Beyond Asia: Hawaii, Accra Marriot Hotel, and The Impact Centre

May 31, 2018

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head in Honolulu, Hawaii

Hawaii eyes more SE-Asian incentives, global conferences
Following on its success in attracting incentive groups from Asia-Pacific, Hawaii has stepped up efforts in growing numbers specifically from South-east Asia as well as in scoring more global conferences.

Priscilla Texeira, managing director, Hawaii Tourism Authority Global MCI, described South-east Asia as a “new” and “lucrative” market for Hawaii’s business events sector. To achieve its goal, Hawaii opened a South-east Asian office two years ago to serve Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Supporting Hawaii’s South-east Asian ambition is a number of new flights launched in the region – Scoot’s Singapore-Osaka-Honolulu service and AirAsia’s Kuala Lumpur-Osaka-Honolulu service.

“Flights are a very large factor when it comes to getting corporate groups over,” Texeira pointed out, adding this is something the destination is constantly working on.
The destination is also aiming to attract more global business events.

AlohaConnects – a Meet Hawaii marketing and sales initiative – debuted two years ago to put the country on the world stage as a competitive destination for world congresses and international conferences. AlohaConnects helps to emphasise Hawaii’s strategic location, relevant industries and Hawaii Tourism Authority’s extensive activities in the business events space.

“Global business events – world congresses, associations, regional conventions, meetings and conferences – is a fairly new market for us. We go after conferences that have relevancy to Hawaii, for example scientific, medical, earth and ocean (environmental), cultural, and technology (IEEE),” she shared.

The initiative has seen success, scoring Hawaii hosting rights to the Association for Computing Machinery in 2020 which will attract over 3,000 people, as well as the Rotary International in 2020, with over 10,000 attendees expected.

Texeira said Hawaii’s membership at ICESAP will allow it to “garner a stronger presence in the Asia-Pacific market”.

“Now that PCMA has bought ICESAP, we feel that we can be the bridge for US companies or associations that want to increase their attendance from Asia-Pacific (at their events),” she explained, adding that the destination will also “capitalise on our strategic location as the connection between the East and West” to attract business events. – Rachel AJ Lee

Marriott debuts in West Africa
Marriott International has opened the 208-room Accra Marriot Hotel, standing just opposite of the Kotoka International Airport. Amenities on-site include three F&B venues, 800m2 of meeting space, a pool, and a gym.

Set in the heart of Airport City, a burgeoning urban development, the Accra Marriott Hotel is also located a few kilometres outside of the CBD providing easy access to major corporate businesses, government entities and well-known city landmarks.

New venue to rise in Scotland
Plans have been approved for a £4.5million (US$6 million) venue development in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Impact Centre will contain a 1,000-seat auditorium, along with a 200-seat rehearsal space, cafe, bar and dedicated educational spaces.

As well as being the home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the centre, when it opens in 2021, will be used for music performances, talks, conferences and as a venue for the Edinburgh Festival during August.

Peter Gan takes COO post at Swiss-Garden International

By TTGmice

May 30, 2018

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Malaysia-based Swiss-Garden International Hotels, Resorts & Inns has appointed Peter Gan Hock Chye as COO.

In his new capacity, Gan will be responsible for leading the operations for the group’s portfolio of 10 hotels, as well as steering the company’s future growth and maximising potential of the brand especially in new markets.

The hospitality veteran has over 30 years of leadership experience, and was most recently the COO and general manager for Aoluguya Hotels & Resorts based in Harbin, China.

Before that, Gan was COO for Ansa Hotels & Resorts, and general manager – operations & hotel operations for Dusit International. He had also spent time as general manger for Starwood Hotels & Resorts in China as well as Berjaya Hotels in both Malaysia and Mauritius.

Dusit appoints Eric Piatti as GM of first Singapore property

By TTGmice

May 28, 2018

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Dusit International has appointed Eric Piatti as general manager of Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore, the Thai hospitality company’s first property in the country that is slated to open in 1Q2019 within the Laguna National Golf & Country Club.

Piatti brings to his role more than 30 years of senior management experience at luxury hotels in the US, Switzerland, Japan, China, India, Egypt and Thailand.

Prior to joining Dusit, he spent five years as general manager of Swissôtel Nai Lert Park in Bangkok, and was previously the general manager of Swissôtel Beijing and Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers in Cairo.

Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li

By Caroline Boey

May 28, 2018

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Rooms Each of the 55 four-storey units, with a small rooftop, was originally built to house many families sharing common facilities.

Now, each unit accommodates one or two people in a one-bedroom villa, and up to six in a three-bedroom villa. The elegant interiors feature Chinese and French elements and all the comforts of a modern luxurious home. Each level offers separate living, entertainment, relaxation and sleeping areas; and minibar soft drinks and snacks are complimentary.

MICE facilities There is approximately 1,300m² of meeting space, including the signature le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire restaurant which can accommodate 70 people for an exclusive sit-down dinner, or about 100 people for a cocktail event.

The boardroom on the ground floor of the reception building seats 16 people, while the 120m² space upstairs is being renovated to accommodate 50 people classroom-style.
The hotel’s outdoor courtyard has been used for a fashion industry media event, where a tent had been constructed for a product launch. Its sheltered Secret Garden is suitable for cocktails for up to 80 people, while the Capella Library can accommodate 40 people for a similar event.

Other facilities The fitness and recreation area houses a 24-hour gym with state-of-the-art equipment, five single and two double treatment rooms at award-winning Auriga Spa, which features a flotation tank, vitality pool and salt-wall lounge.

Rooms 55 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas
Contact details
E-mail: info.shanghai@capellahotels.com

Kempinski offers improved conditions for bookers, lays out plans in Asia

By Rachel AJ Lee

May 24, 2018

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While two major global hotels chains have cut group booking commissions,
luxury hotel group Kempinski has decided to head the other way by introducing a guaranteed five per cent commission on contracted group F&B business, on top of the current 10 per cent commission on total net room revenue.

Speaking to TTGmice at the recent IMEX Frankfurt, Amanda Elder, Kempinski’s senior vice president business development, said: “We recognise that big players have decided that their partnerships (with bookers) were less-worthy of industry-commission standard, and have introduced a new commission standard. But we fully believe in our partnerships and are 100 per cent committed to maintaining all commission levels. While others are reducing, we are increasing.”

Butler: fully believe in partnerships with corporate bookers

A new booking platform has also been launched, where planners can collaborate with a dedicated Kempinski Event Butler who will handle everything from meeting room layouts to the menu for the gala dinner.

At the end of the year, Kempinski will debut a Meeting Planner Loyalty Programme which will reward bookers with a credit incentive based on total materialised revenue. Rewards can be earned on all business event bookings, and be redeemed against room nights, food and beverage or meeting space on future bookings across Kempinski’s properties.

The Europe-based luxury hotel group has in recent months stepped up its presence and headcount in Asia, a region where Elder thinks there is still a lot of room for growth.

Just announced on Monday was The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, which will offer 157 guestrooms and suites within the restored Capitol Building and Stamford House in Singapore’s Civic District. It will be Kempinski’s flagship hotel in the city-state, and feature a leading international restaurant under the helm of a Michelin-star chef. The property’s full range of services will be rolled out in phases later this year, starting with the hotel’s services in September 2018.

The Capitol Singapore will soon house a Kempinski hotel. (Photo credit: Perennial Real Estate Holdings)

Elder pointed out: “In Asia, the market is saturated, so we need to see where the next opportunities can be. We’re actually pitching for on a second property in Asia (in addition to The Capitol). We have a vice president based in Bangkok who is looking for new hotels in Asia.”

A global sales office in Singapore and a representation in Sydney will materialise by end of this year, following the company’s appointment of three headcount in India four months ago in partnership with Nijhawan Group. Elder shared that there has been “immediate success”, where the three employees have “booked us half a million dollars worth of business in four months”.

Another opening to come in South-east Asia is The Apurva Kempinski Bali in Nusa Dua, which will take in 432 guestrooms and suites, and 43 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, as well as boast meeting facilities.

Gangwon rides Winter Olympics wave to win more business events

By Pamela Chow

May 24, 2018

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Riding on the success of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the province of Gangwon in South Korea is packing its calendar with a multitude of business events and infrastructure developments in coming years.

Chung Man Ho, vice governor of the Gangwon Provincial Government, told TTGmice on the sidelines of the PATA Annual Summit that the province has secured international events such as the World Dance Association Assembly in August, the International Solid Iron Forum in 2019, and the International Environmental Symposium in 2020.

Gangneung KTX station opened ahead of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games, and is part of the improvement in Gangwon province’s infrastructure

“Aside from that, we have also applied to host many international events going forward,” revealed Chung.

As well, the province is also looking to make the Pyeongchang Olympic Forum – launched this year – an annual affair.

He elaborated: “Thanks to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Gangwon was able to learn how to successfully run international events by building our capacity and ability.”

He shared that 2.4 trillion Korean won (US$2.2 billion) was spent on the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, and of that,1.5 trillion Korean won was channelled into social overhaul capital – which included the construction of highways and cleaning up of streets – which “had a huge benefit for Gangwon as a whole”.

Chung: province has learnt how to handle large-scale events, and is working to attract more

The province’s transportation has also “improved dramatically”, and there are now more accommodation facilities available, such as the Lakai Sandpine Resort where the PATA Annual Summit was held.

Chung further revealed that Gangwon is working on expanding tourism infrastructure, including facilities in the mountainous regions, a marine tourist complex on the east coast, and Legoland Korea in Chuncheon – all to support an anticipated influx of visitors.

Of the 100 million visitors Gangwon sees annually, three million are foreigners, noted Chung. The province hopes to grow this figure to four million this year, and five million by 2020.

However, with the help of the upcoming international events, Chung is confident that arrival numbers will grow “beyond expectations”.

Global DMC Partners expands in APAC

By TTGmice

May 24, 2018

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Global DMC Partners, the largest global network of DMCs, has selected five new partners to serve 11 destinations across four continents, two of which are in Asia-Pacific.

The partnerships were forged with ID Events Australia, Palomino Hospitality (India, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka), as well as BE Agency (Netherlands), MCC Destination Management (Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa), and Nashology Events (Nashville).

A screenshot from the Global DMC Partners website

While these destinations have been accessible to Global DMC Partners before, an increase in demand for these destinations have urged the group to consider the DMCs for full-time partnership. Potential partners are assessed on strict criteria to ensure the network comprises of elite DMCs with the greatest local connections, creative expertise, and proven financial stability.

Catherine Chaulet, president of Global DMC Partners, said: “Our promise is to always deliver one-of-a-kind experiences under a singular standard of excellence. As the industry leader and the most widespread network of DMCs around the world, we remain focused on forming partnerships with only the most reputable and creative DMCs.”

The network’s Global Standardization Program and ongoing client evaluations help each DMC maintain the quality in service levels. In addition, the network ensures that members have access to continued education and best practice sharing

Reed & Mackay opens outpost in Singapore

By TTGmice

May 24, 2018

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Corporate travel management company, Reed & Mackay has opened offices in Singapore to be closer to its growing client base across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Leading the new market for Reed & Mackay is Vivian Hsiao-Yee Choo, who recently joined the business as senior vice president – Asia region.

Choo joins Reed & Mackay with extensive experience of the travel management market including leading business development for global TMCs across APAC.

Choo commented: “Our industry is ever changing and at Reed & Mackay we combine tradition and innovation to provide an extraordinary experience for our clients. I am delighted to be part of the Reed & Mackay family and am very excited to work with our industry partners to deliver our value proposition in the Asia region.”

In addition to their wholly-owned presence across EMEA, APAC and the US, Reed & Mackay’s International Partnership further augments their global offering with 4,000 travel experts across more than 40 countries.

Reaching the world in our own backyard

By Caroline Boey

May 24, 2018

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What does HKTDC do?
We are a statutory body with 50 years of experience and operate more than 40 offices worldwide. HKTDC is tasked to create opportunities for Hong Kong’s businesses, in particular SMEs, to trade with the world – including the mainland and international markets.

Our role is to promote Hong Kong as an effective business platform, and organise international exhibitions, conferences and business missions.

What key tradeshow trends has HKTDC identified for its strategic growth?
HKTDC has refashioned some of its trade fairs into lifestyle events – which feature renowned brands and public days at selected fairs to promote directly to consumers.

High-tech elements are also driving exhibitions across industries. Increasingly, shows like the Electronics Fairs for example present popular technology like VR/AR, robotics, smart home, wearable electronics, 3D printing and much more.

In recent years, Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem has been growing rapidly. The Startup zone was set up to tap this development and can be found in exhibitions and conferences including the Electronics Fairs, ICT Expo, Houseware Fair, Gifts & Premium Fair, Medical Devices and Supplies Fair, Eco Expo Asia, SmartBiz Expo and Asian Financial Forum.

Sourcing in small orders is also another market trend, and HKTDC has introduced the HKTDC Small Orders zone at selected trade fairs that feature suppliers’ products in minimum order quantities of between five and 1,000 pieces.

What is HKTDC’s focus in the next two to three years?
With the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link Hong Kong Section soon to be completed, Hong Kong will further enhance its connectivity to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Bay Area cities.

HKTDC trade fairs, which have long served as the preferred platform for mainland enterprises to go global, will benefit. We will adopt a cluster approach based on the sectoral strengths of individual Bay Area economies.

For example, the Henglan and Zhongshan Semiconductor Lighting Industry Association can ride on the Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) to promote their lighting products to overseas buyers. By the same token, European and US companies can also make use of HKTDC fairs to sell to the Bay Area, with a population of over 60 million people.

HKTDC is also riding on the proliferation of e-commerce. We are collaborating with renowned e-tailers, especially those targeting ASEAN and other emerging markets – where consumers have high purchasing power – to help Hong Kong exporters tap into the fast-growing global e-tailing market.

How is HKTDC capitalising on Hong Kong’s convenient entry point for international and Chinese tradeshow buyers and sellers?
Hong Kong’s close proximity to the mainland and other Asian countries makes it a premier gateway between the East and West. Ranked as the world’s freest economy, Hong Kong is the ideal springboard for enterprises to tap into the international and Chinese mainland markets.

We organise more than 30 fairs annually, including 11 of the largest marketplaces of their kind in Asia, with jewellery, gifts, watches and clocks, electronics and lighting fairs being the largest of their kind in the world.

For the 2017/18 fiscal year, HKTDC’s fairs attracted more than 39,000 exhibitors from 90 countries and regions, and over 750,000 buyers from 199 countries and regions, affirming the city’s reputation as Asia’s trade fair capital.

In the coming years, we would expect more South-east Asian buyers to make use of our trade fair platform for sourcing.

What new infrastructure will Hong Kong need to support future growth?
The supply of exhibition space is tight during peak seasons. We have taken the approach of “two shows, two venues” for our mega exhibitions. One example is the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show (IDGPS) held at AsiaWorld-Expo, and the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show (IJS) held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Due to the space constraint at HKCEC, since 2014, we split the Jewellery Show into two fairs, with IJS focusing on finished jewellery products and IDGPS specialising in jewellery raw materials, to ensure both shows have space for further development. Thus, we are able to put together the largest jewellery marketplace in the world hosting more than 4,550 exhibitors from 52 countries and regions, and about 87,000 buyers from 145 countries and regions in 2018.

We also convert areas like foyers and parking facilities into temporary exhibition space. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government proposed in the 2017 Policy Address that a study on developing new convention and exhibition venues be undertaken.

What is HKTDC doing to enhance Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a business events destination?
With HKTDC’s extensive network of 48 offices globally, including 13 on the mainland, we organise buying missions from around the world to source at our fairs, offering ample opportunities for exhibitors to reach potential buyers.

We maximise connectivity between buyers and exhibitors through our trade fair platform by offering business matching, networking events, buyers’ guided tours, product demonstrations, etc.

To encourage suppliers to use the online-to-offline platform, we have enhanced the sourcing function of our tradeshow websites by launching the year-round Exhibition Online platform. It is an online extension of the physical exhibition to facilitate business discussions between suppliers and buyers beyond the fair period.

With all that HKTDC is doing, what results have you seen so far?
For Hong Kong to remain competitive, it is important to nurture start-ups and a new generation of entrepreneurs who embrace new technologies and have a global perspective.

HKTDC’s debut of the Startup zone at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair 2016 (Autumn Edition) featured 48 start-ups, which received positive response from buyers, investors, exhibitors and the media. Riding on the success, the Startup zone returned in subsequent Electronics Fairs. In the most recent Electronics Fair 2018 (Spring Edition), and the concurrent International ICT Expo, and the number of start-up exhibitors grew to more than 100.

The start-ups are enjoying the valuable opportunity to conduct market validation by presenting their concepts, products and projects to global buyers and potential investors through a series of start-up themed events.

HKTDC is also collaborating with start-up accelerators and incubators to organise Smart Launch sessions for sharing, mentoring, pitching and investment matchmaking.

Frasers Hospitality sets up shop in smaller China cities

By TTGmice

May 24, 2018

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Fraser_Suites_Dalian_Facade_01 — Fraser Suites Dalian

Located in Dalian’s new CBD of Donggang is Frasers Hospitality’s 16^th property in China’s north-east.

Fraser Suites Dalian offers 259 fully furnished serviced apartments ranging from studios up to three-bedroom configurations, with certain rooms offering harbour views.

Fraser Suites Dalian rises above the new Donggang business district

Business amenities on-site include an executive floor with dedicated services for corporate travellers, a library lounge and meeting rooms. Meanwhile, recreational facilities include an indoor heated pool, 24-hour gym, billiards room, children’s play area and restaurant.

Acquired in 2015 for RMB481.4 million (S$100.3 million), Fraser Suites Dalian is part of the mixed-use Europark Tower development, which comprises a 100,000m2 lifestyle shopping mall, offices and luxury residential apartments, while also being within walking distance of the Dalian International Conference Centre.

“We see demand being driven not only by the inbound market but also by domestic travellers in the country. From FY2016 to FY2017, we observed a growth in the number of room nights booked by Chinese travellers, who account for almost half of all our guests in China. Given the fact that 75 percent of China’s business travel spend is domestic, we will continue to grow our footprint in first- and second-tier cities,” said Choe Peng Sum, CEO of Frasers Hospitality, in a statement.

Frasers Hospitality currently has presence in 11 cities throughout the country in Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Dalian, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan and Wuxi. The company has another 14 properties in the pipeline, which will see it enlarging its footprint in first- and second-tier cities such as Chengdu, Nanjing, Shanghai and Wuhan, as well as opening in new cities such as Nanchang and Haikou.

Beyond Asia: Hawaii, Accra Marriot Hotel, and The Impact Centre

Peter Gan takes COO post at Swiss-Garden International

Dusit appoints Eric Piatti as GM of first Singapore property

Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li

Kempinski offers improved conditions for bookers, lays out plans in Asia

Gangwon rides Winter Olympics wave to win more business events

Global DMC Partners expands in APAC

Reed & Mackay opens outpost in Singapore

Reaching the world in our own backyard

Frasers Hospitality sets up shop in smaller China cities

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