Amari Bangkok has appointed Michel Scheffers as its new general manager.
Scheffers has been a key leader within ONYX Hospitality Group, most recently serving as area general manager Southern Thailand, overseeing Amari Phuket and Amari Vogue Krabi.
He has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
Yen Dang has been appointed Alma Resort Cam Ranh’s director of sales and marketing (DOSM).
In her new role with Alma, Yen will oversee sales and marketing strategy and initiatives for the resort’s key segments, and report to Alma’s chief commercial officer Frederic Savoye.
The Vietnamese national joins from Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills, where she was also DOSM.
Her other roles include DOSM at Movenpick Resort Cam Ranh, the cluster director of sales at Mercure Vung Tau and ibis Styles Vung Tau, the DOSM during the pre-opening of Melia Cam Ranh Bay, and director of sales (wholesales) at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort.
Ten Khiri Travel staff have earned the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism, following the completion of a four-week online course and examination. The endeavour is part of the company’s ambition to be a completely GSTC-certified DMC by the end of 2025.
Those that passed include six of Khiri’s Green Team spokespeople, two general managers, one office manager, and the sustainability coordinator at Khiri Core in head office.
The course was led by experts Nia Klatte and Ayako Ezaki, with guest speakers contributing operational insights. Delivered via the TrainingAid platform, the programme featured live sessions, interactive modules and technical discussions.
The instruction will help Khiri strengthen its internal sustainability management system in 18 offices in all the eight Asian countries where it operates.
Sukhum Jarangdej, sustainability coordinator at Khiri Core, said: “GSTC training has elevated technical understanding and Khiri’s readiness for certification across the company.
“It also ensures our local Green Teams are equipped to lead sustainability efforts in meaningful and measurable ways, in practice, not just in theory.”
Each Khiri country office has its own Green Team consisting of volunteer staff who spearhead sustainability projects, support certification initiatives, and foster a culture of eco-consciousness across departments.
To receive personal GSTC certification, participants must pass the exam with a minimum score of 80 per cent. The certification is individual based. It can be retained by the recipient as a qualification for the rest of their career.
Khiri’s three remaining general managers and a newly appointed green team spokesperson from Vietnam are now participating in the training course.
Natalie van Ogtrop, the sustainability manager for Khiri’s parent company, Yaana Ventures, earned the certification earlier this year.
Willem Niemeijer, CEO, Khiri Travel, said: “The training represents a key milestone as Khiri moves toward overall GSTC certification as a company. We are committed to the 4Cs of Conservation, Community, Culture and responsible Commerce. Khiri will continue to lead by example on positive-impact regenerative tourism throughout Asia.”
Sydney’s new 24-hour airport is one step closer to welcoming its first passengers, with major construction works across Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) now complete.
Drawing on the region’s natural beauty, WSl’s new terminal marries sustainable-by-design principles and innovative technology to deliver a seamless experience for airlines and passengers at Australia’s first new greenfield international airport in more than 50 years.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey shared that works on the terminal had started in 2019, when a global competition was held to select project architects. London-based Zaha Hadid Architects and one of Australia’s top firms COX Architecture were picked to develop the initial design concepts of WSI.
The terminal design is emblematic of the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains Area as well as the Cumberland Plain and the region’s incredible First Nations culture and history.
“People will love spending time in this terminal as they enjoy the iconic vistas of the surrounding Blue Mountains that are reflected in our stunning feature ceiling and take in the thoughtful design and materials like the extensive use of beautiful sandstone that was sourced from a quarry on the Central Coast,” he said.
“Visitors will be welcomed by the stories of Dharug country that will connect the world with more than 60,000 years of Aboriginal culture while also highlighting the vibrant communities of Western Sydney.”
The terminal has a climate-responsive facade, and more than 6,000 solar panels affixed to its roof to provide energy efficiency and renewable electricity. In addition, it will collect and recycle rainfall for use in airport operations such as bathrooms, irrigation, and cooling towers.
Hickey added that WSI will provide Sydney with a 24-hour international gateway and offer passengers flying out of WSI a quick departure with the help of next generation technology. With both domestic and international gates located under one roof, travellers’ connections will also be simple and efficient.
WSI is on track to open for domestic, international and air cargo services in late 2026.
Immigration New Zealand (NZ) is working to ease entry barriers for international business events visitors, with dramatically improved visitor visa processing times and approval rates.
A dedicated process to support large business events groups was highlighted by Immigration NZ’s director of visas, Jock Gilray, at Meetings 2025, promising more attention and tailored guidance for event delegates.
According to Gilray, average processing times have decreased from nine working days in 2023 to six days in 2024 for visitor visas, with NZeTA approvals now commonly delivered within 72 hours.
“Over the last 12 months we have been really focused on improving our performance, particularly when it comes to visa processing, and we are seeing some significant improvements,” he said.
This includes progress in key Asian markets such as China and India. In China, processing times have improved from an average of eight working days in 2023 to six in 2024. In India, average processing times have dropped from 13 to nine working days, with a record 66,000 approvals granted to Indian nationals.
“While we are not back to pre-Covid visitor visa volumes, in 2024 we received nearly 260,000 visitor visa applications from China, compared to 220,000 in 2023,” said Gilray. “We are continuing to look at ways we can make improvements in this space, with our Head of Immigration, Alison MacDonald, recently visiting China to meet with stakeholders.”
India, he noted, remains a “complex market” that has required more attention. “Two years ago there was a significant surge of lower quality applications, which contributed to a decrease in the approval rate and longer processing times. At one point in 2023, the approval rate dropped 50 per cent and the average processing time was over a month, which would have caused immense frustration.
“But last year, we approved 66,000 visitor visa applications for Indian nationals, more than any year before the pandemic,” he added.
To ensure smooth group arrivals, Immigration NZ is encouraging early notification through a dedicated contact process. For events expecting 30 or more international attendees, applications should be submitted at least three months in advance.
Gilray cited recent examples, including a late rush with two weeks’ notice for a 700-person conference in Christchurch which caused delays and missed sessions.
“I want to reinforce that immigration NZ is committed to working with business events to make New Zealand more accessible, competitive and welcoming for global business events… The sooner we know about an event and its attendees, the better we can support it,” he said.
A consortium of hotels in north Phuket has come together under a new private-sector initiative to reposition the region as a compelling destination for corporate groups.
Led by The Slate and involving up to 20 hotels, the campaign was sparked during a leadership luncheon in Bangkok earlier this year, where Jeff Fongmool, founder and CEO of MICE Magnet Asia, proposed the creation of a unified identity for north Phuket.
Drawing on his DMC expertise, he presented fresh ideas around community-focused tourism and off-property experiences, highlighting the area’s natural assets and connectivity. The proposal resonated strongly with local hoteliers, which ultimately led to the creation of the Above & Beyond slogan – an expression both of the region’s location and its elevated vision for tourism.
“When Jeff told us we should talk more about the north of Phuket, it really sparked something,” said Claude Sauter, general manager of The Slate.
“When we launched the idea, people were very curious. About 90 per cent of the hotels we invited to the first meeting (on June 5) showed up – general managers who are usually too busy made time because they saw the potential,” he said.
Stretching from Naithon and Nai Yang to Mai Khao, Phuket’s north boasts luxury and independent hotels, marinas, golf courses, and national parks – many just five to 10 minutes drive from Phuket International Airport.
“We used to avoid saying we were close to the airport, fearing people would think of noise. But for MICE organisers, that proximity is now a real advantage,” Sauter said.
The campaign is not limited to hotels – even Bumrungrad International Hospital, which is building a facility in the north, has joined in early discussions.
“It is not just about hotels – it is about creating a destination. That includes healthcare, marinas, and community tourism – particularly with two to three local communities that have emerged as strong players in the north,” he explained.
Moreover, Sauter highlighted there has been an increased interest in local experiences such as growing rubber trees, visiting pineapple farms or planting rice.
Moving forward, the group plans to approach the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)’s and private sector consortiums such as Thailand Incentive and Convention Association to build on the campaign.
“It aligns well with TCEB’s strategy to segment Phuket into distinct zones,” said Sauter. He was referring to the new “Anatomy of Phuket” approach publicised by the government earlier this year which splits the island into four districts with unique selling points. These selling points Sauter noted, will help planners “make it easier to understand its possibilities as a destination”.
The North Phuket campaign – for which a website has already been launched – will roll out a series of strategic marketing efforts designed to amplify the region’s appeal to event planners and corporate travellers.
These include fam trips for event organisers and media, hyper-local storytelling through short-form video content, a micro-publication focused on community, culture and sustainability, and a mobile-first digital campaign aligned with current booking behaviours.
Driven by rising inflation and the uncertainty of the broader economic climate, corporate travel managers across Asia-Pacific region are intensely focused on stringent cost control.
Jonty Monopoli, senior director of product marketing for Asia Pacific and Greater China at SAP Concur, told TTGmice: “In a survey done in late November 2024, 77 per cent of travel managers had cost control and cost management as a priority for this year (2025).”
Although the direct impact of tariffs on corporate travel is difficult to quantify – Charlie Sultan, president of Concur Travel at SAP Concur, noted that the broader economic landscape necessitates a proactive approach to spending.
He elaborated: “Corporate travel managers can use automation to help reduce their cost. For example, (the implementation of) pre-trip approvals that incorporate policies earlier will help them reduce their costs.”
Sultan also referenced a global study that revealed a 26 per cent improvement in cost management for customers utilising SAP Concur’s travel and expense tool, where the solution leverages AI to create a pre-trip approval estimate that companies can use.
This AI-powered tool can predict the approximate cost of a business trip based on corporate preferences, negotiated discounts, policy, and past booking behaviour, enabling managers to approve or adjust plans before any money is spent. This shifts cost control to an earlier stage, preventing unexpected expenditures.
SAP Concur’s investment in AI extends beyond pre-approvals. The ExpenseIt tool, which parses receipt data from photos, is one such investment.
“We’ve turbocharged the use of generative AI. The system can now accurately capture hotel folio details by about 90 per cent, saving travellers approximately 93 per cent of the time it would take to manually enter such information,” Sultan shared.
Monopoli added that automation not only enhances productivity by freeing up personnel from tedious tasks like processing expense reports, but also meets the expectations of a digitally-savvy workforce accustomed to easy, efficient personal planning tools.
On a quest to constantly improve efficiency, SAP Concur’s new travel product, for instance, has seen 180 enhancements in the five months of the year alone, emphasising self-service and mobile capabilities, Sultan told TTGmice. This allows travellers to manage their bookings and changes directly within the app, reducing reliance on intermediaries and saving time.
Looking ahead, SAP Concur will be part of a broader vision for a unified SAP Business Suite. This ecosystem aims to integrate travel and expense data with other critical business functions like procurement (Ariba) and external workforce management (Fieldglass), Sultan said.
He pointed out that the company is working on “one login to all systems” to enable corporate travel managers to have deeper insights into spending patterns, and identify further opportunities for cost optimisation across the enterprise.
Hong Kong recently hosted the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2025 Annual Meeting, marking its return to the city after a 13-year hiatus.
The four-day international convention in stem cell research and regenerative medicine at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre drew over 2,400 leading researchers and experts from 58 countries and regions.
Throughout the summit, delegates engaged in discussions spanning a wide array of topics within the field of regenerative medicine. Key areas of focus included cutting-edge advances in cell therapies, fundamental discoveries pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge, and deeper insights into understanding complex disease processes.
The successful bid to bring the prestigious ISSCR Annual Meeting to Hong Kong was a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). The HKTB worked in close partnership with dedicated Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors from three of the city’s prominent local universities: The University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors programme, a key strategy of the HKTB since its 2020 establishment, has grown to a record 180 members (a 30 per cent increase from last term). These ambassadors, drawn from political, business, and academic sectors, as well as eight local universities, chambers of commerce, and various professional bodies, leverage their networks and influence to attract and facilitate major conventions.
So far, HKTB has facilitated 76 international conventions to be held in Hong Kong between 2025 and 2027, with an estimated attendance of over 180,000 delegate arrivals. Among these conventions, 27 events are contributed to the Convention Ambassadors’ efforts, such as the ISSCR 2025 Annual Meeting. Some of the events will also be held in Hong Kong for the first time, such as the IEEE Electron Devices Technology and Manufacturing Conference in March 2025, Routes World 2025 in September, and World Cancer Congress 2026.
The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), an ASM Global-managed venue, has welcomed 21.6 million guests through its doors over 30 years.
In total, BCEC has delivered 26,082 events for Brisbane since its opening, generating A$6.3 billion (US$4.1 billion) in economic benefit for the State, sharing knowledge and showcasing Queensland’s achievements internationally.
BCEC opened on Queensland Day 1995, helping to fulfil the post Expo ’88 legacy, supporting the development of the South Bank precinct and continuing to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, replicating its economic benefit on a permanent basis.
Thirty years of continuous and successful operation is an impressive achievement for any organisation and is the result of a close and cohesive team. Bob O’Keeffe, former general manager and now the Centre’s CEO, and Kym Guesdon, the current BCEC general manager, have both been with the Centre since day one, testament to the venue’s strong workplace culture.
“From the very beginning, our vision was to create a centre that would drive growth, spark ideas, and put Brisbane on the world stage. Thirty years on, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together as BCEC stands as a powerful symbol of that vision, continuing to create opportunity and shape the future of our State,” said O’Keeffe.
As the Centre celebrates this major milestone, Guesdon says the focus is firmly on the future.
“Our 30 years of continued success has laid the foundations for an even brighter future.
“We remain committed to creating meaningful economic and social impacts for our city through strategic partnerships and we have been working closely through our Advocates program and with the Queensland Government and our universities on areas critical for research and innovation.
“While attracting international conventions can be difficult, I believe it is an indicator of the level of innovation that is taking place in the city,” she stated.
Further announcements are planned throughout the year on legacy and other initiatives that celebrate the Centre’s valued community, cultural projects and industry collaboration.
Malaysia Airlines has launched a global campaign, Time for Premium Escapades, offering Business Class fares on international routes. The campaign runs from June 6 to 19, 2025, for travel between June 6, 2025, and May 31, 2026. It includes destinations across Asia, Australia, Europe and other regions.
For departures from Taiwan, return Business Class fares begin at TW$18,979 (US$580). Passengers flying in Business Class have access to fast-track services, Malaysia Airlines’s Golden Lounge, and private airport transfers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1, through a partnership with Mercedes Benz.
On board, passengers can use lie-flat seats and complimentary Wi-Fi, available on selected aircraft for all passengers, regardless of class or loyalty status.
The airline has introduced updated meal options under its Best of Asia menu, with new dishes inspired by various destinations. Passengers may also pre-select meals through the Chef-on-Call service. On selected flights, additional amenities include pyjamas for Business Class passengers and child-friendly meals and activity packs for families.
The campaign also includes Economy Class fares, with return flights starting from TW$8,480. Economy passengers receive the same core onboard services across both regional and longhaul routes.
Fares are available through Malaysia Airlines’s website, the MHmobile app, and authorised travel agents.
Dersenish Aresandiran, chief commercial officer of airlines, Malaysia Aviation Group shared that the airline’s new A330neo, featuring elevation seats and private suites, marks an upgrade to its premium offering.
He said: “At Malaysia Airlines, we are proud to offer a Business Class experience that reflects our continuous commitment to providing our passengers with comfort, innovation and the signature warmth of Malaysian Hospitality.”
