Asia/Singapore Monday, 4th May 2026
Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGassociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTGmice | Thailand forges triple-helix alliance to tackle MICE talent shortage and drive grassroots growth
TTGmice | Malaysia targets food waste with new sourcing guide
TTGmice | Aloft Jakarta Kebon Jeruk levels up with new Grand Ballroom
Page 767

AccorHotels cements plans for Pullman Khao Lak Resort

By TTGmice
0
rendering of the upcoming Pullman Khao Lak Resort

AccorHotels has signed an agreement with Thailand-based real estate developer Khaolak Inter for a Pullman-branded property in the coastal town of Khao Lak.

Slated to open in 2021, the Pullman Khao Lak Resort will feature 50 family suites and a large kids club, specifically for family getaways. For couples and business travellers, the resort also offers seven private villas and an adult-only infinity pool.

From left: Khaolak Inter’s Michael Choo, Kamontip Phunratanamala, and Chan Chanyapoolsin; AccorHotels’ Patrick Basset, Gilles Cretallaz, and Joyce Ong. Photo credit: Pramook Tipvimalmas

Other amenities include an all-day dining eatery, a speciality restaurant, a lobby bar, and two meeting rooms with two breakout rooms. Wellness facilities include three pools, a health and fitness centre, beach club and spa.

The property is located an hour’s drive north of Phuket, and 80km south of Phuket International Airport. Should ongoing plans of Phang Nga Airport come to fruition, it will provide the first commercial aviation gateway to Khao Lak, bringing travellers closer to Khao Lak and the Phang Nga Province.

rendering of the upcoming Pullman Khao Lak Resort

There are currently over 120 Pullman hotels in 33 countries worldwide, with Asia-Pacific accounting for more than 70 hotels and resorts and over 21,000 rooms. Upcoming properties in the region include Pullman Mandalay Mingalar in Myanmar, Pullman Luang Prabang in Laos and Pullman Tokyo Tamachi in Japan.

Beyond Asia: The Barbican Centre, Washington State Convention Center, and QO Amsterdam

By TTGmice
0

The Barbican Centre makes improvements on existing event spaces
The Barbican Centre in London is refurbishing and upgrading Cinemas 2 and 3 to enable them to also be used for conferencing – complete with registration and food and beverage spaces.

Cinemas 2 and 3, which opened in 2012, will undergo upgrades and refurbishment, with a targeted opening date this summer. Once work is complete, both cinemas will have a capacity of 150 pax each, as well as offer the latest in high definition projection and audiovisual facilities.

WSCC expansion moves forward
The expansion of the Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) in Seattle has been approved to go forward by the City Council. The US$1.6 billion project, scheduled for a 2021 completion, aims to double the size of the facility to more than 78,900m2 of space.

The design of the WSCC addition prioritises efficiency, connections with the surrounding neighbourhoods, open and engaging public spaces, and a unique experience that embodies Seattle’s special qualities. The also aims to be a leader in sustainability, and will seek LEED Silver certification.

QO Amsterdam marries luxury and sustainability
QO Amsterdam, a 288-key InterContinental Hotels Group property, has opened its doors in Amstelkwartier in the Dutch capital.

The 21-floor hotel is designed to reduce environmental impact while creating the best possible guest experience, from the rooftop greenhouse to the intelligent façade and energy-saving features in its construction.

Amenities include Dutch eatery Persijn; Juniper & Kin, kitchen garden & bar on the 21st floor; 482m2 of meeting space; and Embody, a wellness studio on the 20th floor that offers the latest in fitness and wellness trends, and a wide range of group classes.

Niklas Andréen joins CWT as chief traveler experience officer

By TTGmice
0

Carlson Wagonlit Travel has appointed Niklas Andréen as executive vice president and chief traveler experience officer, effective September 2018.

Based in London, Andréen will report to Kurt Ekert, president & CEO of CWT, and serve as a member of the CWT Executive Leadership Team.

The Swedish national will oversee worldwide Traveler Services, which is being rebranded as Traveler Experience to align against CWT’s 3.0 digital strategy and an holistic approach to customer experience across all channels. He will take over these responsibilities from Matt Beatty.

Currently, Andréen is senior vice president & managing director of hospitality, car, digital mMedia, corporate and digital (beyond air) at Travelport. He has held several other leadership roles there including leading the integration of Travelport’s digital assets into their business.

Fourth Ascott serviced residence in Suzhou opens

By TTGmice
0
An apartment in Somerset Baitang Suzhou

The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has opened its fourth property in Suzhou – a fast-growing city along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, a key economic region that accounts for more than 40 per cent of China’s GDP.

Somerset Baitang Suzhou is strategically located in the heart of the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) – home to more than 2,000 multinational corporations – next to the Central Business District in the east of Jinji Lake.

An apartment in Somerset Baitang Suzhou

The 194-unit serviced residence comprises one to four-bedroom apartments, and offers an array of facilities such as an indoor swimming pool, gym, restaurant, golf driving range, and sauna and steam rooms.

The property is also within walking distance of two stations on Metro Line 1 and extensive bus lines, and a 20-minute drive from the Ecological Hub, Integrated Free Trade Zone and High Tech Industrial Zone.

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre names new head of safety & security

By TTGmice
0

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has appointed Maniraj Nadarasa as its new Head of Safety & Security.

In his new role, Maniraj is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of an efficient and effective strategy to manage risk, to maintain continuity of operations and ensure the safety and security of the Centre’s team members and visitors.

Maniraj brings with him over a decade of safety and security experience in the hospitality industry.

Prior to joining the Centre, Maniraj was the loss prevention manager at the Westin Kuala Lumpur, where he was responsible for managing security operations and the implementation of risk assessment plans.

Dusit Princess Srinakarin Bangkok names hotel manager

By TTGmice
0

Dusit International has appointed Benjamin Perera as hotel manager of Dusit Princess Srinakarin Bangkok.

Perera first joined Dusit in March 2014 as executive assistant manager – F&B of Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket. He was promoted to resident manager of the hotel in October 2014, and in July last year he took on the same role at the flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok.

Prior to joining Dusit, he spent more than 20 years working in various roles for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Moscow, Jakarta, Singapore and Hua Hin.

Oil and gas industry sees recovery but events spend still weak

By Ruth Chen
0

The oil and gas industry is showing signs of recovery but companies remain cautious about increasing budgets, which has seen spend on business events and event attendance lagging behind.

In 2016, at its bleakest when oil prices were at a 15-year low, companies reported massive layoffs, a complete freeze on staff events, reduction on assigned exhibition delegates as well as restriction on meetings to a when-necessary basis.

The oil and gas industry is showing signs of recovery

There has been no increase in companies’ marketing and event budgets since the cuts, and companies remain choosy about the events they go to, according to Stephen Ballard, managing director (oil & gas), BCM Public Relations, who organises oil and gas events in Asia.

Ballard said that during the oil price downturn, there were two major budget cuts and the industry is still recovering from those moves. He estimates that event participation in Asia was halved during the downturn – both marketing and delegate participation fell by approximately 50 per cent.

Most of the companies choose to participate in only the major international industry events as their marketing and travel budgets are highly scrutinised. Even if they do attend at all, industry participants use cheaper travel means.

Ballard: companies are still picky about the events they go to

According to a South-east Asian oil and gas association secretariat member who declined to be named, general participation at events has increased by an estimated five per cent since November last year. She anticipates attendance at her upcoming biennial exhibition in 2019 to increase by 10 to 15 per cent over the 2017 edition.

The difference in attendance could be a result of geographical differences. Industry participation remained mostly constant in London and other parts of Europe although the Asia-Pacific region had more volatility.

Ballard attributed this to the fact that mature markets such as the North Sea area have less changes in market developments while Asia is perceived to have greater potential growth.

Global Environment Facility meets in Danang this week

By TTGmice
0
Ariyana Convention Centre

More than 1,500 delegates have arrived and will be arriving at the Ariyana Convention Centre in Danang, Vietnam – managed by the Furama Resort Danang – to attend The Sixth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly and Associated Meetings, which began on June 23 and will conclude this Friday.

The GEF Assembly, set up to help tackle pressing environmental problems, is held every four years. It brings together environment ministers and other senior officials from its 183 member countries, along with heads of UN agencies, regional development backs, civil society organisations and business leaders to share ideas, solutions and action needed to protect the global environment.

Ariyana Convention Centre

The GEF Assembly and Associated Meetings were preceded by The Constituency Meeting and Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel Meeting on June 23. Following that are the 54th GEF Council Meeting from June 24 to 26, and both the 24th Least Developed Countries Fund/Special Climate Change Fund Council Meeting and a Civil Society Forum on June 26.

Visits to GEF projects surrounding Danang will take place on June 29.

The GEF has gotten underway

Matthias Wiesmann, general manager of Furama Resort Danang, shared that the experience garnered from hosting the APEC 2017 Summit helped his team to prepare for the 6th GEF Assembly and Associated Meetings over the course of several months.

Wiesmann added that the Ariyana Convention Centre has also implemented green activities in light of the meeting. For instance, the centre opts for locally-sourced meals, provides water stations instead of bottled water, and minimises the energy and its carbon footprint emission.

Vietnam was one of the earliest members of the GEF, joining on December 5, 1994.

ACC to offer a healthier menu for delegates

By TTGmice
0
Robertson heads a team of 75 kitchen staff at ACC

The Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC) will unveil its latest innovation on July 1, 2018, in the form of a fresh new menu, Honest Goodness.

Developed in collaboration with leading nutritional experts from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), the University of Adelaide, and CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity, the new menu will help transform the convention centre’s dining experience, placing emphasis on minimal intervention foods and conscious reduction of salts, sugars and preservatives.

Robertson heads a team of 75 kitchen staff at ACC

Designed with good nutrition in mind, Honest Goodness was created by the ACC’s executive chef Gavin Robertson in consultation with professor Gary Wittert of SAHMRI / University of Adelaide, and Pennie Taylor of CSIRO’s Health and Biosecurity unit.

To deliver on this commitment, Robertson and his team have reduced salts by replacing them with rubs and spices and swapped out sugar-laden drinks for house-made ice teas and fruit-infused waters. There’s also a strong focus on ‘preservative free’. Instead of using ingredients featuring nitrates, synthetic food preservatives or other additives, Honest Goodness uses natural rubs and house-made marinades to enhance flavour. In addition, cured and processed meats, which are traditionally high in nitrates, have been exchanged for in-house smoked and roasted meats.

Beyond its focus on minimal intervention foods, other features ACC’s new menu include:

  • Sensible Fats: Processed and manufactured fats and related substitutes have been replaced with natural animal and plant-based fats to create more balanced dishes, free from preservatives.
  • Low sugar and sodium: Honest Goodness focuses on the conscious reduction of refined white sugars, salts and processed sauces and dressings. As an example, ingredients with traditionally high sugar volume have been replaced with house-made chutneys, sauces and dressings with lower sugar levels.
  • A Taste of South Australia: Honest Goodness reflects the ACC’s ongoing commitment to sourcing food from local, sustainable environments. 97 per cent of produce used by the venue is sourced from South Australia.
  • House-made: The ACC’s in-house chefs are actively involved in preparing all dishes served at the Centre. Chef Gavin has worked closely with artisan producers – from cheesemakers to bakers, butchers and fishermen – to ensure any outsourced ingredients have been prepared in keeping with the Centre’s Honest Goodness philosophy.

Meet Taiwan to launch latest incentive campaign in Singapore

By TTGmice
0

Meet Taiwan will be returning for its annual Singapore destination roadshow – armed with their latest business events and incentive travel campaign – on June 27 at Mandarin Orchard Hotel.

Organised by the Taiwan External Trade Development Association (TAITRA), a delegation of nine Taiwanese business event companies will meet about 80 buyers and media.

Guests at last year’s Meet Taiwan event

The half-day event will elaborate on the benefits of business events in Taiwan, where Taipei city government representatives will present to attendees the many initiatives and subventions that can be enjoyed.

Guests also get to experience Taiwan’s 360 High Five Taiwan campaign with a glimpse into the beauty of Taiwan’s nature, food, sights, people and culture, and tradition within the metropolitan city through a VR showcase.

The roadshow will culminate in a themed panel discussion by Eagle Tour, Lion Travel Service and Taiwan Tour Travel, followed by a one-on-one table top session, a networking lunch and lucky draw to win a ticket to Taipei sponsored by EVA Air & China Airlines.

The Asia Super Team campaign will also return with the theme, Dare To Future. Each year, a chosen corporate team from eight targeted countries – South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines – come to Taiwan and compete while experiencing Taiwan’s business events facilities, scenic locations, cultures, and unique city features through play. The winning team is then awarded a Taiwan incentive travel package valued at US$50,000.

1...766767768...1,116Page 767 of 1,116

Reviews

The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok

The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike

Mama Shelter Zurich

Behind the imposing, Brutalist concrete that defines Zurich’s Oerlikon district lies a surprising secret. While its exterior honours the neighbourhood’s industrial roots, stepping inside Mama Shelter reveals a vibrant, neon-soaked world that is a far cry from its rigid shell

Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown

A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
Asia-Pacific's Intelligent Business Events Resource

  • All Rights Reserved

© Copyright TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd © 2025-2026
Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGassociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTGmice | Aloft Jakarta Kebon Jeruk levels up with new Grand Ballroom
TTGmice | Malaysia targets food waste with new sourcing guide
TTGmice | Thailand forges triple-helix alliance to tackle MICE talent shortage and drive grassroots growth