Langham Hotels and Resorts has appointed Jayson Heron-Smith to wear the dual roles of director of sales & marketing, The Langham, Sydney and director of sales Australia, global sales office at Langham Hospitality Group.
Heron-Smith brings over 25 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to his new role; from starting out in F&B to working as an event manager and then through the ranks of sales and marketing to his current position today.
The Australian started with The Langham Hospitality Group across the pond in Auckland in November 2019 as director of sales and marketing at The Langham’s sister property, Cordis.
Before working for The Langham Hotels and Resorts, Heron-Smith worked for companies including Hyatt, Crown Melbourne, Hilton and The Star Sydney.
These figures are a statement of achievement for Sarawak (pictured) as the destination continues to recover from the pandemic
Business Events Sarawak has released its latest performance report spanning 2020 to 2021, revealing that the destination has secured at least 43,471 delegates over a total of 160,142 delegate days worth RM193.7 million (US$46.3 million) in direct delegate expenditure.
This is across a total of 109 future business events that will bring about an estimated RM365 million in total economic impact, RM 21.4 million in tax revenue and approximately 28,289 new job opportunities.
These figures are a statement of achievement for Sarawak (pictured) as the destination continues to recover from the pandemic
In terms of physical-to-virtual conversions, 34 events worth RM105.5 million in total economic impact have been converted, forfeiting the arrival of over 12,000 delegates, RM57.3 million in direct delegate expenditure, and 8,370 new job openings.
“Business events are playing an increasingly important role in developing Sarawak as an economically prosperous, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable destination by 2030,” affirmed Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak’s newly-appointed minister of tourism, creative industry & performing arts and minister of youth, sports & entrepreneur development.
“The sector’s involvement in achieving the Sarawak Government’s Post Covid-19 Development Goals is centred around delivering and optimising knowledge, innovation, and partnerships from business events.”
Various initiatives have been implemented to support recovery efforts and keep the destination active in the national and international scene; such as the provision of education for the local industry, a proactive approach to collaborating with stakeholders of varying levels, and Sarawak’s incentivised packages for local, national, and international business events planners.
Back in March 2021, BESarawak launched incentivised packages to support the sector’s recovery efforts and provide valuable financial and in-kind support to planners.
“The incentives and comprehensive support offered are integral to the sector’s rehabilitation,” asserted BESarawak’s CEO, Amelia Roziman. “Most importantly, these offers are appealing to planners and catering to today’s event needs. Beyond incentives, our team continues to provide pre and post-event support to ensure the best possible client experience that reflects Sarawak’s hospitality.”
Sarawak recently entered phase four of Malaysia’s National Recovery Plan, forecasting a positive restart for business events and a better outlook for the sector as a whole.
For 2022, BESarawak will continue to place destination development high on its priority through promoting legacy impact and mobilising Sarawak’s Covid-19 business events mitigation and recovery plans.
SafePoint monitors global travel restrictions and enhances traveller safety
Sabre Corporation has expanded SafePoint, its travel risk management product, to include global travel restriction tracking.
The solution is not limited to a singular event, and instead, provides information regarding the spread of Covid-19 and new variants, as well as destination entry restrictions imposed by countries including masks, vaccinations, health documentation and quarantine requirements.
SafePoint monitors global travel restrictions and enhances traveller safety
SafePoint monitors world events in near real-time, 24/7. It utilises hundreds of data sources for events and restrictions that may impact travel arrangements and/or traveller safety. This would help Sabre’s travel agencies and corporate customers make more informed decisions and enhance the safety of their travellers by alerting them to restrictions that may impact their itinerary. Travellers will then be able to use the information to take action at any stage of their trip.
“As travel rebounds, we believe a duty-of-care and crisis alerting solution is imperative to any travel business, especially in a world where travel advisories can change rapidly.
“SafePoint is designed to keep travellers and corporate travel managers apprised of critical events in a fast-moving world,” said Saunvit Pandya, senior director of product management, Sabre.
Beijing North Star Convention and Exhibition Investment, the investor and developer of the complex project China National Convention Centre (Phase Two) (CNCC-II), has agreed to partner with GainingEdge, an international consulting company for convention centres and business events.
As a result, GainingEdge is now responsible for the pre-opening operation and marketing of the convention centre from 2021 to 2025, seen as an important move on CNCC-II’s part in reaching and tapping into the international convention market. GainingEdge will provide a full range of consulting services for CNCC-II at the preparatory stage, by offering its expertise in venue management and international marketing.
Renderings of the upcoming CNCC-II
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CNCC-II is located in the Beijing Olympic Sports Center Area, and will serve as the Main Media Center (MMC) during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. After the Games, CNCC-II is expected to open at the start of 2024 as an international convention centre.
CNCC-II has a total floor area of approximately 780,000m2, with its main part of about 420,000m2 serving as the convention centre. Designed by French architect Christian de Portzamparc (the Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize), the project can host conferences, forums, banquets, and other commercial events of different scales for 30 to 20,000 people, as well as exhibition events for more than 50,000.
The supporting functions of CNCC-II lie on the west part of the main building with a total floor area of approximately 360,000m2, including a 5A Level-I office building, boutique shopping and retail shops, and two hotels, planned to be the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Marquis.
Lessons will be delivered by a faculty of industry experts
Registration for the next edition of UFI-EMS (UFI Exhibition Management School) is now open, which will take place from February 14-24, 2022.
Delivered by a faculty of industry experts, the UFI-EMS combines both global insights and regional expertise in exhibition management, and will focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
Lessons will be delivered by a faculty of industry experts
Attendees will be able to enrich their business network and meet new peers in the industry, as well as upgrade their skills by staying on top of market trends and developments. They will also be given access to a focused Alumni group on the worldwide ETT Club industry e-platform.
There will be 10, two-hour-long interactive sessions as part of the UFI-EMS, where all sessions have been scheduled and will be held using Zoom. Participation and passing the final exam are crucial in order to pass the programme and be awarded the Exhibition Management School certificate.
Graduates from the UFI-EMS will receive a certification of completion which automatically count towards the UFI Certified Professional Designation.
Royal Orchid lounge at Phuket International Airport
Priority Pass has inked a new partnership with the national carrier of Thailand – Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI).
The agreement will see Priority Pass Members gaining access to three domestic Royal Orchid lounges located at Phuket International Airport (HKT), Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) and Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
Royal Orchid Lounge at Phuket International Airport
This partnership will enhance Priority Pass’s existing network, which includes at least one experience at 90 of the top 100 airports globally; airport ranking based on 2019 flight numbers.
Priority Pass Members will be afforded 2.5 hours of lounge usage, access to a snack and refreshment bar (alcohol not included), televisions, and Internet/Wi-Fi.
Khun Nattapong Pokairat, managing director, ground service of THAI added that Priority Pass Members will be able to experience “authentic Thai food, a unique Thai ambience and the charm of Thai hospitality”, adding that each lounge will adhere to the company’s 4Cs: Confidence, Clean, Care and Comfort.
Todd Handcock, president, Asia Pacific, Collinson, noted: “Despite the uncertainties of the pandemic, domestic travel continues to gather pace. Increasing our domestic lounge offering with Thailand’s national carrier Thai Airways caters to this strong desire to travel, while providing a touch of luxury in a safe and comfortable environment.”
Cordis Auckland has become New Zealand’s largest hotel with the addition of its new 17-storey Pinnacle Tower.
Housing 244 rooms and Cordis Pinnacle Tower suites, the addition brings the total number of rooms to 640. The new rooms and suites, by interior designers Space Studio are versatile in design with multipurpose inter-connecting room options, ideal for large groups.
An Executive Room King within the Pinnacle Tower
Two new event spaces have also been created in the Pinnacle Tower. The Jade Room, a 400m2 events space has both natural light and a private outdoor area, and a new state-of-the-art Boardroom adds to Cordis Auckland’s events and gatherings offering.
Suite guests will also be able to enjoy the new Cordis Club Lounge on the 14th floor, an exclusive retreat with complimentary drinks, canapés, and a live breakfast station for made-to-order eggs, accompanied by a city view.
The development also sees the expansion of the hotel’s existing Eight Restaurant, taking the restaurant’s capacity from 180 to 250. The addition of a new bar Our Land Is Alive exclusively showcases New Zealand sourced F&B with a local twist, and an enhanced Reception and Lobby area offers a seamless transition to the new Pinnacle Tower and caters for the expanded capacity of the hotel.
These add on to existing amenities such as a fitness studio, Chuan spa, swimming pool, more meeting spaces, as well as the Eight Restaurant and Chandelier Lounge.
Alma Resort in Vietnam has promoted Vu Thi Huong Giang as resort manager.
Born and bred in nearby Nha Trang, Giang graduated from Nha Trang University with a major in food processing and started her career in 2004 as a waitress at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, where she steadily climbed the career ladder over a decade to become an F&B manager.
She has also worked for Vinpearl Land and Mia Resort in Nha Trang, and was the F&B director at The Anam, before moving to Alma in the same capacity. She was subsequently promoted to executive assistant manager of F&B.
In her new role, the resort’s executive chef, executive assistant manager of rooms, assistant director of F&B and the recreation manager report to her.
A pre-pandemic edition of IT&CM China and CTW in Shanghai
After two successful virtual editions, IT&CM China and CTW China will be back this year with a hybrid event to cater to both international and China-based participants attending in-person or remotely.
The three-day in-person event will be held from May 24-26, 2022, in Shanghai, while the virtual networking event will happen from June 15-16, 2022.
A pre-pandemic edition of IT&CM China and CTW in Shanghai
In-person attendees will be treated to a renewed focus on face-to-face Scheduled Meets opportunities (both in-person and remotely) for exhibitors and buyers from across China and the rest of the world. They will also be able to take part in the Social F&B Functions, and network over food and drinks.
There will also be panel discussions, and exclusive sessions, for delegates comprising buyers, media and other industry stakeholders to harness the latest brand highlights and developments.
A significant benefit for China-based buyers attending in-person will be the Post-Show Tours. Delegates will be introduced to China’s up-and-coming destinations and their associated DMCs, and get the chance to gain first-hand experience and learn about these destinations’ business events capabilities, charm, and culture.
Virtual attendees meanwhile, will be able to catch up on the highlights of the in-person event in Shanghai the following month.
Similarly, there will be networking sessions and business card exchanges for both buyers and exhibitors to expand their networks and contacts.
In addition, Brand Showcase Presentations from participating business events destinations, suppliers and corporate brands; Knowledge Sessions with the hottest topics this year; as well as the Buyer Procurement Showcases; will be available on-demand.
There will also be several Live Hosted Sessions By Brands, where virtual participants will be able to take part in interactive games, and win attractive prizes.
Governor of Assam, Jagdish Mukhi lighting a lamp at the opening ceremony of the North East Festival that took place between January 7-9 at Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati
The Indian government has turned its focus towards the north-eastern states of the country, and is drawing up plans to further develop the infrastructure to draw investment, as well as corporate travellers to the area.
As part of its Act East policy, the Indian government has been heavily investing in the region’s infrastructure projects such as national highways, railway networks and telecommunication. Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi has also voiced his eagerness to connect the capitals of all the eight states by air by 2024.
Governor of Assam, Jagdish Mukhi lighting a lamp at the opening ceremony of the North East Festival that took place between January 7-9 at Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati
Meanwhile, the Make in Northeast initiative is helping to attract investment from global companies, in sectors such as oil and gas; sectors that have recorded multi-million dollar investments from international markets like France and Germany.
Sarbendra Sarkar, founder and managing director of Cygnett Hotels and Resorts, told TTGmice: “Tourism infrastructure including highways and railway connectivity has been steadily improving in the region. In 2021, the government of India announced several projects worth billions of rupees to augment the tourism infrastructure in north-east.”
“Corporate presence has increased in the region, and economic activities have grown. All this is helping to bring more tourists to the north-eastern states while boosting corporate travel. I expect the north-east to emerge as a big corporate travel destination over the next few years,” added Sarkar. Cygnett Hotels and Resorts operates three properties in north-east India.
At present, tourism in the country’s north-east, to states such as Assam and Sakar, is primarily driven by the leisure and adventure tourism sectors.
The Indian government is also keen to explore trade ties between the north-east and neighbouring South-east Asia region, a market that remains untapped, and could significantly fuel international corporate travel.
In 2017-2018, the total trade between India and South-east Asia was US$81 billion, but the contribution of north-east states was almost negligible.
“Sectors like agriculture, textiles, IT and tourism provide immense investment opportunities to corporates looking at India’s north-east. We are working on the infrastructure that will help it become a trade hub for the South-east Asian region,” revealed G. Kishan Reddy, minister of tourism, culture and development of North Eastern Region of India to delegates at the North East Festival which took place in Guwahati from January 7-9, 2022.
As part of the ongoing infrastructure projects, the Asian Trilateral Highway that will connect India to Myanmar and Thailand is expected to be operational this year.
Meanwhile, Indian Railways was recently given the approval for the final location survey of the Imphal-Moreh railway line. The proposed 111km long railway line will help India to connect with Myanmar, further helping the country become a part of Trans-Asian railway network.
“The north-east states need to take advantage of their strategic location and develop the region as an expressway to South-east Asia. We have to continue improving our connectivity, logistics and infrastructure which will help to develop strong business ties with South-east Asia,” concluded Reddy.
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.
