ITB Asia 2017 has sold out ahead of its 10th anniversary show this October, which organisers attribute to a surge in booth bookings from the global market.
The growth in exhibitor numbers is led by BRICS economies, among which South Africa (+200 per cent), Russia (+183 per cent) and Brazil (+100 per cent) pave the trend, while China also expanded its presence at ITB Asia by 31 per cent this year.
The Finland booth at last year’s ITB Asia 2016
In particular, a 25 per cent increase is seen from Africa, with Tunisia and Rwanda set to make their debut at the show this year, joining Kenya Tourism Board and other African exhibitors from Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Sudan.
European exhibitors grew 23 per cent, led by the Greek National Tourism Organisation and Spain Tourism Board, while exhibitors from the Balkan Peninsula are also increasing in numbers.
In addition, Scandinavian markets have marked a 21 per cent growth as leading markets such as Finland and Norway show stronger exhibitor demand.
Promote Iceland will make its ITB Asia debut this year, in addition to other first-time exhibitors such as Brazil’s Rio Convention and Visitor Bureau, the Moscow City Government and an African Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Asian participation remains strong, contributing to 60 per cent of exhibiting companies, with strong showing seen from South Korea (+112 per cent) and Japan (+89 per cent).
Organised by Messe Berlin and supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Exhibition Bureau, ITB Asia 2017 will take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands from October 25-27.
The benefits of collaboration in every industry are well-known, though the extent and success of doing so depends on multiple practical and political realities.
In the business events world, national (such as SACEOS), regional (such as AFECA) and global (such as the PCMA) associations exist, each courting their own set of members. All of them aim to develop the industry by possessing a stronger collective voice.
Effective collaborations will have associations working closely to address common challenges
However, in a business landscape where increased competition leads to firms being less picky about the type of events managed, it makes less sense for businesses or individuals to be part of several associations – each representing a specialised aspect of the business events industry, which in its essence is “aggregator” industry.
One thing for sure, getting together will have the usual benefits such as economies of sale and scope, providing members with more benefits at lower costs. The corollary might be the usual politics and pains of collaboration, but the gains far outweigh challenges if these associations truly exist to serve industry and members, instead of narrow interests.
One common issue faced by business events industry associations is the difficult to grow memberships, attract sponsorships, develop and market content profitably, and create meaningful and profitable events, often for a similar set of audiences.
Effective collaborations should see associations working closely together to address these common challenges at a strategic level, beyond the piecemeal support given from event to event.
As a business owner invited to be part of different associations in the industry, a fundamental manifestation of such a collaboration might be in the form of paying for a core membership and a “rider” to enjoy limited or full benefits from partner associations.
This will result in a win-win-win situation.
1. Associations win by gaining members they would not have otherwise, with incremental revenues, and a stronger voice. More benefits may be offered to members at less cost and effort in a virtuous cycle of growth. More members imply more reach and potential revenue sources, while encouraging associations to streamline duplicated efforts and events.
2. Members win by having access to a related but wider range of benefits and networks without having to pay several full memberships, as overlaps do not make sense.
3. Industry wins as this pragmatic approach encourages more strategic collaborations between the various associations that exist. In addition, more industry involvement from the ground up also aids in efforts to set standards and share best practices, especially important for a relatively fragmented industry to have a stronger collective voice to fight common industry ills, and prevent client abuses.
Complex as it might seem, it is hoped that given the benefits, associations will unite to overcome any organisational challenges that exist in the better service of their common stakeholders and industry.
Daniel Chua is the chief executive of Aonia, a client enabler through Events that Engage, Energise and Empower worldwide. Aonia specialises in serving MNCs in the pharmaceutical, finance and technology sectors.
Actively involved in the business events industry since 1999, Chual has a global network of business events partners, and has an extensive knowledge of hotels and venues in major cities that are most suited to client needs.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel has appointed Michael Ryan as managing director for Australia and New Zealand. Based in Sydney, Ryan has more than 20 years of business development and management experience across a range of industries. He joins from American Express’ Merchant Services division.
You move into this new role in Solo from Hokkaido. How are you adjusting?
With the exception of missing snowy winters and the beautiful colours of spring and autumn, I’d say very well! The team at Alila Solo are already well versed in Alila’s renowned hospitality so the transition has been very smooth.
Alasdair-Davidson
You are not unfamiliar with Alila properties, having held senior positions with three Alila hotels in the past. How does it feel to be returning to the Alila family?
It feels wonderful to be back with what I consider to be close family, after almost seven years with Alila. Only when you have an opportunity to look back from outside the company do you gain a real appreciation for the dedication that has gone into making Alila one of the most reputed luxury hotel and resort operators. It’s not easy to recreate the Alila experience as a solo operator.
One of the biggest responsibilities of a leader is motivating staff. How are you doing that?
Through collaborative management. I am relentless when it comes to involving all team members in the vision for the property and company. Being a hands-on manager, I’m always on the ground talking and laughing with the team,as well as discussing and constantly looking for new initiatives to elevate the guest experience.
Harbour Grand Kowloon in Hong Kong as picked Kristofer Bremström as director of food & beverage. He joins from Le Méridien Hotel Abu Dhabi where he held the same role.
One World Hotel Petaling Jaya has appointed Chris Niuh Ban Hock as general manager. Niuh brings with him 20 years of hospitality industry experience. He was last area general manager for Berjaya Langkawi Resort, Langkawi and Georgetown City Hotel, Penang.
Aviary Bintaro, an eco-inspired hotel in Jakarta, has appointed Brafely Sahelangi to the position of general manager. He is a seasoned hotelier with more than 20 years of experience.
Dorsett Hospitality International has appointed Anita Chan, general manager of Dorsett Wanchai, Hong Kong, Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong and Dorsett Mongkok, Hong Kong to the additional role as senior vice president of brand marketing. Chan has been with Dorsett Hospitality International since March 2005.
Launched as Skydive Lake Wanaka in 1995, the company started humbly with a van, a patch of grass with a few deck chairs on it, and a borrowed plane.
Since it was bought over in 2013 and renamed Skydive Wanaka, the company has garnered multiple awards with more than 120,000 tandem skydives completed.
Concept Skydive Wanaka is often rated as one of the top skydive locations in Australasia. It is set in stunning and dramatic scenery where you can see up to six lakes, Mt Cook and the Clutha, South Island’s longest river.
Skydive Wanaka
The company has a team of more than 35 ‘Beautiful Strangers’ passengers can strap themselves to, for the tandem jump off an orange plane. All the guides are experienced, with many clocking more than 15,000 skydives each.
MICE application This is a unique and rewarding incentive experience especially when the group gets to bond over nerves.
The plane takes 18 people at a time, or up to nine passengers doing tandem dives. Each skydive takes about 30 minutes from getting suited to landing. It’s also weather dependent, so dives are best planned for the late morning in winter to avoid the fog, or early mornings in summer to avoid strong afternoon winds.
The company has three drop zones, which means there’s flexibility should the weather not comply.
But this means corporates need to have flexibility in the itinerary to accommodate weather changes.
Service Skydiving in New Zealand is one of those experiences I’ll be talking about for a long time. They say the hardest part of a skydive is jumping off a perfectly good plane, but I found the initial freefall from 15,000 feet more challenging.
Who can complain flying above a stunning location against the backdrop of the Southern Alps and some of the most beautiful lakes in the country? During the jump, my tandem guide made me feel safe and I felt that he was a great videographer who helped me to document the experience.
KLCC-Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Photo credit: Tourism Malaysia
The Malaysian government has placed more emphasis on attracting both the leisure and business events markets from India by rolling out visa-friendly policies, as well as introducing new Malaysian destinations.
The e-visa facility was first introduced by the Malaysian government in 2016. After which, they took it a step further and waived the Rs1,000 (US$16) visa fee, as well as reduced the visa processing fee from Rs5,500 to Rs1,600. In April 2017, a multiple-entry visa for Indian tourists was launched, making it more convenient for travellers to combine mutli-country tours.
In addition, the cash crunch crisis in November 2016 – resulting from the Indian government’s move to demonetise its Rs500 and Rs1,000 currency – came to an end.
KLCC-Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Photo credit: Tourism Malaysia
As a result, hoteliers and local DMCs have reported seeing an increased MICE business from India.
Wilfred Yeo, group director of business development of Sunway Hotels & Resorts, said: “We foresee that the Indian business events segment will grow and become one of our biggest segments. We are currently receiving three to five groups from India on a monthly basis. Since 2015, we have witnessed a 15 per cent year-on-year growth in room nights.”
Luxury Tours Malaysia’s senior manager, Arokia Das, pointed out that the introduction of multiple entry visa has helped his business.
He elaborated: “Prior to the introduction of the multiple-entry visa, Indian organisers used to fly to Bali on Malindo Air and transited in Kuala Lumpur. Since the visa was introduced, we’ve had business from a few Indian MICE organisers who organised a one- or two-night post conference tour in Kuala Lumpur.
“They will have the groups stay in the city, close to the shopping malls, and the itinerary will usually include a half-day city tour.”
Arokia further revealed that in July, his company saw a 30 per cent increase year-on-year for business events from India. He attributed this to better air connectivity, which has helped Kuala Lumpur remain a popular destination for the Indian meetings and incentives market.
Similarly for Tourland Travel, managing director, A Aruldas, said that MICE business from India has seen a 15 per cent increase year-on-year.
“Incentive events move on a rotational basis and many organisers are rotating their events back to Malaysia,” he said.
He said this was partly due to the weak ringgit against the US dollar – while the Indian rupee had strengthened – which made hotel rates in Malaysia more attractive.
Another trend Aruldas noticed in 2016 were that business events organisers were more willing to spend on better quality hotels and F&B due to the exchange rates.
As well, tour companies have been promoting other destinations around Malaysia.
For instance, Luxury Tours Malaysia has been promoting Penang as a new venue for meetings and incentives, as the state has a brand new meeting venue – the Setia SPICE Convention Centre – and new products that are good for incentives.
“It is easy to organise events in Penang as the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau is willing to help us get permission from relevant bodies to use some historical buildings as venues for gala dinners,” he added.
For Tourland Travel, Aruldas revealed that Langkawi did well as an incentive destination last year.
He explained: “Langkawi has grown in popularity and demand is second to Kuala Lumpur. It has good hotel facilities, and getting Indian food is not an issue.”
Aruldas is also awaiting the end-year opening of the 20th Century Fox World theme park, as he believes the attraction will become a new destination for business events in terms of outdoor venues for themed dinners, for events held at Resorts World Genting.
Meanwhile, Nanda Kumar, managing director of Hidden Asia Travel & Tours, is promoting Perak to the Indian incentive market as the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) theme park recently opened in June.
KLCC-Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Photo credit: Tourism Malaysia
He said that MAPS, together with The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, can form part of an itinerary for incentive delegates where Ipoh, the state capital of Perak, is combined with either Penang or Kuala Lumpur.
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.
