Abercrombie & Kent in Vietnam has launched a series of corporate teambuilding and incentive tours for groups of 10 people or more, with special rates for Vietnam residents.
Each tour includes hotels, private guides, vehicles and access to personalised meeting and event services. The company also offers custom day tours with private guides in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An.
Traditional Vietnamese basket boats in Con Dao
For example, corporates can visit Con Dao for two nights, where the package includes a private guide and airport transfers. There is also an optional island-hopping in Con Son Bay or mangrove wildlife discovery at Bay Canh Island.
Another package that heads to Phan Rang and Nha Trang, is three-nights long with transfers from Ho Chi Minh City included. The package includes excursions to the Phan Rang sand dunes and Cham Poklong Garai plus speedboat tour to Yen Island, spice shopping at Dam Market and an option to explore the Diep Son archipelago.
Other packages head to other parts of Vietnam, such as Da Lat, Mui Ne, and Ha Tien.
Once international borders reopen within Asia, Abercrombie & Kent will offer regional tours with special Vietnam Resident Rates for travel to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach has unveiled JW Connects, a fresh suite of solutions for meeting planners which includes off-site catering for meetings, and live-stream conferencing.
Meeting packages starts from S$100++ (US$73++) per person inclusive of a coffee break with individually plated snacks, three-course set lunch or lunch bento, as well as audiovisual facilities, meeting amenities and on-site support.
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
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There are also two live-stream conferencing options. Package A: Simulcast starts from S$3,400++ per day and includes usage of two laptops, audio system, technician on standby, and video system with videographer. Package B: Webcast comes in at S$2,800++ and includes usage of one laptop, video system, audio system, and a technician on standby.
Planners can also pair the virtual meeting with real-time catering options that start from S$14++ per person. A sushi-making, or cocktail masterclass can also be built into the package.
Certified SG Clean, JW Marriott Singapore South Beach’s meeting venues feature revised floorplans and capacity to ensure best practices of safe distancing, hygiene and sanitisation measures have been adopted.
Infrastructure development across Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia has carried on in earnest even as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupts travel and tourism businesses, to ensure the destination is ready for both the ASEAN Summit and the G-20 Summit come 2023.
Shana Fatina, president director of the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority Agency (BOP), said that infrastructural works include new roads and airport runway extensions.
Shana said: “The construction of Komodo Airport is a focus this year. The Ministry of Transportation is working on extending the runway by 250m to reach 2,700m. The government has also breached the Telumpang hill (for improved aircraft access).”
Service excellence is also on the agenda, and the government is working with regional peers and experts, such as Changi Aiports International, Changi Airports Mena, Cinta Airport Flores and Cardig Aero Services, to manage Komodo Airport and to make it an international airport by February 2021.
Meanwhile, development of the Labuan Bajo marina area has been accelerated, allowing it to accommodate up to 125 yachts or cruise ships by end-2020.
On the accommodation side, Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has been appointed to oversee Tana Mori’s development into a high-end resort destination similar to Bali’s Nusa Dua.
Edwin Darmasetiawan, ITDC’s director of development, said the Tana Mori masterplan was now complete and works could begin. The plan includes the construction of two five-star hotels and one four-star hotel to accommodate delegates of the two Summits.
Funding has been proposed through state equity participation, in addition to private investment.
“I am very optimistic that we can finish latest by 2022,” remarked Edwin.
“The event will be in 2023 but our obligation is to prepare the venue with all supporting aspects, both property and infrastructure by the end of 2022,” he added.
Susilowani Daud, president director of Pacto Convex, opined that the project underlined the government’s commitment to developing destinations in the country for business events, which would send a positive signal to investors.
She added that while private investors might remain conservative now due to economic uncertainty, interest could soar once business recovery begins.
Susilowani hopes the government would also invest in tourism and business events education for the local workforce, to establish a strong human resource foundation that would support the future developments in Labuan Bajo.
The
announcement of the win was marked by the sails of the Sydney Opera House turning green and gold and displaying images of the national team, The Matildas
Australia and New Zealand were recently named the hosts of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which bodes well for the former’s business events sector based on track record.
Following the success of other major sporting events including T20 Women’s World Cup, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2018 Invictus Games and Sydney 2000 Olympics, Australia’s business events sector is set to gain even more recognition given the likely legacy from the FIFA tournament.
The win was marked by the sails of the Sydney Opera House turning green and gold and displaying images of the national team, The Matildas
“Major sporting events not only shine a light on Australia’s infrastructure, venues and incentives experiences globally, they often create a lasting legacy for business events,” said Penny Lion, executive general manager events at Tourism Australia.
The bid evaluation report, published by FIFA, outlines Australia’s strengths in infrastructure, safety, sustainable event management and high standard of accommodation in each host city including ‘top tier hotels’ to host FIFA officials. The report also talks about Australia’s advanced technology and connectivity for international broadcasting.
Marking the first time a FIFA World Cup has been played in the Southern Hemisphere, matches will take place in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Launceston in Tasmania, in addition to five New Zealand cities.
The bid summary described travel distances between host cities as not a major challenge as proven by Australia and New Zealand’s history of co-hosting significant major tournaments and events.
In addition to shining the global spotlight on Australia’s incentive experiences, stadiums, high-end accommodation and event delivery capabilities, major events have historically resulted in new and upgraded infrastructure for business events.
For instance, Queensland’s Gold Coast reported a significant increase in incentives to the region following the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Multiple sport and leisure centres were developed specifically for The Games and CBUS Super Stadium received a A$160 million (US$115 million) upgrade. A new ‘super stage’ at Village Roadshow Studios that was created to host squash, boxing and table tennis is now an events space for up to 4,000 guests. Meanwhile, the official accommodation partner to the Commonwealth Games, The Star Gold Coast, underwent an extensive refurbishment of its 600-room hotel The Star Grand in preparation.
Also in 2018, Sydney hosted the Invictus Games, which shone a global light on Sydney’s event spaces such as Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour where groups can find a range of venues and hosting opportunities. During the event, Sydney Olympic Park played a key role in the event and is also home to 11 separate business event venues with capacities ranging from 10 to 21,000 delegates.
The move provide bolstered support to members of both organisations to equip them for the post-COVID return
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and Korea MICE Association have agreed to a two-year partnership which will support members of both organisations by readying them for a post-Covid return.
A key component of the partnership will focus on the delivery of PCMA’s Digital Event Strategist (DES) course in South Korea in a move to ensure event planners are skilled for designing and delivering hybrid and digital events.
The move provides bolstered support to members of both organisations to equip them for the post-Covid return
Karen Bolinger, PCMA managing director for Asia-Pacific, said this partnership is an opportunity to engage with the South Korean business events industry further, by providing practical and skills-based training.
“Each country in the Asia Pacific region has a unique road to recovery, however, being able to provide valuable education to event planners, is one major key to ensuring a successful future for the space.”
Chun Kim, president of Korea MICE Association, said the partnership with PCMA is a very constructive opportunity for members and stakeholders in the Korean MICE industry, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The MICE industry has been facing a transformation and has seen an increased need to collaborate on creating a digital environment for events. The DES course will be the most productive way to bring our members to the next level in the industry.
“Korea MICE Association will also actively collaborate with PCMA to establish a safe and sustainable MICE market among the Asia Pacific region,” said Kim.
The partnership has already seen 26 members from the Korea MICE Association start the Digital Event Strategist course in August 2020.
Business Events Perth is actplan their next business event at a local venue or use local suppliers and help support Western Australia’s business events industry
Business Events Perth has unveiled a new funding initiative to encourage organisations to hold business events locally.
Funding of up to A$30 (US$21.50) a delegate is available, with total funding support determined by the event duration and number of delegates attending the event in-person.
Business Events Perth is encouraging businesses to meet at a local venue or use local suppliers to help support Western Australia’s business events industry
Eligible events include conferences, exhibitions or tradeshows, workshops and seminars, as well as corporate meetings and incentive group events with a business event programme.
The offer is available for a limited time and valid only for new business event bookings for events to be held in Western Australia prior to June 30, 2021.
Business Events Perth chief executive officer Gareth Martin shared that the funding was made available to assist with business event costs, to help the Western Australia business events industry “get back on its feet”.
Martin noted that the industry supports thousands of jobs across a range of local businesses, and urged any organisation that is thinking of holding a business event, conference or meeting to get in touch with Business Events Perth.
Western Australia’s tourism and small business minister Paul Papalia added: “The State Government has launched a A$5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan to help Western Australia emerge from Covid-19, which includes A$150 million to support the tourism industry, and we welcome this complementary initiative from Business Events Perth to further assist the sector.”
Qantas International CEO, Tino La Spina, will leave the group as the airline braces for what is likely to be an extended grounding of international flights at least until mid-2021 in light of the Covid-19 crisis.
La Spina’s responsibilities will transfer to Qantas Domestic head Andrew David when he departs on September 1, Qantas said in a statement on Monday.
Tino La Spina
The change will see David taking on functional responsibility for Qantas International, in addition to his existing responsibility for Qantas Domestic and Qantas Freight. He will report to group CEO Alan Joyce.
Joyce said: “The Covid crisis is forcing us to rethink our business at every level. It’s increasingly clear that our international flights will be grounded until at least mid-2021 and it will take years for activity to return to what it was before. Under those circumstances, we’ve made the decision to consolidate the domestic and international business units under a single divisional CEO.
La Spina, who became CEO of International just over 12 months ago, was formerly Qantas CFO, and has spent 14 years with the airline.
CapitaLand’s wholly-owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has opened lyf Sukhumvit 8 Bangkok, the first lyf property in Thailand and part of its 23- property portfolio in the country.
The property is a stone’s throw away from Nana BTS Skytrain station, one train stop from Terminal 21, a well-known shopping destination in Bangkok, and three BTS stations away from Siam.
lyf Sukhumvit 8 Bangkok
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Lyf Sukhumvit 8 Bangkok offers 196 One of a Kind studios, as well as creatively-designed, multifunctional social spaces. These include the Connect coworking and lounge zone, Bond social kitchen, a laundromat, an outdoor terrace and a rooftop fitness area.
The property conducts weekly social programmes to build connections and inspire the exchange of new ideas, providing guests with the opportunity to co-organise and co-create community programmes, such as craft workshops, wellness classes, panel discussions, neighbourhood walks and special events like community yard sales.
Physical meetings were still possible in 2018, but that has changed due to the current pandemic
The biennial trade event for the oil and gas industry, OSEA, will be held virtually this year, replacing the physical event which is scheduled for November 24-26, 2020.
The physical event will be moved to 2021, with the exact dates yet to be confirmed, according to event owner Informa Markets.
Physical meetings were still possible in 2018, but that has changed due to the current pandemic
The decision came as the world continues to see ongoing border controls and travel restrictions due to the pandemic.
In pivoting to an online stage, OSEA2020 will now comprise a virtual exhibition with booths that allow exhibitors to personalise content and product showcases, and a chat platform for live interaction between exhibitors and buyers. Attendees can transit from the exhibition to industry thought-leadership panels and seminars held across three event days.
Thereafter, the exhibition hall will become an online marketplace where exhibitors can source for business leads throughout the year.
The virtual version will maintain the event’s networking role, enabling attendees to connect with existing and new business partners, and set up meetings using an Artificial Intelligence-powered business matching platform. Attendees will receive personalised suggestions on who to meet at the event based on their interests and profile, and be able to hold meetings in a virtual video conferencing room.
LNGgc Asia Congress will be co-located alongside OSEA2020, where more than 25 speakers in a virtual environment will share commercial, strategic and technical insights to enable competitive advantage and open up new business avenues.
Carol New, head of sales, energy, utilities & resources, Informa Markets, said: “OSEA has served the oil and gas industry in Asia as a key business platform and biennial meeting place for industry professionals for the last 44 years. As we work together to navigate these unprecedented circumstances, we remain committed to serve our community and deliver solutions that will provide business value and return of investment for all our attendees.”
Marjan Lacet, trade promotion manager, Netherlands Maritime Technology, the organiser of the Netherlands Pavilion at OSEA2020, commented that Informa Markets had made the “right decision…to postpone OSEA2020 as a physical event, given the current economic uncertainties, travel restrictions, and quarantine measures across the globe”.
Lacet added: “We need to adapt to the new normal and focus on what is possible in this unprecedented times.”
Hana Biyori, a high-tech botanical garden in Japan’s west Tokyo, has married living flowers and projection technology, offering guests a chance to enjoy nature in a fresh way.
The 1,500m2 greenhouse has 300 suspended chandeliers, featuring well-known flowers like fuchsia, petunia and geranium. A flowerbed more than 20m-long and two-metre high adds even more color to the space.
When the greenhouse is plunged into darkness, projection mapping, imaging technology and sound bring the indoor space to life, where guests can also interact with the digital artwork. Meanwhile, there are displays featuring hundreds of species of trees and flowers, F&B options, and a gift shop outside.
Events can be held in the greenhouse or outdoors outside of opening hours (09.30 to 17.00) and when the facility is closed, with costs subject to group needs. Groups can also have a night-time cherry blossom viewing in spring or firefly viewing in fall. Regular entry per person costs ¥800 (US$7.45); a discount applies for groups with 20 or more guests.
Flower arrangement classes and workshops for up to 20 people to make a bottle aquarium or moss terrarium can also be organised out of business hours, starting from ¥2,000 per person.
This is the first permanent facility of its kind, and was opened recently by Japanese leisure giant Yomiuri Land.
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
Infrastructure development across Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia has carried on in earnest even as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupts travel and tourism businesses, to ensure the destination is ready for both the ASEAN Summit and the G-20 Summit come 2023.
Shana Fatina, president director of the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority Agency (BOP), said that infrastructural works include new roads and airport runway extensions.
Service excellence is also on the agenda, and the government is working with regional peers and experts, such as Changi Aiports International, Changi Airports Mena, Cinta Airport Flores and Cardig Aero Services, to manage Komodo Airport and to make it an international airport by February 2021.
Meanwhile, development of the Labuan Bajo marina area has been accelerated, allowing it to accommodate up to 125 yachts or cruise ships by end-2020.
On the accommodation side, Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has been appointed to oversee Tana Mori’s development into a high-end resort destination similar to Bali’s Nusa Dua.
Edwin Darmasetiawan, ITDC’s director of development, said the Tana Mori masterplan was now complete and works could begin. The plan includes the construction of two five-star hotels and one four-star hotel to accommodate delegates of the two Summits.
Funding has been proposed through state equity participation, in addition to private investment.
“I am very optimistic that we can finish latest by 2022,” remarked Edwin.
“The event will be in 2023 but our obligation is to prepare the venue with all supporting aspects, both property and infrastructure by the end of 2022,” he added.
Susilowani Daud, president director of Pacto Convex, opined that the project underlined the government’s commitment to developing destinations in the country for business events, which would send a positive signal to investors.
She added that while private investors might remain conservative now due to economic uncertainty, interest could soar once business recovery begins.
Susilowani hopes the government would also invest in tourism and business events education for the local workforce, to establish a strong human resource foundation that would support the future developments in Labuan Bajo.