Big step forward for Tineri

March 19, 2019

Event brief
For healthcare company Nu Skin’s biennial South-east Asia convention in 2018, Open Destinations was recruited to build an event app using its mobile solution, Tineri.

The app was to communicate the event programme, provide a chat platform, facilitate attendee sign up and feedback, as well as provide additional information on accommodation, the destination and new product details to upwards of 5,000 participants from across the region.

Challenges
The app had to integrate Nu Skin’s existing online content and corporate branding, and be made available in English, Mandarin, Thai, Vietnamese and Bahasa for the event’s diverse participants.

The large-scale convention challenged Tineri’s original design as a platform for small groups. It now had to be reworked to accommodate some 5,000 simultaneous users.

Tim Russell, business development manager – Asia, Open Destinations, shared: “(The most challenging aspect) for me was ensuring that an app originally designed for FITs and small groups could still work well with (thousands of) simultaneous users, and that our support team could quickly address any issues arising from this. We had a few sleepless nights leading up to the big event in July, as Nu Skin was relying on us to make the huge convention a success.”

Solution
After their initial meeting, Open Destinations organised two workshops with Nu Skin’s regional team, following which the first priority was reskinning the app with Nu Skin’s branding. Via iFrames, a custom menu feature was created for the company to present its own content within the app. New languages were added to the platform, and web sign-up forms were created. All other content and capabilities were then uploaded to the app.

Russell explained: “Tineri is a very intuitive solution and so we never need to spend a lot of time training our clients – we usually find an hour or so on Skype is enough to give them an overview.

“In the end, while we had a couple of minor glitches and outages – mainly in our chat module – we were able to fix these promptly and with minimum disruption, and Nu Skin were very happy with the product and the support team behind it.”

Key takeaways
The large-scale event expanded Tineri’s capabilities and opened up possibilities for high volume access. Russell said: “Dealing with large loads was our biggest learning; we now know that Tineri can comfortably handle thousands of simultaneous users.

“It also helped us fine-tune our multi-language delivery process so we can deliver the same content, to people travelling on the same tour or attending the same event, in several languages.”

These were especially crucial learning points for Open Destinations in continuing its “rapid growth in 2018”, said Russell.

He concluded: “I learnt that I have a development and support team that will run through walls to ensure our clients provide their travellers with a fantastic mobile platform.”

Event: SEA Nu Skin Live! 2018
Organiser: Nu Skin Singapore
Venue: Singapore EXPO
Date: July 12-14, 2018
Number of participants: More than 5,000

Fusion Resort Cam Ranh welcomes new GM

By TTGmice

March 18, 2019

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Dawid Koegelenberg has been appointed general manager of Fusion Resort Cam Ranh on Vietnam’s south central coast.

The South African brings with him close to a decade of experience in hotel management in Asia.

Koegelenberg’s most recent role was at Paresa Resort & Spa in Phuket where he was general manager for five years. He has also held management positions at two other Thailand properties, Six Senses Koh Samui and Sarojin Resort in Khao Lak.

U Zenmaya Phuket gets a new GM

By TTGmice

March 14, 2019

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Absolute Hotel Services (AHS) Group has appointed Yaowanarth Phothiprom as general manager of U Zenmaya Phuket.

Yaowanarth first joined the company in 2017 as general manager at Eastin Residences Muscat in Oman.

Prior to joining AHS, the seasoned hotelier spent over two decades working with properties such as Dusit Thani Maldives, Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa, The Sukhothai Bangkok and Chikusenso Mt Zao Resort & Spa in Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture.

Celebrity Cruises aims to grow its MICE pie

By Prudence Lui

March 14, 2019

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Celebrity-Millennium — Celebrity Millennium is the first ship this year to complete its revitalisation

Celebrity Cruises is looking to grow its MICE business in Asia, leveraging its US$500-million fleet-wide modernisation alongside pioneering unique onboard experiences to court more corporate groups.

Currently, business groups only account for less than 10 per cent of Celebrity’s overall business, a percentage that associate vice president for corporate meetings, incentives and charter sales, Lisa Vogt, believes still has “much room to growth”.

Celebrity Millennium is the first ship this year to complete its revitalisation

Vogt said: “Our penetration in Asia is still low, but we have seen the dividends after investing effort and time to attract incentives in recent years. For instance, a direct selling company from Hong Kong booked an Alaska cruise for 600 staff this June 2019.”

She added that there are many companies in Asia already conducting incentives on land, and urges corporate groups to “open their minds” to try cruising incentives because they are convenient and immersive experiences.

Corporate groups hailing from China and Hong Kong typically prefer shorter programmes such as a seven-night itinerary to the Caribbean or Alaska, but Vogt foresees that destinations like Ireland and Scandinavia will soon rise in popularity.

Celebrity Cruises has also lined nine vessels up for upgrades between 2019 and 2023. The US$500 million modernisation exercise will see event spaces being revolutionised and reimagined across the entire fleet, all in all making the ships more attractive for the corporate segment.

“We are updating entire areas, from furnishings and decor to technology. In terms of entertainment, we teamed up with American Ballet to offer classical ballet dancing experience at sea. This is unprecedented in cruise industry and we are the first cruise company to launch this. It’s more than a performance; ballet classes are conducted on board and it’s great for team activities, enrichment and education,” Vogt elaborated.

Global airfares expected to fall in April: CWT

By TTGmice

March 14, 2019

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CWT Solutions Group forecasts global average ticket prices (ATP) for air bookings will drop to around US$673 by April, down just over 4% from February levels, as published fares correct from the sharp increase seen in the first two months of the year.

These findings were published in the third edition of its bi-monthly Air Trends Report, which uses a proprietary algorithm to predict changes.

The average price of airfares are expected to fall soon

The global ATP climbed approximately 6% month-on-month in January, and then a further 3% in February, to reach US$702. This was largely the result of airlines across the globe implementing new commercial policies and revenue management models, which pushed up airfares.

“We foresee a continued upward trend in the average ticket price through 2019,” said Christophe Renard, vice president of CWT Solutions Group. “One of the reasons is that more airlines are looking to adopt IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard as a means to generate greater ancillary revenues such as seat selection and baggage fees. Post-booking price tracking tools can be an effective way for companies to optimise the cost of expensive tickets before upcoming departures.”

Meanwhile, the usage of Online Booking Tools (OBTs) remains on upward trend as main OBT providers continue to improve the user experience, especially on mobile apps. Efforts are also being made to improve the content available through these channels. At the same time, corporate travel management teams are encouraging their travellers to book through OBTs and mobile apps.

OBT usage was stable at around 48% globally in January and February, after a 6% increase from October to December. It is forecast to rise again in March and April, with more than 50% of all bookings expected to be made through OBTs for the first time ever.

The report also predicts that travellers’ advance purchase behaviour will worsen in over the next two months. Stricter enforcement of travel policies as a result of year-end budget considerations and belt-tightening saw improved advance purchase behaviour in December, and this carried over to January and February – with around 47% of tickets booked more than 14 days prior to departure. With companies now relaxing travel restrictions, this is expected fall to 43% in March and April.

“In order to keep a handle on costs, travel managers are advised to stress the importance of booking in advance, either as a message displayed on the OBT or through targeted communications to individual travellers,” said Renard. “It’s also important to ensure that OBTs are properly set up to reflect the organisation’s travel policy, or to configure these tools with bespoke settings for each market.”

Melbourne lands largest-ever conference for Victoria

By TTGmice

March 14, 2019

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Melbourne has been named the host city for the 2023 Rotary International Convention, which is expected to draw thousands of visitors.

The convention is the most valuable conference ever won for the state, and is expected to attract 20,000 Rotary members from over 200 countries worldwide. Convention events will be hosted across two venues – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne & Olympic Parks.

Melbourne will be welcoming Rotary’s 114th international convention

Aside from injecting A$88 million (US$62 million) into the Victoria state economy, the convention is expected to create millions of dollars in economic spinoffs, including the most significant room block in Melbourne’s history to guarantee high occupancy levels for up to 50 properties in the city during the off-peak winter season.

Australian minister for trade, tourism and investment Simon Birmingham said: “Over the course of the four-day event, an extra 20,000 visitors will be filling up Melbourne’s hotel rooms, local restaurants and also driving visitation to the city’s key venues and attractions.

“Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund is helping to bring significant international events like this one to Australia. Importantly, these events often attract the type of visitors that extend their stay to regional parts of Australia and are also more likely to return for a holiday in the future.”

The bid was led by Melbourne Convention Bureau, and is supported by the Victorian and Australian Governments.

Photo of the day: KLCC walks the talk for female empowerment

By TTGmice

March 14, 2019

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More than 50 of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s (the Centre) team members recently celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) with a stroll in the park and a casual high tea session.

The centre also themed its activities, including specially crafted F&B and décor, to match the 2019 IWD theme #BalanceforBetter. All digital screens around the venue also displayed a celebratory message marking IWD.

Angeline van den Broecke, the centre’s director of global business development & marketing, said: “#BalanceforBetter is a very appropriate theme this year as there is such a universal need for more active adoption of gender balance and for us to acknowledge initiatives that have brought important issues to the fore such as #MeToo and #TimesUp.

“We all need to find ways to assist in contributing to awareness and education on equality, in the workplace, and in social and domestic environments.”

Currently, the centre employs 119 women (38 per cent of the total organisation), of which 80 (67 per cent) hold executive to senior managerial positions despite residing in an industry that is often perceived as male dominated.

Beyond Asia: Six Senses Douro Valley, AIM Group International and Area15

By TTGmice

March 14, 2019

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Six-Senses-Douro-Valley-Terrace — Six Senses Douro Valley Terrace

Portugal: Six Senses Douro Valley adds event spaces
Six Senses will be introducing event spaces and new accommodation – seven suites and three guestrooms – to its property in Douro Valley Portugal.

The space in which the new meeting rooms are being created offers a vineyard view, and can accommodate groups from 20 to 70 people. Its walls will have ‘writable’ sections to enhance fun at interactive meetings, and all rooms will be equipped with the latest technology.

A dramatic feature is the indoor-outdoor adjoining room for pre-function or break-out sessions. With a massive open skylight and a full height living wall, the multi-functional space can transform from a quiet lounge into a meeting venue.

The new 10 rooms on the ground floor have generous outside areas with comfortable seating plus hot tubs in the bathrooms. Two of the current guestrooms on level six will have private wooden bridges leading to secret gardens with seating and hot tubs.

The additions will be ready by July 2019.

Dubai: AIM Group International opens a new office
AIM Group International has set up shop in Dubai, with the intention of developing the meetings market in the UAE with a focus on Expo Dubai 2020.

The Dubai office is managed by Mariano Genzone, regional manager of Middle East & Africa, who has been based in Dubai for more than eight years, with experience in destination management and corporate consulting and training.

As a DMC, the Dubai team expects to support clients with innovative and effective solutions for their growth through training projects and the organisation of meetings and events.

With this new Dubai office, AIM Group’s international network now comprises 17 offices.

US: Area15 to open in December
Area15, Las Vegas’ upcoming immersive entertainment, retail and dining destination, is gearing up for an opening in December.

Located just seven minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, the complex will offer numerous flexible indoor and outdoor event spaces spanning more than 3,700m².

This includes the outdoor 2,972m² Sectar I, which can hold up to 4,500 people and boasts a three-metre-high perimeter wall for privacy; and the 177m² Sectar V, a circular bamboo volcano structure that can hold up to 200.

Spaces are open for bookings beginning in January 2020.

Archipelago’s Harper brand goes to Sumatra

By TTGmice

March 14, 2019

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Indonesia-based hospitality management company Archipelago International has opened the doors to its first Harper-branded hotel in Sumatra.

Harper Palembang features 163 rooms, alongside facilities such as two F&B venues, a lounge and a swimming pool. For events, the hotel is also home to five medium-sized multifunction rooms, as well as one of the largest ballrooms in the area, which can accommodate up to 1,500 guests.

Located in the city centre, Harper Palembang stands 30 minutes from the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport. The property joins Archipelago’s two other hotels in the area, the Aston Palembang Hotel & Conference Center and favehotel Palembang.

Building China’s image

By Caroline Boey

March 13, 2019

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China’s main gateway cities continue to dominate the ranks for Asia-Pacific international meetings and the formation of a Ministry of Culture and Tourism in March 2018 is expected to boost the country’s prospects, including second-tier locations.

There are also signs that China’s “national image” will get a shot-in-the arm with news that a new marketing campaign will be launched in 2019 and more would be done to foster cooperation between the public and private sectors to promote culture, tourism and trade.

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Commercial Sub-council has already stepped up activities with the ministry, according to Jack Yao, secretary general, and vice president, China Business Event Federation.

Yao said: “For the first time CCPIT is cooperating with the new ministry and the private sector to identify and create business opportunities centred around culture.”

While it would be difficult for China to form a centralised convention and visitor bureau like some other Asian countries, Yao, who has also been named second vice president, Asia Marketing Federation, said the government is paying more attention to develop and promote a “national image” with the launch of the new marketing campaign.

Welcoming the news, Sarah Keenlyside, founder and CEO of The Bespoke Travel Company, said more destination marketing support is definitely needed, especially if China wants to spread business to second- and third-tier cities.

Like others in the private sector, Keenlyside said the DMC, which was set up about 10 years ago, has had to rely on its own resources, adding that China can borrow from the many successful examples of what CVBs in Asia have and are doing.

“China is one of the safest countries to visit or do business in, and the wonderful culture and other positives should be played up,” she said, adding that negative stories also needed to be better addressed.

She hopes the new ministry can also consider a “less of a one-size-fits-all approach in dealing with travel companies” and to cut down on paperwork.

A meetings and incentive veteran commented that China is no longer a “cheap” destination and more needed to be done to value-add by applying technology to create “smart travel” and to provide more meaningful and in-depth experiences for event attendees.

The managing director, who had requested anonymity, added: “For SMEs (travel and event agencies) to survive, we need to know early if city or provincial government support will be given, or else it will be difficult for us to cap costs.”

His wish list for the new ministry includes establishing a consistent industry standard of service across China.

He explained: “Industry standards are still not uniform in China and the availability of English-speaking staff to be able to attract more international events and business assistance for smaller companies are some of the issues I hope the new ministry will address.”

Big step forward for Tineri

Fusion Resort Cam Ranh welcomes new GM

U Zenmaya Phuket gets a new GM

Celebrity Cruises aims to grow its MICE pie

Global airfares expected to fall in April: CWT

Melbourne lands largest-ever conference for Victoria

Photo of the day: KLCC walks the talk for female empowerment

Beyond Asia: Six Senses Douro Valley, AIM Group International and Area15

Archipelago’s Harper brand goes to Sumatra

Building China’s image

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