The Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) launched a culinary event, Buhay Carinderia Redefined, highlighting carinderias or roadside eateries selling local food, last week.
Buhay Carinderia Redefined is an “advocacy project” that redefines the carinderia “as something more than a simple corner eatery” into “innovative, dynamic and relatable”, explained TPB’s chief operating officer Cesar Montano.
Buhay Carinderia will go on a months-long journey all over the Philippines in search for the best in the Carinderia culinary scene
This comes after the cancellation of this year’s World Street Food Congress, and the rescheduling of premier gastronomic event Madrid Fusion Manila.
The event, originally known as Buhay Carinderia and organised by Marylindbert International in Manila in 2011, will be travelling around the Philippines. It will comprise of workshops, exhibitions, and culinary competitions.
Montano added that it will be “reaching out to the grassroots” by urging them to prepare and serve homecooked meals, an important part of Filipino hospitality.
The launch of Buhay Carinderia Redefined came after the organising committee of the World Street Food Congress announced its cancellation “under circumstances beyond our control”. The Philippines first wrested Food Congress from Singapore three years ago.
As well, TPB announced that the fourth year of Madrid Fusion Manila, initially slated for April, has been rescheduled to September, instead of initial plans to hold it in 2019.
Funds from levy collection will go towards building infrastructure, promoting rural destinations and more; Tokyo Haneda airport pictured
Travellers leaving Japan by plane or ship will have to pay 1,000 yen (US$9.30) in departure tax effective January 7, 2019, the first permanent levy to be introduced since the land value tax was established in 1992, according to the Japan Times.
The new levy, coined the “sayonara tax”, will apply to all travellers, both Japanese and non-Japanese, except children under two years old and transit passengers who depart within 24 hours of arrival.
Funds from levy collection will go towards building infrastructure, promoting rural destinations and more; Tokyo Haneda airport pictured
The move comes amid a visitor boom in Japan, which saw tourist arrivals grow by 19.3 per cent to reach over 28.6 million in 2017, with the number targeted to grow to 40 million by 2020.
Among the proposed uses of the funds are the enhancement of tourism infrastructure, promotion of destinations in rural Japan and the backing of global tourism campaigns.
There are also plans to have public transportation operators expand free wireless internet services as well as electronic payment systems.
Ann Siang House occupies a restored shophouse that dates back to the early 1920s, in an area that once home to clan associations.
The boutique property is a six-minute walk from Telok Ayer MRT. Within a five-minute-walk radius are local hawker centres such as Maxwell and Amoy Street; bustling eateries such as Park Bench Deli, and Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House; and popular watering holes like Oxwell & Co, and Blue Label Pizza & Wine.
Room Ann Siang House offers 20 rooms – 16 Deluxe Rooms, two Executives and two Suites. The main difference is that the Executives and Suites come with kitchenettes, and the Suites have an extra bathtub. The Executives and Suites are targeted at longer-staying guests business guests who would prefer to have a kitchenette to prepare simple meals.
Deluxe corner room 303
We stayed in Deluxe corner room 303. The 30m2 space is tastefully furnished, and felt spacious even though there was a work table, four chairs, coffee machine, and a minibar (items are all complimentary). Regular mod-cons include a flatscreen Samsung SMART TV, Tivoli Audio Bluetooth speaker system, and unlimited Wi-Fi access. There was a Handy Phone provided as well, and I thought that this newer version was more responsive and intuitive than its predecessors.
The Hypnos Firenze king-sized bed felt luxurious to the touch, and was extremely comfortable. It came complete with four fluffy pillows. I felt like I had a good night’s rest as I went to work feeling refreshed the following day, which is something business travellers would appreciate.
It was relatively quiet during my weekday stay at Ann Siang House, but we could hear the garbage truck reversing from our room in the wee hours of the morning. Note that on weekends, it may be noisier due to the numerous bars along Ann Siang Road. However, the boutique property does offer ear plugs and a white noise machine (upon request) to ensure guests have a peaceful night’s rest.
Bedroom 3 which comes with a kitchenette for longer-staying guests
Facilities Corporate guests can avail the in-house washer and dryer, provided with the hotel’s compliments. There are no recreational nor meeting facilities.
At press time, there are three F&B brands currently occupying the spaces around the lobby. The space on the right is currently occupied by coffee bar Cult (daytime)/and contemporary eatery The Guild (night-time). On the left is Italian restaurant Perbacco but it was not open when I was there. I understand it opens for lunch on weekdays, and on weekend evenings.
There is no hot buffet breakfast, but Ann Siang House has partnered with Cult to offer guests a takeaway breakfast box comprising a muffin, yogurt with granola, croissant, fruit, and a small bottle of orange juice. Corporate travellers wouldn’t go hungry in the mornings for sure!
Service Staff members were polite, constantly smiling, and made me feel at home. When we had trouble with our TV, the manager came up within minutes to help us troubleshoot.
Corporate travellers will find that the boutique hotel’s location is extremely convenient, where it is within walking distance to the CBD. I also think the hotel’s proximity to the many fantastic F&B options in both the Ann Siang and Telok Ayer area would also appeal to this segment.
Former president of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Jennifer Fox, will helm Millennium & Copthorne (M&C) Hotels as group CEO from June 19. She is also a member of the Board of Directors.
Fox replaces Aloysius Lee, former CEO of M&C, based in London. Tan Kian Seng, who has served as interim group CEO since February 2017, will remain with the group as chief of staff and assume other executive responsibilities.
Jennifer Fox
Prior to joining Fairmont in 2011, Fox held senior positions at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) over a period of 10 years, including chief operating office for Europe, and senior vice president overseeing global brand marketing for the InterContinental brand.
She joined IHG from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where she was global brand manager for Sheraton after spending over 10 years in various operational roles with ITT Sheraton.
Kwek Leng Beng, chairman of M&C, said in a statement: “With her strong leadership and in-depth sales, marketing and branding background, she will play a critical role in repositioning our key hotels, uplifting brand awareness of the group, as well as improving the overall performance of our portfolio.”
Fox said: “I look forward to working with chairman Kwek and the board, together with my new Millennium & Copthorne Hotels colleagues around the world. The group’s distinctive portfolio of iconic properties gives it a strong edge in tackling the challenges in today’s global hospitality market. I see this as a significant opportunity at a time of great change in our industry.”
A new venue that has opened in Greater Solo is inspiring confidence among local business event players who are certain that the Indonesian region will now be ready to compete on a global scale.
The venue – De Tjolomadoe Heritage and Convention – is a stand-alone multipurpose hall, and phase one of a six-part massive development by Sinergi Colomadu (see next page).
Solo City statue landmark
Retno Wulandari, general manager of The Sunan Hotel Solo and president of the Indonesia Marketing Association Solo Chapter, believes that De Tjolomadoe Heritage and Convention will be the bait Solo needs to attract more international business events.
“The infrastructure here is getting better, room availability is growing and we have an international airport,” added Retno.
While Greater Solo, which comprises Solo City Municipality and the Regencies of Sukoharjo, Wonogiri, Klaten, Boyolali, Sragen and Karanganyar, may not be on the radar of Asia’s business event planners, the region has been a quiet contributor to the local economy.
Greater Solo is a business region – hub to a bustling textile industry and home to Sritex, the biggest textile manufacturer in South-east Asia.
The region also boast a rich Javanese culture.
These were the elements that encouraged Indonesian president Joko Widodo – a native of Greater Solo – to transform the region into a business events destination when he was the mayor of Solo City from 2005 to 2012. He won for Solo City the International Conference of World Heritage Cities of Euro-Asia in 2008.
What followed were mega events, such as Solo Batik Carnival and Solo International Performing Arts, created to draw both visitors and positive attention to Solo City.
While these aggressive efforts tapered off when Joko left his mayor post to become the country’s ultimate leader, Greater Solo’s business events sector continued its growth.
In recent times, Solo City has been welcoming association conferences, sports events and political meetings. This year it will host an internist meeting for 4,000 delegates in July and a 7,000-pax Ministry of Youth and Sports conference in October.
Yanita Supardjan, director of sales, Alila Solo, observed: “A few years ago, corporates and associations only saw Solo City as a transit destination. Jogjakarta and Semarang were their primary choice. This has changed, with more planners (taking their events straight to) Solo.”
Daryono, chairman of the Indonesia Congress and Convention Association Greater Solo Chapter, said: “Greater Solo’s (daily financial transaction) is valued around 80 billion rupiah (US$6.2 million), the highest in Central Java and Jogjakarta region. Therefore, business events is a natural sector that we can develop.”
In comparison, Greater Solo’s leisure tourism potential is weaker – “less than 10 per cent (growth) annually” – according to data provided by the Association of the Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies, Daryono pointed out.
For local hotels The Sunan Hotel Solo and Alila Solo, business events make up the lion’s share of business – up to 80 per cent.
Wahyu Kristiani, head of marketing for Solo City Tourism Office, believes that Solo City can prosper through creative events that highlight local culture and heritage.
“Solo City should continue to stage Solo Batik Carnival which has been around for a decade, and having a colossal dance performance featuring 5,000 dancers in celebration of World Dance Day,” she said.
This year the city will host the International Gamelan Festival, an event built around the traditional Indonesian musical instrument.
Wahyu said: “The event took place in London last year. We won the bid for Solo City this year.”
She pointed out that cultural events such as Solo Batik Carnival are helping to attract business events, and is certain that “cultural-based MICE works for the city”.
She said: “The internist meeting organiser has asked to be part of the carnival, be it participating in one of the workshops or fashion shows, or simply having the delegates try some of the costumes.”
Also leveraging the region’s rich culture to attract corporate clients are tourism specialists who have developed experiential activities.
The Sunan Hotel Solo, for instance, offers a themed dinner and tour of one of Indonesia’s oldest recording studios, Lokananta, for residential meeting groups.
Djawa Trails takes business event delegates to two royal houses of Kasunanan Surakarta and Mangkunegaram for an introduction to the history of the city.
Looking farther, Daryono said Greater Solo should work with the Jogjakarta-Solo-Semarang (JOGLOSEMAR) tourism development in marketing the bigger region as a single business events destination.
JOGLOSEMAR is one of 10 New Bali development focus areas with Borobudur Temple as an integral part. Once future infrastructure is in place, the three cities will be easily accessible, within one or two hours from one another.
The forward thinking municipal government has also established policies that are pro-business events, such as infrastructure development and investment opportunities for four- and five-star hotels.
Meeting and event planners will be able to buyout Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali with the property’s latest offer.
The Clifftop Exclusive Buyout package includes full access to its 71 pool-villas, event spaces, restaurants, pools, beaches and other resort facilities.
An aerial view of the resort
The resort buyout is available year-round and prices start from IDR 563,100,000++ (US$40,881) per night inclusive of 54 units of pool-villas with daily breakfast and full access to the resort various facilities and services.
A minimum of one time lunch/dinner event during the buyout period is required. The exclusive closure of the resort for a private event will start from 14.00 on the day of arrival and end at 12.00 on the day of departure.
The luxury resort is located just 45 minutes by car from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and nearby attractions include Uluwatu Temple and beaches of Nusa Dua.
Marriott International marks its 100th hotel in India with the recent opening of Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center.
The property offers 360 guestrooms including 39 suites, across eight categories. All rooms include high speed Internet access, a 48-inch LED flatscreen TV, The Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience, and a minibar. Club Room guests will be able to enjoy an extra study room, terrace, and kitchenette in their living space, as well as have access to the Sheraton Club Lounge on the sixth floor.
Deluxe Room Pool View
Recreational amenities include a swimming pool, fitness centre, and the Shine Spa for Sheraton with five treatment rooms. There are also six F&B options ranging from the poolside bar to a grill and barbecue restaurant.
Event planners will be able to make use of the hotel’s 6,072m2 of space across 12 meeting rooms, including 2,602m2 in the adjoining convention center. The Grand Ballroom can accommodate around 2,000 people at a given point in time.
One of the hotels many meeting spaces
The Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center is located in close proximity to the International Tech Park Bengaluru, Manipal Hospital and the Export Promotion Industrial Park Whitefield, within the integrated township of Prestige Shantiniketan.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has appointed Bennett Peter as general manager of Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur Mont’Kiara.
Currently in pre-opening stage, the hotel is the first Hyatt House – the chain’s “modern essentials” brand – in South-east Asia and is set to open in 3Q2018.
Prior to this appointment, Peter was executive assistant manager of Hyatt Regency Kinabalu. He has over over two decades of experience in hotels and resorts across Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.
The property has also appointed Daniel Mahathir as director of sales.
The four-star upscale residentially-inspired extended-stay hotel is part of Arcoris Mont’Kiara, a development by UEM Sunrise Bhd that will feature 298 guestrooms, restaurants, 288m2 of meeting space, a fitness centre and sky pool.
He tells us what his goals and priorities are for the company this year, and how he feels about the growth of Chinese companies on the international scale.
Stakeholders have lauded the government's latest move in making e-visas easier to obtain
Delegates looking to visit India for international conferences, seminars or workshops organised by private entities will now be able to apply for conference visas from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Previously, conference visas were only given to delegates participating in events organised by the various ministries and government departments. Delegates that visited India for privately-organised events had to apply for business visas.
It is now easier to obtain a conference visa when visiting India
In another industry relief, the Ministry of Home Affairs also stated that manual prior clearance of visas at the ministry is now not required for all such events.
Business events stakeholders in India said this has been a long time coming, as they have been asking for such conference visas to be introduced.
“(For the past decade or so), we at the India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) have been asking for conference visas (to cover) all types of conferences. Earlier, one had to apply for a visa three months in advance to attend a conference and approval used to come at the last minute. This was a major challenge for us. Now, delegates can visit Indian foreign missions to apply for a conference visa,” said Chander Mansharamani, vice chairman, ICPB.
Prior clearance will only be required if conference participants hail from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistani origin and stateless persons. It will also be required if delegates arer equired to visit areas affected by terrorism or extremism like the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Chander added: “Without prior clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, foreign missions did not entertain visa applications belonging to conference delegates.”
Currently, the Indian government is also looking to add the conference category to the e-visa list, which would further simplify the process of obtaining a conference visa.
In addition, the ministry will soon launch an online module for the submission of visa applications by the organisers of international conferences. Clearance will then be generated through the online system and sent to the organisers, where a copy will also be sent to Indian missions overseas.
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.
