Hyatt and BTG Homeinns Hotels Group, which entered into a strategic joint venture in February, have unveiled a new hospitality brand targeting China’s growing but underserved upper-midscale segment.
Developed as an entirely homegrown brand, UrCove (pronounced as “your cove”) will be built specifically to meet Chinese travellers’ preferences. According to both partners, the brand is also envisioned to cater to China’s swelling ranks of ‘road warriors’, as business travellers in the country currently sees limited opportunities to experience comfortable travel especially at the upper-midscale segment.
UrCove will cater to the upper-midscale segment of frequent business travellers
“Given China’s growing economic importance and the phenomenal growth of its middle-class segment, the UrCove brand strengthens our representation in the underserved upper-midscale segment, and we believe that this locally developed brand will advance our commitment to this important market,” said Stephen Ho, president of Greater China, global operations, Hyatt.
“We are one step closer to fulfilling our commitment to elevate the business travel experience of the growing upper-midscale segment,” said David Sun, general manager of BTG Homeinns Hotels Group, chairman & CEO of Homeinns Hotel Group.
UrCove hotels will be located in highly accessible locations in gateway cities, offering functional business space, practical amenities and extensive F&B options. The first two UrCove hotels are expected to open in Shanghai and Beijing by late 2020.
Corporate travel can be a complex industry. Managing traveller preferences, as well as duty of care obligations, can be an arduous task for companies, which is where travel management companies (TMCs) can add value.
Many business travellers acknowledge that efficient booking processes and easy-to-use tools for communicating with their employers while travelling, are assets that support seamless and productive business journeys. The corporate travel world has transformed in recent years, and technology is expected to play as much of a part in the experience as it does in leisure travel, however I believe we’re still only starting to scratch the surface of where this will take us.
Because of the complexities of the corporate travel industry, it’s been a constant challenge for innovations in technology to keep pace with the leisure sector.
In our 2018 Traveller 360° research report we found that 74% of business travellers said their company had an online system or app for booking travel, with 65% reporting this as being easy to use. The changing needs of the business traveller present an opportunity for TMCs in meeting these needs and expectations throughout their journey, driving innovation.
As well as expectations of a consumer-grade experience when using their corporate Online Booking Tool (OBT), business travellers want mobile access to manage their travel. The level of smartphone adoption in Asia-Pacific is fast dictating the need for travel companies to provide advanced mobile capabilities. We identified this need and are now providing real-time live chat functionality, via the Amex GBT Mobile TM app. This enables travellers to pick up and continue a chat conversation even if they close their app to attend to a call or a meeting.
Technology is hugely important when it comes to travel disruptions. One-in-five travellers reported rescheduling or postponing a business trip due to travel safety concerns and in these instances technology such as live chat can offer immediate support and reassurance.
A 2018 GlobalData report listed the six technology trends for the travel industry as Augmented and Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things, Voice Technology, Wi-Fi connectivity and wearable devices.
AI is particularly interesting as a driver in the evolution of business travel as it is increasingly enabling more personalised services for travellers. While AI is in early stages, we are already using it for trip recommendations in our proprietary online booking tool Neo. This tool analyses travellers’ previous behaviour, also taking into account both patterns of similar travellers and company policy, to make predictive recommendations when our travellers are booking online. TMCs need to continue to invest in this technology until we reach a true point of seamless automation.
AI can help to minimise laborious manual processes, for instance through our Hotel Re-Shop Expert and Air Re-Shop Expert technology, we can automate the constant monitoring of air fares and hotel rates following a booking and trigger a rebooking when a like-for-like booking becomes available at a lower rate or fare.
As the corporate travel industry continues down the path of digitisation, the most important thing is for companies to listen to traveller feedback on what they need to reduce the stress of the business journey. In our 2018 traveller survey, the top words used by many business travellers coming home from a trip were “relief” to be home and “exhausted”. We strive to help travellers be present both physically and mentally so they achieve more optimal business results.
Joanne Sully is the vice-president & regional general manager, Australia, New Zealand & Southeast Asia, of American Express GBT. She is responsible for developing strategies for Australia and South-east Asia, and is leading efforts to drive business growth and performance while managing the Australia and South-east Asia GBT team, encompassing approximately 500 people.
Airport lounge operator marhaba (part of air services provider dnata) has expanded its global network with the opening of a new outpost in Singapore.
Located at Changi Airport Terminal 3, the newest marhaba lounge features seating for over 130 guests, a quiet zone for relaxation, and shower facilities. It is open 24/7 and offers others amenities such as Wi-Fi and all-day dining. The lounge is supported by 40 staff, who speak a total of six languages.
Passengers who wish to use the lounge can make online bookings at marhabaservices.com from S$55 (US$41), or gain access via one of the lounge loyalty card programmes.
In addition to the Changi Airport opening, marhaba also has 11 other departure airport lounges in five countries, the UAE, Singapore, Pakistan, Australia and Switzerland (lounges in Switzerland operate under the dnata brand).
Christina Cheng has been appointed general manager of Hotel Alexandra, a 840-room property scheduled to open in early 2020 in Hong Kong’s North Point waterfront.
Cheng boasts an extensive career within a number of luxury hospitality brands in Asia including The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, Mandarin Oriental Macau, as well as a broad 15 years at the flagship property Harbour Grand Kowloon of Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts from the pre-opening stages and beyond, championing key roles within sales and marketing.
With more than 30 years of professional experience in the hospitality space, Cheng was most recently general manager of Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees, having led the hotel since its pre-opening phase in 2009 and the decade thereafter.
Events with a view at Sunway Pyramind Convention Centre
With the arrival of new infrastructure, combined with the Selangor state government’s efforts to attract more international business events – in partnership with Tourism Selangor – over the past couple of years, Selangor is now making a name for itself.
Abdul Rashid Asari, Selangor state government chairman of standing committees for cultural and tourism, Malay tradition and heritage, shared: “The state government of Selangor started to seriously look at business events in 2015, a year after the national general election, when the opposition party won the mandate to run the state.”
Events with a view at Sunway Pyramind Convention Centre
He added that promotions of Selangor’s business events offerings have continued this year, with active participation at international travel trade events such as ASEAN Tourism Forum, ITB Berlin and China International Travel Mart.
“We are also actively promoting new products and activities outside of main cities such as visits to Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA; a boat ride to Sky Mirror in Kuala Selangor; or a drive down to visit agro-tourism products in Sekinchan. We have been encouraging inbound agents to include these products in their itineraries for pre- and post-tours,” said Abdul.
The state government is also supporting inbound agents and business events organisers by providing partial sponsorship for cultural shows and gala dinners, he added.
Francis Teo, head, convention centre for Setia City Convention Centre said Selangor is ready to take the next step to further the development of the business events industry. That next step is to create a state convention bureau that would attract more foreign and local business events, and also act as a catalyst for socio-economic growth to help the country develop into a creative and knowledge society.
“The state government has to act immediately so that Selangor is not behind other states that already have a bureau, or are looking at setting up one,” Teo said.
He said the expansion of Selangor’s event space from 3,102m² to 9,115m² with the opening of a new column-free hall in November 2016 gives the Centre more capacity to cater to larger-scale business events of up to 8,000 attendees.
And while Setia City Convention Centre a has a strong base of domestic and national meetings, exhibitions and events, the centre hopes to attract more business events from the Asia-Pacific region in the future.
Teo also revealed that Setia City Convention Centre is promoting the venue as an alternative destination to Kuala Lumpur for national and foreign events hailing from Asia-Pacific.
Its close proximity to nature, as well as cultural and heritage attractions in Klang, Kuala Selangor and Sekinchan, makes the state perfect for event planners looking to organise off-site dinners, as well as pre- and post-tour activities.
Better infrastructure will also contribute to the growth of Selangor’s business events sector.
For instance, two new hotels will be opening later this year. Wyndham Acmar Klang is scheduled to open in 3Q2019 with 488 keys, and is a 15-minute drive from the Setia City Convention Centre, while Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam will open adjacent to the Centre in 4Q2020 with 425 rooms.
In addition, stalwart Sunway Hotels & Resorts has also recently refurbished its meeting and function spaces at its Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, and Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre.
Wilfred Yeo, senior group general manager at Sunway Hotels & Resorts, said: “We have ramped up our business events outreach efforts.
“We are focused on getting business events from near home markets such as Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia, while enhancing our footprint and market visibility in Greater China, Taiwan, Japan, India, Australia and the Middle East. We’re targeting not just the primary cities but also secondary destinations and Tier 3 cities.”
Yeo said the group also works closely with Sunway City business units such as Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway University, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park and Sunway Pyramid Mall to encourage delegates to extend their stay with pre- and post-activities.
Arokia Das, director, Luxury Tours Malaysia, said: “Repeat visitors to Malaysia who have already been to Kuala Lumpur are looking for new destinations.
“Selangor stands out because the main gateways, KL International Airport and klia2 are there, and with its good highways and roads, it is easy to get to venues. The local and international MICE properties also provide good facilities and services, comparable to accommodation in the capital, but at better rates.”
Arokia noted that just five years ago, it was difficult to promote Selangor to event organisers and travel partners abroad because of the “lack of awareness of the destination”.
During that time, Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur, was promoted as it was better suited to handle large business events. However, the situation has changed.
“Now, we not only actively promote Selangor for business events, we also encourage delegates to extend their stay with their families by providing value-for-money pre- and post-tour options,” said Arokia, adding that for the South-east Asian market, shopping-based events coupled with a sprinkling of nature activities are popular.
The ultimate event venue could be on the water. The newly launched YOT Club is the world’s first custom built Super Yacht Entertainment space designed as a luxurious experience for up to 400 guests in the Gold Coast or Brisbane.
Facilities include an eight-meter wide multi-function stage with a state-of-the-art sound system and special effects lighting. There’s also an LED screen available on request and a fully customisable seating floor plan.
Spread across two levels, each floor has a full service cocktail bar. A commercial kitchen onboard ensures top notch nosh even for elaborate banquets for 200 guests.
YOT Club also has an exclusive VIP Green Room decked in green and gold located inside the forward centre hull and only accessible through a secure private entrance. As the ultimate private oasis, it can service up to 20 guests with a bespoke cocktail bar and specially designed menu.
While most of the yacht is undercover, guests can venture into the outer deck seating, almost close enough to touch the water, or enjoy 360-degree panoramic views from the top level.
Gourmet dining is also a highlight with chefs preparing fresh creations that can be as relaxed or formal as required.
Chris Dexter has been appointed vice president, operations for South-east Asia and Pacific Rim by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
The British national will lead the operations team from Wyndham’s regional head office in Singapore.
Dexter has been with Wyndham in China for the last 11 years, initially as general manager of Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Hangzhou, before being promoted to vice president of operations for Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Hotels & Resorts in Greater China, where he oversaw the operational responsibilities for 17 properties.
Dexter first embarked on his hospitality career in 1991 as F&B manager at the InterContinental Lusaka in Zambia. Other positions he has held include F&B director for Dusit Thani Bangkok; director of operations at Hilton opening properties in Chongqing and Phuket; and director of operations for the Leeds Marriott Hotel in the UK.
Christian Dolenc has been named general manager of Mandarin Oriental, Macau, following his most recent role as hotel manager of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.
A native German national, Dolenc’s hospitality career began after receiving his diploma in hotel and catering business in 2001, as he underwent a range of placements in the UK, Switzerland and Germany.
Dolenc was appointed assistant front office manager at The Peninsula, Hong Kong in 2008 and in 2010, joined Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong as front office manager. In 2012, he transferred to Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta to take on the role of director of rooms before relocating back to Hong Kong as hotel manager of The Excelsior, Hong Kong in 2016.
IBTM China 2018 was held at Beijing's China National Convention Center. Photo credit: IBTM Events Facebook
IBTM, part of Reed Travel Exhibitions, is now the latest entrant into the Asia-Pacific region with a dedicated business events tradeshow.
This announcement follows on the heels of Messe Berlin’s reveal of its inaugural MICE Show Asia 2019, scheduled for debut this October 16-18.
IBTM China 2018 was held at Beijing’s China National Convention Center. Photo credit: IBTM Events Facebook
IBTM Asia Pacific will take place from April 6-8, 2020, in Singapore, at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. It will bring together international, regional and local meeting planners and exhibitors for two days of pre-scheduled business meetings, education and networking.
Shane Hannam, portfolio director, IBTM, said in a statement that the company is drawn to the region’s strong business events industry, which “is expected to see the highest growth rate in the world to reach US$441.1 billion by 2025”.
Hannam added that IBTM Asia Pacific will allow the company to focus its IBTM China event on connecting Chinese buyers with international exhibitors and international buyers to do business.
IBTM Asia Pacific will be helmed by event manager Michael Jones, who has been with Reed Exhibitions for almost six years. The marketing and Hosted Buyer programme will be managed by the existing team based in Richmond, London, supported by Reed Exhibition’s teams in Singapore and Japan.
Other prominent business events tradeshows in Asia-Pacific include IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific, taking place in Bangkok every September; IT&CM China and CTW China, held in Shanghai every March; IBTM China in Beijing every August; and AIME in Melbourne every February.
ICCA’s 2018 Statistics Report has identified Barcelona and the US as the top performing city and country, respectively, in terms of association meeting attendance.
In 2018, Barcelona becomes the number one city by estimated total number of participants (134,838), despite the fact that the Spanish city hosted 49 events less than Paris, the number one city by number of meetings.
Barcelona (pictured) is the top city in ICCA’s rankings
The study concluded that Barcelona hosted fewer but larger events. Paris and Vienna, respectively first and second in the ranking by number of meetings, take second and third position.
As for country rankings, the US holds pole position with an estimated total of 384,035 participants hosted in 2018. Spain, Germany, France and Canada takes up the remaining top five positions.
Asian presence on ICCA’s top 10 countries chart is provided by Japan at eighth spot and China at 10th, while the top 10 cities chart sees Singapore at the last position.
Along with the ranking of host destinations, the ICCA report also looked at the 55-year growth of the international association meetings market. It found that the exponential growth trend seen in the market has slowly matured while retaining “solid” growth patterns between 2013 and 2017.
The association meetings sector continues to diversify, in terms of terms of regional rotation area and regional popularity for hosting business events. Europe remains by far the most popular region for association meetings, but Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are rapidly expanding their share of the market.
Medical Science (16.9 per cent), Technology (14.2 per cent) and Science (13.5 per cent) are the three most popular international association meeting topics. September remains the most popular month for organising international association meetings.
In another strong indication of healthy market growth, the average total expenditure at all international meetings in the ICCA Association Database has increased by a promising four per cent in 2018, from €10.6 billion (US$11.9 billion) in 2017 to over €11 billion in 2018.
Senthil Gopinath, ICCA CEO, said: “Our industry is facing challenges from saturation, consolidation and new entrants, to erosion of traditional business models and fragmentation. There are also great opportunities, including market growth, disruptive innovation, digitisation, new players, less market barriers, new audiences and new scalable models. Alongside all these developments, the number of events is continuing to grow exponentially.”
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.
Joanne Sully is the vice-president & regional general manager, Australia, New Zealand & Southeast Asia, of American Express GBT. She is responsible for developing strategies for Australia and South-east Asia, and is leading efforts to drive business growth and performance while managing the Australia and South-east Asia GBT team, encompassing approximately 500 people.
