As Catalonia’s separatist drive wages on, Spain’s tourism industry as a whole faces losing revenues of 1.2 billion euros (US$1.4 billion) this quarter, a sum that could rise to 1.8 billion euros if there were to be more street protests, nationwide tourism lobbyist group Alianza para la Excelencia Turística (Exceltur) warns.
Visitor fears of further demonstrations and uncertainty over the region’s political future have reduced advance bookings for Catalonia for the final three months of 2017 by some 20 per cent compared to last year, according to the group.
Forward bookings for Catalonia down; fears of Barcelona impact mount
José Luis Zoreda, executive vice president of Exceltur, said member companies consulted were particularly worried about the impact on the regional capital, Barcelona, which benefits from its southerly location in Europe for attracting winter and especially MICE tourism.
“It is now right in season for conferences and leisure and shopping tourism,” he pointed out, at a time when Spain’s popular beach holiday season wanes.
While the region’s instability was not yet affecting other parts of Spain, a 20 per cent drop in Catalonia would cut the expected annual growth for Spain’s tourism as a whole from 4.1 per cent to 3.1 per cent.
While there has been no news yet of tourism companies moving their headquarters out of Barcelona, as has been happening with other industries, Zoreda said a brake has been put on scheduled investments.
In comparison, the terror attacks in Barcelona and the nearby resort of Cambrils in mid August at the height of the sun and beach holiday season have had “a very limited impact on tourism.”
“It is very positive to underline that (nationwide) revenue is growing faster than visitor numbers,” said Exceltur’s director of research, Oscar Perelli.
The average tourism spend in the country in peak summer had risen by almost seven per cent, while year on year business travel spending was up by over 22 per cent.
Tourism New Zealand celebrated its conference wins, worth NZ$31 million (US$22 million), at an event last week.
The event was in recognition of the efforts of the 23 experts across New Zealand who played a part in bringing the conferences to the country.
Some of the experts who have brought conferences to New Zealand
“Tourism New Zealand worked with these individuals to secure conferences that will bring 13,500 international delegates to New Zealand,” said Tourism New Zealand’s international business events and premium manager, Lisa Gardiner.
The experts include a diverse range of people from university academics to health sector professionals.
For instance, Sue Cherrington from Victoria University of Wellington, successfully bid to host the Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association’s 21st annual conference in Wellington in 2020. The conference will be hosted at Victoria University and will bring 500 scholars from around the Asia-Pacific region to the city.
“We find we have the most success in bidding for conferences related to sectors New Zealand excels in on the global stage, such as the marine industries, agribusiness, health science and high-value foods,” said Gardiner.
As well, international conferences have the potential to attract visitors in the off-peak season, supporting Tourism New Zealand’s strategy to grow the value of international tourism to New Zealand.
The Pan Pacific Singapore has officially unveiled its ballroom following a S$3 million (US$2.2 million) refurbishment.
Located on level one of the hotel, the 805m2 pillarless space seats up to 650 guests, and has a private driveway leading into the foyer.
Peranakan-themed coffee set up in the ballroom
A series of programmable coloured lighting has been fitted in the ceiling of the foyer, allowing organisers the ability to create a mood suitable to the theme of their event. The foyer also features built-in speakers, allowing guests to play their custom music playlists or make announcements and speeches.
The new ballroom has been decked out with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology, and its design is now inspired by the Pacific Ocean.
In conjunction with the refurbished Pacific Ballroom, a Peranakan-themed Coffee Break has also been introduced.
A full-day meeting package with lunch and two Peranakan-themed coffee breaks is priced at S$120 per person. The regular full-day meeting package is priced at S$100 per person.
At the recently-concluded IMEX America 2017 in Las Vegas, 110 students from 25 universities and colleges from US and Mexico gathered for two days of industry insights, learning and connecting with experts and their peers.
Since its launch in 2003, over 7,500 students have attended the IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum.
Village Roadshow Theme Parks, Gold Coast, Australia Teambuilding opportunities: Choose a park, then choose a challenge!
Village Roadshow’s stable of parks include MovieWorld, SeaWorld, WetnWild and Paradise Country for an Australian farm setting.
For challenge options, The Quest is a treasure hunt that will have your teams issued with equipment packs for journeys involving curated (and sometimes crazy) tasks to convert opportunities into profit.
Teambuilding fun at Village Roadshow Theme parks
Then there’s Operation Rollerball where teams build a rollercoaster prototype that operates across three islands to win the big Theme Park deal.
Or choose The Agency to produce a television advertisement for an “ultimate campaign” as teams subject to changing client demands.
Activity outcomes: The Quest builds teamwork, planning and prioritisation skills as teams consider risk versus reward decisions. Operation Rollerball is great for fostering cross-functional collaboration in working with people from different departments, encouraging teams to think on their feet using creativity and innovation. The Agency uses technology, media and entertainment to break down barriers, create rapport and improve communication skills between team members.
Corporate buyout possible? Evenings only
Contact: conferencesandevents@vrtp.com.au
Disneyland Hong Kong
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Teambuilding opportunities: Teambuilding activities take a gourmet spin at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.
In one option, team members learn from the resort’s award-winning chef how to craft delicate Disney character-shaped dim sum bites.
For a more competitive activity, participants are divided into teams and vie to replicate award-winning dishes by asking Disney chefs the right questions and by gathering the right ingredients with strategic planning. After the activity, all team members get to enjoy the dishes they have made together.
Besides these, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort supports park buyout which allows larger corporate groups to bond over fun and thrilling rides.
Activity outcomes: The cooking-themed activities encourage team members to exercise their strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. With participants place in teams, the activities also foster team spirit, enhances team communications and help them rediscover the key to effective collaboration.
Waterbom, Jakarta, Indonesia Teambuilding opportunities: Waterbom Jakarta offers two activities that are suited for bring teammates together. Splashing Race is a fun, exciting and fast-paced programme using all slides and facilities at the park as obstacles for participants to overcome.
Another option is Fun Team Building, which features a series of slow-paced activities including games and puzzles that require planning, problem-solving skills, team coordination, and trust.
Activity outcomes: Splashing Race requires team members to work in rhythm, both physically and intellectually, while Fun Team Building makes great ice-breakers and can build team unity and improve group dynamics.
Corporate buyout possible? Yes
Contact: rudi@waterbom-jakarta.com
Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore Teambuilding opportunities: With seven themed zones, Universal Studios Singapore offers a Scavenger Hunt Team-Building Programme that incorporates the park’s rides and movie personalities into its missions.
Participants in teams of eight to ten must scour through the theme park for clues to solve riddles, conquer thrilling rides to fulfill missions and meet their favourite characters as part of special tasks. Members of the winning team will receive certificates to commemorate their victory.
Besides admission tickets, the package also comprises meal vouchers and souvenir photos.
Activity outcomes: This Scavenger Hunt is ideal for building teamwork and bonding, as well as encouraging communication. The magical and even electrifying theme park atmosphere sets the mood for a high-energy day of team building.
Corporate buyout possible? Yes
Contact: mice@rwsentosa.com
LEGOland Malaysia Resort, Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia Teambuilding opportunities: LegoRace combines exploration, a race and a treasure hunt with Lego elements. Each attraction in LegoLand Malaysia Resort becomes a checkpoint where teams need to complete tasks. Scores are awarded at every checkpoint.
LEGOland Malaysia Resort
Race marshals will record the scores of each team throughout the race. Winners are determined by their scores and time taken to reach the finish line.
Activity outcomes: LegoRace promotes teamwork and team spirit through friendly competition. It builds problem solving skills and taps into the individual’s hidden potential.
Corporate buyout possible? No
Contact: kristine.koh@legoland.my
Toei Kyoto Studio Park, Kyoto, Japan Teambuilding opportunities: As the only film studio in Japan specialising in period dramas, teambuilding activities naturally revolve around ninja, geisha and sword-wielding baddies who inevitably get their come-uppance.
Participants are able to take part in puzzle games but also have lessons on how to be a samurai or ninja. Team-building exercises can also be combined with a dinner at the venue as well as a performance by a team of professional ninja.
Activity outcomes: The activities are light and fun, perfect for ice-breakers attached to corporate incentives or regional meetings in Kyoto. An important element of these activities is straightforward socialising opportunities.
Corporate buyout possible? Yes
Contact: a_miyazaki@toei-eigamura.co.jp
Enchanted Kingdom, Santa Rosa, Laguna, the Philippines Teambuilding opportunities: Customised programmes and games incorporating the theme park’s regular entertainment and facilities in seven theme zones, including 27 rides from water to extreme thrills, are available. With the park’s event manager, activities that can be arranged in the vast outdoor grounds, flying theater, and several indoor venues.
Activity outcomes: Ideal for enhancing skills, competitiveness and patience; developing camaraderie and team spirit; reaching performance goals as an individual and as a team; or simply enable staff to rest and relax with or without their families.
Corporate buyout possible? Yes
Contact: keyaccounts@enchantedkingdom.ph
Movie Animation Park Studios, Ipoh, Malaysia Teambuilding opportunities: Movie Animation Park Studios’ MAPS Hunt is a three-hour programme that sees participants checking off a hunting list and solving riddles and challenges. The team with the highest score wins.
Activity outcomes: Designed on the framework of synergy, leadership and trust, participants will gain team working skills, learn how to plan effectively, and learn how to work calmly under pressure while communicating with each other with respect.
Corporate buyout possible? No
Contact: (60-5) 501-5666
Ocean Park, Hong Kong Teambuilding opportunities: Ocean Park, Hong Kong’s Corporate Training Scheme includes the Teambuilding Series, Adventure Series and Partnering Series.
For the training-oriented Teambuilding Series, in-house trainers and facilitators will help clients achieve their training objectives by guiding participants in tackling various purposefully-designed challenges which are set against the backdrop of Ocean Park’s thrill rides and animal exhibits.
The Adventure Series is a perfect choice for a fun and educational day out.
The Partnering Series aims at raising participants’ environmental awareness through fun competition and volunteer services in the park.
Programmes can also be customised to meet specific teambuilding objectives.
Activity outcomes: The programmes across the different series generally help break the ice among participants and are enjoyable enough to recharge their minds. But the deeper achievements of the programmes are motivating staff towards better performance, strengthening bonds among staff, and encouraging corporate social responsibility actions.
Adventure Cove Waterpark, Singapore Teambuilding opportunities: Open to a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 200 participants, the Adventure Cove Waterpark Scavenger Hunt pits teams against each other to gain mission points. Careen down high-speed water slides, snap creative group pictures at popular locations and snorkel for clues to solve the quizzes.
Members of the group with the most points secure victory and a winner’s certificate.
Besides facilitation by game masters, the programme also includes a one-day pass to Adventure Cove Waterpark, a meal voucher, a one-time-use Adventure Express Pass for selected rides, as well as a 6R group photograph per participant.
Activity outcomes: The Adventure Cove Waterpark Scavenger Hunt enhances cooperation and bonding between employees, while encouraging leadership and initiative as teams may have to split up to complete certain tasks.
Corporate buyout possible? Yes
Contact: mice@rwsentosa.com
Wild Wild Wet, Singapore Teambuilding opportunities: With its latest expansion, Wild Wild Wet has doubled its size to more than 4ha and now offers customisable teambuilding packages. With a minimum commitment of 30 pax, companies can work with a corporate sales officer to integrate the park’s water rides and attractions into themed activities, such as building a ship to carry treasure.
The packages include a Wild Wild Wet day pass for each participant, venue with sound system and technical support, buffet-style tea break and lunch and residential stay at D’Resort for overnight groups.
Activity outcomes: Learning objectives include improving communication and operational efficiency through working in a coordinated unit, as well as project planning and coordination to integrate departmental silos and connect processes.
Corporate buyout possible? Yes
Contact: corpsales@ntucclub.com.sg
Fuji-Q Highland theme park, Yamanashi prefecture, Japan Teambuilding opportunities: The most popular teambuilding activity at Fuji-Q Highland is a scavenger hunt that takes participants to all the different areas of the park – and also requires them to go on some of the hair-raising rides. Other team-based activities can be held in the banquet rooms of nearby hotels, with individual stations providing problems that need to be solved by teams before they can progress.
Activity outcomes: The programmes are mainly designed to foster team spirit and better communication among members of companies or organisations whose staff are geographically dispersed and rarely have an opportunity to meet and collaborate face-to-face. Socialising after the competitive element of the activities is also an important part of the event.
Corporate buyout possible? No
Website: https://www.fujiq.jp/en/
Contact: (81-3) 3376-1115
Sunway Lost World Of Tambun, Ipoh, Malaysia Teambuilding opportunities: Sunway Lost World of Tambun offers a wide array of outdoor activities in varying intensity levels – from the jungle treks to the theme park area. The activities and duration are customised based on the needs and requirement.
Teambuilding activities can be customised and are able to accommodate up to 100 people.
Activities range from rock climbing, caving, rafting, jungle trekking and high rope courses. Activity outcomes: It is good for improving communication, helping the group to know one another better, encouraging team spirit and promoting teamwork.
Corporate buyout possible? Yes
Contact: lostworldoftambun@sunway.com.my
S.E.A. Aquarium, Singapore Teambuilding opportunities: Themed around marine life, the Scavenger Hunt at S.E.A. Aquarium has participants working in teams of eight to 10 to solve a set of 26 questions, and racing against each other to hunt for clues and complete the missions first. The hunt will take participants on an immersive journey through the 49 habitats in the S.E.A. Aquarium, visiting more than 100,000 marine creatures of over 800 species.
The package includes admission tickets per participant into the aquarium, meal vouchers, souvenir photos and certificates for the winning team.
Activity outcomes: This teambuilding programme fosters stronger rapport through communication and camaraderie, while allowing participants to unwind in an environment surrounded by wildlife.
Hard Rock Hotels’ first property in China has opened in Shenzhen’s Mission Hills Centreville. The 258-room Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen takes in 1,000m2 of event facilities that comprise a Grand Ballroom and two conference rooms, four F&B venues, a gym, a rooftop pool and more.
Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen Exterior
The hotel also offers the brand’s signature music amenity programme, The Sound of Your Stay, where travellers can rent a Fender guitar, or mix music with the Traktor Kontrol Z1 controller.
Fans of music and rock and roll can feast their eyes on over 160 rare and valuable memorabilia displayed throughout the property.
Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR) has created a Rojak meeting package – so named after the savoury-sweet fruit and vegetable salad popular in South-east Asia.
Bintan Lagoon Resort
It comprises:
• One-night accommodation with breakfast
• Return direct ferry via Mozaic Ferry Lines to/fro Singapore
• Return land transfer from ferry terminal to resort
• Welcome drinks upon arrival
• Complimentary usage of main meeting room for up to eight hours with coffee break
• Lunch at Fiesta buffet restaurant
• Complimentary stretching session during coffee break
• Complimentary Wi-Fi for all guests
• Complimentary use of one LCD Projector and screen, one whiteboard or two flipcharts with markers
• Complimentary use of PA system with microphones with minimum attendance of 40 persons
• Complimentary flow of water, mints, writing materials
• Free cover charge to Silk Nightclub from Wednesday to Sunday night
• Access to Powerhouse Gym, billiard/snooker, tennis, basketball, futsal, badminton, beach volleyball, beach soccer, mahjong, board games, and darts.
Package rates at a minimum booking of 10 rooms are S$205 nett (US$152) per person for single occupancy or S$155 nett per person for twin/triple share occupancy.
The package is available till December 15, 2017 for both booking and travel.
Top-up rates apply for add ons.
Email reservations@bintanlagoon.com.
Following an extensive redesign and refurbishment, the iconic Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel has revealed a new look and name. Now called The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok, the opulent property features a blend of contemporary and authentic Thai design elements that reflects the building’s heritage as the former royal residence of the late Princess Valaya Alongkorn, daughter of Chulalongkorn, King Rama V and the aunt of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX.
The Athenee Hotel
The refurbished 374 guestrooms at The Athenee Hotel incorporate elements of local culture and royal heritage. The Royal Club floor suites have also been redecorated using royal blue and grey.
The Rain Tree Café has been given a new design and layout, plus a new Valaya Room where guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast or private gathering. Also new are The Secret Garden and The Bakery.
The Athenee Hotel outdoor pool area and function space on the fourth floor have been redesigned as a tranquil oasis in the heart of downtown Bangkok.
Located on the sixth floor, the multi-functional Atheneum Meeting Rooms and Lounge provide the perfect venue for stimulating business events and memorable social gatherings, enhanced by themed coffee break with cuisine inspired by the Princess Valaya Alongkorn’s global travel.
The Athenee Hotel holds the distinction of being the first hotel in the world to achieve ISO 20121 certification for planning and delivering sustainable events.
If you reside in a city, chances are you’d have come across a public exhibition featuring eye-catching decorated statues of elephants big and small, some crafted by local and international celebrities, others reflecting culture and history of the host destination.
These beautiful elephant masterpieces belong to Elephant Parade, an international organisation that uses art to raise awareness of elephant welfare and conservation needs.
Elephant Parade’s parades of elephants have so far made their way to Antwerp, London, Milan, Singapore and Hong Kong – just to name a few. This year the striking elephant art pieces make their way to Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai in India, in hopes of generating vital funds to secure 101 elephant corridors across India for the endangered Asian elephant.
But more than just running these popular exhibitions, Elephant Parade has several ways for corporate groups to get involved in its mission.
Companies looking for an opportunity to meet its corporate social responsibility objectives can sign up for sponsorship packages, purchase products that will make unique and meaningful corporate gifts for event delegates or clients, or arrange art activities as part of a meeting programme.
An example of the latter: meeting planners can organise a bonding activity anywhere in Bangkok where delegates, placed in groups, work together to paint a small elephant statue. All completed art works could be kept as souvenirs by the host company, or arranged to be auctioned off, with sales proceeds going towards Elephant Parade’s nominated conservation projects.
Corporate groups can also pay a visit to Elephant Parade’s factory in Chiang Mai.
Geographical advantage, global connectivity and destination appeal continue to position Hong Kong as a regional magnet for business events, especially mega direct-selling events.
One mega win that Hong Kong is most proud of is the Unicity Global Leadership and Innovation Conference 2018, the first edition to be held in the destination. The event will be attended by about 17,000 overseas delegates.
Hong Kong Observation Wheel
Hong Kong is making progress on the association meetings front too. It will host some major medical conferences in the coming months, starting with the Asia Pacific Digestive Week from September 23 to 26 2017. This will be followed by at least 10 medical events, of which eight are first for Hong Kong or Asia. Three of the largest gatherings are the 33rd Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress 2018 (February), Spine Summit 2018 (March) and 22nd International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders (October), bringing over 15,000 medical professionals from all over the world to Hong Kong.
According to latest statistics, Hong Kong welcomed 857,022 MICE arrivals in 1H2017, up 3.4 per cent year-on-year. Unsurprisingly, China was the strongest performing source market for Hong Kong, with arrivals up by 6.1 per cent.
Despite Hong Kong’s success in business events, there is still much to be done especially considering the number of challenges facing the destination’s convention bureau – stiff competition among CVBs around the world; many Asian destinations have lowered their barrier to entry for Chinese visitors, eating into the much in demand China pie; depreciation of the other currencies against the Hong Kong dollar reduce the destination’s competitive edge.
Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), general manager MICE & Cruise, Kenneth Wong, said: “To enrich Hong Kong’s appeal, the government has earmarked an additional funding of HK$243 million to support the tourism industry in the year 2017/2018.
“Meanwhile, connectivity between Hong Kong and the mainland will be enhanced in the coming years with the establishment of new infrastructures, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the China–Hong Kong Express Rail Link. These will not only provide mainland visitors with easier access to Hong Kong, they will also facilitate overseas visitors’ travel to the mainland via Hong Kong, consolidating our position as the gateway to the mainland.”
While HKTB is upbeat about the future, a Langham Hong Kong spokesperson told TTGmice that the hotel has only seen moderate growth in 1H2017 and forward bookings in the second half and 2018 appears to be sluggish.
“As the city operates a linked currency exchange rate to the US dollar, the strength of the latter has made Hong Kong a pricey destination for events in comparison with other Asian destinations, particularly those in South-east Asia,” said the spokesperson.
JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong has also reported smaller business events coming into the hotel this year compared to the last. Director of group sales, Olivia Lui, said that the “softer market” could be a result of various major world events, such as the US presidential election and the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China rule.
However, Lui added that her team is optimistic about the remaining months of 2017, with some last minute event bookings likely to come.
Also, attention is now on meetings conducted by education, insurance and medical industries which are “least impacted by global economic and political turmoil”, she said.
A more positive performance was reported by InterContinental Grand Stanford’s director of sales & marketing, Ulysses Leung.
“Business enquiries from shorthaul markets have increased compared to previous years, especially from Japan,” said Leung, adding that event enquiries tended to rise during a a low airfare period.
Leung also shared her observations of an increased demand among clients for non-traditional event proposals that feature new concepts and ideas and more technology being used.
She welcomes this trend, saying that venue providers will now have to compete on creativity instead of price, elevating event quality in Hong Kong.
Maxine Howe, director of sales and marketing for The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel, a property slated to open in late-2017, has also observed the same growing interest in “unconventional and intriguing meeting spaces”.
Howe expects her hotel to do well once it is open for event bookings in mid-January 2018, as the property offers “several unique venues, both indoor and outdoors, with landscaped areas which are rare in Hong Kong”.
Faces of Hong Kong’s CEO Ivy Sung lamented that the challenge is real for her team to fulfil “client’s requests for unique, extraordinary, (new-to-market) venues that are also affordable”.
“We hope that our government will continue to be supportive of tourism development especially for the high-end market,” said Sung.
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
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
These beautiful elephant masterpieces belong to Elephant Parade, an international organisation that uses art to raise awareness of elephant welfare and conservation needs.
