A breath of fresh air

November 22, 2021

Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia
Hold a memorable gala dinner inside the Angkor Archaeological Park, with the ruins of either Prasat Kravan or Wat Thommanon as a stunning backdrop. A traditional Khmer feast can be prepared for a party of no more than 120 people. Complete the Cambodian experience with cultural Apsara dance performances, which utilise the vibrantly illuminated ruins as an enchanting backdrop.
marketing@asiantrails.org

Angkor Archaeological Park. Photo credit Jaya Catering

Gili Rooftop at Taronga Zoo, Australia
Set against a stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline, including the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, Gili Rooftop at Taronga Zoo is the ultimate showstopper for a business event.

Gili Rooftop has space for 90 guests for a banquet or 100 cocktail-style, and serves up sustainably-sourced and locally-produced dishes. After the day’s activities, groups have the option of wandering back to one of the 62 suites at the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, and fall asleep to the sounds of nature on their doorstep.
tarongacentre@epicure.com.au

Halong Bay, Vietnam
Sail away in UNESCO-listed Halong Bay, and take in the natural landscape of towering limestone islands and calm, emerald waters before making landfall on a private beach for a seafood barbecue dinner.

Entertainment can be provided via a liveband or DJ, and the setting would be perfect for a 200-pax themed corporate party – think fearsome pirates or tropical mood.
marketing@asiantrails.org

Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand
An event at Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, New Zealand is an experience to tantalise visitors’ senses, as guests find themselves engulfed in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of The Shire, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

The Marketplace makes a spectacular venue for special events, transporting 1,000 guests to the bustling markets of Middle-earth, while The Party Marquee is a fully-themed space with an outdoor garden bar – good for 350 pax – overlooking Hobbiton. Catering is available, and covers everything from canapés to a banquet feast fit for a Hobbit.
events@hobbitontours.com

Ngãraratuatara Marquee, Te Puia, New Zealand
Enjoy the unique taste of Mãori cuisine at Te Puia Geyser in Rotorua. Guests can gather at the Ngãraratuatara Marquee, and watch as fresh New Zealand mussels, whole king prawns, corn and vegetables are placed in flax woven baskets and poached in the geothermal spring. A maximum capacity of 30 is allowed here at any point in time, but Te Puia also has five other function spaces available for hire.
www.tepuia.com/contact-us

Palawan Green, Singapore
Meet on a green turf along Palawan Beach in Sentosa, which comes with a sea view to boot. Located next to the Beach Station monorail, the lush space is able to take a 500-pax banquet or 1,000 in a standing reception.

An event here can also be combined with a teambuilding or water-bonding activity at Tanjong Beach. For larger gatherings, the New Mempari Site – also on Palawan Beach – can incorporate a barbecue dinner under the stars, or planners can go luxe with butler-passed canapés.
www.sentosa.com.sg/en/contact-us

Palawan Green. Photo credit: Sentosa Development Corporation

The Habitat Penang Hill, Malaysia
Imagine hosting a sunset cocktail function or a gala dinner in the heart of a 130 million years old rainforest, and getting serenaded by the sounds of nature.

That dream is brought to life at The Habitat Penang Hill, which offers event organisers three multipurpose, outdoor event spaces that can adhere to social distancing requirements. Curtis Crest can safely accommodate groups of 150 pax, while the Andaman Tent and Retail Rooftop can take in 100 pax and 25 pax respectively.
inquiry@thehabitat.my

The Timber Yard, Australia
Built on a philosophy of recycling and upcycling, The Timber Yard in the Port Melbourne industrial precinct is a restored timber storage and fabrication facility that has been transformed into a gorgeous event venue.

Designed to bring the flavour and personality of the country into the city, The Timber Yard is an customisable urban sanctuary spanning 1,000m² of turfed area. Space hire comes complete with food and drinks, with the option for organisers to hire food trucks and play up a festival vibe.
www.thetimberyard.com.au

Xiengkeo Palace, Laos
Standing on an idyllic location on the banks of the Mekong River and framed by mountains, Xiengkeo Palace was once the royal residence of the Lao prime minister, Prince Phetsarath. Today, it is home to the Grand Luang Prabang Hotel and Resort. The 70-key property offers a full resort buyout for 150 delegates, with the main outdoor event space ideal for dining under the stars. Folk dances by ethnic minorities, Laotian performances or a Baci Ceremony (well-wishing ceremony) can be arranged.
marketing@asiantrails.org

Xiengkeo Palace. Photo credit: The Grand Luang Prabang

AMEX GBT adds Neo expense management to mobile app

By TTGmice

November 18, 2021

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Mobile_App-Expense-02 — AMEX GBT offers a mobile travel solution with trip management, booking and expense management, all in one app

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) has expanded the functionality of its mobile app to include expense management for clients using the Neo travel and expense management suite.

With this enhancement, travellers no longer need to sort through expenses and organise paper receipts after a trip. As long as their company uses the Neo integrated travel and expense management solution, they can now use the Amex GBT Mobile app to capture and report expenses on the go. Travellers can even finalise and submit expense reports before getting back to their desk, saving time, increasing productivity and getting reimbursed faster.

AMEX GBT offers a mobile travel solution with trip management, booking and expense management, all in one app

The app combines optical character recognition (OCR) and machine learning to scan photos of receipts for data to complete expense reports and automatically link them to the trip in progress. The app can also scan PDF receipts imported from emails.

This enhancement to the Amex GBT Mobile app is the latest step in expanding the integration of the Neo platform with the GBT technology suite.

The full Neo solution is available for GBT customers in countries around the world, including the US and Canada.

BCD Travel introduces BCD Alert app

By TTGmice

November 18, 2021

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BCD_ALERT_640 — The app facilitates round-the-clock risk management and response

In response to the heightened focus on traveller risk as global travel volumes increase, BCD Travel has introduced BCD Alert to its suite of traveller security solutions.

The mobile app, developed specifically for travel and security managers, provides 24/7 coverage of active travellers against destination risk and incidents, allowing managers to monitor and respond remotely.

The app facilitates round-the-clock risk management and response

BCD Alert tracks caution, warning and emergency level alerts against traveller bookings. The app delivers emergency level alerts via push notification to the home screen of the mobile device, prompting a list of impacted travellers.

Travel and security managers can contact affected travellers directly from the app via SMS, email or click-to-call. Clients who have enabled emergency response capabilities in the TripSource traveller app also has the added value of seeing who has checked-in as safe so they can focus on the remaining travellers.

The app is the newest addition to BCD Travel’s suite of traveller security solutions, which includes the COVID-19 Information Hub, DecisionSource security map and risk reports, TripSource risk alerts and check-in capabilities, and the Traveler Security Program Assessment.

BCD Alert is globally available to BCD clients with a DecisionSource login via the App Store and Google Play.

FHA-Food & Beverage and ProWine Singapore confirm September 2022 show

By TTGmice

November 18, 2021

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Exhibition-4 — A previous edition of the FHA-Food & Beverage

FHA-Food & Beverage, organised by Informa Markets, will be moving from March 2022 to September 5-8, 2022, with the Singapore Expo remaining as the venue for the event.

Featuring a line-up of global pavilions and individual brands, FHA-Food & Beverage is a major event where industry professionals in Asia can source new F&B ingredients from the world in one place.

A pre-pandemic edition of the FHA-Food & Beverage

In addition to the physical showfloor, FHA-Food & Beverage 2022 will be accessible in the digital space on FHA Match (powered by Saladplate), a virtual business matching platform launched by Informa Markets in 2021 to bring suppliers and buyers a space where they can continue to connect and do business year-round.

By combining the live events with FHA Match, participants will be able to connect and prearrange meetings on the virtual platform to ensure both their time and investment at the physical shows are optimised.

ProWine Singapore, jointly organised by Informa Markets and Messe Düsseldorf Asia, will move from May 2022 to join FHA-Food & Beverage on the same dates in September 2022.

This will provide an opportunity for the region’s F&B and hospitality sectors to intersect with producers, importers, distributors and retailers of wine and spirits.

FHA-Food & Beverage’s sister show, FHA-HoReCa will also be moving from its original date. Currently scheduled to be held in May 2022, the event’s new date will be announced soon.

CWT makes two executive leadership team appointments

By TTGmice

November 18, 2021

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Nick_Vournakis-Derek_Sharp_640 — From left: Nick Vournakis; and Derek Sharp

CWT has appointed Nick Vournakis as executive vice president and chief customer officer, and Derek Sharp as executive vice president and chief traveller experience officer, effective December 1, 2021.

Both will report to Michelle McKinney Frymire, CEO of CWT and serve as members of the company’s Executive Leadership Team.

From left: Nick Vournakis; and Derek Sharp

Prior to this appointment, Vournakis was managing director, global customer development, before which he was president, US military & government. He joined CWT in January 2000 and his other senior roles in the company have included responsibility for North American Air Solutions, and managing CWT’s Canadian operations. He also spent four years with EY Global Consulting services.

Sharp was chief operating officer for RoomIt, CWT’s global hotel platform, and prior to this appointment, ran CWT Meetings & Events. He spent eight years at Travelport in various senior management, strategy and consulting positions, as he had with HP Enterprise Services, EDS, UPS and Bain & Company.

Western Australia reluctant to open until higher vaccination rates are met

By Adelaine Ng

November 17, 2021

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The Western Australian government wants to vaccinate 90 per cent of its population before reopening, the state's capital Perth pictured

Western Australia (WA) will be the last Australian state to open for business events travel while the rest of the country relaxes their borders and prepares to resume corporate events, much to the frustration of local event planners.

Most Australian states are moving towards an endemic Covid-19 policy as vaccination rates have hit 80 per cent. This comes as Covid cases are still rising, evident that the Covid-zero policy adopted since the pandemic started would be unsustainable.

The Western Australian government wants to vaccinate 90 per cent of its population before reopening, the state’s capital Perth pictured

On November 1, 2021, Sydney and Melbourne opened their borders to Australian citizens and permanent residents overseas, and no longer required inbound travellers to quarantine for two weeks on arrival. Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has also signalled that the country will likely welcome international tourists by the end of the year.

But the state government of WA has insisted on keeping its borders shut for as long as possible in an attempt to keep its residents “safe”.

“Our premier has made it pretty clear that we’re not going to be having a Christmas with masks, which means that as a business, working towards end January is when we anticipate us opening up to the rest of the country. But it’s personally disappointing for us as well,” Renee Bennet, managing director of Encanta, told TTGmice.

“Obviously, we’ve got events taking place to connect with our counterparts on the east coast, which is extremely important for us. At the moment, I feel like Western Australia is a bit of a laughing stock in terms of our restrictions,” continued Bennet, who is also a board director at Business Events Perth and a councillor at the Professional Conference Organisers Association.

Bennet also expressed fears that WA’s restrictions could hurt its reputation for business events for years to come, much like its formerly expensive accommodation rates.

Recently, the WA government announced it would transition to dropping its borders when a target of 90 per cent vaccination rates is achieved, which some observers have noted could be too ambitious a goal. The state just reached 65 per cent rates last week.

But WA’s premier Mark McGowan said he would announce a border opening date once 80 per cent of its population aged over 12 are fully vaccinated, putting current estimations for the border change to take effect in late January at the earliest.

The state has earned the nickname “hermit kingdom” for its hardline border policy, which it argues has made the state safer from Covid and allowed its economy to thrive with a A$5.6 billion (US$4.1 million) surplus, the state’s biggest on record.

However, Melbourne-based Kate Smith, managing director at Waldronsmith Management and council member at Business Events Council of Australia, fears the prolonged closure of WA’s borders will have a nationwide impact for the industry.

“My view is that we need to be ready as one country as quickly as possible,” opined Smith. “Most of the national conferences rely on their West Australian delegates to join them and equally, if the conference is being held in Western Australia, the limitations it has placed on the sector within WA is hugely significant. This impacts us all.”

Western Australia has had just 1,112 Covid-19 cases and nine deaths to date, compared to more than 78,000 cases and 611 deaths in New South Wales.

CWT invests US$100 million to beef up travel management offerings

By TTGmice

November 17, 2021

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CTW_640 — A screenshot from the CWT website

CWT has revealed it will invest US$100 million in the myCWT travel management platform as it moves forward to implement its recapitalisation plan.

That plan today was approved (“confirmed”) by a court in an expedited legal process with the overwhelming support of CWT’s financial stakeholders.

The recapitalisation plan provides CWT with US$350 million of new equity capital to reinvest in the business, eliminates approximately half of the Company’s US$1.6 billion debt, and provides for all business partners and other providers of goods and services to CWT to be paid in full.

Michelle McKinney Frymire, CWT’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Having reached this important milestone, we are now able to move beyond the pandemic and accelerate investments that create innovative programmes and industry-leading experiences, including an enhanced myCWT platform.”

CWT’s initial $100 million investment in myCWT and its product offering, including the further enhancement of its sustainable proposition, will be focused on augmenting CWT’s existing omnichannel experience.

This will include expanding CWT’s breadth and depth of its omnichannel content, travel comparison capabilities, analytical reporting, and choice and availability of sustainable travel solutions to further enhance the point-of-sale experience for travellers and carbon footprint details to enable better-informed decision-making. Additional details about CWT’s inves

Virtual Seoul 2.0 sets a new digital hosting bar

By TTGmice

November 17, 2021

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SeoulMap_night — Virtual Seoul 2.0 at night

Seoul Convention Bureau has unveiled Virtual Seoul 2.0, their 3D business events platform that has gone through an upgrade and given a facelift.

Four new venues and several other exhibition functions have been added to the platform. The Content Management System (CMS) is also new, and allows event planners to customise their events without having to go through IT staff.

The four new venues in Virtual Seoul 2.0 are Coex, meant for exhibitions; Nodeul Island, Seoul’s unique venue in Hangang river which will serve as an outdoor exhibition area; Seoul City Hall which will serve as an open stage; and Seoul Tourism Plaza will function as a business meeting room.

Virtual Seoul 2.0 will also take into account the time zone of each time zone of the host city, and feature either a day or night setting. A pre-scheduled appointment function between buyers and sellers have also been added, alongside a function which allows the exchange of digital business cards, and booths that can offer promotional videos and brochures.

Meanwhile, the CMS will provide event organisers with the ability to manage functions like the broadcasting of videos, and branding functions to post logos, banners, across the platform. Guided videos for the various business events ranging from corporate meetings to conferences have also been uploaded to help aid event planners in their process.

Event planners will also be able to benefit from the PLUS SEOUL support for online/hybrid events, which means the platform will not cost extra. This, in a way, helps Seoul to expand its destination marketing as well.

Director at Seoul Tourism Organization, Jihyun Kim, said: “The first version of Virtual Seoul received much attention locally and globally as an innovative case of destination marketing while travelling was strictly restricted.

“Since Virtual Seoul 2.0 was designed to cover most event types of the MICE industry it will serve a full function as an event platform capable of earning more hosting. Hybrid events are not a trend anymore but another format settling down in the field with ‘living with COVID’ days. As one of the pioneers in this new field, it is the time to be more active in marketing the platform.”

Industry players revel in Cambodia’s full reopening

By Marissa Carruthers

November 17, 2021

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Angkor-Wat-temple-at-sunset — Cambodia’s sudden move to fully reopen borders comes on the back of its successful vaccination drive; Angkor Wat pictured

Cambodia’s tourism players are celebrating after a snap decision on Sunday (November 14) saw the nation become the first in South-east Asia to fully open to vaccinated travellers with no restrictions.

“Christmas has come early for the tourism and hospitality industry in Cambodia,” said Nick Ray, consultant for CamDMC, on the news that the country has fully opened to fully inoculated tourists.

Cambodia’s sudden move to fully reopen borders comes on the back of its successful vaccination drive; Angkor Wat pictured

Prime minister Hun Sen made the surprise announcement on Sunday that from the following day (November 15), fully vaccinated travellers from any destination are welcome without quarantine.

Inbound travellers must present a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours before departure and undergo a free rapid test on arrival. Once given the all-clear – an estimated 10- to 15-minute wait – arrivals are free to enter the country with no quarantine or restrictions on movement.

The requirement for health insurance has also been scrapped. While the visa-on-arrival service remains suspended, tourist e-visas can be applied online in advance of travel.

Virginie Kury, general manager at Asian Trails Cambodia, said: “This means we’re back to business and the economy will slowly be able to restart. Guides, hoteliers, restaurateurs and all staff in tourism businesses will be able to breathe again by earning a decent salary.”

The move also means Cambodia is the only South-east Asian country to fully reopen with very few restrictions, presenting an opportunity the industry is hoping to seize.

Jacques Guichandut, managing director of All Dreams Cambodia, said: “This means we are the sandbox for South-east Asia and can really be seen as one destination. It will encourage the tourism sector to reconsider Cambodia and change the image we had.”

The announcement supersedes previous plans to stagger Cambodia’s reopening. This was slated to start on November 30, with vaccinated arrivals spending five days at the coastal resort of Sihanoukville, Koh Rong island or the Dara Sakor area of Koh Kong.

The Cambodian premier said the full opening was due to Cambodia having vaccinated more than 88 per cent of the population. Third booster jabs are being rolled out countrywide.

In spite of the full opening, Guichandut predicts initial recovery will be slow, and will only start to pick up in 1Q2022. With Cambodia’s inbound international arrivals pre-Covid predominantly from Asia, he added predicting a full recovery is tough as quarantines continue to be widespread across the region.

Along with the reopening of its borders, Cambodia has also reiterated its readiness in hosting the upcoming ASEAN Tourism Forum in Preah Sihanoukville, slated to be held from January 16-22, 2022, with the theme ASEAN – A Community of Peace and Shared Future.

The forum will be a platform to encourage collaboration between ASEAN member states and to promote the region as one destination with diverse culture, cuisine and communities. Some 200 sellers and buyers, and 50 international media, are expected to attend.

Quartet of signings expected to bolster Singapore’s MICE sector

By TTGmice

November 17, 2021

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AFTEA_MoU_Signing_640 — From left to right: Mr POH Chi Chuan (Executive Director, Exhibitions and Conferences, Singapore Tourism Board); Mr CHUA Wee Phong (CE, Markets, Constellar); Mr HENG Swee Keat (Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies); Mr Yap Chin Siang (Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board); and Mr Tobias Eichberg (Member of the Board of Management of DLG e.V)

Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on November 15, 2021, marking the next stage of Singapore’s commitment to catalyse sustainable food production locally as well as regionally, as part of the inaugural Singapore International Agri-Food Week (SIAW).

Marking the first of three agreements, Temasek, Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Rethink Events, and Constellar have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to jointly organise the SIAW on an annual basis. SFA would represent ESG, EDB and STB to sign the MoU.

From left: STB’s Poh Chi Chuan; Constellar’s Chua Wee Phong; Singapore’s deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat; STB’s Yap Chin Siang; and DLG e.V’s Tobias Eichberg

With the 2021 edition being the first, the annual event week aims to gather stakeholders from the agri-food industry, facilitating the sharing of best practices, showcasing the latest innovative technologies, and highlighting upcoming business opportunities in the sector.

Agri-food related events under this umbrella brand include the Roundtable on Novel Food Regulations by SFA, the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit by Rethink, and the Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia by Constellar. SIAW was inaugurated on November 15, 2021, with subsequent editions planned from 2022 to 2024.

STB has also signed a three-year MoU with Rethink Events to anchor and grow the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit in Singapore from 2022 to 2024.

The summit convenes the world’s leading agribusinesses, growers, consumer packaged goods and ingredient brands, entrepreneurs, investors, retailers and policymakers to share ideas and collaborate towards greater security and sustainability in Asia’s agri-food system.

It will feature curated content and platforms for high-value connections and knowledge exchange, attracting international business leaders to Singapore and supporting the growth of Asia’s agri-food innovation ecosystem.

Currently happening from November 16 until 18, the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit is expected to be attended by 200 in-person attendees and 600 participants joining virtually. The hybrid event will be held at the Grand Hyatt Singapore, with subsequent editions planned from 2022 to 2024 as part of the SIAW.

The summit forms part of a global circuit of related industry events produced by Rethink Events, including the World Agri-Tech and Future Food Tech summits in London, San Francisco, New York, and São Paolo.

STB has also signed a three-year MoU with Constellar and DLG – German Agricultural Society to officially launch the Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia in Singapore from 2022.

The Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia will provide a focused exhibition platform with a “living lab” environment, thematic experiential zones, sandbox, and community-based learning for over 100 emerging and established industry players in the agri-food industry to launch, showcase and testbed their solutions.

Taking place in Singapore in October 2022, the event is expected to welcome both local and global agri-food businesses, urban and smart food producers and dealers, manufacturers, growers, solutions providers, start-ups and investors to experience new integrated food systems. Subsequent editions are also planned for 2023 and 2024.

From left: STB’s Poh Chi Chuan and MMI Asia’s Michael Wilton at the signing

Separately, STB and MMI Asia (the regional subsidiary of Messe Muenchen (MMG)) also signed a MoU on November 15, 2021, to organise the South-east Asian edition of transport logistics and air cargo for multiple biennial editions in Singapore, starting from 2023.

The inaugural edition is slated to take place at Marina Bay Sands from September 13-15, 2023. The event will feature a high-level conference that will focus on specific subjects and issues facing the logistics ecosystem.

Under a central theme of Integrated Logistics for a Disrupted World, the conference and educational sessions will address challenges and offer solutions for companies looking to thrive in this sector.

This partnership includes the development of new content, programme and exhibition components for the tradeshow, marketing and publicity efforts, and areas of collaboration in industry knowledge exchange.

This edition is the latest in the leading series of transport logistic and air cargo shows which include, India, China, Turkey, the US and the world’s largest logistics event and parent show in Munich.

A breath of fresh air

AMEX GBT adds Neo expense management to mobile app

BCD Travel introduces BCD Alert app

FHA-Food & Beverage and ProWine Singapore confirm September 2022 show

CWT makes two executive leadership team appointments

Western Australia reluctant to open until higher vaccination rates are met

CWT invests US$100 million to beef up travel management offerings

Virtual Seoul 2.0 sets a new digital hosting bar

Industry players revel in Cambodia’s full reopening

Quartet of signings expected to bolster Singapore’s MICE sector

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