Raffles Bali has named Henri Arnulphy as its general manager, who brings nearly 20 years of international hospitality experience to the role.
Arnulphy has held senior leadership positions at resorts across the globe, including Jade Mountain in St Lucia, Constance Moofushi in the Maldives, and Sandy Lane Yacht Club in the Grenadines.
His experience spans resort transformations, new openings, and initiatives focused on sustainability and community engagement – values that align with Raffles Bali’s approach to conscious luxury.
Conrad Bengaluru has appointed Sunil Kumar as director of operations and Ashu Hattar as director of catering & events, marking a step forward in Conrad Bengaluru’s focus on strengthening its leadership capabilities and driving continued growth.
Kumar joins Conrad Bengaluru with over 17 years of experience in luxury hospitality, having started his career with IHCL. Most recently, as director of food & beverage at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, he led strategic initiatives centred on brand repositioning and enhancing the dining experience. At Conrad Bengaluru, he will focus on improving operational cohesion, developing teams, and refining service standards.
From left: Sunil Kumar and Ashu Hattar
Hattar began her career at Hyatt Regency Delhi and has since held leadership positions with brands such as Pullman & Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, W Goa, and Le Meridien Gurgaon.
She most recently served as associate director of sales at The Ritz-Carlton, Bengaluru, where she led the group segment and contributed to key strategic projects.
Neufang: GBTA will actively expanding its presence and initiatives in APAC
While the recent US tariffs may have a slight dampening effect on the global corporate travel market, this very disruption presents a significant opportunity for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to flourish.
“There are five APAC markets – China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia – in the top 15 business travel spending markets, making up a total of US$551.7 billion. Indonesia is also moving up quickly, and I think Singapore may surpass Thailand in the next few years,” Suzanne Neufang, CEO of Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), told TTGmice on the sidelines of the GBTA APAC Conference in Singapore.
Neufang: GBTA will actively expanding its presence and initiatives in APAC; photo by Rachel AJ Lee
She pointed out: “When there’s trade disruptions, there are opportunities for someone else. I think the business travel sector will be looking at enabling new partnerships, with or without the US.”
When asked if there has been a noticeable decline of inbound corporate travel into the US, according to GBTA research, government actions have not deterred most foreign companies from holding meetings in the US. However, 12 per cent of buyers outside the US said their company has cancelled meetings in the US, or have relocated meetings (14 per cent) or events (10 per cent) outside the US.
Neufang explained that the statistics are currently “heavily skewed toward Canadian reluctance”, and based on the recent GBTA’s Convention Supplier Summit in Denver, there has been no change in global attendance, she added. Neufang also expects the situation in US to stabilise soon, given that the FIFA World Cup will be taking place in the country in 2026.
Still, this small shift could be an opening for APAC destinations. “As APAC is a little bit concerned (about the situation), the region can tap onto this uncertainty and benefit from it by attracting more events here,” she explained. It helps that business travel professions are very resilient, as they are used to travelling even during uncertainty and disruptions, she adds.
GBTA is largely optimistic about APAC’s potential, and for the last three years, been the association’s fastest-growing region. Over the past two years, the GBTA office in Singapore has grown to five people, while the annual GBTA APAC Conference, has seen consistent year-on-year growth, and may soon outgrow the Raffles City Convention Centre location.
“We have just established Advisory Boards in India and China, and have done networking events in other APAC destinations like Japan. We also have a fairly large delegation from China this year at the GBTA APAC Conference.
“The conference itself isn’t just for Singapore anymore, but an international event,” Neufang stated.
The exhibition area of the GBTA APAC Conference 2025 in Singapore; photo by Lynette Tey
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has created two new GBTA Advisory Boards in India and China.
Announced during the GBTA APAC Conference 2025 (May 27-28) – held in partnership with the WERC Regional Summit at the Raffles City Convention Centre – these new Advisory Boards bring together regional professionals from leading organisations to provide strategic advisement, industry knowledge, and local market insights as GBTA continues to expand its footprint across Asia Pacific (APAC).
The exhibition area of the GBTA APAC Conference 2025 in Singapore; photo by Lynette Tey
For GBTA India, Ajay Bhatt, group head, corporate services for Godrej Industries Group, will serve as chairperson of the country’s 15-member Advisory Board which includes:
Siva Sankar Ala, director – travel & hospitality, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
Sri Arardhi, co-founder, Fast Collab Systems
Rajan Bahadur, CEO, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council of India
Monica Bhatnagar, assistant project officer, World Bank
Rajan Dua, founder & managing director, Udaan India
Dev Karvat, founder & CEO, Asego
Amarnath Lal Das, India travel lead and global crisis and compliance, Accenture Solutions
Manian SGS, associate director, Mindsprint
Gaurav Shekhar Nagwekar, head travel logistics & corporate service administration, Reliance Industries
Jehangir Press, vice president – strategic accounts management group & commercial director Qmin, Indian Hotel Company
Over in China, the 10-member Advisory Board includes:
Jonathan Kao, managing director, North Asia, BCD Travel
Becky Cao, vice president – sales and marketing, China, Langham Hospitality Group
Michael Du, managing director, CIBT
Lingyun Fan, APAC travel manager, General Motors
Anja Jia, general manager of client success, Trip.Biz
Ibrahim Orhanli, general manager, Eastern China, Turkish Airlines
Liping Si, travel operations lead – APJ, ExxonMobil
Samuel Wang, travel manager, APAC, Adient
Yoyo Wang, regional senior sourcing manager of general service, MGS Commercial APMEA, Mars
Sophie Xu, global procurement – procurement manager, BeiGene
The addition of these boards follows the successful formation of a GBTA Advisory Board in Australia earlier this year. GBTA has also added local staff based in Singapore, Australia and India to better support members and partners, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the APAC region.
“Our mission in APAC is to empower the business travel community through meaningful connections and tailored support and offerings,” said Catherine Logan, GBTA regional senior vice president for EMEA and APAC. “By leveraging the insights of our advisory board members and fostering collaboration, we’re able to address the unique needs of the region, ensuring that APAC remains a dynamic hub for business travel.”
“India and China represent essential and growing markets for business travel with immense potential for innovation,” added Elle Ng-Darmawan, GBTA regional director for APAC. “Our regional initiatives such as our APAC Conference exemplify our commitment to dialogue and partnership in a region that plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry.”
Industry leaders will converge at FutureFWD – Hospitality, Food & Beverage on September 25, 2025, at EQ Kuala Lumpur to address the rapid transformation impacting Asia’s food, beverage, and hospitality sectors.
The conference, part of Informa Markets’ global F&B series and held alongside Food & Hospitality Malaysia (FHM) (September 23-26), will feature keynotes and panels anchored on the content themes of Trends, Technology, and Transformation.
A screenshot from the promotional video
The one-day programme will analyse evolving consumer demands, technological advancements, and shifting market dynamics. There will be sessions on sustainability, tech adoption, changing consumer behaviour, and innovative design.
For example, a headline session, The Great F&B Reset, will feature industry leaders discussing strategies for thriving amid ongoing disruption and navigating Asia’s evolving culinary landscape. There will also be a fireside chat exploring circular innovation and eco-conscious solutions shaping the future of the drinks sector.
A networking event will also connect attendees with over 200 top buyers and distributors.
FutureFWD – Hospitality, Food & Beverage is launched by Informa Markets and delivered by Saladplate has Technomic, The Sustainable Restaurant Association and Food Made Good as event partners.
The Western Sydney Convention Centre (WSCC) at the Panthers Precinct, has announced a new partnership with event technology and creative production company Encore, as its official in-house event production partner.
This collaboration follows WSCC’s recent expansion, which now incorporates the broader Panthers Precinct, offering over 4,000m2 of event space. This enhanced capacity aims to position Western Sydney and Penrith as a premier business and tourism hub in Australia, attracting national and international delegates in anticipation of the Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) opening next year.
WSCC’s Conference Room banquet-style
While the WSCC already boasts a state-of-the-art 1,000-seat capacity, significant upgrades to audiovisual and production equipment have been implemented across select event spaces within the precinct. With Encore’s integration, clients will now have access to seamless technical delivery, unparalleled creative and production resources, and the latest innovations in event technology.
The partnership also promises bespoke production services, curated audiovisual packages, access to the Asia-Pacific region’s largest inventory of LED displays, and AI-powered event technologies, ensuring impactful events. Encore’s team will work closely with WSCC’s event planning and management teams to provide a fully integrated planning and execution process.
The Great Room at Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre
Pro-invests’ three New Zealand hotels – voco Auckland City Centre, Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre, and Holiday Inn Express and Suites Queenstown – have launched exclusive offers for corporate events.
For a limited time, IHG Business Rewards members can enjoy 10 per cent off the master bill, while non-members receive five per cent off on all events booked at the voco and Holiday Inn Express hotels by August 31, 2025, and held by March 30, 2026.
The Great Room at Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre
Event planners looking to maximise their loyalty benefits can take advantage of triple points with IHG Business Rewards plus two bonus Elite Night credits for events booked by June 30, 2025, and held by November 30, 2025.
Located in the city’s cultural and commercial heart, voco Auckland City Centre offers five versatile meeting rooms from an executive boardroom to three flexible spaces with natural light that can be connected for larger functions. Italian-inspired trattoria, Mozzarella & Co. and level 38 spaces including the Waitematā Suite, Wyndham Room, and Bar Albert rooftop bar with open-air terrace caters to cocktail functions and special celebrations, of eight to 73 guests.
Event organisers and guests at voco also enjoy convenient self-parking, all-day dining options, and the ability to combine venues or secure full-floor buyouts for tailored experiences. Event spaces come equipped with free Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art AV equipment, including 65″ LED screens with Chromecast, data integration, and sound bars. Additional amenities include individual stationery for each conference delegate and personalised event signage.
Over at Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre, three light-filled and flexible meeting spaces can accommodate up to 40 people.
Lastly, the two modern and flexible meetings spaces at Holiday Inn Express and Suites Queenstown can cater between four and 60 people. Bathed in natural light with floor to ceiling windows overlooking landscaped gardens, these modern spaces have seamless technology and fast Wi-Fi connectivity.
Go Park Sports, a sprawling 120,770m2 facility opened earlier this year in Sai Sha, offering 10 sports amenities including football, lacrosse, tennis, a golf driving range, a running/cycling track, and pickleball.
Targeting the business events sector, its expansive 8,360m2 outdoor football pitch can be converted into convention and exhibition space for sports, health, and wellness-related events.
Aerial view of Go Park Sports
Go Park Sports also offers customised team-building programmes focused on teamwork and communication. Corporations can also utilise the facility and do buyouts for private events, leveraging its location for nearby island hopping to Three Fathoms Cove, and hiking excursions to Ma On Shan, Lai Chi Chong and Sham Chung. Health and wellness retreats centred around sports and fitness programmes to help promote employee well-being are also a focus.
Adding to its offerings, the adjacent Go Park Aqua launched earlier in May 2025, providing a range of water activities such as stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and wing foiling for all skill levels.
Go Park Sports has partnered with ALVA Hotel and Royal Park Hotel to offer Sportscation Packages. These packages combine accommodation and sports activities for corporate events, and cater to groups of 20 to 100 participants with programme durations ranging from two to four hours.
Host a stylish soiree in the award-winning Majestic at Mayfair Café, which was named Best Café of the Year at the Hospitality New Zealand Business Awards 2024.
The boutique café, located within The Mayfair luxury hotel in Christchurch, New Zealand, serves beautifully-plated all day breakfast and lunch and transforms into an elegant venue for cocktails when the sun sets.
Majestic at Mayfair Café welcomes private dining events
Majestic at Mayfair Café is ideal for networking functions with up to 40 guests. The dining experience will be a highlight, as guests will enjoy dishes featuring locally sourced seasonal produce.
The Mayfair, which was bought over and now managed by Millennium and Copthorne Hotels New Zealand in October 2024, also offers dedicated venues for meetings and events.
The Boardroom on the ground floor welcomes intimate meetings for up to eight guests, and is equipped by a 165cm screen and video conferencing facilities. Up on the first floor stands the Dorset Room, a flexible space for up to 40 guests and is perfect for presentations, planning sessions and conferences. This venue features an abundant natural light, individually controlled air conditioning, and in-built audio-visual technology.
Radisson Hotel Group will open Radisson Blu Hotel, Shanghai Stadium, a new addition to its upper-upscale brand in the city. Located in Xujiahui Sports Park, a key hub for sports and cultural activities, the hotel is positioned to serve event attendees, sports fans, business travellers, and tourists alike.
The hotel occupies floors six to 12 of Shanghai Stadium and offers 208 rooms and suites ranging from 38m² to 200m². Guests can choose between stadium-facing rooms with direct views of live events or park-facing rooms overlooking the greenery of Xujiahui Sports Park.
Radisson Blu opens at Shanghai Stadium, offering views of live events and direct access to Xujiahui Sports Park
The property includes nearly 1,000m² of meeting and event space, including a 445m² ballroom and six flexible meeting rooms.
Dining options include 94 Kitchen, which offers international cuisine and local Shanghai flavours; Jiu·Li, which combines Huaiyang and Cantonese styles; and Jiu·Bar, a casual space with cocktails, wine, snacks, and a large LED screen. A Lobby Lounge and an Executive Lounge with a private meeting room are also available for guests.
Facilities include a fitness centre, multifunctional training areas, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, and a 25-metre transparent temperature-controlled swimming pool.
James Wang, vice president of Jin Jiang Radisson Hotels, said: “In cooperation with JUSS Sports, we are blending Radisson Blu’s signature hospitality with the city’s dynamic sports culture to curate an exceptional experience for global business travellers, event participants, and wellness-focused guests.”
Davide Pesenato, general manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Shanghai Stadium, added: “From thoughtfully designed spaces and premier facilities to outstanding services, the hotel is committed to bringing a personalised and local experience for guests to create unforgettable memories at events, business meetings or cultural activities.”
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.
His experience spans resort transformations, new openings, and initiatives focused on sustainability and community engagement – values that align with Raffles Bali’s approach to conscious luxury.
