Asia/Singapore Tuesday, 7th April 2026
Page 52

Camfood & Camhotel 2025 to boost Cambodia’s tourism economy

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The event celebrates national culinary pride while serving as a driver for tourism and economic growth

Cambodia’s food, beverage, and hospitality show, Camfood & Camhotel 2025, is set to take place from October 22 to 24 at the Diamond Island Exhibition and Convention Centre in Phnom Penh. .

Organised by Informa Markets with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Commerce, the exhibition will bring together over 250 local and international exhibitors. It is expected to attract more than 6,000 trade professionals, making it the largest B2B platform of its kind in Cambodia.

The event celebrates national culinary pride while serving as a driver for tourism and economic growth

The exhibition aims to meet the rising demand in Cambodia’s tourism sector, which is projected to surpass six million international visitors by 2025.

The event will feature several components designed to support professional development and celebrate local culture. This includes a Seminar Series hosted by the Cambodia Chefs Association; the Heritage on a Plate programme to showcase traditional Cambodian cuisine; a barista craft championship; and a wine service competition and cocktail demo.

There will also be a Tourism Career Fair to connect job seekers with industry leaders.

Park Hyatt Auckland names new DOSM

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Park Hyatt Auckland has appointed Lisa Breckon as director of sales and marketing.

She has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and was most recently director of sales and marketing at CPG Hotels, where she managed the sales and marketing function across 10 properties and oversaw the launch of the Fable Hotels & Resorts brand in New Zealand.

Her expertise includes sales strategy, digital marketing, brand development and revenue optimisation. She also has experience in building teams and client relationships.

Global ambitions

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Bahrain recently hosted the ICCA Middle East Summit. How did you ensure that the event was a success
Hosting the ICCA Middle East Summit 2025 in Bahrain (September 1-2, 2025) underscored our commitment to positioning the Kingdom as a leading hub for global business events and knowledge exchange.

This summit not only highlighted Bahrain’s growing competitiveness in the global MICE sector but also reflects our ambition to embrace innovation, foster collaboration and drive the future of tourism and business events in the region.

The ICCA Middle East Summit brought together the most influential association leaders, giving them firsthand experience of Bahrain’s capabilities.

Our expectation is two-fold: to position Bahrain on the international stage as a dynamic host for major international events, and to give our local industry stakeholders a platform to connect with global peers.

We worked closely with ICCA to design content-rich programmes, seamless logistics and cultural experiences that showcase the very best of Bahrain. The summit’s focus on AI cannot be timelier. AI is reshaping how we connect with the audience, how we tell our stories and how we create experiences that truly resonate with travellers.

How is Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) helping to project Bahrain as a leading international MICE destination?
EWB is our flagship venue and one of the most advanced exhibition and convention centres in the Middle East. It is a symbol of Bahrain’s ambition to lead the region’s MICE industry. It combines state-of-the-art facilities with our strengths – easy access, a welcoming environment and a culture of hospitality which helps us to deliver an experience that stands out in the region.

We have been actively promoting our business tourism sector globally, focusing on events such as internationally acclaimed congresses, association summits and UN-oriented conventions including the 9th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in 2024, which is the world’s largest gastronomy tourism event. Thanks to EWB, today we have a beautiful venue which can host both smaller events as well as big large-scale conferences and congresses.

Which are the key industry verticals that you are focusing on to attract international association events
As we are looking to diversify our economy, industry segments like healthcare, fintech, manufacturing, education and technology are our focus areas to drive association meetings to Bahrain.

These align closely with our national development priorities, creating opportunities for meaningful legacy outcomes beyond the event itself. In terms of source markets, we are attracting strong interest from Europe, Asia and the wider world, leveraging Bahrain’s strategic position as a gateway between East and West. We also actively engage with international bodies such as ICCA, UFI and AIPCO to raise Bahrain’s profile within the global association community.

Can you explain the role of the business events sector in attracting international visitors to Bahrain?
The MICE sector is one of the most resilient and high-value segments of our Tourism Strategy (2022-2026). Business travellers stay longer, spend more and often extend their visits for leisure, which we can call the “Bleisure effect”.

While exact figures vary year to year, MICE visitors account for an increasing share of inbound arrivals with association meetings contributing significantly because they attract international delegates from multiple markets at once. This aligns perfectly with our tourism strategy to diversify visitor segments and drive year-round arrivals.

Which are the key international markets you are looking to tap onto, and what is your strategy to reach out to these markets?
We are seeking to attract international events from Europe, Asia and Africa. Delegates from emerging markets such as China, India and South-east Asia are being increasingly targeted due to Bahrain’s strategic position as a gateway to the broader Arab Gulf region. Our outreach includes participation in global trade shows, hosting fam trips and building strong partnerships with international associations.

Last year, we witnessed new travel and tourism horizons between Bahrain and China as Gulf Air – the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain – commenced scheduled flights to two prominent Chinese destinations including Shanghai and Guangzhou.

As such, BTEA has signed agreements with some of the largest travel and tour operators in China to develop special tourism packages for Chinese tourists coming to Bahrain. BTEA also initiated a promotional roadshow in Shanghai and Guangzhou which involved prominent travel, DMCs, aviation and hotel stakeholders.

We have recently launched an incentive programme to attract major international organisers and associations. This incentive programme is flexible and designed to accommodate different types of events. It follows two forms of incentive built on a full or partial exemption from venue hire fees.

Any other future plans?
Looking ahead, our focus will be on sustainability, technology integration and legacy outcomes. We want every event hosted in Bahrain to be remembered not just for its success on site but also for the long-term value it creates for both the organisers and the Kingdom.

A golden state of mind

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QT Gold Coast
For one of the lunches during This Is Gold Coast 2025, the QT Gold Coast team took over Malibu, Malibu Terrace (with barbecue space), and the al fresco qtQT Rooftop which consists of The Firepit, The Lawn and The Landing.

The Malibu and Malibu Terrace are perfect for intimate gatherings, with a wood-fired oven and Argentinian grill creating a laid-back barbecue vibe, and can accommodate up to 60 seated or 100 for a cocktail event. The adjoining qtQT Rooftop offers breezy ocean views, suitable for up to 100 guests on The Landing, or up to 300 guests across The Firepit, The Lawn, and The Landing. There are also six qtQT Cabins on this level, where all six can be booked out for exclusive use of The Firepit and The Lawn.

Aside from the outdoor spaces, QT Gold Coast’s many indoor spaces range from the Longboard room which can hold 10 people for an intimate meeting, right up to the QT Ballroom, great for 344 guests in a gala dinner set-up.

Miami Marketta
Housed in a converted mechanics warehouse on the Gold Coast, Miami Marketta is an eclectic venue for events ranging from a minimum of 100 guests to grand gatherings of 1,000.

For corporate dinners, the venue features a weatherproof outdoor laneway featuring colourful large-scale murals by local artists. This unapologetically-creative space can host up to 350 guests for a seated dinner or up to 1,000 for a cocktail-style event. Miami Marketta can also be sectioned off into smaller, private areas like the Mona Lisa’s Lair Champagne Bar or The Gin Parlour.

The venue is also entering a new chapter with a bold new expansion. Due for completion mid-2026 and adjoining the original Marketta site, the new space has been purposed-designed. There will be a lower-level stage and floor, usable mezzanine, and can hold 370 seated or 1,200 standing.

The Island Gold Coast
This beachside, boutique hotel with 78 keys offers six stunning event spaces, and facilities such as on-site restaurants and outdoor pool and spa.

The Island Penthouse occupies the entire top floor, providing expansive views of Surfers Paradise Beach and the Hinterland, and can host up to 144 seated guests or 350 for a cocktail reception. For larger events, the ground-level Island Glasshouse is a versatile and picturesque venue with glass panel walls and sky-high ceilings that can accommodate 350 seated guests or 780 for a cocktail event.

Additionally, the open-air Island Rooftop bar offers a unique space for up to 500 guests, while the sunlit Pool Deck is perfect for al fresco gatherings. The hotel also features Dukes Parlour, a chic and opulent cocktail lounge that can host up to 350.

Horizon Sky Dining
Situated on the 26th floor of Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, Horizon Sky Dining is Queensland’s only revolving restaurant. Seating up to 128 and gliding through a full 360-degree turn in under an hour, guests can enjoy sweeping Gold Coast skyline views while enjoying a locally-inspired buffet stocked with fresh oysters, prawns, seasonal hot and cold dishes, and an array of sweet treats.

Other meeting spaces on-site include the Grand Ballroom, which can hold up to 500 theatre-style, as well as several other smaller spaces like the Phoenix Room, which can hold up to 120 theatre-style.

Kirra Beach House
The two-storey Kirra Beach House is an expansive 1,200m2 space situated beachside with panoramic ocean views. The venue offers multiple event indoor and outdoor spaces such as the Coastal Room, Preston’s Bar, and ocean-facing cabanas. For exclusive-use, the venue can hold a maximum of 850 guests cocktail-style.

Day delegate packages are available, and includes room hire, catering, and audiovisual equipment. For presentations and product launches, the Coastal Room – which can hold up to 112 guests seated – comes equipped with advanced AV technology, including a 180-inch screen and HD projector.

Burleigh Pavilion
Burleigh Pavilion, located at Burleigh Headland, is an iconic venue on the Gold Coast with stunning ocean views and a city skyline backdrop for events. With an experienced events team to assist in planning, planners can choose from various event spaces.

For example, The Tropic restaurant, can ideally accommodate up to 150 seated guests or 200 for a cocktail event. The Burleigh Pavilion, architecturally designed with a nostalgic nod to the 1970s, can host events up to a maximum of 600 across its large indoor space, two bars, an open kitchen, and outdoor Beach Bar.

Corporate groups can enjoy delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes prepared by the award-winning executive chef, with options including canapés, a seated feasting menu, and food stations.

MBS’ Autumn Showcase unveils immersive, interactive event concepts

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On September 8, 2025, Marina Bay Sands (MBS) revealed the newest immersive experiences and innovative culinary concepts at its Autumn Showcase, held at its Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

Among the latest offerings are a precinct trail, and the metaverse. The new Marina Bay Civic Immersion Trail was exclusively created for MBS, and takes delegates on a walk around the precinct, visiting landmarks such as Raffles’ Landing Site, The Arts House, National Gallery Singapore, and Queen Elizabeth Walk. It is tailored for C-suite level delegates, who will learn about the history of Singapore and its founding fathers’ capable leadership, picking up skills for their businesses.

Meanwhile, the pilot metaverse was created in collaboration with The Doodle People. Once in the metaverse, delegates appear as avatars and explore spaces inspired by Marina Bay Sands. They can use the chat function to arrange to meet at the SkyPark, paddle along the canal at The Shoppes, or meet at lounge areas at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. A gamification element has also been built into the metaverse, where delegates can collect digital badges.

When asked if the metaverse product is still relevant with face-to-face events back in full force, Ong Wee Min, vice president of sales & MICE, MBS, told TTGmice: “While clients have fully resumed in-person events these days, we want to be proactive and ensure there are omnichannel platforms available, so that clients will always have the best of both worlds.”

The Autumn Showcase also saw clients experiencing imaginative dining ideas such as picking their own canapes that were suspended from balloons, and grazing at a conveyor belt dessert station.

Ong shared: “Clients are looking for engaging and interactive experiences, beyond typical conferences or expos. The onus is on us, as a venue, to constantly review our existing products and refresh them, so that we can continue to offer clients one-of-a-kind experiences.”

Looking ahead, Ong shared that Marina Bay Sands has a “vibrant” events calendar for the next year, with returning shows like Art SG and TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference, alongside new events such as Passenger Terminal Expo Asia debuting.

First held in 2023, the Autumn Showcase is an annual by-invite-only event, where MBS’ top 500 clients are given a preview of the venue’s newest experiences and products, which can be incorporated into their events. Last year, MBS launched Thrive, a mental and physical wellness programme, as well as showcased celebrity chef restaurant canapes and local hawker flavours.

Sasha Tyas joins Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas as GM

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Minor Hotels has appointed Sasha Tyas as general manager of Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.

Tyas has more than 25 years of international experience in luxury hospitality, with leadership roles in Portugal, Brazil, the Caribbean, the Seychelles and the Maldives.

She was previously general manager of the 224-suite Ilma yacht with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, sailing in Europe and the Caribbean.

Kuching to host first-ever Malaysian World Veterinary Poultry Congress 2025

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The World Veterinary Poultry Association Malaysia aims to make a positive impact on the poultry industry through the exchange of knowledge

Kuching has been named as the host city for the 23rd World Veterinary Poultry Association Congress (WVPAC 2025), marking the first time the global event will be held in Malaysia.

The congress, with the theme Sustainable Healthy Poultry for a Healthier World, is scheduled to take place from October 6 to 10, 2025, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

The World Veterinary Poultry Association Malaysia aims to make a positive impact on the poultry industry through the exchange of knowledge

The event will bring together over 1,500 delegates from more than 50 countries, including 19 leading international speakers, and generate a total economic impact of over RM9.8 million (US$2.3 million) for Sarawak.

WVPAC 2025 will serve as a key platform for sharing cutting-edge research and best practices to strengthen the resilience of global poultry production. In addition to the conference, an exhibition will showcase the latest innovations and services in poultry health and production.

However, officials emphasised that the true legacy of the congress will be the knowledge exchange and partnerships it fosters.

“Sarawak is determined to become more self-reliant and competitive in food supply,” said Stephen Rundi Anak Utom, minister for food industry, commodity and regional development Sarawak. “WVPAC 2025 will facilitate the exchange of ideas and the advancement of a more resilient food system for future generations.”

“WVPAC 2025 is an opportunity to build local capacity in veterinary poultry medicine and contribute towards sustainable food systems and improved poultry health management,” added Adrian Susin Ambud, director general, Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak. “Animal health plays a key role in a robust system, so we gladly extend our support to WVPA Malaysia’s mission in making a positive contribution.”

The congress is a collaborative effort organised by the World Veterinary Poultry Association Malaysia, with support from partners including the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak, the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak, and Business Events Sarawak.

Marlborough’s wine industry to ferment growth with major conference win

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Yealands Estate Winery in the Marlborough region

Marlborough has been selected to host the Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027 Conference, a move that is expected to bring more than 400 delegates and an economic boost of over NZ$900,000 (US$534,339) to the region.

his will mark the third time Marlborough has hosted the conference, with previous events held in 2016 and 2019.

Yealands Estate Winery in the Marlborough region

The successful bid was a collaboration between Wine Marlborough, Business Events Marlborough, and Tourism New Zealand Business Events. The announcement coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first Sauvignon Blanc planting in the region in 1975.

Natalie Christensen, chair of the Sauvignon 2027 organising committee, noted that the decision to return to Marlborough was unanimous, citing the region’s strong support.

With Marlborough producing around 82 per cent of New Zealand’s wine volume, local officials see the conference as a key opportunity to showcase the region’s impact on the global wine industry.

Nadine Taylor, mayor of Marlborough, highlighted the event as a chance to demonstrate the innovation and sustainability of the local wine sector, while Tracey Green, general manager of Destination Marlborough, emphasised the unique experience awaiting delegates.

The wine industry is a cornerstone of the Marlborough economy, contributing 20 per cent of the region’s GDP and supporting one in five jobs. It accounts for more than NZ$1.8 billion of New Zealand’s total NZ$2.1 billion in wine export earnings.

Yotel appoints new CEO

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Yotel has named Phil Andreopoulos as its CEO. He joins Yotel from Marriott International, where he held senior leadership positions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Andreopoulos was most recently chief commercial officer for EMEA at Marriott International, responsible for brand management, marketing, e-commerce, sales, reservations, revenue management, loyalty, communications and consumer insights across 78 countries and all Marriott brands.

TTG Conversations: Five Questions with Amitava Lahiri, BCD Travel

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BCD Travel’s latest survey of business travellers worldwide to understand their accommodation preferences, booking behaviour and experiences during business trips has found gaps in hotel loyalty, hesitation in mixing business trips with leisure and involving companions as well as sustainability blind spots in Asia-Pacific.

In this episode of TTG Conversations: Five Questions video news series, Amitava Lahiri, director, programme management – Asia-Pacific at BCD Travel explains the reasons behind these travel behaviours and what it means for corporate travel managers and suppliers.

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