Thailand will reduce the mandatory quarantine period for foreign travellers from next month, from two weeks to 10 days, starting from April 1.
In addition, the Kingdom is looking into ceasing all quarantine together starting from October 1. However, government authorities have deferred a decision in recognising vaccine certificates, and delayed a decision on an isolation period of seven days for vaccinated tourists.
Thailand to cut quarantine time for foreign travellers to 10 days from April 1; a lone passenger at a strangely empty Bangkok International Airport in February 2021 pictured
Officials hope that the shorter quarantine would appeal to more foreign visitors and is seen as a step towards reopening.
Thailand is heavily reliant on tourism, which the pandemic has devasted. In 2019, the industry provided more than US$60 billion in receipts from some 40 million international visitors.
The Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) has made three new additions to its team.
Richard Clarke, who joined Auckland Unlimited as head of major events in January 2020, will lead the Auckland Convention Bureau following the departure of Anna Hayward. Clarke’s role is now head of major and business events.
From left: Richard Clarke; Kenneth Pereira; Sarah Burilin
He is also leading Auckland Unlimited’s rollout plan for the Regional Events Fund, which is designed to promote domestic tourism through major and business events.
Also new to the ACB team is Kenneth Pereira, who joins as business events manager – Australia. Pereira was previously with the New Zealand International Convention Centre, and most recently, he was an event development manager within major events division at Auckland Unlimited.
Lastly, Sarah Burilin joins ACB as marketing and communications manager following Jeanette Stanton’s move to Business Events Industry Aotearoa last month. Burilin will work alongside the strategic partnerships and marketing team and oversee the team’s connection into Auckland Unlimited’s wider marketing and partnership strategy.
Taiwan’s health minister said the island is exploring a travel bubble with Singapore, a day after announcing its first travel bubble with Palau.
Last December, Singapore unilaterally lifted border restrictions on travellers from Taiwan, allowing them to be exempted from the 14-day mandatory quarantine if they test negative for Covid-19 upon arrival.
Taiwan may finally offer unrestricted access to Singapore travellers
According to a report in The Straits Times, Taiwanese health minister Chen Shih-chung said on March 18 that Taiwan and Singapore have been in talks for the former to match Singapore’s unilateral move.
The report also quoted transportation minister Lin Chia-lung as having said that while Japan, South Korea and Vietnam are all exploring a travel bubble with Taiwan, “Singapore is by far the most proactive”.
Over a year after closing its borders to tourists to guard against Covid-19, Taiwan announced on Wednesday that it will launch its first travel bubble with Palau from April 1.
The plan will kick off with two weekly flights, capped at 110 passengers per flight. Tourists from both sides must travel within a tour group, following a pre-approved itinerary and staying at designated hotels.
Since the outbreak, Palau has reported zero Covid-19 cases, while Taiwan has recorded 990 cases and 10 deaths.
Reed Exhibitions has moved IBTM Asia Pacific to April 5 and 6, 2022, the second postponement for the inaugural event as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event was initially scheduled for April 6 to 8, 2020 but was pushed to April 13-14, 2021.
The decision was taken following the latest government advice regarding Covid-19, and as a result of in-depth discussions with customers and hosted buyers from the region and globally.
Commenting on the announcement, Michael Jones, event manager, IBTM Asia Pacific, said: “While we are seeing very positive moves towards the gradual return of live events, the situation is still fragile. Although Singapore is considered a safe destination, IBTM Asia Pacific is a global event which attracts an international audience, and therefore we have a desire and a responsibility to give our attendees the safest and best possible in-person experience at a time when hopefully travel restrictions will have been lifted.”
Jones described the decision as a “disappointing” one and expressed a continued commitment to making Singapore the event’s host city in 2021.
Trade specialists are an integral part of the Swiss Travel System AG (STS ). To promote Switzerland’s comprehensive public transport network worldwide, STS AG has launched the new Swiss Travel System Excellence Program – a platform which imparts up-to-date knowledge on Swiss public transport to equip agents with greater confidence and competencies to put together varied travel programmes.
The programme in brief
Currently, the Swiss Travel System Excellence Program is the only e-learning programme in the world which familiarises travel professionals with an entire national public transport system.
Participants can capitalise on the modular structure of the platform to learn about the characteristics of the Swiss Travel System – from tickets and passes, to premium panoramic train rides; and boat trips on majestic Swiss lakes, to even luggage transport – at their own time and pace.
On average, each module takes only about six minutes to complete. Accompanying participants on this learning journey are transport mascots Heidi and Peter, two animated characters embodying two important Swiss qualities: reliability and enthusiasm.
Quality learning translates to more incentives
To drive engagement, participants will be able to take souvenir photos of Swiss sights and attractions at the end of each module.
At the completion of all modules, agents will be awarded a diploma, which recognises them as a Swiss Travel System Excellence Expert.
However, the icing on the cake will be an incentive trip to Switzerland – travel, hotel and Swiss Travel Pass included – awarded to those with the highest scores from points earned during each learning progress.
The web-based platform is freely accessible from anywhere in the world. Step on board and register now.
TFE Hotels has made several appointments for two of its newest properties in Melbourne.
Lucy Ockleston has been appointed general manager of the 99-room Adina Apartment Hotel West Melbourne. Ockleston commenced his journey with TFE in New Zealand in 2011 at the Travelodge Wellington where she progressed from a F&B role to assistant hotel manager. She has also held key roles at the Travelodge Sydney and the Travelodge Hotel Newcastle.
From left: Lucy Ockleston and Nigel Maxey
Meanwhile, Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne Southbank has welcomed Nigel Maxey to the position of general manager, and Emma Jarrett to the supporting role of assistant hotel manager.
Maxey has extensive experience in hospitality as both a hotel general manager and F&B specialist, including roles at Werribee Mansion and as general manager of The Jasper Melbourne. He started his TFE Hotels career in 2018 working across a variety of brands – Adina, Travelodge, Rendezvous, Vibe and The Savoy – taking him to Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania for the group.
Since joining TFE Hotels in 2013, Jarrett has worked across multiple Melbourne properties, including The Savoy on Little Collins, and was previously based in Queensland at Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square for a time as assistant hotel manager.
Through this partnership, GainingEdge is able to provide strong support in communicating to all an association's decision-makers globally
GainingEdge and Arena Destination Marketing have inked a partnership to offer destination representation services in North America.
The aim of this partnership is to assist international destinations in securing conventions, incentive programmes and meetings originating from the US and Canada.
Through this partnership, GainingEdge is able to provide strong support in communicating to all an association’s decision-makers globally
Arena Destination Marketing, based out of New York, has worked with GainingEdge for several years in North America representing the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, Meetings Africa and the Guadalajara Convention & Visitors Bureau. They have established strong client relationships throughout America and provide in-market services to leading international MICE destinations.
Meanwhile, GainingEdge provides in-market services in Europe, Asia and Australia to clients from various parts of the world.
Jon Sivertson, GainingEdge’s CEO, said that the company now offers a “seamless” solution that can both source business from North America, while connecting to people based in other parts of the world that are decision-makers for meetings coming out of the US.
Another advantage is that destinations wanting support in other regions of the world, as well as in the US, can have a single solution rather than having to manage relationships with multiple representation companies.
Alessandra Delmonte, vice president and Arena Destination Marketing partner, pointed out that securing conventions requires effective coordination at both the place of origin and the proposed destination.
“The most successful destinations have representation where the decisions are being made. But, they also have to work locally to develop relationships with local hosts and to put together bids that are more strategic and have a higher chance of success. This partnership means that we can offer destinations strong support at both ends of that value chain,” she said.
New Scoot PDT portal allows passengers to manage Covid-19 test bookings, as well as receive and present test results in digital form
From March 17, all outbound Scoot passengers flying from Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong will be able to book Covid-19 pre-departure RT-PCR and serology tests as part of a trial service run by Collinson.
The service builds upon the pilot recently launched for Singapore Airlines, Scoot’s parent company.
The new Scoot PDT portal allows passengers to manage Covid-19 test bookings, as well as receive and present test results in digital form
The Collinson online portal, accessible via the Scoot website or mobile app, will allow passengers departing on flights to book pre-departure testing appointments with recognised and accredited partner clinics and digitally receive results within 36 hours.
Passengers will receive their serology test results directly from the clinic. However, RT-PCR test results can be obtained through the portal, with QR codes embedded within the RT-PCR result certificates, enabling digital authentication, streamlining verification and strengthening the integrity of the process.
There are plans to expand the service to other destinations in the Scoot network post-trial.
A digital verification solution from Affinidi, a Temasek-founded technology company, is also being trialled by Scoot at check-in for selected flights from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. By scanning the QR code with a secure app, check-in agents are able to quickly and reliably determine the authenticity of digital or printed Covid-19 test results bearing a verifiable QR code, issued by selected clinics. This will reduce the check-in time for passengers, thereby, improving their travel experience.
Todd Handcock, president, Asia Pacific, Collinson, said: “Helping to reopen key routes for travellers in a safe way is our utmost priority and this partnership is another step forward in our aim of achieving the long-term return of global travel.”
Campbell Wilson, Scoot CEO, added: “Through both solutions, we hope our customers can be assured of a more convenient, efficient and reliable experience when they travel with us.”
The Seoul Convention Bureau has launched a virtual teambuilding programme, another addition to its digital offerings that include the Virtual Seoul platform and Seoul MICE World.
Named Virtual Seoul Playground, the programme is an add-on to the Virtual Seoul platform.
Participants having a go at yunnori
After downloading the programme, participants can choose avatars with various hanboks. Within the playground are three games that will bring about cooperative play that aims to instil a teambuilding spirit by working towards the same goal.
Participants can make gimbap (Korean seaweed rice rolls) at Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Seoul. They can also have a go at yunnori – a traditional Korean game in which players throw four sticks and move markers on a mat accordingly in the square in front of Seoul City Hall. In addition, at Some Sevit on the Hangang River, participants can learn more about Seoul through a quiz and decorate a lantern to float it down the river with a wish written on it.
Jihyun Kim, director of Seoul Convention Bureau said: “As virtual MICE events increase drastically, the importance of gamification that induces participants’ immersion along with metaverses that allows interaction through avatars in a virtual world is on the rise. We have developed a non-face-to-face teambuilding program that can be used as content for gamification in the industry, while providing an experience similar to the actual experience by building a metaverse in the background of Seoul.”
Event planners can upload the Virtual Seoul Playground as a link to their on their event page, and even create a tournament-like setting for participants.
AIPC, the International Association of Convention Centres; ICCA, the International Convention and Congress Association; and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, have come together once again to jointly produce the Good Practice Guide: Convention and Exhibition as Temporary Vaccination Centres.
This publication e aims to help convention and exhibition centres and event and congress organisers called upon by health authorities to convert part or all of their venue into a temporary vaccination centre.
Cover of the latest guide
This comes as a gowing number of convention and exhibition sites across the world have started operating as temporary COVID-19 vaccination centres, getting anywhere from 500 to over 6,000 people vaccinated every day at each location. At the same time, an increasing number of markets around the globe have begun to reopen business events with varying Covid-19 protocols in place.
The good practice conveyed in this document was collected over February-March 2021 from a range of AIPC, ICCA and UFI member facilities, and enhanced by insights and information made available through the associations’ joint Safety & Security Task Force.
The use of convention and exhibition facilities as vaccination sites is still evolving, and this document should therefore be viewed as a dynamic one, as new insights continue to emerge over time.
This guide complements earlier publications, which were produced and distributed within the last year, such as the Good Practice Guide: Addressing Covid-19 Requirements for Re-Opening Business Events – version 2 (and version 1 previously).
AIPC President, Aloysius Arlando, said in a statement: “As vaccination strategies roll out worldwide, event venues are once again playing a critical role in economic recovery as they transform themselves into vaccination centres. This collaborative endeavour, which features knowledge and insights from industry experts around the world, serves as an important reference for event venues to safely establish and operate a vaccination centre within their own spaces. It also firmly demonstrates the commitment of the business events industry to support the safe return of face-to-face events.”
James Rees, ICCA president, added: “The economic impact of global events generates the investment that makes possible the building of our industry’s venue infrastructure. It is good to see how venues worldwide have repurposed their facilities to help support government vaccination programmes.”
“Our industry’s support to the vaccination effort also benefits our whole industry ecosystem: rolling out vaccinations around the world in a fast and effective way will speed up the return of face-to-face events,” concluded Anbu Varathan, UFI’s President.
Following distribution, a dedicated UFI connects session is scheduled on March 31 to facilitate the implementation of the guidance provided in this publication and to assist members in interpreting its content into local actions.
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.
The decision was taken following the latest government advice regarding Covid-19, and as a result of in-depth discussions with customers and hosted buyers from the region and globally.
Taiwan’s health minister said the island is exploring a travel bubble with Singapore, a day after announcing its first travel bubble with Palau.
Last December, Singapore unilaterally lifted border restrictions on travellers from Taiwan, allowing them to be exempted from the 14-day mandatory quarantine if they test negative for Covid-19 upon arrival.
According to a report in The Straits Times, Taiwanese health minister Chen Shih-chung said on March 18 that Taiwan and Singapore have been in talks for the former to match Singapore’s unilateral move.
The report also quoted transportation minister Lin Chia-lung as having said that while Japan, South Korea and Vietnam are all exploring a travel bubble with Taiwan, “Singapore is by far the most proactive”.
Over a year after closing its borders to tourists to guard against Covid-19, Taiwan announced on Wednesday that it will launch its first travel bubble with Palau from April 1.
The plan will kick off with two weekly flights, capped at 110 passengers per flight. Tourists from both sides must travel within a tour group, following a pre-approved itinerary and staying at designated hotels.
Since the outbreak, Palau has reported zero Covid-19 cases, while Taiwan has recorded 990 cases and 10 deaths.