France entices South-east Asian groups with more destinations

April 3, 2018

Atout_France_regional_director_–_ASEAN,_Morad_Tayabi — Tayabi:

South-east Asian arrivals into Paris have risen from 2016 to 2017, prompting France Tourism Development Agency, Atout France, to develop more lures to spread the demand around the country.

Citing official figures, Atout France regional director – ASEAN, Morad Tayebi, said arrivals from major markets Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore have grown significantly in 2017 over 2016.

Morad: Paris would make a good destination for corporate groups from South-east Asia

Indonesia topped the list in 2017 with 180,000 arrivals for leisure and business events, from 160,000 in 2016. This is followed by Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore at around 150,000 tourists each. In 2016, France received 140,000 visitors from Thailand and around 120,000 visitors from Singapore and Malaysia each.

Morad said business events arrivals from South-east Asia made up around 20 per cent of total footfalls.

This month Panorama JTB Tours Indonesia will set a new record for Indonesia as a source market with a 1,800-pax incentive group from the insurance sector, bound for Paris and spending four days in the French capital. It will be Indonesia’s single biggest incentive group to France.

Morad opined that Paris makes a hot destination for South-east Asian event groups because of its good air connections, wide range of restaurants catering to all kinds of dietary requirements and good shopping opportunities.

There is also a wide range of accommodation facilities, as Greater Paris has around 110,000 rooms, with 7,000 more coming online by 2020.

Going forward, Atout France will promote new destinations such as the Loire Valley region, Provence and Normandy to the South-east Asian markets, revealed Morad.

In 2019, the Loire Valley region in France will celebrate 500 years of Renaissance. A year-long celebration programme is currently being put together, and it will feature many events in castles and gardens in the Val-de-Loire region.

Francois Bonneau, Centre Val-de-Loire region’s president, said: “The programme will cover the major themes of Renaissance including heritage, arts and literature, music, architecture, gastronomy and craftsmanship.”

Being only 45 minutes to an hour’s drive from Paris, it makes sense for event planners to combine Paris with an outing to the Loire Valley region.

Marseille, a city of Provence, will also gain greater exposure to international markets next year when it hosts Rendez-vous En France 2019 travel market.

Hertz Asia rolls out Chauffeur website

By TTGmice

April 3, 2018

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In a move that see Hertz Asia expanding its offerings with chauffeur services, the car rental company has launched the Hertz Chauffeur website to enable customers and travel agents to book chauffeur services for full or half days, airport and city transfers.

Eoin MacNeill, vice president, Hertz Asia Pacific, said: “The launch of the Hertz Chauffeur website for travellers visiting Asia strengthens Hertz’s comprehensive range of transport solutions, to suit the evolving needs of all our customers.

Hertz expands into the chauffeuring segment

“We see Hertz Chauffeur benefitting corporate and leisure travellers seeking the comfort and ease of a personal chauffeur. The service will especially appeal to customers who, due to local legislation, are not permitted to drive in China, and those who simply want to enjoy extra peace of mind when traveling to any of the countries where the service is available,” he added.

The new website allows customers to book a vehicle with a driver in four simple steps, receive email confirmation with booking details, and easily create, manage and edit their own itineraries. In addition, it applies discount codes instantly, including corporate discounts where there’s a Hertz Chauffeur Drive agreement in place.

Further benefits of Hertz Chauffeur include a broad range of latest model vehicles from full-size sedans, spacious people movers to luxury limousines; professional English-speaking drivers; meet-and-greet feature for customers to be welcomed by a driver upon arrival at the designated airport or pick-up point; and driver’s details, including phone number and emergency hotline, sent to the customer via email prior to the flight arrival.

Hertz Chauffeur is now available for bookings in Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Customers booking online between now and June 30, 2018 can enjoy discounted rates when they quote PC# 204306 under “PC Code”.

Employer’s perception matters when it comes to bleisure trips: Egencia

By TTGmice

April 3, 2018

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According to the latest Egencia 2018 Bleisure Trends study, one in five global business travellers skip leisure additions to business trips due to employer perception.

Twenty per cent of business travellers have foregone adding leisure portions to their trips because of how it may look to their employer. Business travellers in Asia are the most conscious of this at 32 per cent, with North America and Europe following at 20 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

Proximity to the weekend may minimise that perception, with nearly one-quarter of respondents saying this impacts their decision. Of those who take the bleisure dive, less than two per cent globally have billed back bleisure expenses to their companies.

Additional findings include a majority (55 per cent) of Egencia global business travellers take less than six business trips per year on average, and 68 per cent take at least one bleisure trip per year.

When it comes to activities, the destination and sightseeing are top of mind.

Destination location is by far the biggest factor in determining whether or not to take a bleisure trip, with 30 per cent of North America business travellers prioritising location, compared to 25 per cent in Europe and Asia.

Proximity to the weekend and proximity to friends and family came in a close second and third for global respondents, at 23 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

Sightseeing is the most popular bleisure activity for business travellers across all regions.

In addition, 74 per cent of North American business travellers are either planning or considering a bleisure trip in the next six months, compared to 87 per cent in Asia and 68 per cent in Europe.

Half of Asia’s business travellers are planning a bleisure trip this year, compared to 41 per cent of North Americans and 32 per cent or Europeans.

Bleisure trips are also a big 2018 resolution: 37 per cent of Asians, 25 per cent of Europeans and 20 per cent of North Americans made it one of theirs.

The study polled 9,000 Egencia users across North America, Asia Pacific and Europe. Although bleisure travel is on the rise, employer perception, destination and proximity to the weekend all have a part to play in the bleisure decision-making process.

Ovation expands into the US through 360 Destination Group

By TTGmice

April 3, 2018

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Ovation Global DMC has entered into a new strategic partnership in the US with 360 Destination Group, allowing the destination specialist to offer even more destinations to its clients.

The partnership is a result of the Ovation Strategic Partner Program, launched in July 2009, to provide DMC services to companies, associations and agencies at locations where Ovation lacks a wholly owned office.

Setup of an event in Florida. Photo credit: http://ovationdmc.com/

Commenting on the development, Hugo Slimbrouck, director of strategic partnerships with Ovation, said: “Working with strategic partners in more than 50 countries around the globe brings great value to our corporate and third-party clients. What is particularly pleasing is that we have expanded our US partnerships with a company that we share similar DNA with. 360 Destination Group offices are all ADMEI (Association of Destination Management Executives International) certified and play a proactive role within SITE and FICP (Financial Incentive & Insurance Conference Planners association).”

Trevor Hanks, managing partner of 360 Destination Group, said: “Ovation Global DMC has long been considered a leader in the hospitality industry. 360 Destination Group recognises that this collaboration between our two companies will elevate our presence and essence as pioneers in the DMC and events industry.”

In constant, close contact

By Caroline Boey

April 2, 2018

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Perfect-China-Group-Photo — Perfect China Group incentive programme group photo

Event brief
Perfect China, a global leader in direct selling with 33 branches and more than 7,000 outlets in China, wanted to reward its top performers with a customised programme.

Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) won the bid for Melbourne due to the state’s ability to host the 3,200-strong incentive group in both the city and regional areas. This bid was also supported by the state and local government.

Perfect China Group incentive programme group photo

The collaborative approach of the industry and the strength of the bureau’s relationship with key partners were required to deliver a programme that met the cultural needs of the Chinese delegation.

Challenges
A spokesperson said MCB had to work closely with Perfect China to understand their requirements, and support the group with unique activity ideas.

Arrivals of the mega incentive group had to be staggered over three days with 90 flights in total from China. A five-day bespoke itinerary that allowed winners to immerse themselves in diverse and exceptional experiences around Melbourne and regional Victoria had to be delivered.

MCB also supported inbound tour operator PTC Express Travel in creating a programme which involved numerous suppliers, ranging from well-known restaurants to regional attractions. They included Sovereign Hill, Puffing Billy Steam Railway, Ballarat Wildlife Park, Cuckoo Restaurant, Cafe Notturno, Phillip Island Nature Park, Direct Factory Outlets, Chadstone Shopping Centre, and La Porchetta.

The first day of the programme gave the group the chance to walk through Melbourne CBD before heading to the Fitzroy gardens to enjoy some fresh air, before visiting Flinders Street Station, an iconic train station.

To take Perfect China’s delegates back in time, they had to be transported and travel for more than an hour to the Sovereign Hill museum (which depicts the first decade after gold was discovered in Ballarat in 1851). The group then ventured underground on a fully guided gold mine tour and shopping 1850s style.

The delegates were also transported to Phillip Island to come face-to-face with Australian Fairy Penguins. For those that wanted a faster-paced experience, they were given the option of taking part in a Go Kart race on Phillip Island with the ocean as the backdrop.

Tour options were also created to give participants the choice of their own adventure at Mornington Peninsula. Time to shop for gifts and souvenirs had to be incorporated into the programme as well, where participants were taken to Chadstone Shopping Centre, the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

Solution
Thanks to the collaborative approach that MCB applied, the implementation of Perfect China’s agenda was successful in every aspect and the programme ran smoothly.

“The Chinese group had memorable experiences thanks to the tailored programme (which ensured that) all requirements were met,” the spokesperson added.

Key takeaways
MCB needs to continue to work closely with the client to ensure their objectives were met. The bureau also had to be flexible and support suppliers and industry partners, to ensure that any adjustments to arrangements and activities on the ground could be made easily.

“Clients will have last-minute changes and having that close relationship with them and the handling agents will help us meet adhere to their requests and rectify situations to ensure delegates are satisfied,” the spokesperson noted.

Event: Perfect China’s incentive programme in Melbourne and regional Victoria
Organiser: Melbourne Convention Bureau, Perfect China
Venue: Melbourne and regional Victoria
Date: June 19-24, 2017
Number of participants: 3,200

Value-added proposition

By Pamela Chow

April 2, 2018

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Singapore-skyscrapers — Singapore skyscrapers

As one of South-east Asia’s most expensive destinations, Singapore is losing out to more affordable cities such as Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

“The common grouse we’re getting is that Singapore is very expensive,” said Eunice Chua, director of business development, inbound – international, of SingExpress Travel, noting that the highest costs were due to hotel rates and translator fees.

The spike in pricing is especially perceptible in hotels with meeting and conference facilities, observed Daniel Chua, chief executive of Aonia, a conference organiser.
In a bid to keep afloat, hoteliers are wooing event planners with value-added promotions and packages.

Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, general manager of The Fullerton Hotels Singapore, said: “One way for Singapore to improve as a destination for meetings and incentive programmes is to offer delegates unique experiences… along with modern conveniences to appeal to their quest for immersive experiences.”

One of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s recent efforts is introducing wellness offerings for business guests, such as providing healthy dining choices and fitness activities onsite.

As well, Park Regis Singapore and Parkroyal on Pickering now offer additional benefits to corporate guests, including perks like Handy phones for international calls and Internet access, and bicycles and e-scooters to get around the city.

Similarly, conference centres and event planners are boosting their technological capabilities to provide organisers with enhanced services.

Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre is now equipped with built-in RFID heat-mapping technology, which tracks the location and movement of event attendees who connect to the venue’s Wi-Fi.

Originally used for internal maintenance and security, the centre recently started sharing data on attendee movements on show floors with organisers.

“Data analytics is the way forward,” said Bibiana Lau, Suntec’s senior director of sales. “You have to build a community and constantly engage (delegates), not just during your show.”

Meanwhile, Singapore EXPO Convention & Exhibition Centre has adopted a “hybridised” model, becoming a venue that develops its own new-to-market events. This allows its team to experiment with both online and offline elements at its own shows, said Aloysius Arlando, CEO of SingEx Holdings.

He cited the Singapore FinTech Festival in November 2016, when the centre “festivalised” the conference into a multisensory experience.

He said: “We brought the conferences, exhibitions, start-up alleys and F&B into one plenary space. Delegates felt like they wanted to engage and were not going to lose out. The festivalisation gave the event character.”

To supplement attendee engagement, digital and mobile elements were also used, such as having Twitter posts with the “SGFintechFest” hashtag appearing on a live TweetBoard.
“If you don’t embrace hybridisation, you’re going to be a dinosaur,” remarked Arlando. “Everyone recognises (technology’s) disruptions, but how to embrace it is another question.”

For now, one of Arlando’s concerns is getting people with the “right skill sets and talent” who are not afraid to make changes.

Lau concurred: “We’re focusing on younger talent. The way they look at the industry is different, so we should look towards them for the future. Companies have to evolve and change, or it’s going to be very difficult to see people coming back for the next edition (of the event).”

Seoul Dragon City Novotel Suites, Seoul, South Korea

By Karen Yue

April 2, 2018

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The Seoul Dragon City Novotel Suites is one of four AccorHotels brands within the massive Seoul Dragon City hotel complex in Seoul’s Yongsan district, 55 minutes by car from Incheon International Airport.

Rooms With four hotel brands – Grand Mercure, Novotel Suites, Novotel and Ibis Styles – and 1,700 rooms and serviced residence units across different price points, the complex allows planners to offer varied accommodation for different groups of delegates.

I stayed in Novotel Suites, which offers deluxe suites and junior suites.

My deluxe suite was furnished with a king bed, a lounge area, a desk, a kitchenette with a mini-fridge, microwave oven and Nespresso machine, a washing machine and dryer, and an an open-concept bathroom with separate shower and toilet. The flow of the room, soothing colour palette, and amenities made it truly a home away from home for me during my week-long assignment in Seoul.

Extra points for its strong in-room Wi-Fi connection and numerous electric outlets.

MICE facilities The entire hotel complex is a dream for meeting planners. It boasts a collection of function rooms across levels three and five, all connected by escalators and away from other non-event guest facilities.

On the third floor is Grand Ballroom Hanra which takes in 1,972 guests in theatre setup. It can be split into three smaller spaces. Close by are five Shilla rooms, four of which can be combined for larger gatherings of 208 guests, theatre-style.

Seven Baekje rooms can be found one floor up, the smallest being Baekje 7 which can take a 10-pax banquet. These rooms are flexible, allowing planners to combine rooms 2, 3 and 4 as well as 6 and 7.

On level five sit Grand Ballroom Baekdu which takes in 1,972 guests in theatre setup, and three Goguryeo rooms. The latter accommodates 60 guests each, or 225 when combined.

Great for events too is Sky Kingdom, an entertainment central set within a four-storey sky bridge. There are five themed lounges in all, and each can accommodate parties of 30 to 40 people.

Other facilities
Numerous F&B outlets are placed across the complex. There are indoor facilities for screen baseball and golf.

Room count 1,700
Star rating Four to five; five for Novotel Suites

New Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge to pave the way for more incentive groups

By Mimi Hudoyo

March 29, 2018

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The opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge in mid-2018 is expected to result in more incentive groups to Hong Kong and Macau adding China, particularly Guangdong province, to their itinerary.

Irene Va Kuan Lau, executive director of Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, said: “The bridge will grant us better access to neighbouring destinations. We are working with these cities (to position) Macau as the (trade) gateway to the Guangdong region.”

Once completed, the bridge puts the three cities of Zhuhai, Macau, and Hong Kong within an hour’s commute of each other.

“For example, when we have an exhibition in Macau, with exhibitors from Europe or Portuguese-speaking countries, we will bring participants to visit factories in neighbouring cities. The bridge will get them around quickly.”

She added that Macau would also share facilities with neighbouring cities. For example, talks are ongoing with the central government to offer a 24-hour visa-free facility to neighbouring cities for travellers bound for business events in Macau.

DMCs in Shenzhen are also stoked about the bridge’s impending operations.

Kin Qin, deputy general manager, Century Holiday International Travel Group, said: “Hong Kong and Macau are not new to our (South-east Asian) and Indian markets but with the (improved) access we can now offer new things for a Hong Kong-Macau itinerary (such as) including Zhuhai in a five- or six-day incentive programme.”

An example is to have a theme dinner in Zhuhai or Shenzhen, plus a one-night stay.

Qin observed that her Indian clients are in favour of a Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai combination, while demand for such itineraries is growing among her Indonesian and Malaysian customers.

This year, Qin has secured five to six groups from Indonesia and Malaysia for such programmes.

Palace International Travel Group in Hong Kong is also working to develop programmes with the help of the new bridge.

Its managing director, Tenny Wong, said a business programme in Hong Kong can benefit from being supplemented by the leisure draws in Macau and factory visits in Guangdong province.

Wong intends to promote longer programmes of 10 days that feature one or two days of informative factory visits.

HIMICE branches out of China, offers education

By Karen Yue

March 29, 2018

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Janet-Zeng,-HIMICE-CMYK — Zeng: natural progression

Haikou-based events organiser HIMICE Communications Group has this week obtained a license from the China National Tourism Administration to conduct outbound business events.

HIMICE, which has grown from a DMC to one of the country’s leading PCOs and PEOs, will now be able to expand its scope of operations beyond China.

Janet Zeng, director of market development with HIMICE, said: “We have always been handling inbound events conducted by the government, domestic companies and MNCs. As our reputation grew, we started to get numerous requests from China-based clients for overseas conferences and exhibitions. Without a licence, we were not able to fulfil those requests.”

Zeng revealed that an exhibition bound for Paris this May was quickly secured as soon as the licence was obtained.

When asked if there were specific overseas destinations HIMICE would like to specialise in, Zeng said client demand would take the lead. She added that most of the outbound events would be trade conferences, strategic meetings, product launches and exhibitions.

Meanwhile, HIMICE has started a tourism college in partnership with the Tourism School of Hainan University, and other business schools in the Chinese province, offering free courses in event management and marketing communications. Courses are written and conducted by senior leaders in the company and are provided as a supplement to regular curriculum.

Zeng explained that it was a “natural progression” for HIMICE to provide industry education as the company “has been the biggest developer of Hainan’s business events industry and have staff with vast experience in the business”.

HIMICE will also provide internship and employment opportunities to these students.

“But should they decide to join other event companies or pursue a career in other industries, that’s fine too. What they have learnt from us will still be valuable knowledge for any company and industry they eventually join,” remarked Zeng.

She estimates that the HIMICE tourism college has approximately 1,000 students enrolled in various courses since its establishment last year.

Golden Tulip brings a playful touch to meetings

By Pamela Chow

March 29, 2018

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To attract the growing millennial segment in business travel, Golden Tulip Shanghai Rainbow – rebranded under Jin Jiang International and Louvre Hotels Group – has added a touch of interactivity and cheekiness to the city’s meeting landscape.

The hotel reopened in November 2017 with 600 new keys, as well as 1,200m² of high-tech conference and meeting areas. These spaces feature “interactive and fun” elements, said Peter L Herweck, general manager of Golden Tulip Shanghai Rainbow, and president, Golden Tulip – China.

The Jasmine Room in Golden Tulip Shanghai Rainbow

Under the new tagline Playtime, Anytime, the property features meeting rooms that “encourage guests to open their minds during brainstorming sessions”. An example is the 70m² Creativity Room, a casual and flexible space furnished with mattresses and whiteboards to inspire ideas from corporates during breakout sessions.

Herweck also described activities the hotel offers during lunch breaks, such as mini-table tennis and an extra-large table football with staff demonstration to encourage shy guests to participate.

“Instead of getting tired during the meeting, guests are given interactive activities, which have been well-received,” he said.

This brand of fun is welcome by both international and local planners, observed Herweck, and although Chinese guests are typically more reserved when it comes to more unique activities, they warm up with the help of hotel staff.

France entices South-east Asian groups with more destinations

Hertz Asia rolls out Chauffeur website

Employer’s perception matters when it comes to bleisure trips: Egencia

Ovation expands into the US through 360 Destination Group

In constant, close contact

Value-added proposition

Seoul Dragon City Novotel Suites, Seoul, South Korea

New Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge to pave the way for more incentive groups

HIMICE branches out of China, offers education

Golden Tulip brings a playful touch to meetings

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