings if suppliers were unable to deliver on client priorities to mitigate risk and bolster travel policy compliance. She also advised corporates whose TMCs contract on their behalf to spell out expectations on data privacy protection, sustainability and social and environmental concerns moving forward.
Hwang Cheng Meng, vice president, global market management, Asia Pacific, CWT, noted “risk mitigation and traveller safety have been at the top of the agenda since the pandemic began”.
He shared: “The leading question in many RFPs we have received over the past couple of years has been: ‘How will you help us keep our travellers safe when they begin travelling again?’”
Hwang said the myCWT platform has been enhanced in the past year with new capabilities, its messaging support channel expanded to many more clients, and its travel counsellors are now equipped with next-gen tools that give them a 360-degree real-time view of a traveller’s journey across all channels to be better prepared to provide assistance.
Aside from risk mitigation, one Singapore-based CTM told TTGmice that sustainability has become a hot topic that is being driven by clients.
The CTM said: “For my company, there are definitely activities at the global level around sustainability with a specific team with full-time roles and targets being set.
“The business approach is evolving and instead of just looking at our immediate impact, we are also starting to consider secondary and tertiary spheres of influence, our partner suppliers and where we spend our money.
CWT’s Hwang added: “Sustainability is on everyone’s radar, and ranks in the top five priorities for many travel programmes. When we surveyed our global customer base at the end of 2021, 87 per cent expressed that they would like sustainability information provided to their employees at point-of-booking to help reinforce responsible travel choices.”
In March, CWT added carbon footprint indicators to its myCWT mobile and web booking channels, and recently entered into a offsetting partnership with Etihad Airways.
Benson Tang, executive director, corporate travel, Informa Markets (IM) said “governments around the world have illustrated more determination in sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance principles) after COP 26 (the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference) in Glasgow last November.
“This top-down government approach will exert more requirements on corporates to focus seriously on the overall level of carbon emissions and carbon emission trading. As the world sets its sights on achieving net-zero emissions, there is increasing debate on carbon offset and tax,” he elaborated.
Tang, who is also executive director of IM subsidiary Corporate Travel Community, noticed that CTMs were indeed complying with new government requirements, amending travel policies, and implementing the new requirements in the RFP processes.
He told TTGmice: “IM aims to become a champion of sustainability within our business and across the specialist markets we serve.
“As part of our FasterForward programme, we have committed to a series of specific goals and activities over a five-year period, designed to help us become an ever more sustainable, and high-impact business to support and accelerate change in our markets.”
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.
Grand Ballroom
