Asia/Singapore Sunday, 26th April 2026
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Page 698

Pop-up venue coming to Melbourne’s iconic gardens

By TTGmice
0

Australian boutique catering company Blakes Feast has joined forces with Harry the Hirer to create a pop-up event space at Melbourne’s iconic Royal Botanical Gardens.

Called The Atrium, the conservatory-like structure will stand at Dog Flat from December 6-22, 2019. The function space boasts a cathedral roof, glass panelling offering panoramic views, three-metre high walls, a terrace and a circular-shaped truss – all encased within a black powder-coated aluminium frame.

The Atrium
1 of 4

Accommodating 350 pax cocktail-style or 240 seated guests, the space is suitable for private parties, installations, as well as corporate gatherings.

Blake’s Feast has created three premium menu packages featuring seasonal ingredients for The Atrium: cocktail, plated and banquet; as well as three beverage packages featuring curated wine lists from local producers.

Radisson opens MICE-friendly outpost in Medan

By TTGmice
0

Radisson has opened in Medan, the fourth largest city in Indonesia and the main international gateway to North Sumatra.

Radisson Medan stands on Jalan H. Adam Malik in downtown Medan, surrounded by corporate offices and retail malls. It features 215 rooms and suites, all designed in a contemporary style and equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, LCD TVs with cable channels, and working areas with international power sockets. A majority of rooms feature views of Medan’s rising skyline.

Radisson Medan
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Guests who book any of the hotel’s 32 suites will also enjoy additional space and access to the Executive Lounge, with services including private check-in/out, breakfast, daily snacks and evening cocktails and canapés.

The property also offers 1,500m2 of meeting space over two floors, where event spaces include a ballroom, nine meeting rooms and a pre-function area. Other facilities include a business centre, gym, outdoor pool, lobby lounge and all-day dining restaurant on the seventh floor.

This is the second Radisson-branded hotel in Indonesia following Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam. A third hotel, Radisson Lampung, is scheduled to open next year.

MICE veteran takes up DOSM role at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali

By TTGmice
0

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali has promoted Saraswati Subadia to director of sales & marketing, after working in a parallel capacity for the past year as the resort’s assistant director of sales & marketing.

Saraswati first joined the resort in 2013 when she assumed the position as director of sales MICE, where she was significantly involved in securing a number of high-profile events such as the Annual Meetings 2018.

Balinese born and bred, Saraswati started out in the hospitality industry working as a guest relations officer, and then as an assistant tourism advisor for a division of the World Bank.

She then joined Tour East travel agency in 2001,followed by a succession of managerial appointments for international hotels, including Hard Rock Hotel Bali and InterContinental Bali Resort, as well as managing director MICE with Smailing Tour.

Kuma River Boating

By Kathryn Wortley
0

Concept
With excellently preserved temples and shrines as well as castle ruins, Hitoyoshi City in Kumamoto Prefecture is renowned as a place to dive into Japan’s history. Kuma River Boating taps this heritage by offering unique rides on traditional wooden Japanese boats dating from historic times.

While cruising along, passengers can enjoy mountainous scenery along the river’s ravines and get up close to some of the area’s historic sites downstream. The crew provides a commentary on the area’s historic and natural points of interest, including pointing out birdsong from various local birds.

There are four courses available year-round: the Long Course (120–150 minutes), the Middle Course (50 minutes), the Short Course (30 minutes) and the Rapids Course (45 minutes). The Kotatsu Course (50 minutes) provides a roof and heated tables with attached rugs and is available solely in winter.

As the Kuma is one of the three fastest-flowing rivers in Japan, the Rapids Course offers a thrilling ride, while the others offer a more tranquil experience.

While on slower-moving water, passengers can try steering the boat using the traditional heavy, long wooden paddle, supported all the while by the skippers.

MICE application
Each traditional boat can fit up to 12 people, but a number of boats can depart in succession, helping to accommodate larger groups. Groups can book out an entire boat or fleet of boats. Prices range from US$299 to US$598 per boat, depending on the course.
As various courses are available, the activity is ideal for diverse groups. The year-round availability is also helpful.

There is a comfortable waiting area at the departure point where guests can sit, shop or have refreshments.

A free shuttle bus is available from the end point of the river cruise to the start point, so groups do not have to arrange transport to return.

A professional photographer located downstream will take the group’s picture, which is available for sale after the cruise.

Service
The skippers happily pointed out local historic sites and encouraged us to steer the boat. I was impressed with their teaching skill and patience.

Contact
Email: info@kumagawa.co.jp
Website: www.kumagawa.co.jp

New appointments at Galle Face Sri Lanka

By TTGmice
0

The Galle Face Hotel in Colombo now has a new resident manager and head of sales & marketing.

Gaffoor (leftmost) and McDougall (second from left), together with other new appointments at Galle Face Hotel

Mubarak Gaffoor is the hotel’s resident manager, overseeing operational departments including the rooms division and F&B.

Gaffoor has been a part of the Galle Face Hotel family since 2014 when he joined as a director of sales, before being promoted to director of group sales & marketing.

Narelle McDougall is the new head of sales & marketing for the Galle Face Hotel and Ceylon Hotel Corporation (CHC), overseeing sales and marketing, revenue and reservations, catering sales and public relations.

McDougall has had years of experience in the region including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the Maldives with leading brands such as InterContinental, Le Méridien and Anantara.

Etienne Dalançon named GM of Waldorf Astoria Maldives ahead of opening

By TTGmice
0

Hilton has appointed Etienne Dalançon as general manager of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, a 122-villa resort set to open in the summer of 2019.

Dalançon joined the Hilton team in 2018, and earlier at Hyatt Hotels Corporate where he held roles as general manager of opening projects as well as various senior positions including sales and marketing.

With more than 20 years of experience in various roles within the hospitality industry, Dalançon has worked across multiple geographies including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo as well as in his native France.

Innovation, people, culture: ICC Sydney leadership in action

By TTG
0

Brought to you by ICC Sydney

ICC Sydney is Australia’s first fully-integrated harbourside convention, exhibition and entertainment venue and has already established itself as one of the world’s most sought-after venues.

Critical to ICC Sydney’s success has been its people and since its opening, the venue’s 1,700+ person team has hosted a diverse calendar of 1,500+ events and welcomed more than two million visitors. It has also achieved phenomenal delegate and client satisfaction ratings of 99% and 97% respectively in 2018.

As a result of the performance of its people and its focus on innovation as an organisation, ICC Sydney has garnered strong industry praise and acknowledgement across all facets of the business.

Feeding performance with culinary excellence

Underpinning ICC Sydney’s achievements has been its commitment to forging new ways of delivering for clients. This includes its award-winning Feeding Your Performance (FYP) culinary philosophy which sees the ICC Sydney team source the best, peak-of-season produce from local farmers to fuel the bodies and minds of delegates.

Originally focused on delivering ‘smart menus’, FYP has evolved to celebrate and support local farmers and showcase the very best regional produce on the global stage while also providing financial security, employment and growth opportunities for regional communities.

The program has been embedded throughout ICC Sydney’s operations and in 2018, FYP was heralded as a ‘blueprint for innovation’ by the prestigious University of Technology Sydney.

Cultivating a lasting legacy

ICC Sydney is also forging connections for its clients and community via a unique multi-streamed Legacy Program. This Australian-first initiative connects the world’s visiting minds, industry leaders and delegates with the region’s talented and local networks through five diverse streams – Innovators & Entrepreneurs, Generation Next, First Australians, Sustainable Events and Creative Industries.

Each stream provides clients with an opportunity to engage with locals in a number of ways – from direct exposure to Sydney’s network of entrepreneurs and startups and fostering the next generation of thought leaders via student engagement, to working with local Aboriginal businesses, engaging new talent for event performances and much more.

Formalising a commitment to Australia’s First Nations

Building on the venue’s work to drive greater engagement with, and acknowledgement of, Australia’s First Nations people, ICC Sydney became the first convention centre in Australia to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) last year.

Setting a precedent for the industry, this initiative bolsters ICC Sydney’s ongoing commitment to recognise and celebrate the cultures, practices and traditions of Australia’s First Nations within the venue and the events it hosts.

Underpinned by technology

At ICC Sydney, event success is also fostered via the team’s dedication to continuously elevating experiences for clients through customised technology solutions. Today, the venue is more equipped than ever thanks to recent investments in additional industry-leading audio visual, production and ICT equipment.

As a result, clients have access to the most up-to-date technology in the industry, upgraded in-house digital facilities including a Digital Media Suite (DMS) and full in-house audio visual (AV) and production service. This is all supported by a team who know exactly how to bring the power of equipment to life and deliver the ‘wow’ factor.

Book your experience today
To experience ICC Sydney and the best of Sydney, book your next event today.
Email address: sales@iccsydney.com  |  Contact number: +61 2 9215 7100

TCEB unveils three-year plan, new intelligence department

By TTGmice
0
TCEB's Supawan Teerarat

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has created a new MICE Intelligence & Innovation department and unveiled the three-year MICE Intelligence & Innovation Strategic Plan (2019-2021).

One of the new initiatives is a MICE Intelligence & Resource Center on its website, which will allow all target groups – entrepreneurs, businessmen, students and the public – to jointly foster MICE business through data.

TCEB’s Supawan Teerarat

According to TCEB, in the past governments mainly supported budgets to develop personnel, venues and win more MICE events. However, financial support on its own cannot meet customer needs and ensure sustainable growth of the MICE business.

In addition to financing, many countries are now designing strategies to support the industry through other means, including Thailand which is moving from the role of general information provider to offering more insightful information to allow operators to come up with concrete business plans through data analytics and artificial intelligence, TCEB said.

The bureau hence initiated the MICE Intelligence & Innovation Department to promote the adoption of innovations and data for MICE development with particular emphasis on creating innovations based on the real demands of entrepreneurs.

Part of its three-year plan is to better support event organisers and suppliers, TCEB will roll out the Paperless MICE Lane Request to welcome VIPs at the airports; online financial support request; chatbot help desk; and MICE permit advisor.

With a view to develop MICE Supply, TCEB has three projects: the MICE Online Standard Assessment, which allows entrepreneurs to apply for MICE standard certificates; MICE Career Portal; and MICE Digital Learning Platform.

There are two projects geared towards enhancing efficiency of events, including a mobile application to accommodate the organisers; and event traffic analytics to assess visitors via video.

Another focus area is to connect MICE supply and demand. This encompasses five projects, namely the event opportunities portal which compiles names and information on events for bidding; a crowd funding platform to support event organisation; a marketplace for visitors’ registration or exhibitor bookings; an event discovery platform; and an e-commerce marketplace for MICE products and services to create business opportunities pre and post
events.

Finally, there will be a MICE Intelligence & Resource Center, a database for assistance in creating innovations.

Singapore’s tourism associations to meet for inaugural forum

By Pamela Chow
0
Wong Soon Hwa

Nine association heads and members from Singapore’s tourism and hospitality scene will next month convene for an inaugural panel, named the SG Tourism Leaders Forum (STLF).

Organised by the PATA Singapore Chapter, the STLF will feature three Power Panel Sessions as well as a networking lunch. Participating associations include PATA, SACEOS, Singapore Hotel Association, Orchard Road Business Association, Singapore Retailers Association, Restaurant Association of Singapore and Cruise Lines International Association.

Wong: Singapore’s tourism industry should work as one to face business challenges

Also speaking in the panels are the NTUC Hospitality & Consumer Business Cluster and the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore. The Singapore Tourism Board will also speak at the forum.

“In an increasingly challenging business environment, we must avoid working in silos. Instead, we should leverage our collective synergy as Team SG to achieve the ‘power of one’,” expressed Wong Soon-Hwa, chairman, PATA Singapore Chapter.

He told TTG Asia that the need for such a forum has been a long time coming, especially with new disruptors and developments rising in Singapore’s tourism landscape.

The forum will also serve as an opportunity for PATA members and other tourism change-makers in Singapore to “renew ties and make new connections across the industry”, said Wong.

STLF will take place on March 6 from 08.30 to 14.00 at the Stephen Riady Auditorium @ NTUC, 1 Marina Boulevard. Interested association members are advised to contact their association for an official invitation and registration access. More information can be found at sgtourismleadersforum.com.

US catches break with Singaporean corporates

By Pamela Chow
0
New York City - amazing sunset over manhattan with Queensboro bridge

Thanks to an increase in direct flight connections and destination awareness, the US is gaining traction among Singaporean business travellers.

In October last year, New York City’s official destination marketing organisation, NYC & Company, set up shop in Singapore – a move that has helped bring the US onto the radar of MICE organisers here, remarked James Wong, sales & marketing manager (MICE), Farmosa Holiday Tour.

Sunset over manhattan with Queensboro bridge in the foreground

He explained: “The US has been quiet for the past few years, but now with NYC & Company’s office in Singapore, at least the we can learn more about the new things New York City has to offer, and have someone to approach if we have questions.”

Vivian Lee, general manager of Euro-Asia Holidays, observed that the Singapore market has held a perception of the US as an inaccessible and expensive destination.

Now, with the growing roster of flight connections to the US, Euro-Asia Holidays can now offer a diverse range of airline options such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Emirates, she said.

However, she added that corporate groups are still slow to warm up to US travel, which can be costly especially involving headcount in the hundreds.

“If tourism organisations like NYC & Company can come to us with more incentives, exclusive (benefits) or value-added services for corporate groups, it would definitely help,” said Lee.

Wong said that more time is needed for the US to grow onto the corporate market, as well as more activities and places of interest that can be incorporated into meeting, incentive or bleisure itineraries.

Makiko Matsuda Healy, managing director, tourism market development, NYC & Company, shared that there is currently a convention development team in the city that can help MICE organisers with tasks such as site inspections, as well as MICE agents to pitch New York City to the client.

This week, NYC & Company embarked on its first South-east Asia trade mission, making stops in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Manila, where the organisation will conduct training and networking sessions between travel agents and NYC & Company partners, namely Hudson Yards, The Museum of Modern Art, Tour America and Wyndham Garden Brooklyn Sunset Park Hotel New York.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGassociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTGmice | Security concerns dampen Indonesian incentive demand for Europe
TTGmice | EventsAir introduces Air Intelligence
TTGmice | Hub and spoke