Hong Kong is preparing for a demonstration at the arrival hall of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in Lantau, as protesters plan to converge at one of Asia’s busiest air hub to spread their message to foreigners visiting the city, The Straits Times reported this morning.
In an advisory issued early this morning, Singapore’s foreign affairs ministry encouraged travellers to avoid HKIA as well as the rural town of Yuen Long in the New Territories following reports of upcoming protests at these locations.
Hong Kong protestors on a huge democracy march
Singapore joins several other countries including Ireland, Canada, Japan and South Korea to issue travel advisories for Hong Kong.
The police have so far not given approval for the gathering at HKIA. Recent mass rallies have started out peaceful but escalated into violence later after groups of protesters clashed with police.
The planned rally at HKIA is the latest in a recent wave of protests that have gripped Hong Kong, which has caused shorthaul visitor arrivals from Asia to tumble in recent weeks.
Since June, millions of demonstrators have taken to the streets to protest against a controversial bill, which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but have since evolved into a call for wider democratic reforms in Hong Kong.
Wolfgang Kiesel has joined Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre Hotel & Residences in Malaysia as general manager.
The hospitality veteran – with over three decades of experience – has held senior management positions in Jakarta, Xiamen, Heifei, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and most recently, Jinjang in China. He was previously involved in rebranding Pullman Jakarta Indonesia.
Kiesel will be taking the lead in moving the hotel’s financial performance forward and setting a new direction for the enhancement of operations.
The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will launch on October 15 Thai MICE Connect, an online platform that contains information on the country’s MICE industry and connects various industry sectors, from tourism to logistics.
Created in collaboration with more than 10 public and private organisations, Thai MICE Connect will go live with phase one rolled out across central Thailand, the south and the north-east. By the end of the year, TCEB aims to build a database of at least 10,000 MICE entrepreneurs.
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya (centre) and his TCEB team at the launch of Thai MICE Connect
The second phase, covering the north and the east of Thailand, will begin in the fiscal year 2020.
Presented in Thai and English, users can access a pool of information of MICE products, services, sellers and producers in Thailand. The system also helps MICE businesses to extend their reach beyond Thailand’s borders to international markets.
TCEB will be hosting training sessions for business owners on how to maximise the use of Thai MICE Connect and equip them with know-how to market their businesses on an e-marketplace. More than 5,000 participants are expected to attend the sessions, running from July 25 to September 9, 2019.
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of TCEB, said in a statement: “Thai MICE Connect will become the new, innovative platform for Thai MICE industry to compete in the new global market where entrepreneurs are required to constantly learn and improve their products and services to distinguish themselves.”
He said TCEB will reward entrepreneurs that update their product and service information frequently, by means of images and promotion news.
“TCEB also aims to motivate MICE entrepreneurs to participate in the training session to further develop their business prospects with self-evaluation system. TCEB offers workshops for information collection and digital marketing where participants can exchange their knowledge to further develop the tools that are most suitable for their businesses,” he added.
The Darwin Convention Centre has developed Seven Season, a new menu inspired by the Gulumoerrgin (Larrakia) Seasons, where the Larrakia people are the traditional owners of the Darwin region.
The seven-course degustation and three-course banquet menu combines local fresh produce and traditional indigenous food.
A dish from the Seven Seasons menu
“When developing the menu, we didn’t just look at the ingredients. We looked at the history of the food, how it was gathered, how it was prepared and how it was cooked,” said Toby Beaton, executive chef Darwin Convention Centre.
“We have provided guests the opportunity to be part of a journey that has been evolving for over thousands of years. The menu is not only about the taste, smell and look of the food, it is about understanding the local land and how Aboriginal people have used the ingredients available to them” Beaton said.
In a convention centre first, the Seven Seasons journey goes beyond Aboriginal food, and also includes a visual and sound experience, creating a full sensory culture immersion.
Audio and visual packages accompany each course giving delegates a deeper experience and understanding of the Gulumoerrgin Seasons, the weather patterns, and changes in plant and animal activity.
“We wanted to provide our clients the opportunity to integrate the Seven Seasons menu into their event on varying levels,” said Peter Savoff, general manager of Darwin Convention Centre.
“Event planners can chose just the menu, or add on the production elements to give a deeper experience to their delegates. The menu also works perfectly with an awards night or gala dinner,” Savoff added.
The future of Singapore's MICE future looks bright
Singapore has retained its number one position as the most popular destination for business meetings and events for the fourth year running, according to Cvent’s list of the Top 25 Meeting Destinations for meetings and events in Asia this year.
Asian cities were previously featured in one Asia Pacific list, but due to increased sourcing volume to the region, Cvent unveiled Asia, and Australia & Oceania as two standalone lists this year. The expanded list highlights Asia’s strength and growing popularity as a MICE destination.
The future of Singapore’s MICE future looks bright
The lists were compiled based on meeting and event booking activity across Cvent’s venue sourcing sites, including the Cvent Supplier Network through which more than US$16 billion in business was sourced in 2018.
Cvent’s Top 10 Meeting Destinations in Asia are:
Singapore
Bangkok, Thailand
Hong Kong
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Shanghai, China
Tokyo, Japan
Seoul, South Korea
Beijing, China
Bali, Indonesia
Mumbai, India
“With more events being held around the world, we’re proud to expand our lists this year with the addition of Top Meeting Destinations in Asia,” said Chris McAndrews, vice president of marketing for Cvent Hospitality Cloud.
“Meeting and event activity in the region is booming and cities such as Seoul, Osaka, and Yokohama have all risen in rank year-over-year highlighting their successful efforts in positioning themselves as top cities to host meetings and events. Business events add US$1.5 trillion to the global GDP and because of this positive economic impact, the cities featured in this year’s Top Meeting Destinations lists have put significant time and resources into attracting more business events to their locales.”
Cvent evaluated more than 11,000 cities worldwide featured on its venue sourcing sites to compile the eighth annual list. Activity was tracked from January 2018 through December 2018 and destinations were ranked according to the following criteria:
Unique Request for Proposals Received
Total Room Nights Received
Awarded Request for Proposals
Awarded Room Nights
Percentage of Qualified Meeting Venues
Number of Profile Views
To see the list of the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in Asia-Pacific, please click here.
Some 6,600 international delegates – who were in Malaysia for a high-powered fintech conference – were treated to a 10-course dinner put together by the culinary team at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
The feat was pulled off by a team of 930 people from the kitchen, service and stewarding divisions, who turned the venue from theatre-style to a banquet-setting in two hours.
To deal with the massive group, MITEC converted its Halls 9-11 on Level 3 to a satellite kitchen for efficient meal preparation and food presentation. The loading bay and Halls 6-8 on Level 2 were converted into a fruit orchard, where fresh Malaysian fruits were served.
Truly a project that is worth boasting, MITEC also served up a whooping six and a half tonnes of durians to dinner guests that evening – a likely first for the business events industry!
A conference being held at last year's ITB Asia. Photo credit: ITB Asia
This year’s ITB Asia at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore will adopt Bold Thoughts, Bold Moves as its conference theme, and bring together thought leaders from across the MICE, leisure, corporate, and travel tech sectors.
Across the three-day conference, attendees will have the opportunity to experience over 100 sessions featuring insights from more than 260 speakers including representatives from American Express Global Business Travel, Traveloka, Hotelbeds, and Thomas Cook China.
A conference being held at last year’s ITB Asia. Photo credit: ITB Asia
Bold Thoughts, Bold Moves will feature a range of themed sessions, including Corporate Travel, Travel & Tech, Destination Marketing and Muslim Travel, with keynote discussions conducted in the Knowledge Theatre.
In response to its popularity last year, Knowledge Theatre will also see the return of C-Suite talks. Senior representatives from AKARYN Hotel Group, GCP Hospitality, Intrepid Group, Lonely Planet, THE RIDE and Travelzoo, will share their perceptions on vital issues facing the travel industry today.
A Corporate Travel showcase will also be carved out of the ITB show floor to cater to the growing number of corporate participants. As well, ITB Asia’s corporate partner, ACTE, will again be organising its exclusive Corporate Travel Day on Day Two of the show.
On the Travel & Tech front, leading travel players will identify trends and cutting-edge technologies that are driving the travel industry.
Finally, Destination Marketing and Muslim Travel sessions will feature top practitioners in these sectors dishing out insider tips on getting the most from social media to promote travel destinations; utilising destination brands to attract interest; best practices in developing Muslim-friendly destinations; and reaching out to the modern Muslim millennial.
CTICC confirms 100 international conferences up to 2026
Over 100 international conferences, which are expected to bring over 127,000 delegates to Cape Town, have been confirmed by Cape Town International Convention Centre up until 2026.
The most recent events confirmed at the CTICC includes World Dairy Summit 2020 which is expected to attract 1,200 delegates from 65 countries, and The Entrepreneurs Organisation Global Leadership Conference 2020 which will bring together 188 member chapters from 58 countries and 2,000 participants. The latter will take place in Africa for the first time.
“Having secured 105 international conferences up until 2026, these events will have a significant impact on the Western Cape and South African economy. With South Africa’s economic growth prospects at 1.2% in 2019, securing international events can only positively affect our economy and bolster much needed job creation,” said Julie-May Ellingson, CEO at CTICC.
Raki Phillips placed at helm of Ras Al Khaimah tourism
Hospitality veteran Raki Phillips will lead the next phase of Ras Al Khaimah’s – one of the seven Emirates that make up the UAE – tourism development, as CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA).
He takes over from Haitham Mattar, and has been tasked with implementing RAKTDA’s Destination Strategy 2019-2021 and supervising a number of key projects, with notable development projects on Jebel Jais including multiple zip lines, adventure park hiking trails, the Bear Grylls Survival Academy and a luxury camp.
The authority’s recently announced Destination Strategy 2019-2021, which aims to attract 1.5 million visitors to the Emirate by 2021 and three million by 2025.
Previously, Phillips worked for global brands including Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Universal Studios Orlando.
New Congress Hall opens for business in Ekaterinburg
Ekaterinburg’s new Congress Hall at Ekaterinburg-EXPO International Exhibition Center has held its first event – the general meeting of the Russian Convention Bureau (RCB).
Alexey Kalachev, director of the Russian Convention Bureau, said: “The new venue must become one of the flagships of the Russian event industry, intended for business events at the highest level.”
Kalachev noted that Ekaterinburg has consistently ranked second place for five years in a row, in terms of event destination appeal, according to R&C Market Research Company.
Amari Pattaya on the northern end of Pattaya Bay has completed its redevelopment, and with it has unveiled a host of new features.
Amari Pattaya
1 of 5
The Amari Suites offer 49 one- and two-bedroom suites in a separate building from the other 248 guestrooms in the Amari Tower. All-new facilities on the property include free-form swimming pools, waterpark, Breeze Spa, fitness centre, and several F&B options such as the Amaya Food Gallery.
The Amari Pattaya also offers refurbished function spaces, and its venue offerings include the newly-built pillar-free ballroom, four additional meeting rooms in Amari Tower, and the Beach Lawn. The property is able to handle meetings, conferences, incentives, and teambuilding activities for group sizes from 10 to 1,000 people.
The up-and-coming Thai city has both the hardware and software to handle corporate groups
Designated as one of Thailand’s five key MICE cities since 2013, secondary city Khon Kaen is on track to live up to the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau’s (TCEB) expectations of evolving into a more well-rounded business event destination.
Khon Kaen was chosen for its strategic location, close to the Indochina and Mekong Subregions, both of which hold “bright futures” for the Thai city’s business events sector, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of TCEB, said. In addition, the north-eastern region of Thailand comprises 19 provinces and one-third of the country’s population, which also represented “huge room for business opportunities”.
The up-and-coming Thai city has both the hardware and software to handle corporate groups
“It is our policy and mission to grow the MICE industry, to help distribute income to regional areas apart from Bangkok,” he added.
As such, TCEB’s current marketing activity for Khon Kaen is centred on promoting the up-and-coming Thai city’s capabilities through roadshows held in Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
“TCEB has been leveraging MICE shows in neighbouring countries as a platform for the city to gain exposure in these potential markets. Since last year, Khon Kaen city officials have joined us at roadshows,” Chiruit said.
In addition to roadshows and relevant marketing activities, TCEB has also launched a guidebook, which can be used as a marketing tool for the city by DMCs and suppliers.
Since the opening of Khon Kaen International Exhibition and Convention Centre (KICE) in 2017, a number of shows have been held. For example, the Khon Kaen Coffee Bakery Ice-Cream & Franchise is a cloned event from Bangkok that attracted around 10,000 delegates from both Laos and Thailand in August 2018.
From February 28 to March 3 saw the 2019 E-San Industrial Fair take place. The largest show for industrial and agricultural machinery in the country’s north-east also saw the participation of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam in the form of pavilions. The three countries, and China, also sent trade missions who visited the show for business talks.
“All these events are proof of Khon Kaen’s location as a gateway of business into the Indochina region,” Chiruit said. He added that another B2C event, by the Thailand Chamber of Commerce, would also be relocating its fair to Khon Kaen for the first time.
The Thai city has also expanded its repertoire from exhibitions to the conferences and meetings segment.
For instance, the city played host to the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2018 in November. The event welcomed over 300 delegates, and comprised fam trips which showcased what other activities the city could offer for corporate groups.
According to ICCA statistics, Khon Kaen hosted seven international conferences in 2017 and 2018; attracting around 2,600 delegates. Previously in 2015 and 2016, Khon Kaen only hosted one international conference per year.
Aside from KICE, other business-ready hardware Khon Kaen offers include several hotels with facilities capable of hosting meetings.
The Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid has a ballroom that can hold 1,800 pax theatre-style, while Charoen Thani Khon Kaen has a similar space that can hold 1,300 pax theatre-style. Each property also features 10 breakout rooms, and both have hosted international conferences before.
Elsewhere in the city, Central Plaza Khon Kaen has a hall capable of hosting 3,000 pax theatre-style, and is also connected to a shopping centre. There are also smaller properties that offer six to 10 meeting rooms for smaller-sized groups of between 250-300 pax.
When asked about the difficulty in marketing secondary cities, Chiruit shared: “The challenge is how to convince event organisers about the readiness of such a destination, especially when it’s less well-known when compared to the other more popular Thai destinations of Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.”
He added that event planners also had to be assured the city has infrastructure and facilities that were business events ready, and are able to cope with the scale of events, especially international ones.
In Khon Kaen’s case, Chiruit reiterates that the up-and-coming Thai city is definitely business events capable.
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