Asia/Singapore Sunday, 21st December 2025
Page 40

Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre names new GM

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Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre has appointed Jacky Kok as its new general manager.

With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality, he has held leadership roles across hotel operations, food and beverage strategy, and large-scale events in both Malaysia and China.

Before joining Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre, he was instrumental in delivering major international events, including high-security summits and large-scale conventions—demonstrating his expertise in managing complex, fast-paced hospitality environments.

In his new role, Kok will lead the hotel’s overall operations, drive commercial strategy, and spearhead initiatives to enhance guest satisfaction.

Top incentive ideas, part 2

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10. Sacred beliefs
Follow in the footsteps of Angkorian kings and discover Cambodia’s most sacred mountain and birthplace of the Khmer Empire, Phnom Kulen.

Khiri Travel Cambodia has curated a thrilling overnight adventure that combines history with culture, heritage, nature and local life. The 13km trek, led by a local ranger, snakes through jungle and farmland, taking in hidden 9th century temples and ancient relics.

After camping overnight, the adventure continues with a visit to an artisan community and lunch at a local house before returning to nearby Siem Reap.

11. Race to the top
Situated at the Lisboeta Hotel, the brand-new Fun Fun Kart opened its doors earlier this year, introducing Macau’s first indoor karting experience.

Designed for private events, team-building, and corporate buyouts, the 170m race track features a design inspired by Macau Grand Prix’s iconic Guia Hairpin.

The electric go-kart fleet features Italian OTL Karting Superleggero models, and is suited for group sizes ranging from 40 to 100 people. Beyond racing, the venue also serves as a dynamic space for events or parties, providing F&B options and live entertainment, including a DJ until 23.00.

12. Afloat on an Airstream
Begin the day with a cruise aboard The Airstream Project, a handcrafted, electric-powered vessel inspired by classic 1960s Airstream trailers, WWII aircraft, and Italian speed boats.

Designed for groups of up to 18, this stylish and serene journey with Pure Cruise New Zealand takes groups through the native bays and coves of Lake Rotoiti. Relax with a delicious morning tea served on board while soaking up the scenery. Along the way, groups have the option to swim from private beaches, explore glow worm caves, or unwind with a soak in the natural geothermal hot pools. With fold-out lounges that bring guests even closer to the lake’s beauty, this tailored cruise is delivered with warm, local hospitality and thoughtful touches at every turn.

The minimum charter length is three hours, priced at NZ$1,300 (US$773) inclusive of GST, with additional hours at NZ$400.

13. Legends awaken
Step into the enchanting realm of Dream Forest Langkawi, where cultural heritage and innovation intertwine on a curated evening walk through a tropical rainforest. Experience a mesmerising lights and sound storytelling dinner at the Tree Village, where Langkawi’s legends spring to life.

A lively cultural caklempong (a traditional Malay percussion instrument) performance, traditionally featured during ceremonies and celebrations, adds a dynamic musical experience, inviting delegates to immerse themselves in the island’s rich heritage.

Arranged by Canary Tours, this activity is good for up to groups of 100 delegates.

14. No wasting allowed
Go on a guided walking tour to the back of the house at Desa Potato Head in Bali, and learn how waste is treated and turned into something useful.

The tour ends with a workshop for guests, such as making bio candles and amenities out of waste, or transforming plastic waste into products in the Plastic Panel workshop. Each participant will also get to take home the product they create during the workshop, packed in a naturally dyed pouch made from upcycled linen.

This 90-minute tour can take up to a maximum of 15 participants at one time.

15. Ancient traditions
Luxury Lodge of Australia El Questro Homestead in the Kimberley, Western Australia, offers a new cultural and spiritual immersion experience called Injiid Marlabu Calls Us.

This two-hour experience invites guests to engage deeply with the land and waters and is led by Traditional Owners.

Up to 25 guests can participate in an ancient healing ritual and pathfinder, and explore the significance of the Coolamon, a carrying vessel that plays a significant role in Aboriginal Australian ‘Motherhood’. The experience is available exclusively to El Questro guests on Tuesdays and Thursdays.


16. Echoes and evolution
Uncover the secrets of Singapore’s past and present on this 1.5-km walking tour with The Traveller DMC – Singapore Night Odyssey: Unveiling City Secrets & Colonial Heritage – an ideal addition to any incentive itinerary.

The three-hour experience begins at the renowned Raffles Hotel before winding its way towards CHIJMES, a historically significant complex featuring Gothic architecture. The tour then proceeds to Capitol Singapore, a meticulously restored Art Deco landmark. Participants will also explore the Civil District, home to prominent landmarks such as the Supreme Court, City Hall, and Parliament House.


17. A hilly charm
Once the summer capital of British India, Shimla is located in the Himalayan foothills.

Incentive groups of up to 80 people can enjoy a dining experience at WelcomHeritage Elysium Resort & Spa’s Prince’s Perch, a greenhouse-style rooftop dining venue that provides an unparalleled 360-degree panoramic view of the location.

Some of the delicacies served includes Fish Mornay (fish baked in creamy cheese sauce), Railway Mutton Curry (mutton cooked with spicy onion, tomato and potato, flavoured with coconut milk), and Bouquetiere de Legumes (steamed asparagus and green peas).

18. Living earth
Uncover what it is like to live alongside an active volcano in Kagoshima, southern Kyushu.

The customisable walking tour traverses Sakurajima, a town of a few thousand residents known for its volcano, fertile volcanic soil that produces giant daikon radish, and pottery made from volcanic ash. A volcanology expert will introduce the history of the 13,000-year-old volcano, including how the island of Sakurajima became connected to the mainland following an eruption in 1914.

For groups of up to 40 people, the experience is led by one guide and costs ¥55,000 (US$384).

Business travel spending to reach around US$1.6 trillion in 2025: GBTA forecast

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GBTA’s annual Business Travel Index Outlook report reflects moderate near-term growth, regional and sector divergence

Global business travel spending is set to hit a record US$1.6 trillion in 2025, reflecting a moderate 6.6% growth year-over-year.

While current spending is slowed by trade tensions and economic pressures, an 8.1% rebound is projected for 2026, though long-term forecasts face ongoing volatility.

GBTA’s annual Business Travel Index Outlook report reflects moderate near-term growth, regional and sector divergence

Despite near-term challenges, global spending is still projected to surpass US$2 trillion by 2029 – a year later than previously anticipated. This growth is driven by structural shifts in trade, investment, and corporate travel behaviour.

These findings come from the latest GBTA Business Travel Index (“BTI”) Outlook – Annual Global Report & Forecast, released by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) at its annual convention in Denver.

The GBTA BTI projects spending growth of 6.4% in 2027 and 6.3% in 2028, modestly higher than a year ago. However, this growth’s pace and trajectory depend heavily on the resolution – or escalation – of global trade tensions.

“As we thoughtfully anticipate reaching a new high in business travel spending this year, the outlook is steady – but the road ahead is more complex,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA. “Trade policy uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and shifting global supply chains are reshaping how and where companies travel. This latest forecast reflects the resiliency of business travel and our industry as well as the acknowledgment of the risks ahead.”

Global trade tensions impact growth momentum
The latest forecast reflects a moderation from double-digit gains of the past two years. Trade policy uncertainty has emerged as a key risk leading to downward revisions in business travel growth projections for 2025 (from 10.4% projected a year ago, to 6.6% now), and 2026 (from 9.2% projected a year ago, to 8.1% now).

Spending figures for 2024 were also adjusted in this latest forecast – spending rose to US$1.47 trillion, slightly below the previously projected US$1.48 trillion. While this still marked a new high, real inflation-adjusted spending remains 14% below pre-pandemic levels, underscoring a slower recovery in travel volume.

Impacts diverge among regional markets and industry sectors
In the 2025 forecast, the top 15 markets for business travel spending represent US$1.3 trillion. The two top markets – the US (US$395.4 billion) and China (US$373.1 billion) – together represent 58% of that total.

The U.S. is projected to reclaim the top spot this year followed by China (which led the list in 2024 and 2023), Germany, Japan, and the UK.

India, South Korea, and Turkey are among the fastest growing among the top 15 markets, while Spain and the Netherlands are forecast to have little to no growth or a slight decrease.

Business travel spending across industries will also continue to vary.

Trade-sensitive sectors such as Manufacturing (which accounts for nearly one-third of global business spending), and Wholesale Trade face heightened risks if trade tensions further escalate.

Service sectors like Arts & Entertainment and Professional Services have exceeded pre-pandemic benchmarks, with some growing travel spend by over 20%.

Looking ahead, Mining and Information and Communication are each expected to post the strongest growth in business travel spend, while Agriculture faces the weakest outlook amid shrinking access to export markets.

Global business traveller sentiment remains strong
A global survey of over 7,300 business travellers across 33 countries in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East reveals continued evolution and confidence in the value of traveling for work:

Business travel is seen as valuable – 86% rate their trips as worthwhile. Primary trip purposes cited vary by region, with training and conferences topping the list globally.

Most travellers (74%) took between one and five trips in the past year, and over 80% say they are traveling for work as much or more than before 2019. Moreover, average trip spending rose to US$1,128 (up from US$834 in the 2024 survey).

Expense systems are common (67% use them), and comfort with artificial intelligence booking tools is growing, especially in Asia Pacific (78%).

Corporate card access rose to 69%, led by North America (73%). However, only half of cardholders are required to use them. Mobile wallet use is also up, with 64% adoption globally and 72% in Asia Pacific.

The GBTA BTI report is a comprehensive five-year forecast on business travel spending covering 72 countries and 44 industries and includes insights from more than 7,300 global business travellers.

In its 17th edition and made possible in partnership with Visa, this latest forecast reflects a continued recovery in nominal terms but signals growing headwinds from global trade tensions and economic uncertainty.

New US$250 visa fee sparks mixed reactions from Indian MICE Planners

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Travellers at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport pictured

Travellers from non-immigrant visa categories heading to the US will soon face an additional charge of US$250, as the newly-introduced Visa Integrity Fee comes into effect from October 1, 2025.

Introduced under the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law by the Trump Administration on July 4, the fee applies to nationals of non-visa waiver countries, including India, China, and select Asian. and Middle Eastern nations.

Travellers at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport pictured

The announcement has drawn a measured response from India’s event planners, who acknowledge both the economic and strategic implications for outbound business travel.

Jude D’Souza, FCM Meetings & Events leader, India, believes the impact on corporate travel will be minimal.

He explained: “Corporates often have larger travel budgets compared to individual travellers. A fee increase or an additional charge such as a visa fee or travel surcharge may not drastically alter their plans, especially if the overall package remains lucrative and within their budget limits.”

He noted that with US trips averaging US$4,000 to 5,000 per person, the new charge is marginal. Furthermore, changing a planned destination could result in logistical setbacks and added costs, which would outweigh the fee itself.

FCM’s D’Souza emphasised that the US continues to offer unmatched business value, from global networking to high-level incentive experiences, justifying marginal cost increases.

“Companies often view these expenses as strategic investments. The value derived from hosting or attending events in the US often surpasses the concern of slightly higher costs,” he added.

However, Louis D’Souza, managing partner at Tamarind Global, struck a more cautious tone.

“The US has always been a favoured destination for innovation summits, global conventions, and incentive schemes,” he acknowledged. “But organisations might begin reevaluating the ROI of events held in the US, particularly when more affordable options exist in the Middle East, South-east Asia, or Europe.”

He pointed out that the additional cost, when combined with other expenses like flights, accommodation, insurance, and visa processing, could deter startups and mid-sized firms from choosing the US for corporate events.

“Mid-tier incentive programmes and educational tours may see delays or reevaluation. Planners will need to design thoughtful itineraries that offer high value while managing rising costs,” he advised.

The Visa Integrity Fee, while described as a refundable compliance bond, currently lacks clarity regarding its refund mechanism. It will be added to the existing structure of US visa charges, which includes the Machine Readable Visa fee, reciprocity fees, and anti-fraud surcharges.

Sri Lanka drives MICE sector growth via expo, infrastructure

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Sri Lanka is targeting a substantial increase in its business events sector, aiming to boost its contribution to total tourist arrivals from 12 per cent to between 20 to 25 per cent.

This push, announced last Wednesday by Sri Lanka’s deputy minister of tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe, will be propelled by focused promotions and the upcoming Sri Lanka MICE Expo 2025.

Sri Lanka is working to attract more business events and corporates; Colombo pictured

Speaking at the media briefing to promote the country’s MICE Expo that is happening on September 22-26, Ranasinghe said there is a “huge potential” in the business events sector.

The Expo, marking its fifth edition since 2021, is set to attract over 100 foreign buyers and 15 journalists from key markets including India, China, Pakistan, Germany, Russia, France, the UK, Turkey, Spain, the UAE, Bangladesh, Qatar, Malaysia, and Singapore. The five-day programme will facilitate vital B2B meetings between international buyers and local business events vendors. Additionally, participants will embark on a fam tour covering popular tourist spots in Nuwara Eliya and Kandy, nestled in the central hills.

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) Chairman Dheera Hettiarachchi stated their goal is to enact “a major transformation in the industry” and attract a greater influx of business events visitors. SLCB officials further noted their success in facilitating 30 corporate and business gatherings to date, drawing groups of 200-300 visitors each, with an additional 25 to 30 business and conference travel groups already confirmed.

Separately, Krishan Balendra, chairman of John Keells Holdings (JKH), informed TTGmice that JKH is keen on drawing more business travellers, particularly from India – the country’s largest source market – and China, to its integrated resort in the heart of Colombo.

JKH’s US$1.2 billion City of Dreams is set to unveil its second phase on August 2, which includes a casino and hotel. While the Cinnamon Life hotel, featuring 687 rooms, opened last November as part of the initial phase, the August 2 event will see the grand opening of Macau-based Melco’s US$123 million new casino and the 113-room Nuwa hotel, alongside the formal opening of the accompanying mall.

New leadership appointments at Virtuoso

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Helen McCabe-Young has been appointed senior vice president, global products at Virtuoso. She takes on the role following the departure of Thatcher Brown, who is now CEO of Crescent Seas. McCabe-Young has been with Virtuoso for five years as senior vice president, global marketing.

Two other recent appointments are Amy Logan as vice president, global network product, and Lucy Lieberman as vice president, global digital experience.

From left: Helen McCabe-Young, Amy Logan and Lucy Lieberman

Logan joined Virtuoso in May, having previously worked at Classic Vacations, Expedia, and Amazon, while Lieberman joined in June, and was formerly CEO of Hotels at Michelin and held senior roles at Ogilvy and Mather.

McCabe-Young starts her new role immediately and will help with the handover as Virtuoso looks for a new marketing head. Both Logan and Lieberman will report to McCabe-Young.

APAC hospitality embraces innovation at Singapore MICE Forum

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From left: SACEOS' Adeline Lim; MBS' Irene Lin; Alyvate Hospitality’s Tommy Lai; and OME Living’s Willabelle Ong

The recently-concluded Singapore MICE Forum last Thursday featured a hospitality panel discussion titled Innovation, Collaboration and the Next Chapter in Asia Pacific’s Hospitality Experience, where the session offered insights into how establishments across the region continue to evolve.

Irene Lin, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Marina Bay Sands (MBS), shared the evolution of the Marina Bay Precinct partnership.

From left: SACEOS’ Adeline Lim; MBS’ Irene Lin; OME Living’s Willabelle Ong; and Alyvate Hospitality’s Tommy Lai

She recalled the initial apprehension, or “baywatch against MBS,” from other hotels concerned about the new entrant. However, “the whole Bay area came alive,” Lin noted, leading to a shift in perspective.

Three years ago, several properties began to collaborate, now encompassing over 8,000 hotel rooms and 10 attractions around the bay. “We plan events together, we sell ourselves as a destination,” Lin added, citing jointly organised festivals and events as prime examples.

Tommy Lai, co-founder and CEO, Alyvate Hospitality, also offered a glimpse into the NEOM hotel development in Saudi Arabia.

He described the landscape in 2018 as “an empty canvas” without a clear 2030 vision. Situated in the mountains rather than the desert, they adopted a distinctive “experiential luxury” approach.

“We needed to engage three individual villages for guests to get an opportunity to experience local life in that new luxury,” Lai explained, highlighting the focus on authentic local engagement.

Willabelle Ong, founder, OME Living and managing director, W+R Creative, further presented examples that underscored the importance of tradition, craftsmanship, and emotional resonance.

She described the ITC Grand Chola in India, a hotel inspired by the heritage of the Chola dynasty, featuring some 400 hand-carved pillars at its entrance.

Ong praised brands that successfully honour tradition, heritage, and storytelling. She also emphasised craftsmanship, citing a quaint, homely hotel in Tokyo as an example. Her third point focused on emotional resonance, as exemplified by the new suites at MBS.

The Philippines gears up for new MICE tradeshow

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The expo is expected to play a role in enhancing the excellence of event staging; WTCMM pictured

The World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM), in collaboration with the WTCMM Business Club, has unveiled the Event Experience Expo 2025 (E3).

Slated for September 24–25, 2025, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, E3 will bring together the country’s leading event solution providers. Exhibitors will represent a wide array of sectors, including exhibition and special design contractors, audiovisual and lighting providers, logistics and freight forwarding, event technology solutions, catering, marketing, PR and advertising, as well as security, manpower, and medical services.

The expo is expected to play a role in enhancing the excellence of event staging; WTCMM pictured

E3 is designed to foster strategic connections across the business events ecosystem. By partnering with key government agencies, foreign chambers, and trade associations, the expo will enable organisers, corporate clients, and institutions to discover reliable, world-class partners for delivering seamless and impactful events.

The timing of E3 precedes WTCMM’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit 2026 International Media Center and coinciding with WTCMM’s 30th anniversary.

NTUC LHUB expands sustainability certification to Hong Kong

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From left: NTUC LHUB’s Tay Ee Learn; Earth Productions' Matthew Mak; and SACEOS' Richard Ireland

Singapore’s NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB) has signed an overseas partnership agreement with Earth Productions, to jointly develop and deliver industry-relevant sustainability training and certification for professionals in Hong Kong’s business events industry.

Witnessed by the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS) at the Singapore MICE Forum 2025, the partnership will expand NTUC LHUB’s Certified Event Sustainability (CES) Programme overseas.

From left: NTUC LHUB’s Tay Ee Learn; Earth Productions’ Matthew Mak; and SACEOS’ Richard Ireland

This sustainability-focused professional certification, accredited by SACEOS and launched in March 2023 in Singapore, will be customised to meet the industry demands and local standards in Hong Kong.

The courses under the CES Programme include (1) Sustainability in MICE: Unlocking the New Horizon, and (2) Sustainability in Tourism and Event Operations, and (3) Narrating Sustainability in Tourism and Events through Design Thinking. These will expose frontline professionals to an overview of the sustainability concept, learn how to drive sustainability implementation in their respective roles, plan and manage sustainability reporting, and utilise tools to measure the environmental and social impact of events.

To further supplement the programme and its delivery, NTUC LHUB will provide overseas trainees with online learning resources through its NTUC LearningHub Learning eXperience Platform. This will enable trainees to leverage case studies on sustainable events in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting and policy templates for the industry.

For a start, NTUC LHUB and Earth Productions aim to train 40 professionals annually. In Singapore, the CES programme has over 150 graduates to date, an additional 100 professionals currently undergoing the course.

The collaboration combines NTUC LHUB’s expertise as a Continuing Education and Training provider in Singapore, with Earth Production’s regional insights, as a Hong Kong-based company that focuses on a “sustainability-first” approach in providing event consultation and management services.

Club Med welcomes Stéphane Maquaire as president and CEO

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The Board of Directors of Club Med Holding has appointed Stéphane Maquaire as president and CEO, effective immediately.

The French national will be based in Paris and is tasked with leading the next phase of the company’s growth while maintaining its French identity and values.

Maquaire brings extensive leadership experience with French companies operating internationally. He has a background in premium brand transformation and commercial real estate, with a record of driving growth and operational performance. He joins Club Med from Carrefour, where he was executive director for Brazil and Latin America.

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