Asia/Singapore Saturday, 11th April 2026
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GBA developments get Guangzhou MICE players upbeat about 2020 business

By Prudence Lui
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Guangzhou

Business event players in Guangzhou – part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) – are spirited about 2020 prospects as Terminal 2 of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport opens, making the lucrative Chinese city even more accessible to international investors and businesses.

Recent accessibility improvements for Guangzhou include the High Speed Rail Hongkong-Guangzhou South section which opened in 2018 and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Guangzhou has been reaping the benefits since the formation of the GBA

Hongkong-based Pacific World Meetings & Events Hong Kong, which has seen stronger client interest in GBA, is now looking to intensify its presence in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Business development manager, Dwirt J Ang, said: “The increased visibility of the region (GBA) has brought about more opportunities.”

The soon-to-open Rosewood Guangzhou will be positioned for business travellers, especially those arriving for conventions and incentive tours.

A hotel spokesperson said: “The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will inject new energy into Guangdong’s economy. City investments will continue to be positive due to government backing, infrastructural support and regional economic development. Guangzhou will provide more future opportunities for sectors including financial services, capital markets and technology. The convenient access to major transport hubs – for example, the airport and high-speed train station are just 45 minutes away – will bring more transient (business travellers) and meeting, conference, exhibition and trade events.

“The visa exemption policy for foreign travellers will also encourage greater participation in trade fairs.”

Rosewood Guangzhou is expected to stand out for event planners as it is “the only hotel in the city with elevated outdoor spaces as well as terraces offered as unique event venues”, said the spokesperson.

Agreeing that GBA’s attractive business environment is a bigger draw than the ease of access, Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou’s director of sales and marketing, Anthony Yeung, has also expressed strong business confidence for 2020.

Yeung expects to see more business chamber events and corporate meetings booking into his hotel in the coming year.

To attract clients, Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou will be launching at the end of this year meeting packages with a wellness theme.

“It’s trendy, and we can combine fitness, wellness cuisine and spa with customised services to generate more business,” he added.

Chimelong Group, which operates theme parks and attractions in Guangzhou’s Panyu and Zhuhai’s Henqin, is expecting a double-digit percentage growth in its MICE business for 4Q2019 over 4Q2018.

The company launched its first self-directed official drama show this summer while its second aquarium, Marine Science Park and Marine Science Hotel at Ocean Kingdom, is slated to open between 4Q2019 and 1Q2020.

South Jeolla Province aspires to be a retreat-style MICE destination

By TTGmice
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South Korea’s South Jeolla Province (Jeollanam-do) has identified five locations that best reflect the destination’s natural resources and wellness attractions as part of plans to transform into a retreat-style destination for small- and medium-sized business events.

A regional MICE brand has been conceptualised around the theme, Creating Business through Rest, Relaxation and Recharging of Mind.

The selected locations are Mokpo International Football Center, Gwangyang Baegunsan Recreational Forest, Gokseong Gangbit Village & Shim Cheong Hanok Village, Boseong Jeamsan Recreational Forest, and Glory International Retreat Center.

The province also plans to expand its events infrastructure, and develop and operate new experiences for corporate groups.

Kim Myung-Sin, director of tourism of Jeollanam-do, noted that growing interest in small- and medium-sized cities as well as the rise in bleisure travel purposes are bringing opportunities for Jeolla Province to establish herself in the business events industry.

“We will establish Jeollanam-do as a representative MICE tourism city by nurturing our province’s unique offerings,” remarked Kim.

Located in the south-west corner of the Korean peninsula, South Jeolla Province is rich in natural landscapes including mountains, coastal areas, and islands. Not frequented often by tourists, the province boasts an off-the-beaten track charm and a slower pace from the cities, with several cities in the province recognised as slow cities. The city of Gwangju, located within the province, is home to one of Korea’s main convention centres, Kimdaejung Convention Center.

Partnership, unique experiences part of RuMa’s MICE action plan

By S Puvaneswary
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Janny Yeow, Director of Sales and Marketing, The RuMa Hotel and Residences

The new RuMa Hotel and Residences in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is leveraging its membership with Leading Hotels of The World to gain greater visibility in the global MICE space and developing destination-specific experiences for corporate groups – both part of its strategy to attract more corporate meetings and incentives.

Director of sales and marketing, Janny Yeow, explained that the hotel collaborates with Leading Hotels of The World offices worldwide to participate in various business events campaigns, tradeshows and sales missions.

Yeow: solid plans in motion to generate MICE business

Other efforts include leveraging on the hotel’s strategic location (just across from the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre); working with targeted PCOs; organising fam trips; extending its digital reach by investing in platforms such as Cvent; and investing in video advertising.

The 253-key property has placed regional markets such as Singapore, China, India and Hong Kong in its sights.

“Singapore is one of our key markets, as Kuala Lumpur is considered an affordable destination for many multinational corporations based there. We also work with Leading Hotels of the World to target potential luxury groups from India,” Yeow added.

To impress its corporate event clientele, the hotel creates activities that are unique to Kuala Lumpur, such as private local market excursions, cocktail-making sessions, and cooking workshops featuring Malaysian ingredients and dishes.

“Later this year, we will be introducing fully customisable offerings, with value adds that are personalised to the needs of each meeting planner,” revealed Yeow.

CWT M&E projects growth in 2020 despite challenging headwinds

By TTGmice
0

CWT Meetings & Events (CWT M&E), the global meetings and events division of CWT, revealed in its 2020 Future Trends Report that the US$840 billion meetings industry is poised for an 8% growth in 2020 despite looming geopolitical and economic headwinds.

The report notes the protracted trade war between the US and China is creating general uncertainty in the global business community heading into 2020. Adding to the anxiety is the future of Brexit and its cascading impact on the European Union.

Despite a wobbling global economy, CWT M&E predicts that the sector will still show a single-digit growth

Over in Asia, the protests in Hong Kong that started in June have put businesses on alert, as continued unrest in the city is bound to impact demand across the region. Growing concern over the impact of climate change is also increasingly clouding business sentiment.

Despite these issues, there are reasons to be upbeat, said Kurt Ekert, president and CEO at CWT.

“The need for live events is becoming more relevant than ever before,” Ekert said, with up to 30% of marketing budgets expected to be spent on live events in 2020. “Face-to-face meetings are critical to establishing connections between brands and their customers, and employees and their companies, especially during times of uncertainty. Knowing how to manage risks globally while putting together an authentic and measurable experience for all participants will be key for success in this space in the coming year and beyond.”

Digitalisation
The Future Trends Report identifies key developments in the industry in 2020, including digitalisation, with event websites being created at a rapid pace – up 52% year-over-year – as more customers utilise these sites to drive increased engagement.

Mobile devices are also adding new functionality with apps that go beyond setting travel itineraries to allowing organisers to create a higher degree of personalisation for attendees. CWT M&E estimates the number of event apps created since 2017 has jumped 83%, while the percentage of attendees downloading apps rose from 50% in 2017 to 74% year-to-date in 2019.

Demographics
This emphasis on digitalisation is being driven by the changing demographics as millennials are poised to become the biggest group of business travellers globally from 2024 onwards. Right on their heels are the so-called centennials (born 1996 onwards), the first group that can claim to be digital natives as they have never known a world without the Internet, smartphones and apps.

“This younger group of travellers is all about experience, authenticity and participation,” said Derek Sharp, senior vice president and managing director, CWT M&E. “Not content to merely ‘attend’ events, millennials and centennials use technology to actively ‘participate’ in the experience – pre-event, during the event, and post-event. Organisers are responding with innovations that put a premium on the ability to personalise experiences, coupled with ways of measuring the resulting engagement.”

Authenticity
When it comes to experiential events, including incentive travels, the report shows a move towards experiences that feel authentic, where travellers can immerse themselves in a destination like locals and not as high-end tourists. Hand-in-hand with this trend is the growing attraction of off-the-beaten-track destinations versus the usual tier-one cities.

This has raised some safety and security issues with 42% of travellers subjected to pre-travel risk assessments as part of the travel approval process, a 5% increase year-over-year.

Socially and environmentally responsible incentives also rank high for 2020, fuelled by this next generation of participants who view climate change as an increasingly pressing issue, according to CWT M&E’s findings. These sustainable initiatives include replanting trees and other efforts to care for the environment – and leave a lasting legacy long after an event concludes.

Global programmes
As global meetings and events programmes become more centralised, new technologies in the form of artificial intelligence and bots are transforming how these programmes are managed across multiple regions and markets.

Organisations are taking advantage of these innovative tools to derive more visibility and real-time data and feedback. As technology shrinks timelines and response times, the result is a streamlined process that ultimately leads to better adoption and a changing mindset around meetings.

The complete report can be found here.

Oakwood Premier Melbourne to rise in 1Q2022

By TTGmice
0

Oakwood has made its foray into Australia’s luxury hotel and serviced apartments segment with the signing of Oakwood Premier Melbourne.

Scheduled to open in 1Q2022 within a 40-storey tower, Oakwood Premier Melbourne will be situated along the Southbank of Melbourne city at Fishermans Bend.

Oakwood Premier Melbourne to open in 1Q2022

Oakwood Premier Melbourne will house 392 hotel rooms and serviced apartments, of which 154 rooms will cater to transient travellers on short stays, while the remaining 238 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, ranging from 35 to 65m2, will cater to guests looking to reside mid- to long-term.

Proposed facilities within Oakwood Premier Melbourne include an all-day dining restaurant, meeting venues, a sky lounge, a lobby bar and fitness centre, as well as upscale retail spaces.

Located along the southern banks of the Yarra River, Oakwood Premier Melbourne will be in close proximity the Melbourne Convention Centre, the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex, Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the National Gallery of Victoria.

This signing follows the recent announcement of Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Dandenong in April 2019.

Beyond Asia: P&J Live, Somerset House, and Destination DC

By TTGmice
0
P&J Live
P&J Live is Scotland’s newest state-of-the-art arena

P&J Live, Aberdeen opens for business
Scotland’s newest 48,000m2 state-of-the-art arena in Aberdeen, the P&J Live, has opened its doors to guests and event planners.

Developed by Aberdeen City Council and development partner Henry Boots Developments, P&J Live’s main arena can seat more than 10,000 people (with maximum capacity exceeding 16,000) and includes the exclusive 50-pax Show Deck and 16 luxurious private hospitality suites.

For dining events, planners are supported by a 150-seat restaurant and an in-house catering coffee shop. The venue also houses a VIP lounge, seven conference spaces, 2,000m2 exhibition halls – each with a seated capacity of 1,700 – and 11 meeting rooms.

There are also three on-site hotels, as well as 2,400 car park slots.

The £333 million (US$411 million) event complex has a naming rights partnership with DC Thomson Media, the owner of The Press and Journal regional newspaper.

Somerset House offers 24/7 exhibition as add-on to corporate events
Somerset House is combining its artistic and corporate offering, by allowing event planners who hold functions at the central London venue, to have private views, curated talks, and tours of its exhibition 24/7.

The 24/7 exhibition offers over 50 multidisciplinary works and explores how people can reset the natural rhythms of life – work, leisure, rest and sleep – through the work of international artists, designers, scientists and thinkers.

In addition to private tours and viewings, Somerset House can work with event planners to bring 24/7-related content into the corporate event programme and to allow delegate engagement with resident artists.

This offer is available between October 31, 2019 and February 23, 2020.

Washington DC plays up unique venues for business events
Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organisation for Washington, DC, is rolling out the Connected Campus initiative as part of its next-phase sales efforts, which shows planners how to use non-traditional spaces within three blocks of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to create a diversified meeting layout.

“Our Connected Campus initiatives is an opportunity for us to showcase how attendees can utilise unique spaces near the convention centre to accommodate larger groups and compete against cities boasting more spacious convention centers,” said Melissa Riley, vice president of convention sales and services at DDC.

Non-traditional venues such as the United Methodist Church have bookable meeting space that showcases the authentic DC.

The Connected Campus initiative will be launched at the 2020 PCMA Convening Leaders from January 5-8, 2020.

In 2020, DC will welcome 20 citywide conventions and special events (2,500 room nights on peak and above), generating 466,713 total room nights and an estimated economic impact of US$360 million.

Chatrium adds new long-stay property to Bangkok scene

By TTGmice
0
CHATRIUM HOTELS & RESIDENCES

Chatrium Hotels & Residences has opened its latest property in Thailand’s capital, the Maitria Residence Rama 9 Bangkok.

Maitria Residence Rama 9 offers a wide variety of rooms, from the 30m2 Studio Residences and 48m2 One-Bedroom Residences, up to its largest space, the 105m2 Grand Deluxe Two-Bedroom Residence. Each features fully-furnished rooms and kitchenettes.

Chatrium Hotels & Residences

Facilities include hotel security, swimming pool and the Coffee Club, which will open in 2020.

The development is steps away from Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus, RCA and Piyavet Hospital, and is also within a 10-minute drive from Thonglor and Ratchada.

Sue Sullivan leaves CINZ

By TTGmice
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Sue Sullivan

Sue Sullivan has resigned as Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) chief executive, after five years in the role.

She will be leaving the association at the end of November to take up a new role in Canterbury, as chief executive of Christchurch and Hanmer Attractions.

Sue Sullivan

Sullivan was initially appointed in June 2014, and has taken the organisation into a new chapter of member-focused industry leadership, according to CINZ board chair, Tony Gardner.

Marriott veteran takes helm of JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

By TTGmice
0

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa has appointed George Varughese as general manager.

Varughese has been with Marriott International for over 25 years and brings to the role a wealth of global experience through his hotel career in Austria, Germany, the US, China, Malaysia, Australia and Thailand. His experience spans several disciplines including four hotel openings.

Prior to joining The JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, he was general manager of the Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse.

New GM heads up Okura Prestige Bangkok

By TTGmice
0

The Okura Prestige Bangkok has appointed Dutch native Niek Hammer as its new general manager.

Hammer began his career at Hotel The Grand, a Westin Hotel & Resorts International property in Amsterdam, and later spent two years at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, a Marriott International hotel in Braselton, Georgia.

Prior to his new role, Hammer was general manager of Hotel Okura Macau.
He also previously held the position of assistant F&B director at Hotel Okura Amsterdam, and subsequently, the hotel’s deputy general manager with F&B oversight.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTGmice | Full speed ahead
TTGmice | Dorsett Melbourne welcomes new rooms division manager
TTGmice | JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa entices event planners with more meeting perks