From left: Michelle Sargent; Heather Lawson; and Ben Ogden
CWT Meetings & Events, Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s meeting & events division, has strengthened its presence in Australia and New Zealand with three new appointments.
From left: Michelle Sargent; Heather Lawson; and Ben Ogden
The three senior executives are Michelle Sargent, director & commercial leader, Australia and New Zealand; Heather Lawson, national operations manager; and Ben Ogden, senior event manager.
Sargent has over two decades of experience in the tourism and events industries. Prior to joining CWT Meetings & Events, she was general manager for Sydney-based Platinum Event Solutions.
Tinidee Hotel@Ranong, in Thailand’s south, has launched a new meeting package.
The package includes a full-day meeting venue, two coffee breaks, one lunch and one night’s stay in a Superior room with daily breakfast. Included in the rate are an LCD Projector with screen, standard audio system, flipchart,, notepads and pencils for delegates.
Meeting Room
Prices start at 1,700 baht (US$52) nett per room per night for single occupancy or 2,400 baht nett per room per night for twin rooms. For every 30 rooms booked and occupied, one complimentary room will be given, and one room will get an upgrade to the next category.
Rosewood Hotel Group has promoted the respective managing directors of its Beijing and Phuket properties Marc Handl and Andrew Turner to regional vice presidents, in addition to the appointment of new general managers for properties launching in the region soon.
From left: Marc Handl and Andrew Turner
With his promotion to regional vice president, Handl will additionally support Rosewood Sanya and the upcoming opening of Rosewood Guangzhou. Handl joined Rosewood in 2017 as area managing director of Rosewood Beijing, where he has been overseeing the group’s properties in Beijing, Shenyang and Langfang across its brands.
Handl has considerable luxury experience in East Asia, joining from Aman Group in Japan, where he was regional director based at its Tokyo property for almost two years. He previously held positions at Grand Hyatt and BC Fine Living in Beijing, as well as previous general manager posts at The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Osaka and Seoul.
Turner, following his promotion to regional vice president, will support existing Rosewood properties including Luang Prabang and Phnom Penh, as well as guide the upcoming Rosewood openings in Bangkok and Yangon.
The Australian joined Rosewood in 2016 as managing director of Rosewood Phuket. Turner has 22 years’ experience managing both city hotels and resorts across Asia, Middle East, Europe and the US, most recently at Baccarat Hotel & Residences in New York.
As well, three new managing directors have been appointed for Rosewood’s trio of upcoming properties in the region.
From left: Thomas Harlander, Stephan Tschuppik, and Ed Brea
Thomas Harlander has been appointed managing director of Rosewood Bangkok (opening winter 2018). Bringing more than 18 years’ experience in the luxury hospitality industry, the German will manage and oversee all aspects of Bangkok property. Harlander’s career has taken him around the world to cities such as London, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Tokyo and most recently Seoul where he was general manager of the Park Hyatt hotel. Prior to joining Rosewood, his career extended throughout the Park Hyatt brand where he held hotel general manager and senior F&B management roles.
Stephan Tschuppik has been appointed managing director of Rosewood Guangzhou, which will be opening in Spring 2019. An Austrian native, Tschuppik’s hotel journey has taken him from his home country to the UAE, Oman, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan and China. He has over 25 years of industry experience, 16 years primarily across the Hyatt group in different destinations which includes Park Hyatt Saigon, Grand Hyatt Seoul, as well as a wealth of experience in pre-opening and opening China hotels, such as Grand Hyatt Shenyang and the Park Hyatt in Hangzhou.
Ed Brea has been appointed managing director of Rosewood Yangon, scheduled to open within 2018. With more than 30 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Hawaii-born Brea has managed prestigious properties in Asia, most recently for Kempinski Hotels, as well as for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts and One&Only Resorts.
In anticipation of impacts a weaker rupiah would have on outbound incentive business next year, event planners in Indonesia are now drawing up strategies to cope with rate fluctuations while keeping demand from corporates high.
The rupiah has declined from around Rp14,300 against the US dollar in early August to Rp15,000 on September 5, the weakest since the 1997 economic crisis.
Agents have several strategies in place to buffer against the rupiah’s rate fluctuation
Eddy Efendy, director of Synergy Production Travel and Events, commented: “It’s still difficult to predict the situation next year; we have to wait until December. But the incentive business is still fine for now.”
As the currency devaluation took place towards the end of the year, most groups this year have materialised, noted Eddy.
But event planners may soon begin to feel some pain from the rupiah’s downturn, as Indonesian agents typically quote in rupiah but make payments in the US dollar.
Pauline Suharno, managing director of Elok Tour, said: “Some clients understand the conditions and are willing to pay the balance due to the devaluation… The problem is many companies do not want to adjust the pricing.”
Rudiana, director of sales and marketing of WITA Tour, added: “The depreciation of the rupiah made conditions unstable. We find it difficult to determine prices, even though we must immediately submit proposals for incentives (programmes) next year.
“When the currency is not stabilised, the price balance becomes a problem,” he commented. “If the price is too high it will be difficult to sell, but if it is too cheap it also will reduce profits or even (be a) loss for planners.”
Compared with leisure travel, Rudiana said corporate incentives are more sensitive to a weaker rupiah.
“In a leisure tour programme, travellers have the option to alter itineraries to meet their budget. But for an incentive programme, everything is set from the beginning. If we promise to use a luxury bus or have dinner at a top-notch restaurant, we cannot change that (as these are perks for the clients).
Likewise, pricing is also the “most sensitive issue” for clients of Agustinus Pake Seko, president director of Bayu Buana, although the company has recorded a 15 per cent growth in business this year and bookings are still coming in for next year.
“(Clients) just want the cheapest package, but with rupiah depreciation it will be difficult. This is the challenge,” he pointed out.
To cope with the currency fluctuations, Agustinus would suggest to clients to exclude some meals from the itinerary, and let group members find their own.
“It is a win-win solution,” he remarked. “Without eating at a restaurant, prices will be much cheaper. Delegates will also have a more genuine local dining experience (by getting to pick what they’d like to eat).”
Elok Tour’s Pauline Suharno, meanwhile, would recommend a lower hotel category or a similar star-rated property outside of the city centre.
Another option is to cut the duration of the programme. She shared: “Nowadays, agents choose to cut costs by not hiring freelance tour guides. Agents are now maximising in-house staff to serve clients.”
Rupiah devaluation aside, a mounting concern for Eddy is potential political instability, as the national and presidential elections are due next year.
“If the rupiah continues to slide and the political situation is not conducive, business will be like falling down from a ladder,” he said.
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will get lesser ammunition next year, as its budget gets slashed from 1,000 million baht (US$31 million) to 800 million baht.
“The budget we get from the government has been decreasing due to (money being channelled to developing) the EEC (Eastern Economic Corridor),” explained Nichapa Yoswee, TCEB’s senior vice president, business, who quickly added that “it is for a good cause”.
Nichapa: smarter use of lesser money
With reduced funding, Nichapa said TCEB will need to focus on collaboration to improve “efficiency” in what it seeks to do.
As one of the major new economic projects undertaken by the Thai government, the EEC will transform the Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong Provinces into a trade and investment hub, and centre for regional transportation and logistics.
Part of TCEB’s new efforts for 2019 is the Thailand: Redefine Your Business Events campaign. Through it, TCEB will highlight Thailand’s position as a hub for South-east Asian MICE; encourage new business events through national economic policies including Thailand 4.0, EEC and 10 S-Curve Industries; and redefine the organisation’s role.
Nichapa indicated that TCEB will “play more of a partnership and collaborator role”, and be the link between the government and business community.
For the 2019 fiscal year, TCEB projects in excess of 1.4 million overseas business travellers generating about 130,200 million baht in revenue.
The business events world now has a new middleman – a hotel and resorts buy-out specialist with a cruise rental sub-brand.
“We started with our first events in 2016. Last year, business was really good, and this year, even better. Business has (gotten off the ground) very fast, but also because there’s nobody else is doing what we do,” said Daniel Rudolf, head of sales & marketing of the Germany-based Rent-A-Resort.
Rudolf: nobody does what we do
Established in 2015, Rent-A-Resort is the world’s first company specialising entirely in property buy-outs for business events.
On how the industry can benefit from a middleman specialising in buy-outs, he said: “Planners looking for a buy-out can (approach) 10 resorts and nine will say no. Many won’t even understand what they’re talking about.
“They can approach the convention bureau, but the (bureau) doesn’t have the (relevant expertise) or handle buyouts. They can only tell you what hotels are available (and the planner has to go through the long process of sourcing).”
Rent-a-Resort’s expertise and network reduces the trial-and-error process for planners, which translates to time-savings and a better match. Clients approach the company with information on dates and number of rooms required, and can hear back as soon as in 48 hours, he shared.
“We know which resorts don’t do buyouts, and there are many reasons for that, having (prior) arrangements with tour operators (is one). And we know which ones do.”
The company also has knowledge of when resorts in Europe have their seasonal closures, hence opening them up is possible for “season extensions” for corporate groups.
In parts of Asia, where many resorts open year-round, Rudolf admits Rent-a-Resort’s knowledge of the landscape “is still in the development stage”.
Still, requests for Asia are coming in strong, and the company’s resort network is quickly shaping up.
Anantara Mu Ne in Vietnam was Rent-A-Resort’s first buyouts in Asia
The company secured its first property buy-out in Asia earlier this year, a booking of Anantara Mui Ne in Vietnam. Rent-A-Resort has site inspections in Phuket and Danang lined up for November, and is hoping to work with Banyan Tree’s Angsana resort in Vietnam.
Demand for Asian resorts is palpable. “Asia is far, but you probably have more flights from Frankfurt to Phuket, for example, than you have to Ibiza or other islands closer by. It’s a long (way to Asia), and more expensive, but accessibility to (many Asian resort destinations) is good. Asian resorts are also a lot more exotic for European clients than an island they visit all the time with their families,” he remarked.
The company is a “venue finder” first and foremost, but it also has partners that can charter flights and book tickets. For more complicated arrangements, Rent-A-Resort has agency and DMC partners.
Genting Cruise Lines’ Michael Goh (middle) and Princess Cruises’ Farriek Tawfik (right) discuss MICE possibilities on a panel moderated by TTG Asia Media’s Karen Yue (left)
To attract more business events from the corporate sector, cruise industry leaders are speaking out to dispel common myths and misperceptions about bringing conferences and meetings on board cruise ships.
One common misconception is that business events have to book out a whole cruise in order to enjoy its facilities, shared Princess Cruises’ South-east Asia director Farriek Tawfik at the Asian MICE Cruises Conference at IT&CMA in Bangkok on September 18.
Genting Cruise Lines’ Michael Goh (middle) and Princess Cruises’ Farriek Tawfik (right) discuss MICE possibilities on a panel moderated by TTG Asia Media’s Karen Yue (left)
In reality, corporate groups as small as a meeting of 10 pax can enjoy the privacy of venues not used in the day, such as lounges and discotheques, Farriek revealed. He added that usage of these venues is free of charge, and corporates need only pay for add-ons like canapés and drinks.
Michael Goh, senior vice president – international sales, Genting Cruise Lines, chimed in: “There are different formats for different MICE businesses, such as full charter, partial charter and a group block arrangement. Groups can run from 50 to 4,000 pax and have different programmes, so organisers have to innovate all the time. No two MICE cruises are the same.”
Although cruises have become known for fun incentives and teambuilding programmes thanks to on-board entertainment, serious conferences and training sessions can also be conducted on a ship with the right facilities, alongside light-hearted elements in shore excursions.
“The best is for travel agents to match their passenger demographics and needs to the correct ship,” said Farriek.
Arrangements for events on board are typically taken care of by one planner from the cruise company, advised Goh. This provides a “seamless arrangement” of elements from dining preferences to entertainment and even shore excursions.
“These misperceptions persist because of a lack of brand and product awareness. There is a lot of training and product education needed, and more MICE-optimised facilities, entertainment, meeting rooms and shore excursions,” expressed Farriek.
An incentive group from Surabaya that Princess Cruises recently hosted was a good word-of-mouth platform to spread awareness of business cruisings, said Farriek.
Dream Cruises also recently hosted a 2,000-pax business group alongside 2,500 leisure passengers on board its ship.
Skydiving is one of the unique activities that can be done onboard Royal Caribbean Cruises' Quantum of the Seas
Cruises are courting business event groups onboard with their offer of customised activities and unique venues, according to the panel of global cruise CEOs who spoke at the Asian MICE Cruise Conference at IT&CMA in Bangkok on September 18.
Sharing how Royal Caribbean Cruises is able to provide a collection of innovative experiences, Angie Stephen, its managing director, Asia Pacific, said: “When you are looking for an agenda for a meeting group, you would not think one can ice skate, skydive and surf all at once, but you can onboard Royal Caribbean.”
Skydiving is one of the unique activities that can be done onboard Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Quantum of the Seas
With the ability to customise activities according to group sizes and physical abilities, meeting planners will have a seamless experience when planning programmes on board, said Stephen.
Likewise Michael Goh, senior vice president – international sales, Genting Cruise Lines shared how corporate planners will have a “breeze” with the planning of onboard entertainment as different shows are staged every night during the cruise.
Goh shared: “We all know it is always a challenge for any MICE organiser when it comes to entertainment, and we at Star Cruises are able to settle all that.
“The potential for MICE is so great because cruises are able to take care of everything from accommodation and meals to entertainment and meeting venues,” he elaborated.
Citing how exorbitant it may cost for business events organisers to stage fireworks in a destination, Goh highlighted how Dream Cruises offers fireworks on sea as a grand finale for five-night cruises, which would certainly appeal to delegates.
Goh and Stephen both also shared how there are plenty of unique meeting venues available onboard – away from the typical boardrooms – which would charm delegates.
For instance apart from hosting team-building activities, Royal Caribbean’s ice skating rink can also be used for casual meetings. Star Cruises also provides another venue in Galaxy of the Stars – which offers panoramic views of the ocean from a glass-fronted observatory area.
According to Goh, the MICE segment is “clearly growing”, especially over the past five years.
“In the past, we probably might only see a MICE group size which ranges between 50 to 100 onboard. But today a MICE group can go up to a few thousand, with some even opting for a charter option,” Goh said.
Sharing how new destinations have also been developed to cater to this growing market, Goh said Genting Cruise Lines started cruising to more than six new destinations last year like North Bali and Macleod Island – a private island – in Myanmar.
As for Royal Caribbean Cruises, Stephen said: “We develop our destinations and itineraries based on what consumers want, and we see that the Asians want shorter cruises because they are new to it and want to test it first.”
According to Stephen, three- to four-night cruises are the most popular options for the Asian market now.
She advised: “There are different ship sizes and classes in the cruise industry, so it is critical that you put your group on the right ship with the right brand to the right destination.
“I guarantee you will be a standout in your pitch to your clients when you put cruise as an option, because it will be something unexpected and it will surprise and delight your customer,” Stephen concluded.
Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Center
The Airports of Thailand (AOT) will be the next next host of Routes Asia 2020.
The date has yet to be confirmed, but the event will take place at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Center is one of the newest in the country
This announcement was made following a meeting between Supak Phuangvarapun, vice president of business development and marketing at AOT, and Steven Small, brand director of Routes.
AOT owns six international airports and previously hosted Routes Asia in 2006 in Pattaya.
Supak Phuangvarapun, vice president of business development and marketing at AOT, said: “We believe that hosting this event will have a great impact not only for AOT, but on Thailand’s economy overall. Air transport is one of the most powerful means of regional economic developments, and Routes events are where the world’s network planners meet to discuss future air services.
Steven Small, Brand Director of Routes, added: “We are excited to be supporting AOT with their goal of growing Chiang Mai as an international hub and we are delighted to be taking this event back to Thailand.
Grand Hyatt opens in the capital of Colombia
The first Hyatt hotel in the Colombian capital and the first Grand Hyatt branded hotel in Colombia has opened with 372 rooms including 50 suites.
Amenities in the Grand Hyatt Bogota include the upscale Ushin Japanese & Grill, all-day Capitalino Restaurant, Ilustre Bar, and 2,270m2 of meeting and event space ranging from the 1,000-pax Grand Ballroom to the 25m2 conference room. Recreational facilities include the Zaitania Spa boasting 11 treatment rooms, three hydrotherapy pools, steam room, and dry sauna; as well as an indoor pool and gym.
The hotel stands in the heart of Ciudad Empresarial Sarmiento Angulo commercial district, up the road from the Corferias and Ágora Bogotá convention centers.
ISE moves to Barcelona from 2021
The exhibition for integrated electronic systems for commercial and domestic buildings, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), will be moving to Barcelona in 2021.The fair, which draws around 1,300 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors will now take place at the Gran Via for capacity reasons.
Since its founding in 2004, ISE has been hosted at Rai Amsterdam, where the two coming editions will be held. The next edition takes place February 5-8, 2019.
WSCC breaks ground for additional facility
Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) will be expanding its space, where the new building is slated to be completed in 2022.
The additional building will be named Summit, and the US$1.7 billion project adds more than 23,225m2 of exhibition space. When finished, the Summit is expected to drive more than 400,000 new conventioneers to the city and generate more than US$19 million dollars in tax revenue each year. To differentiate the spaces, the existing building will be called Arch.
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