Asia/Singapore Wednesday, 8th July 2026
Page 518

Marriott targets small events with fresh campaign

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A meeting room setup at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach

The Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio has released a new campaign entitled ‘Be There. The Time Is Now’ meeting package at participating hotels across Asia-Pacific.

Be There. The Time Is Now is available for meetings or events between now until December 31, 2021, where events must be actualised by December 31, 2021.

The campaign aims to reignite the joy of face-to-face meetings in destinations where small meetings and conferences are allowed, keeping in line with governing SOPs.

Planners will be able to choose one out of three rewards for every meeting or event booked at participating Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio hotels and resorts. APAC Continent Perks are one complimentary delegate for every 10 paying delegates; or one complimentary standard room night for every 15 paid room nights; or double Marriott Bonvoy points.

A meeting room setup at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach

In addition, there will also be country-specific offers. For instance, in Singapore, participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts are offering to ‘Double Up’, where any guest, client and event planner are entitled to add on one dditional offer from the main APAC Continent Perks.

The various participating Marriott Bonvoy Hotels in Singapore have also thrown in the additional perk of Local Delights.

For instance, at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, clients will be able to choose a local-themed morning/afternoon coffee break with teh tarik (hot milk tea beverage). Meanwhile, over The Westin Singapore, the package includes runWestin, the brand’s fitness programmes to help delegates stay fit and active.

Ascott expands Citadines brand in Indonesia

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One-bedroom Premier Apartment

The Garcha Group rolls out a new co-living concept

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The Vagabond Club, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

The Garcha Group will be launching MYPOSHPAD on April 1, touted as Singapore’s first all-inclusive luxury co-living boutique hotel experience.

Located in central locations, the luxury boutique hotel portfolio of The Garcha Group includes The Vagabond Club, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel; Duxton Reserve, Autograph Collection; Maxwell Reserve, Autograph Collection (opens 4Q2021); and Serangoon House, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (opens 1Q2022).

Movie sessions at The Vagabond Club, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (pictured), are one of the social sessions members can join

The co-living club experience at these properties start from SG$3,600++ per month with a minimum stay of 30 nights. The cost will be significantly less than the daily room rate, and is targeted at both locally-based working professionals and long-term business travellers.

Members can expect five-star rooms and suites, extensive in-house facilities and daily breakfast, laundry and full housekeeping services, property facilities such as the gym and spa, 24/7 concierge as well as member’s pricing across the group’s 10 dining spots.

When asked about the prospects for the long-term business traveller market, Harpreet Bedi, CEO of The Garcha Group, told TTGmice: “We have seen a decline in the short-term business traveller market but a steady pick up in the long-term business traveller market. This year, with the introduction of vaccinations and talks of creating travel bubbles, we are hopeful that the travel industry will soon bounce back and adapt to a new normal of travelling.”

As business travellers are seeking more ways to travel affordably, Harpreet foresees “an increase in direct bookings and more attention given to additional add-on perks and value-added services”.

Meanwhile for the local clientele, MYPOSHPAD was positioned to appeal to young Singaporeans who plan to move out of their family homes, and want a long-term stay in the heart of the city without worrying about bonds or deposits.

Harpeet added that the social hours and member-exclusive events would also appeal to this segment.

MYPOSHPAD’s social events include complimentary cocktails at Anouska’s, exclusive access to private alcohol lockers at The Whiskey Library; weekly movie nights and rooftop yoga classes. All events currently have limited spots, and are offered on a first-come-first-served basis due to the ongoing pandemic.

In addition, MYPOSHPAD also offers complimentary Marriott Bonvoy membership to all of its residents. The loyalty programme allows members to earn and collect points while unlocking the different status tiers. The lifetime elite status allows MYPOSHPAD members to access benefits across Marriott’s collection of brands in 131 countries without an expiration date.

Thailand shortens quarantine for international visitors

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A passenger

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.

Auckland Convention Bureau makes three new hires

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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 ponders travel bubble with Singapore

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Taiwan has eased its border controls

Inaugural IBTM Asia Pacific postponed again

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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.

Be a Swiss Travel System Expert

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Brought to you by Switzerland Tourism and Swiss Travel System

Welcome aboard!

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.

For further questions, inputs and feedback please write to elearning@swissstravelsystem.com.

View the introduction video below:

TFE names new GMs for two Melbourne properties

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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.

GainingEdge signs strategic partnership with Arena Destination Marketing

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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.

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