Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has appointed Jakob Yamac as director of food and beverage.
Prior to joining the hotel, Yamac was at the Address Boulevard Hotel in Dubai, in the same capacity for two years.
He is no stranger to Kempinski, as he held the position of bar manager at Kempinski Mall of Emirates in Dubai, UAE.
In total, the German has more than 10 years of experience in F&B roles under his belt. He first began his career as a bartender at the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, UAE.
The Korea Tourism Organization’s (KTO) efforts to diversify its source markets for incentive groups since 2017 are starting to bear fruit.
PTT Public Co., a global gas company based in Thailand, will be taking a large-scale incentive group to the country this year. The 1,312-strong group will visit South Korea in batches, with the first descending on the destination on September 2. The rest will continue to arrive through to December 3, 2018.
The first batch experienced a five-day itinerary, where participants visited attractions in Seoul and Busan, such as Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Jagalchi Fish Market and Gamcheon Cultural Village in the latter destination.
Meanwhile, 941 employees of Vinamilk, Vietnam’s largest dairy producer, are slated to visit South Korea this October.
Another notable incentive group that visited South Korea was MCI Indonesia, which brought 1,143 employees over last winter.
According to KTO, the number of incentive arrivals from South-east Asia reached 139,934 in 2017, reflecting a 31.4 per cent increase from the previous year.
Chulbeom Park, director of the KTO Corporate & Incentive Team, explained that the South-east Asian focus was taken as a means to recover from dented arrivals during the Chinese arrival downturn.
Park added that KTO has plans to expand its incentive promotions in Moscow, Russia.
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has partnered with Marketing Challenges International (MCIntl) to grow its presence in the North American market.
MCIntl is a full-service global destination marketing firm based in New York City. They are a key marketing and sales partner connecting leading convention bureaus and convention centres to the North American meetings market.
The Centre’s general manager, Alan Pryor explained in a statement: “We are excited to be working closely with MCIntl’s Managing Partners Michel Couturier and Jacqueline Hewitt, as well as their team, to expand our in-market reach and optimise our client engagement with North America.
“We have been consistently investing in the North American market to secure meetings, conventions, and incentives and are confident MCIntl’s market expertise, industry insights, and reputation for success will greatly benefit these efforts.”
Pryor continued: “This tie up with MCIntl is another important step to gain first-hand business intelligence to help us better identify relevant North American industry platforms and forums to take our business development strategy to the next level.”
Business travellers in Singapore have rated Tokyo and Bangkok as their top business and leisure travel destinations, in a study conducted by YouGov for luggage brand Samsonite.
The Samsonite Smoother Journeys study also found that Hong Kong is Singapore’s third-favourite business destination, while London ranked third for leisure travel. Mumbai, Bangalore and Jakarta were the least popular, according to more than 500 respondents who participated in survey.
London and Tokyo tied for the top spot among business travellers aged under 34, while Tokyo was the top choice for those between 35 and 44 years old, and those over 45 preferred Bangkok.
The Samsonite Smoother Journeys study was undertaken to find out what drives Singapore business travellers, as well as some of the things they liked – and didn’t like.
Overall, Samsonite found that one in five (22%) of Singaporeans enjoy overseas business travel a lot, 30% like it a little, and 37% are ambivalent.
“The Smoother Journeys survey revealed some surprising insights,” said Satish Peerubandi, general manager – Samsonite Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines & IndoChina. “For starters, we were surprised to see how strongly Asian cities did. We were also happy to see that a majority enjoyed business travel, even as it has a reputation for being tough for those who travel often. Only 11% of respondents said they did not enjoy business travel, with the majority liking it for the opportunities it brings.”
The advantages of business travel
The study found that many Singapore business travellers enjoy the opportunity to visit new places (94%), leave Singapore for a short while (91%), and work in new environments (88%).
While 60% said they believe they travel “just the right amount”, many still crave for their home comforts. Being apart from family and the fear of missing out on what is happening at home topped the reasons for people disliking business travel, at 57% and 41% respectively.
How business travellers manage stress
Business travellers identified traffic jams, flight delays and airport transfers as the most significant stress creators. When it comes to things they have control over, factoring in downtime and more effective packing and luggage are essential, they said. The study found that those who enjoy business travel are also those who are more likely to undertake activities that will help alleviate stress.
Many also allow for time to go to the gym or to shop, while close to half said they like to plan time for meals with colleagues or friends.
For a significant majority, efficient and effective packing was seen as a critical method to help ease stress, while many said that having a proper bag with easy access to laptops and toiletries when passing through airport security would improve their experience.
Other key findings of the survey include:
Concept
The recent release of the Crazy Rich Asians movie has piqued global interest in Singapore as a ‘rich’ destination – not simply for its luxury experiences, but also for its diverse cultures, including a colourful culinary scene.
In response to this, tour company Wok ‘n’ Stroll has crafted the Crazy Rich Asians – Behind the Scenes Food Tour. It takes guests behind the scenes of locales mentioned in the movie and its original novel, some of which include restaurants and hawker centres.
Our journey started at CHIJMES, where Wok ‘n’ Stroll’s resident food guide Simon imparted tidbits about the historic chapel and how the movie’s wedding scene was filmed here. Complementing this stop was a visit to Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant New Ubin Seafood’s newest outlet at CHIJMES.
The tour also provided a glimpse into Singapore’s famous hawker culture with a stop at Lau Pa Sat’s evening market, where a row of grilled satay, oyster omelette, carrot cake and murtabak (pan-fried bread with stuffing) awaited us.
The night ended with a swig of the iconic Singapore Sling, accompanied by a stunning evening view of the Marina Bay skyline at LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge.
The Crazy Rich Asians – Behind the Scenes Food Tour is also available in the day with a different itinerary that features other places such as the Botanic Gardens and Keong Saik Road.
MICE application
As each tour is limited to a maximum of 10 pax (and a minimum of six), larger corporate groups can be split into different groups and still enjoy a lower rate per participant. The original price is S$150 (US$109) per person.
The tour runs every Sunday at 18.00. Our session lasted four hours, during which we were ferried from place to place in a private mini-van. The meeting point is confirmed and disclosed after booking.
Service
In the restaurants, the best seats in the house were reserved for the tour, such as a private room and a corner table with an unobstructed panoramic view. At the evening market, a row of tables had been “choped” (local slang for “reserved”) for us with tissue packets and table mats – no mean feat in a crowded hawker spot. Food is served before or upon arrival.
Wok ‘n’ Stroll’s guides, such as Simon, are closely linked to the culinary scene in Singapore, and happily share local anecdotes with participants.
Contact
Tel (65) 8338 3571
Website www.woknstroll.com.sg
Email info@woknstroll.com.sg
Dorsett Kuala Lumpur has recently renovated its function facilities, and is offering a new Meet, Eat & Sleep @ Dorsett package.
The package is available from now until March 31, 2019, and is priced at RM140 nett (US$34) per person per day. If inclusive of overnight accommodation, prices start from RM295 nett per room per night.
Subject to a minimum booking of 15 guestrooms and 15 delegates, the package includes complimentary Wi-Fi, meeting equipment such as one LCD projector, screen and flipchart/whiteboard, and lapel/wireless microphone.
Bookings of 15 to 30 guestrooms will earn the group two add-ons, while bookings of 31 rooms and more will get three.
The add-ons include three per cent off the total bill, up to a maximum of RM5,000; one complimentary guestroom with breakfast on day of meeting; one complimentary room upgrade to a suite; F&B voucher valued at RM100; one complimentary valet parking; complimentary soft drinks during the refreshment break; and an hour-long welcome cocktail for up to 30 people at Windows Lounge.
Dorsett Kuala Lumpur’s meeting facilities range from 32m2 to 150m2, with seating capacity from a minimum of 40 to 200 in theatre-style.
Terms and conditions apply.
New look for The Radisson Collection Hotel, Strand Stockholm
The Radisson Collection Hotel, Strand Stockholm opens its doors after an extensive renovation by Swedish Architectural Studio Wingårdhs.
For the refurbishment of the 170 guestrooms, Wingårdhs repurposed existing furniture and fittings such as the doors and floors, and used dark tones and wood.
Located on the top floor in the historic tower of the hotel, at the top of a spiral staircase – originally a public view point overlooking the city – the Tower Suite benefits from a private roof terrace and sweeping panoramic views of Stockholm.
As part of the renewal, the hotel also introduced an authentic Swedish brasserie The Strand, headed up by chef Richard Williamson. The Strand seats 200 guests and consists of an all-day restaurant, with a large bar separating two different seating spaces.
The hotel also offers four meeting rooms including the Harbour Suite, which can also be used as a private dining space for functions, dinners and events.
Barbican, Worldspan to deliver full event service
Barbican Business Events has teamed up with Worldspan to meet the growing need for full event services among the venues’ clients, particularly associations and smaller corporate events.
The partnership will see Worldspan deliver services under the Barbican Business Events brand including delegate registration and management, production, transport and accommodation. The technical support element will be supported by Anna Valley, a well-known creative AV supplier, specialising in corporate events.
Dubai plays host to first Association Leaders Getaway
The Dubai Association Centre (DAC), a joint initiative of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), will host the city’s first-ever Association Leaders Getaway.
Taking place from December 10-13, it follows on from the success of the first Dubai Association Conference, held in late 2017, which focused on building a strengthened community and robust ecosystem for associations in the region.
The Getaway is designed to offer a unique platform for networking, trials and discussions, all set amid immersive experiences and scenic settings around the city. Some of the confirmed sessions include: Association Insomnia: What Keeps Association Executives Up at Night?’, a workshop aimed at identifying workable solutions to overcome current challenges; Youth Integration, which looks at how associations are becoming more appealing to the next generation; and Working Together to Advance Humanity, a panel discussion led by the Dubai Future Foundation.
The four-day event will bring together 60 attendees representing local, regional and international associations, in addition to Dubai Government representatives, university students and academics, as well as association volunteer leaders. It will also help to curate curating themes and topics of interest for the next Dubai Association Conference in 2019.
Stéphanie Walters has joined The Datai Langkawi as director of sales.
She will be managing all the direct B2B transactions for the European market, as well as developing the golf segment of the business.
Walters brings with her almost 10 years of sales experience and a global outlook derived from living and working in Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, and South-east Asia, for international hotel management companies such as One&Only Resorts, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and Jumeirah Hotels.
Noku Beach House is the latest luxury villa to join Elite Havens’ repertoire.
Perched on Balinese beach in Indonesia, and reportedly Seminyak’s only private beachfront villa, the property offers six suites, a pool, multiple dining areas and alcoves, and manicured gardens and lawns. Deep inside the villa is an exclusive spa, and a space that can be converted into an outdoor cinema.
The interior is undertaken by award-winning designer Alex Zabotto-Bentley, who has brought custom furnishings and Indonesian artefacts into the space.
The outdoor poolside dining and rooftop terrace are built from a 100-year-old pier from Borneo.
Noku Beach House can be an ultimate reward for top achievers. It can hold an event for more than 200 people.
Topi Manner will assume the post of CEO at Finnair from January 1, 2019.
Manner will take over from Finnair’s current CEO Pekka Vauramo, who has left the airline to become the CEO of Metso Group. Finnair’s current chief financial officer Pekka Vähähyyppä will act as interim CEO from now until the end of this year.
Manner has had a long career in several management positions at Nordea, the largest financial group in the Nordic countries. Since 2016, he has been a member of Nordea’s Group executive management and held the post of head of personal banking.
