The 380-room Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok recently announced its latest business events offer.
The offer is valid for all new group inquiries with a minimum of 30 rooms per night, subject to room and function room availability. The events must be booked and held from now until August 31, 2018.
Grand Ballroom
When all above terms and conditions are met, special benefits include double World of Hyatt Meeting Planner Rewards points; complimentary welcome drink (non-alcoholic) at Spasso restaurant; one complimentary room for every 30 paying rooms; one complimentary upgrade to King Club Access for every 30 paying rooms; one complimentary secretariat room (for a maximum of 10 persons) on meeting days; and a 20 per cent discount on à la carte treatments at i.sawan Residential Spa & Club.
The Residence
The property offers a total of 3,330m2 of event and meeting space across 14 function rooms. Choices include the eight-metre-high ceiling and pillarless Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 1,500 for receptions or The Residence, a multifunction event facility equipped with a seven-metre high open kitchen.
Singapore-based luxury hotel group Como Hotels and Resorts has appointed two new general managers for its Bali and Bangkok properties.
From left: Ram Hiralal and Rohaan Chandra
Como Shambhala Estate – the group’s flagship wellness centre in Ubud, Bali – will be managed by Ram Hiralal. No stranger to Como, Ram assisted with the pre-opening of Como Parrot Cay in 1998.
She began her hospitality career with HPL at the Concord Hotel Kuala Lumpur in 1991 before joining Four Seasons in 2003, working in various resorts before her most recent role as resort manager at Four Seasons Koh Samui.
Rohaan Chandra, previously the hotel manager of Como Metropolitan Bangkok, has been promoted to general manager of the property.
Prior to joining the Como team in 2015, he had worked with both The Setai in Miami and The Legian in Bali.
Hotel G Yangon has welcomed a new cluster general manager, Serge Rigodin, who will also lead the nearby Inya Lake Hotel.
Serge Rigodin
A native of Grenoble, France, Rigodin has managed a number of other GCP Hospitality properties, most recently the 308-room Hotel G Singapore.
Prior to Singapore, Rigodin was director of residences at Embassy House, a serviced apartment in Beijing. He began his career as a chef before moving into management positions with luxury design and lifestyle hotels in Pattaya, Siem Reap, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and London.
Othmane Amrani
Meanwhile, Othmane Amrani has joined Hotel G Singapore as general manager from Hotel G Yangon, where he was the opening general manager for two years.
He has worked in senior management positions with GCP Hospitality since 2014, and entirely with the Hotel G brand – he was the general manager of Hotel G Beijing, and operations manager at Residence G Hong Kong prior his stint at Hotel G Yangon.
Othmane first began his career with the Louvre Hotels Group, and he has over 12 years of international hotel management experience in France, Hong Kong, Greater China and Myanmar.
Two years ago, you said the Games would result in many business events for the Gold Coast. Did that happen?
Yes. We’ve secured 47 business events under the category of sports, health and wellness, which will bring us around A$82 million (US$62.8 million) in estimated economic impact. We have 15 more on the waitlist (as of early-April).
Anna Case
What sort of events are they?
Mostly association meetings, with a few incentive programmes. One of the (incentive) wins is Infinitus. In our eyes, Infinitus is the number one direct selling company in China, and their branding and products are around wellness.
Would you say that Infinitus was won because of GC2018?
Not directly due to the Games but because we had already won the Games when we were pitching to Infinitus, we were confident to say that since we could deliver the Games, we would be able to do the same for Infinitus. Seeing how the city has handled the Games, I think Infinitus should be fairly easy (laughs).
Why wasn’t there more corporate event wins?
We wanted to target corporate but it was a little more challenging because many of them (as sponsors) were being worked through with GOLDOC (Gold Coast 2018 Organising Committee).
GOLDORG’s work with the corporate groups was mainly around the games. That’s not our mission at all. We never targeted anyone during the Games because we had no access to tickets and space, and had no idea how things will be (at the point of corporate enquiry). Furthermore, GOLDOC had so many hotels blocked and locked in contracts.
I knew we could impact more of the associations business, particularly in sports, health and wellness. True enough, we’ve got anything from acupuncture to anti-doping.
Has the Games altered your city’s reputation for business events?
We are already up there as a contender for international events but many people don’t know about us. At IMEX people asked where the Gold Coast was. Asia knows us, particularly China. But a lot of Europeans, North Americans and South Americans don’t know who we are.
However, sometimes being too well known as a beach resort destination can be a negative.
How so?
Once we had one of our neuroradiology specialists, a charismatic and intelligent gentleman in his mid-40s – a very young age to have achieved what he did – who led an event bid. People didn’t think he was legit, considering his age and the place he came from. We had to convince the association, a very traditional European-based one. They eventually came down last year with record numbers – 1,200-plus neuroscientists and brain surgeons. They had the best time!
We just won the Australian Space Research Conference (September 2018) that NASA is part of. Would you see the Gold Coast as a place for space research? Well, we have a leader here in our backyard!
We have the Institute for Glycomics (in Southport, Queensland), a leader in malaria vaccine. With their trials now, they are so close to curing the disease.
People think a beach resort destination isn’t able to achieve this sort of things. But we have three amazing universities and very high profile academics and researchers who live here.
What are the main industries on your radar for business meetings?
Sports, health and wellness industries are the obvious ones, as the Gold Coast has always been a sporty destination. (In March) we attended SportAccord in Thailand, a tradeshow that connects destinations and organisations for future sporting events.
Our strategy is to win the sporting events with a conference component, like an AGM or a global coaches conference.
The other core industries are engineering, health and knowledge, film, marine and wildlife.
A lot of the theming and construction of activations during the Games were done by local companies. Is this an opportunity for local event suppliers to expand their capabilities?
Yes! A perfect example is Moreton Hire, a Gold Coast family-run company specialising in exhibition production for the past 50 years. They were involved in many of the Games projects and as a result, the people handling Tokyo 2020 (Summer Olympics) are now looking at them for collaboration opportunities.
I think that is one of the reasons why the State Government has gone behind the Games.
To build that legacy for Australians, you mean?
Yeah. A lot of sporting associations have relocated their headquarters to the Gold Coast. This was all the city’s efforts, which started in 2011 (when news broke that Gold Coast had won the Games bid). Destination Gold Coast Business Events also activated activity to encourage sporting associations to meet on the Gold Coast pre- and post-Games.
A redeveloped Pan Pacific Orchard that will join Singapore’s skyline come 2021
As part of its global brand refresh, Pan Pacific Hotel Group (PPHG) will introduce market-specific strategies on top of a revamped logo and new hotels in the pipeline.
Cinn Tan, chief sales & marketing officer, PPHG, told TTGmice: “We are working more strategically with local partners in every key source market, such that we can identify and understand the behaviour (of customers in those markets).”
A redeveloped Pan Pacific Orchard that will grace Singapore’s skyline come 2021
For example, in Japan, the group is working closely with JTB and online travel agencies to identify what the Japanese are looking for and are particular about to better fulfil their needs, she explained.
She added that for the Middle East market, PPHG now crafts customised “combo” packages for the frequently large family groups to accommodate them in connecting suites.
This market-specific strategy also includes an e-concierge “mini-programme” on WeChat for its Chinese guests, who can access information about the hotel and nearby attractions, as well as other technology in its hotels based on market segment profiles and preferences.
Tan revealed: “We can no longer set a standard operating procedure to cut across every region. This is a service industry so we need to allow our staff to have a degree of flexibility.
“We still have certain standards but we want our staff to exercise their own initiative in deciding what should go on top of delivering our standard service.”
To inculcate the refreshed service philosophy, PPHG is also launching a new service training programme that sees its own regional and upper-management teams conducting training classes for their own staff.
Tan: working closely with local partners in key markets to better understand customers
“The top management team knows their product and brand the best. They know the challenges and kinds of customers (the hotel is) facing day to day, so they are able to relate better, quote examples and give solutions to staff during training,” explained Tan.
The group has also combined its three websites into one to streamline and simplify its booking process. The new website will also feature social elements, such as reviews and user-generated content, to appeal to the younger generation of travellers, revealed Tan.
Lined up for the next three years are a slate of four new Pan Pacific and three Parkroyal additions globally, including the flagship Pan Pacific London by 2020, a redeveloped Pan Pacific Orchard in Singapore by 2021 and Pan Pacific’s first resort in Danang.
Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has signed an agreement with Incheon Tourism Organization to host the annual Korea MICE Expo in the city for the next five years, with the first edition of this arrangement kicking off this morning (Thursday) at the Songdo ConvensiA.
However, Incheon is not new to hosting the Korea MICE Expo; it played host to the 2016 and 2017 editions.
Min Minhong addressing the crowd
When asked why settle the trade event – regarded as South Korea’s biggest destination showcase for business and association buyers around the world – in Incheon, Min Minhong, KTO’s executive vice president for international tourism, told TTGmice simply: “Why not?
“Incheon’s Songdo city has so many new hotels, many (of which are) five-stars, good venues like this one (Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Incheon, a hanok-style hotel and venue for the hosted buyers welcome reception yesterday evening). Many major companies have (also) settled in Songdo City and they are meeting here.”
Songdo City – also known as Songdo International Business District – is opening progressively, with more infrastructure being built. Among them, according to Min, is the expansion of Songdo ConvensiA.
Traditional dancers entertaining hosted buyers at the welcome reception
“Also, Incheon’s Paradise City is expanding too, with a second phase development. Incheon will have so much more (to offer to) business events,” he said.
Paradise City is a resort complex that opened in April 2017, offering more than 700 guestrooms, eight F&B outlets, extensive fun and wellness facilities including a bowling alley, a grand ballroom and five meeting rooms.
One of the possible locations in Sunway Lagoon where a themed dinner can be held
Sunway Lagoon is looking towards India and China as new possible targets for business events groups, to complement their existing corporate markets from Malaysia and Singapore.
Michelle Gregory, director of marketing at Sunway Lagoon, explained: “Both India and China have huge potential as they are both medium-haul markets with direct flights to both main and secondary cities. According to their budgets, corporate companies also have a choice of full-service and low-cost carriers that travel directly to Kuala Lumpur.”
One of the possible locations in Sunway Lagoon where a themed dinner can be held
Tapping into these two new markets will also help the company increase its marketshare of business events, which currently stands at 25 per cent of the business mix.
In order to do so, Sunway Lagoon will be participating in key trade shows to increase market awareness about its product offerings and what it can do to create “wow” and memorable events. A greater emphasis has also been placed on being featured in leading travel trade publications in Asia specialising in business events, as well as being included in the brochures of both Chinese and Indian outbound agents.
This year, Sunway Lagoon also plans to increase the number of sales visits to outbound agents from China, and business events planners in first- and second-tier cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Guilin, Chongqing and Shenzhen.
An online marketing strategy is also being developed, to complement existing marketing activities. This includes developing an online MCE database, producing digital sales and marketing tools, and conducting digital-based marketing and public relations activities.
Sunway Lagoon has also developed a number of in-park shows and performances that are suitable for themed dinners.
Gregory shared: “The themed dinners are part of our efforts to upscale themed dinners and make them more elaborate and luxurious.”
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched Voco, its new upscale hotel brand, alongside a first signing in Australia.
The new brand will focus primarily on conversion opportunities and work with individually and locally-branded hotels to leverage IHG’s systems which includes revenue management and technology capabilities, and will be part of the IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme.
The first Voco has been signed in Surfers Paradise, Australia
The roll-out of Voco will begin in IHG’s Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa regions, with plans to take it to the Americas and Greater China over time.
The first signing will be the Watermark Hotel & Spa Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, Australia, and is due to open under the Voco flag late this year. The 388-room hotel offers guests two swimming pools and 800m2 of meeting space.
As well, IHG announced last month it was adding 13 UK hotels to its portfolio after signing a deal with Convivio (formerly Foncière des Régions). A number of these properties will join the Voco brand in coming months.
How a Voco property might look like from the inside
Voco – inspired by the meaning ‘to invite’ or to ‘come together’ in Latin – will focus primarily on conversion opportunities and strengthen IHG’s offer in the US$40 billion upscale segment, which is expected to grow by a further US$20 billion by 2025. Voco is also expected to open more than 200 hotels in urban and leisure locations over the next 10 years.
IHG said it had identified three “critical moments on the guest journey” through “deep customer insight where Voco can create a compelling guest experience that will differentiate the brand.”
These are Come on in – targeting guests at the beginning of their stay with a “swift and simple check-in” and “unexpected, locally-influenced treat”; Me time – IHG will invest in bedding, bathroom amenities, smart TVs and connectivity; and Voco life – communal spaces that “work for different moments of the day.”
Keith Barr, CEO of IHG, said in a statement: “We’ve talked about the significant growth opportunity we see for IHG in upscale and Voco will help us deliver against this. With Voco, the recent addition of Regent Hotels & Resorts in the luxury space, the launch of Avid hotels in the Americas, and the work we’re doing to enhance our existing brand portfolio, we’re making great progress with our ambitious plans to accelerate growth.”
Tahnya Butterfield speaking at a media event. Photo credit: Jensen Chua
Tahnya Butterfield speaking at a media event. Photo credit: Jensen Chua
What inspired the birth of NOSHtrekker?
The idea for NOSHtrekker was conceived from my own experience as a traveller. I was asking questions like “What if the souvenirs you take home from your travels are memories of time spent with local people and delicious food — instead of gifts like magnets and keychains?”
I had a strong desire to change the way travellers connect with cultures and experience a place. I talked to many people who then started referring me to others who eventually became our first Hosts.
How does NOSHtrekker select and qualify the experiences it offers?
There are many people who enjoy cooking for others but finding someone who is an excellent cook and be a docent of culture, heritage, wellness, sport or industry, while having what we call sharp “service eyes” is an absolute art.
Our Hosts are unique in that respect, and we find each other through word of mouth. Our closely-knit community and network of advocates have a really good idea of what kind of people and what types of food we are looking for, and they are always on a lookout on our behalf.
Once a Host is identified, we evaluate them on three criteria: demand, in-person evaluations and standard criteria. We consult with our travel partners to get feedback on marketability, undertake interviews and personality assessments, and run the Host experience through a proprietary process that validates and articulates if that person and experience is right for our customers. This qualifying process is something we continually refine as we learn more about our clients and our business.
NOSHtrekker is offering its experiences for corporate groups through Pacific World. Why not go at it independently? Moreover, why Pacific World?
Our business strategy is greatly influenced by the professional experience of our founding team. In our previous careers, Sarah (the co-founder) and I have worked with both startups and global corporations, developing strategies and brands. Early in the business, we decided to identify and play to our strengths and complement our offering with likeminded partners like Pacific World who have great logistical capability.
The principles on which we select partners is the same as how we select our Hosts. It starts with great people who share similar values and have a common vision. We work incredibly well with Pacific World because they understand what we are trying to achieve with our experiences – to give people an authentic, transformational experience through food and storytelling. They also know why we do what we do, and positively impacting lives rings true for them too.
At the end of the day, guests need to know they have learnt something, shifted their perspective, and (know that) their curiosity to try something different has paid off.
I love the first line in NOSHtrekker’s introduction: “NOSHtrekker is changing the way travellers collect souvenirs and memories by connecting cultures through delicious, home-cooked food, the incredible people who eat and make it, and the local stories they tell.”
Do you think what NOSHtrekker does can also change the way business event attendees connect with one another and with the destination they meet in?
Storytelling is the most impactful way to share ideas, while food is a conduit to creating conversation. Together, they have the potential to create shared memories and context for engagement that might not exist readily, particularly in a corporate setting.
It’s our goal for every guest to leave our experiences transformed in some way. This can be through the food, the Host story, or even by simply receiving warm hospitality from people of different cultures.
Your experiences are now available in Singapore and the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Where else next, and what can event planners look forward to?
We’ll be introducing new in-home dining experiences in Cairns and Darwin and venturing into Genoa, Italy, Thailand and Malaysia. We hope to deliver to event planners better experiences in the form of higher standards of service quality, stronger stories and more fabulous food.
Raffles Hotels & Resorts opens third European outpost
Raffles Europejski Warsaw has opened in Poland, in a neo-renaissance palace dating back to 1857. Painstakingly restored to its pre-war glory, the hotel now feature 106 rooms and suites with blackened oak floors, contemporary Polish art, and sleek marble-clad bathrooms with Art Deco touches.
Aside from the four F&B venues, Raffles Europejski Warsaw also features a corner library, Raffles Spa with six treatment rooms, a 24-hour gym, and an upstream indoor swimming pool.
United unveils exclusive Private Suite in LAX
United Airlines and The Private Suite have partnered to offer the airline’s customers access to a newly-built, private terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The United-branded lounge at the new terminal includes individual suites and restrooms, and features a full bar and top-tier food service.
Customers who purchase access will enjoy private and personalised check-in and baggage handling, as well as private screening by Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. United customers using the new terminal will also be driven across the airfield in BMW 7-Series sedans directly to their aircraft.
Access to The Private Suite will be included in certain business-class fares, for customers flying to or from New York/Newark; Aspen, Colorado; Hawaii; London Heathrow; Los Cabos, Mexico; Melbourne and Sydney, Australia; Shanghai; Singapore; and Tokyo Narita.
The Private Suite experience will initially be available through select corporate travel booking desks and travel agents, and later available for purchase on united.com or through the United app as part of a premium-cabin ticket fare.
OCEC increases size with completion of second phase
The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) has launched its convention centre, where the completed second phase of development complements five existing exhibition halls and 10 hospitality suites.
The centre now offers two ballrooms (including the largest ballroom in Oman), a 456 tiered-seat theatre, and 22 meeting rooms. The Junior Ballroom can accommodate 540 guests for a banquet or 1,000 guests theatre-style, while the Grand Ballroom can seat 1,200 people or be split into seven breakout areas for a convention.
With the new areas spanning 4,576m2, the total current event space has now reached 48,632m2. In a few months’ time, the final phase, a 3,200-seater theatre, will open its doors for its first performance.
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
