Peter Feran to lead new Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc

July 6, 2018

Peter Feran has been appointed general manager of Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc, slated to open this month as the brand’s first property in Vietnam.

The Australian brings more than 22 years of hospitality experience to the table, having been involved with the Radisson brand for the last 10 years, where he first started as rooms division manager at the former Radisson Playford Hotel & Suites, Adelaide.

In 2008, he was appointed hotel manager of Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney, followed by his first general manager role in 2010 at Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam. Following five years in Brunei, Peter moved to Thailand to take the reins at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok.

MITEC’s event management platform is now live

By TTGmice

July 5, 2018

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MITEC_-_Exterior_Shot — MITEC embraces digitalisation to enhance the customer experience

The Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) has launched its Event Management and Coordination platform, powered by industry software Ungerboeck.

The software offers a full-featured purpose-built Customer Relationship Management, sales, event and financial system that creates a centralised location for all event documentation.

MITEC believes that client-facing portions of the software is one of the ways to move towards a seamless and paperless communication

Mala Dorasamy, director of marketing and sales who is also the project manager, said the digital solution demonstrates the venue’s ongoing commitment to client-centricity in ensuring their needs are met from initial contact, booking confirmation, event planning stage through to its completion.

“The cloud-based platform provides the dynamic flexibility to allow us to move quicker, track information better, and save our team members valuable time from having to manage large volumes of paperwork as checking for availability, booking of spaces and other tasks can now be accomplished easily from anywhere,” said Mala.

Gunther Beissel, MITEC’s CEO, opted for Ungerboeck’s cutting-edge event and venue management software as it is a fully-loaded, end-to-end system with extreme flexibility to personalise and customise the software to the Venue’s needs. This includes integration with a payment gateway and an online service order which will be upgraded at a later stage.

MITEC also aims to roll out the Exhibitor Service Centre by the end of the year which will allow clients to complete applications, manage document, submit orders for venue’s services including audio visual, stand catering, resources and make payments from the comfort of their office.

Egencia Advantage adds Wi-Fi to portfolio of travel services

By TTGmice

July 5, 2018

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Business traveller Female — Travel managers are in a unique position to provide insight to their organization about the impact of business travel on employee wellbeing – but many do not have the KPIs that they could use to measure and monitor traveller wellbeing

Egencia has added global Wi-Fi access to its Egencia Advantage offering, claiming that it is the first global TMC to do so.

Egencia Advantage brings business travellers Wi-Fi from more than 300 mobile carriers and Internet Service Providers, and coverage in more than 120 countries, a more secure option compared to free airport or public hotspot offerings. Companies and their employees can purchase pocket Wi-Fi devices and discounted access through the Egencia Advantage programme, available to all Egencia customers.

Egencia adds public Wi-Fi access to Advantage offering

Currently, Egencia Advantage’s portfolio of services includes parking, visa processing services, travel risk management assistance, air delay claim compensation and airport lounge access.

Being able to keep up with work duties is a top priority for most business travellers, according to a 2018 Egencia business traveller survey. Staying connected to family while on the road is also a priority, whether by frequent texts or Facetime.

“Traveller satisfaction goes beyond the number of stars on the hotel and the class of air travel: travellers need ways to stay connected and productive throughout their journey,” said Andrew Dyer, vice president, global supply-lodging at Egencia.

Egencia Advantage will continue to add services as relationships develop.

Meet Taiwan’s corporate contest returns for its fifth outing

By TTGmice

July 5, 2018

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Participants_from_seven_countries_perform_a_stage_show_of_Adventure_to_Dreams — Participants from last year's Asia Super Team

Meet Taiwan has announced the fifth annual running of Asia Super Team, a business competition targeted at promoting Taiwan as a top-of-mind destination for incentive travel.

This year’s theme is Dare for Future, and the competition is open to companies from Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Participants from last year’s Asia Super Team

Each team, made up of four people, will have the opportunity to be chosen to travel to Taiwan for the 5D/4N competition which will take place from October 15-19, 2018.

A total of eight teams will get to immerse themselves in Taiwan’s business events environment by travelling through the country, and visiting various key attractions and locations, including business event venues, festivals and major events.

The winning team will be awarded a Taiwan incentive travel package valued at US$50,000.

Registrations are now open until August 15, 2018, and results will be announced on September 17, 2018. For more details, visit the Asia Super Team website at asiasuperteam.meettaiwan.com.

MEET TAIWAN first launched the Asia Super Team competition in 2014, and the past four years have seen more than 5,000 Asian companies joining the contests, including JTB Kyushu and Bun Corporation.

FCM Travel Solutions promotes Bertrand Saillet

By TTGmice

July 5, 2018

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Bertrand_Saillet_General_Manager_FCM_Travel_Solutions_Singapore-JULY-18-640 — Bertrand Saillet

FCM Travel Solutions has consolidated its Asia management team and announced that Bertrand Saillet will be the new managing director of Asia of FCM Travel Solutions and FCTG.

He replaces David Fraser, who was previously the managing director of FCTG Asia. In his new role, Saillet will spearhead the overall growth of both FCTG and FCM Travel across Asia.

Saillet was previously the general manager for FCM Travel Solutions, where he oversaw the sales and marketing, account management, technology and operations across Asia.

Swire Hotels announces opening of The Middle House

By TTGmice

July 5, 2018

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The Middle House has opened in the heart of Shanghai, within the HKRI Taikoo Hui development.

The property offers 111 modern studios – varying from 50m² to 100m² in size – and 102 serviced residences that range from 55m² to 110m². The latter comes with kitchen and laundry facilities.

The Middle House also features a 660m² top-floor Penthouse overlooking Nanjing West Road. The two-bedroom suite offers private terraces, a lounge and an exclusive event space with a private kitchen – an ideal event venue.

Recreational facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool, 24-hour gym facilities comprising a Hypoxi room and wellness studio, group yoga sessions, and a lifestyle shop. There are three F&B venues as well: Café Gray Deluxe by chef Gray Kunz which combines a restaurant, lounge bar and private dining room; Italian restaurant Frasca; and Sui Tang Li, an eatery serving up dimsum and dishes influenced by Shanghainese, Sichuan and Cantonese regional cuisines.

The Middle House is the latest addition to Swire Hotels’ portfolio, and is the fourth hotel in The House Collective.

Beyond Asia: The Tivoli Évora Ecoresort, Star Alliance Lounge, The Big 5 Egypt

By TTGmice

July 5, 2018

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Tivoli unveils property in Évora, Portugal
Tivoli Hotels & Resorts will be opening its first property in the Alentejo region of Portugal in the UNESCO-listed city of Évora.

The Tivoli Évora Ecoresort, scheduled to launch in 3Q2018, will be a nature retreat offering 56 suites placed on the 38,000m² grounds. The hotel is currently operating as the Ecorkhotel, Évora – Suites & Spa. As part of the refurbishment, a new villa with nine guest rooms, and a private outdoor swimming pool will be added.

Recreational facilities include a spa comprising an indoor swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath and fitness room. There are also a restaurant, lobby bar, and pool bar. Public areas and multiple suites can be reserved in exclusivity upon request, providing the perfect setup for incentives or company retreats.

Star Alliance opens new lounge at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport
Star Alliance customers travelling from Rome can look forward to a new premium lounge experience at Fiumicino Airport.

The Star Alliance-branded lounge features Italian designer furniture, along with functional spaces to work, relax or socialise in. Travellers can delight in a staffed bar and barista coffee station, and have their belly filled with made-to-order Italian-inspired dishes.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the lounge, with a mix of standard and USB power outlets where customers can recharge their electronic devices. A private space for making phone calls is also available. The lounge, located on the upper level of Boarding Zone D in Terminal 3, can accommodate around 130 guests and will open daily from 05.15 to 21.15.

Mesnwhile, the lounge in Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport is due for refurbishment, and a new lounge is being developed in Amsterdam, slated to open in early 2019.

The Big 5 goes to Egypt
Organiser dmg events is expanding its The Big 5 brand into Egypt.

Taking place at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre from September 18-21, 2018, The Big 5 Construct Egypt will be the second largest construction show after Dubai. The show’s first edition will be held on 24,000m2 of space, split across two exhibition halls and an outdoor area.

The event will bring in the latest technologies from leading global brands and support knowledge sharing while facilitating business opportunities between local and international innovators in the sector.

MCEC names director of IT

By TTGmice

July 5, 2018

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Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has appointed Celeste Johnston as director of information technology, a newly-created role within the organisation.

Johnston will start in her new position on August 6, 2018.

She joins MCEC from AGL where she was head of digital technology quality assurance, digital transformation capability leader. Johnston also has extensive experience in digital transformation, where she ensures technology delivers business value, and has led large, complex digital delivery services.

Prior to joining AGL, Johnston was head of quality assurance, project governance and release management at Latitude Financial/GE Capital. She has also held a number of senior positions with organisations including Credit Suisse, Telstra and Coles Myer.

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit stirs Sicilian chef into team mix

By TTGmice

July 5, 2018

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Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit has appointed Frederik Farina as its executive chef and director of F&B.

He assumed both roles last month at the first Hyatt Regency in the Thai capital, which is scheduled to open later this year. In his new position, he will oversee all culinary attractions at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit.

Prior to his transfer, the Sicillian spent most of the last seven years in similar roles at Hyatt Regency Danang in Vietnam. He previously started with Hyatt Hotels in 2005, when he first worked at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok for almost 10 years.

Farina started in 1999 as a cook helper at Jonico Restaurant in his hometown of Siracusa, Italy, before taking on culinary positions at renowned restaurants in Milan and Miami.

Bali’s Badung Regency readies for IMF-World Bank meeting

By Mimi Hudoyo

July 3, 2018

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antarafoto-bandara-bali-raih-penghargaan-240416-app-1-909x605 — Ngurah Rai International Airport’s parking stands are in the process of being increased

Bali is gearing up to welcome the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, happening later this year, by improving various infrastructure and amenities.

The meeting from October 8 to 14 will be the biggest event to ever take place on the island with 15,000 delegates from 168 countries.

Ngurah Rai International Airport’s parking stands are in the process of being increased

A total of 1,200 meetings will take place in 89 venues across two convention centres and hotels. As well, 4,600 hotel rooms in Nusa Dua have been booked to accommodate delegates.

In addition, state-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura I, which manages Ngurah Rai International Airport, is expanding the airport’s apron to allow 11 additional parking stands, bringing the available slots up to a total 63 aircraft. This development is currently underway and is expected be ready in time for the meeting.

Improvements are also being made to the regency’s infrastructure. The 712m-long Ngurah Rai Underpass – set to be ready in August – will reduce traffic congestion around the Ngurah Rai Statue roundabout by 50 per cent.

Badung Regency stretches from southern Nusa Dua, Uluwatu and Jimbaran to Seminyak and Canggu along the west coast, up to Mengwi and Plaga in the northern part of the territory.

The regency is in the midst of developing itself into a ‘smart city’. A project, which involves the installation of 385 CCTV cameras in 986 locations across the regency, as well as a Wi-Fi network, is scheduled to be completed by October.

Addressing the media at the Bali and Beyond Travel Fair 2018 held in Bali last week, I Made Badra, Badung Regency’s head of tourism, said: “The CCTV cameras are placed at tourist attractions and other strategic locations to provide safety and security for travellers and the community alike. The Wi-Fi network will be available across the regency free of charge to (enable tourists to stay connected).”

These, according to Badra, will not only be available during the conference period but will become part of the service the regency provides to both locals and travellers.

Meanwhile to make it easier for delegates to move around, the regional government has provided 20-seat buses, and put in place a traffic central system. In addition, some 9,000 members of police force and pecalang (Balinese traditional guards) will be on duty during the event.

Peter Feran to lead new Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc

MITEC’s event management platform is now live

Egencia Advantage adds Wi-Fi to portfolio of travel services

Meet Taiwan’s corporate contest returns for its fifth outing

FCM Travel Solutions promotes Bertrand Saillet

Swire Hotels announces opening of The Middle House

Beyond Asia: The Tivoli Évora Ecoresort, Star Alliance Lounge, The Big 5 Egypt

MCEC names director of IT

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit stirs Sicilian chef into team mix

Bali’s Badung Regency readies for IMF-World Bank meeting

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