Jurong Lake District poised to become Singapore’s next CBD

April 18, 2019

Senior_Minister_Chee_Hong_Tat — Chee elaborating about the JLD at the Tourism Industry Conference 2019

The Jurong Lake District (JLD) in west Singapore is set for a major transformation and will soon welcome an integrated tourism development with attractions, hotels, retail and F&B offerings.

Making the announcement at the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) Tourism Industry Conference yesterday, senior minister of state for trade and industry and education, Chee Hong Tat, described: “With its unique waterfront environment and location adjacent to the new Jurong Lake Gardens and the new Science Centre, we envision this area to be transformed into a key attraction from 2026.”

Chee elaborating about the JLD at the Tourism Industry Conference 2019

The area slated for this development is so large that JLD is set to become Singapore’s second city centre. Among new facilities and projects, it will comprise a complete overhaul of the Science Centre Singapore by mid-2020, as well as the introduction of Singapore’s third national garden, measuring 20ha.

Chee added that the ministry will soon launch an Expression of Interest until November this year. Keith Tan, chief executive of STB, revealed that some players, including developers and attractions, have “already expressed keen interest in the area”.

He said that depending on developer interest, JLD could open up opportunities for BTMICE facilities, which may even include purpose-built spaces like a convention centre.

Tan continued that with the “greater push towards bleisure”, this development may encourage visitors to extend their stay by one to two nights as well as “create an ecosystem of seeing tools trialled and tested live, making for a more compelling destination”.

While encouraged by the development of the district, local players noted that improving the nearby highway link with Johor would make JLD an even stronger magnet for business travellers.

A+B Edu Tours and Travel director, Bhajan Sing Sandhu, told TTGmice that if cross-border traffic conditions improve, corporate planners would be more incentivised to include a visit to Singapore’s west districts, including JLD and the nearby business enclaves of one-north.

Malaysia’s business travel sector feels the pinch as ringgit weakens

By S Puvaneswary

April 18, 2019

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Signs of a challenging business year are clear in Malaysia, where earlier this month, Moody’s Investor Service cut its 2019 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for Malaysia to 4.4 per cent, down from the 4.7 per cent projected in January.

The ringgit further weakened this week, trading at RM4.1 against the US dollar, and is currently at its weakest level in over two months.

A drop in business due to the weakened ringgit is being keenly felt by the travel and hospitality industries

The effects of the economy slowdown are being keenly felt in the travel and hospitality sectors.

Jai Kishan, general manager at New World Petaling Jaya Hotel opines that 2019 will be a challenging year for corporate business and association meetings. He elaborated that both domestic and international companies have reduced their budgets when it came to conferences, meetings, and annual get-togethers.

“Due to ongoing austerity measures taken by corporate businesses, we had some clients who came back to us to renegotiate for price reductions, or value additions or amendments to signed contractual obligations. Some have also scaled down their event sizes, cancelled their bookings and moved to alternative, cheaper venues,” he elaborated.

Adam Kamal, general manager, Tour East Malaysia, said many corporate companies are more prudent in their spending. He said: “We see more corporate companies organising conference and incentive programmes locally, rather than going overseas.

“Those companies that traditionally used to do longhaul incentive trips have cut back to medium-haul, while those doing medium-haul are opting for short haul, and those that used to do short-haul are now incentivising their staff with domestic trips,” Kamal shared.

To deal with the slowdown, Kamal added that they have adapted to these changes by offering more meetings, teambuilding, and incentive packages in Malaysia and South-east Asia.

Similarly for Kishan, his hotel has also refined their advertising strategy from mass advertising to targeted, focused advertising across all relevant digital platforms.

He added: “As we are still in the process of enhancing our market share, the hotel is responding to meeting organisers by offering exclusive promotional packages, upgrades, relaxed credit terms, value additions of AV equipment, LED Screens, and set ups for repetitive businesses.”

SAP Concur launches development centre in Shanghai

By TTGmice

April 18, 2019

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SAP Concur has announced that it’ll be launching an SAP Concur China Development Center in Shanghai.

The new China Development Center will develop and deliver end-to-end spend management solutions optimised for China’s market requirement.

SAP Concur strengthens its commitment to China; Shanghai pictured

“China is a growth market and a leader in mobile innovation with tremendous opportunities for SAP Concur. The investment in the China Development Center is aligned with our focus and commitment to continuously drive innovation and deliver completely connected spend management solutions tailored to local market requirements.

“We look forward to expanding our product and service offerings to better serve Chinese companies operating both locally and abroad, and help their businesses run at their best,” said Deepak Seth, vice president of mobile product management and strategy, SAP Concur.

The China Development Center will strengthen SAP Concur solution capabilities in mobile, Fapiao, central billing, and payments which will enhance customer experience in China. Learnings from mobile innovations in China will also benefit customers worldwide. The China Development Center is integrated with SAP Concur’s global development capabilities to deliver a seamless experience to all customers in China and globally.

In addition, SAP Concur is working with both global and local partners to further expand its ecosystem and provide Chinese companies a simple way to connect and engage globally while having insights and visibility into their spending.

For instance, the company has enhanced its integration with Ctrip Corporate Travel to improve the end-to-end travel user experience. The optimised solution will further simplify the travel booking and expense reporting process by streamlining pre-trip approval, booking, and expense management.

Photo of the day: HKDL recognises top travel trade partners

By TTGmice

April 18, 2019

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Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) hosted the annual Celebration of Sales Excellence (CSE) 2018 on April 12, 2019, to honour top-performing travel trade partners for bringing a growing number of guests from around the world to the resort.

The Sales Excellence Awards were awarded to 20 trade partners, while five trade partners received the AdvanceEAR Awards, where the Top Sales AchievEAR of the Year Award went to Lvmama.com.

HKDL’s managing director Stephanie Young – who assumed the post in February – took the opportunity to greet travel trade partners and thanked them for their ongoing contribution to the resort’s remarkable results.

These trade partners were also rewarded with a staycation to experience first-hand the resort’s latest Marvel attraction which launched on March 31, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!.

Beyond Asia: Nevada, US; Ottawa, Canada; and Barcelona, Spain

By TTGmice

April 18, 2019

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US: A ‘pawsitive’ meeting experience with Renaissance Reno Downtown
The Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel in Reno, Nevada, has launched a Puppy Meetings Package that offers groups a 30-minute play date with four-legged friends.

The break promises to unleash the benefits of interacting with pets – which range from mood improvement to reduced stress – with the goal of higher productivity and a more “pawsitive” meeting experience. A portion of the proceeds from the package will also be donated to the animal rescue organization of the meeting planner’s choice.

The Puppy Meetings Package is valid for events at Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel with 25 or more attendees. The 214-key pet-friendly hotel can cater to groups of up to 650 with eight event rooms.

Canada: Capital city launches ThinkOttawa ambassador programme
Ottawa Tourism, Shaw Centre and Invest Ottawa have collaborated to launch an ambassador programme to bring more conferences and conventions to Canada’s capital city.

In addition to attracting potential ambassadors, the ThinkOttawa programme will also offer a number of solutions and support services to help win and deliver events across the city.

“Ambassador programmes are not unusual in the world of association conferences and congresses but we wanted to go the extra mile and create a truly bespoke offering for those individuals wanting to get involved,” commented Ottawa Tourism’s vice president, meetings and major events, Lesley Mackay.

“Specifically, we are looking to help those individuals become leaders, share knowledge, connect, introduce ThinkOttawa and identify opportunities for the city. As Canada’s capital we are home to national and international association representatives all looking to host events in creative and inspiring spaces. We want to show them why Ottawa is the perfect destination and how easy it is to hold events here.”

Spain: Fira de Barcelona’s two sites slated for expansion
Barcelona’s trade fair institution Fira de Barcelona will be expanding its two event venues – Gran Via and Montjuïc.

Designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, Gran Via currently has a total exhibition area of 240,000m², which will be extended by 60,000m² with the construction of a new two-storey building, and premises for offices and services. The expansion is scheduled for completion in 2024, and will bring the venue’s total size to 300,000m².

Meanwhile, the Montjuïc venue will be remodelled to include functional, versatile and sustainable facilities. Once remodelled, the Montjuïc site will be able to host fairs by offering modular solutions that can adapt to the needs of a wide range of events. The Alfons XIII palace with its auditorium will then be used to host congresses, while the Victòria Eugenia palace used for cultural events. This €380 million (US$429) major infrastructure project has a target completion date of 2029.

W Koh Samui offers event planners buyout opportunity

By TTGmice

April 18, 2019

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Corporate planners or event organisers are now able to book out W Koh Samui in Thailand in its entirety, for US$100,000 per night under the Our Hotel, All Yours package.

The price includes 74 pool villas, and facilities such as the outdoor WET pool, fully-equipped FIT gym and W Beach. It also includes a W Insider who will help curate do’s and don’ts, and recommendations for activities.

W Koh Samui

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For those staying a minimum of three nights, W Koh Samui is also throwing in roundtrip airport transfers, daily breakfast at The Kitchen Table and half-board meal (lunch or dinner) for a maximum of 160 guests. Full day photography service (eight hours per day) is offered throughout the three nights stay.

The offer includes one-time experience of:

One cocktail reception which includes three types of nibbles and two-hours of free flow soft drinks, juice, local beer and house wine
One gala dinner which includes two-hours of free flow soft drinks, juice, local beer and house wine
One time firework show during the stay
90-minute Well Thai’d (Thai massage) or Well Delighted (aromatherapy massage)
One choice of activities ranging from a Thai cooking class, jet ski safari, Thai boxing classes, yoga or aqua aerobic

For more information and enquiry, contact sales.wkohsamui@whotelsworldwide.com. Terms and conditions apply.

Kimpton makes Asia debut with Taiwan opening

By TTGmice

April 18, 2019

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Kimpton Hotels & Resorts has made its debut on the Asian continent with its latest opening in Taipei’s Da’an District.

The luxury hotel in the heart of Taipei features 129 rooms and has been designed by Neri & Hu, an award-winning Shanghai-based architecture and design practice.

Kimpton Da An will boast the brand’s signature perks such as in-room yoga mats and a Morning Kick-Starter, as well as tea and coffee served in the lobby living room. Guests can also take part in wellness morning yoga on the rooftop, free fitness and wellness classes or explore the city with complimentary bicycles.

Guests can also meet fellow travellers at Kimpton’s daily social hour in the hotel’s lobby lounge, or dine at The Tavernist restaurant led by chef James Sharman. The hotel is also pet-friendly.

Catch up with Alicia Yeo

By Karen Yue

April 16, 2019

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What do your friends think you do for a living?
They think my job is very relaxing, that I’m always travelling around the world to inspect and stay in luxury hotels and resorts, be pampered and talk to people.

How far is that from the truth?
If only that’s half the truth! As an event planner, there are thousands of things to watch out for, such as being prepared for unexpected happenings, ensuring meeting room temperature is at a comfortable level, accommodating female attendees in guestrooms not far from the lift lobby, watching the drinks tab while ensuring everyone has a good time, etc.

An event planner has to be precise and methodical and yet possess an imaginative mind, to create events that will mesmerise participants for years to come. Preparing and sticking to the budget is an art to be learnt. One must also enjoy socialising to stay in this industry.

What do you love most about your job?
I love going to new places and meeting people, learning about the history of the destination, and the local way of life and culture. My job gives me that privilege.

Having studied so many destinations for your events, which is your favourite and why?
China, for her rich history and most importantly, the fact that she’s the motherland of my ancestors.

China is mystical and every visit is a new adventure for me. I wish to explore all of China.

I have been to Xi’an twice and still want to go back. It is intriguing to walk the steps and paths of ancient emperors and empresses, and to imagine myself living in that era.

Right now, my eye is on Urumqi which I plan to visit late 2019, after the completion of my studies.

What’s your pet peeve during fam trips?
Most hosts tend to cramp too many hotel and site inspections into a day which isn’t beneficial. After seeing two hotels and two venues, nothing more will be absorbed and that defeats the purpose of fam trips.

As well, a daily debrief and feedback session over dinner when everyone is relaxed would be more useful to the host than asking for feedback after the entire trip.

Hosts like to ask for dollar commitment after the fam trip which I feel is inappropriate. The purpose of fam trips is to showcase the best of the destination and venues, not to secure a business commitment from participants.

Do you see yourself in a different job?
I would like to impart my knowledge to newcomers in the travel/MICE industry, such as by having interns shadow me or tutoring in polytechnics which is my retirement plan.

You are taking a degree course in International Hospitality & Tourism Management. Why?
This 18-month course is for self-actualisation. I feel I need new ideas and to know what people are learning now. My studies are sponsored by my company, and I am very lucky to have a very supportive boss and employer.

MyCEB targets Chinese corporates with enhanced support deal

By S Puvaneswary

April 16, 2019

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Kuala-Lumpur — The capital city has a successful track record in attracting and hosting large-scale congresses

The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) launched its new support programme for 2019 in Beijing, China on April 15, in conjunction with its week-long roadshow covering four Chinese cities.

The four Chinese cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Shenzhen – will see MyCEB conducting in-house training for China business events agents in second-tier cities, coupled with a showcase of products and services by industry partners.

China has been, and continues to be a major market for Malaysia to tap; Kuala Lumpur pictured

The Malaysia Twin Deal V (MTD V) – where is V short for “vibes” – is similar to its predecessor, the Malaysia Twin Deal XP which ended last year, but with options for more group sizes.

Zulkefli Sharif, CEO, MyCEB, shared: “With MTD V, the format of the programme is still according to Deal 1 (value added support for international corporate meetings and incentive groups) and Deal 2 (incentive rewards for international corporate meetings and incentive planners) but we have (introduced) different levels in relation to the number of participants.”

For instance, each level receives support from MyCEB, while planners will also receive incentive rewards according to the cumulative number of participants. Rewards have also been enhanced, with new inclusions such as a photo booth, and a welcome banner in both digital and physical form.

“Under Deal 1, MyCEB will provide value-added support for groups with as low as 30 participants right up to big delegations of 500 or more. For Deal 2 which is targeted at planners, rewards come in cumulative of 500 to 2,000 participants while special rewards will be made available for 2,000 to 8,000 participants,” Zulkefli elaborated.

“This format – which shows wide coverage from minimum participants (to large groups) – is a clear demonstration of our sincerity in working with our Chinese counterparts.”

Commenting on the deal, Arokia Das Anthony, director, Luxury Tours Malaysia, said: “It is timely because in these challenging times, MyCEB is going out of the way to slightly level the playing field with neighbouring countries when it comes to MICE events.

“MyCEB’s sponsorship will help to lower overall costs, and make the entire business events package more competitively priced,” he noted.

Adam Kamal, general manager at Tour East Malaysia, agreed: “Providing support in the form of a welcome dinner, complimentary cultural show and partial sponsorship for gala dinners or F&B will assist in lowering overall costs.

“It would be great if MyCEB would emulate neighbouring countries and consider providing financial support to the organisers (as well),” he added.

Last year, Malaysia welcomed a total of 30,859 Chinese delegates brining in RM209 million (US$51 million) in visitor expenditure, and an economic impact of RM 491 million.

Zulkefli shared: “For 2019, we are targeting a five per cent increase, especially with the string of new offerings the country has. This includes seven new hotels, and we are expecting another 10 to be up by 2020. (This will help) cater to demand as we also gear up for Visit Malaysia 2020.”

MHR goes The Extra Millennium Mile to bring local experiences to MICE guests

By TTGmice

April 16, 2019

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In-room_Like_Like_a_Local_survival_kit_at_GCW — Live Like a Local Survival Kit

Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR), has launched a new MICE campaign named The Extra Millennium Mile.

As part of the campaign, the group will bring “authentic local culture” into the meeting experience in each of its four key Singapore hotels; while hotels across its wider South-east Asia portfolio will feature even more personalised benefits.

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“We have observed a rising demand from event planners for local experiences. Moreover, as Singapore celebrates its Bicentennial this year, we are committed to delivering memorable moments for our guests (while) celebrating our nation’s culture and heritage,” explained Tan Kian Seng, interim group CEO of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels.

Four of MHR’s participating Singapore hotels will feature in the campaign, starting first with Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore and Copthorne King’s Hotel; followed by Orchard Hotel Singapore and M Hotel Singapore later this year.

Themed Live Like a Local, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore will welcome guests with a drink concocted using ingredients representative of multi-ethnic Singapore, and an in-room Live Like a Local Survival Kit comprising traditional snacks and sweets.

Over at Copthorne King’s Hotel, Peranakan Passion is the theme of the property’s corporate MICE campaign. Guests can expect Nyonya Kueh marking workshops, as well as little gifts like mini kay jars and traditional buah long long (a sour tropical fruit) drinks.

Later this year, delegates at Orchard Hotel Singapore will be able to toast to the world-famous Orchard shopping belt’s plantation past with contemporary spice-based welcome cocktails, and meet in the botanical-inspired interiors of its refreshed function spaces.

Finally, M Hotel Singapore will pay tribute to its iconic neighbourhood, allowing delegates to savour Singapore’s culinary past and present through a spread that starts from the 1960s and ends in today’s modern fusion flavours.

To top off The Extra Millennium Mile, all four Singapore properties, along with select South-east Asia properties, will offer meeting organisers who book within the campaign period an additional tactical offer – two complimentary benefits of their choice. Benefits include breakfast rolls on arrival, fresh smoothies for coffee break, or chef’s selection of upgraded meal options.

The Extra Millennium Mile offer is valid for new bookings confirmed between now until September 30, 2019, for stays until December 31, 2019 at participating Millennium Hotels & Resorts properties.

Jurong Lake District poised to become Singapore’s next CBD

Malaysia’s business travel sector feels the pinch as ringgit weakens

SAP Concur launches development centre in Shanghai

Photo of the day: HKDL recognises top travel trade partners

Beyond Asia: Nevada, US; Ottawa, Canada; and Barcelona, Spain

W Koh Samui offers event planners buyout opportunity

Kimpton makes Asia debut with Taiwan opening

Catch up with Alicia Yeo

MyCEB targets Chinese corporates with enhanced support deal

MHR goes The Extra Millennium Mile to bring local experiences to MICE guests

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