Over coffee with Vidya Hermanto

September 1, 2017

09SEPT-Vidya-Hermanto-640 — Vidya Hermanto

Why is a new branding needed when Orange – Incentive House is a division under Panorama JTB Tours?
As part of a travel company, we organise trips, book hotels and transport, but we are not just a travel division creating tours for corporate clients.

We offer much more than that, such as a holistic approach to events. As such, we need to distinguish ourselves from our parent company to highlight the creativity and dynamism we can bring to clients, while assisting them in achieving their goals.

We chose Orange as our brand as it carries the meaning of warmth and creativity. To deliver our promises, we have hired more staff. We now have 150 people, mostly millennials who have the capacity to package creative and detailed programmes.

What is new in Orange compared to the previous division?
We have created an Orange app, which can be customised to serve a group’s programme. The app allows up to 200 members, and enables participants view the itinerary, read CEO messages, or obtain clues during an amazing race.

We used to be conventional, and arrange for company reward trips with just a themed dinner, as per clients’ requests. The management then expects that this trip will motivate staff to reach higher targets the following year.

Now we take on a completely different approach, which will assist our clients in achieving more than what they expect. The trips we create will no longer be just a trip, but an enriched event.

Please elaborate what Orange’s new approach is.
Companies want to achieve more every year. At the same time, they are required to be more effective and efficient in their spending.

Meanwhile, we see that in a company, different divisions have various meetings, events, domestic, and international travel programmes. As such, budgets are scattered within a company.

Moreover, instead of creating a single event – to convey the company’s goal and message – what many companies do is that they invite travel firms to do a pitch every time there is a programme.

Instead, our new approach is to create a synergy to convey a message between corporate clients the staff or suppliers.

We tell clients that they should combine programmes instead of holding department-specific programmes.

A budget for 300 people, compared to a budget of 30 people, will enable clients to hold a more spectacular event.

In addition, instead of just submitting a proposal to pitch a tour, we ask clients what the company’s visions and missions are, and what they want to achieve next year. We will then offer programmes that will motivate staff to achieve the company goals the following year, while enjoying their rewards.

For companies that have workshops, motivational speeches, and CEO messages separate from an incentive tour, we can also help to combine them. As a result, the trip will not be a just a trip.

That way, companies will have an increased collective budget, be more efficient in their spending, and conduct a better programme.

However, a last-minute trip will not work in this case as airfares and hotel prices will be higher.

Usually, there are different layers of achievement and rewards in a company. How can this be combined?
For example, one of our clients had a Taipei-Honolulu-Los Angeles incentive tour programme.

The entire group went to Taipei, where programmes involving everyone was held there. The lowest tier ended their trip there, while the middle and top tiers continued on to Honolulu and Los Angeles respectively.

What are some challenges?
Many companies in Indonesia are still conventional. We need to explain our service plan in detail, and educate clients on the benefit of taking this approach.

We actually started offering this service last year, but we did not make any announcement until we are sure it would work.

What is next on your to-do list?
We would like to become an expert on Japan, seeing that Panorama joined JTB last April.
Currently, we have three Japanese managers in Orange. Our eventual goal is to serve all Japanese corporations in Indonesia.

Investment from Japan is the second largest in Indonesia. Companies such as Toyota, Honda can send their employees for site visits in Japan, and we can arrange their programme there. We also offer all destinations in Japan to companies based in Indonesia.
We also are working towards creating student home-stay programmes in Japan. This is already popular with other markets, more so than Indonesia. Hopefully we will be able to start sales to universities in Indonesia next year.

Adventure capital

By Adelaine Ng

September 1, 2017

0

09SEPT-Panoramic-image-of-Lake-wanaka-640 — Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

If you haven’t already heard, Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world where jet boating, bungy jumping and tandem skydiving activities abound. And this town has helped put New Zealand on the map for business events, with an impressive 75 per cent current win rate for conference bids.

“New Zealand is a destination that’s on people’s bucket list, a dream destination,” said Sue Sullivan, CEO of the country’s annual conferencing event CINZ MEETINGS.

“When you’re running an incentive, very often we win because we are that dream destination. Couple that with our experiences and our products, high quality of hotels, food and wine (and we’re hard to beat),” she added.

New Zealand’s reputation in the business events world is becoming more well-known. Recent data showed that the country rose four places in ICCA’s global rankings to take 12th spot in Asia-Pacific, and the 47th spot in the world.

It’s an achievement attributed to dedicated teams that collaborate in a partnership that Air New Zealand’s regional general manager for Asia, Scott Carr, refers to as NZ Inc.

“By NZ Inc I mean the airline, the tourism body, immigration and airport authorities and the government in general,” said Carr.

“We can get behind this industry in a way other destinations can’t. I think it becomes a substantial marketing difference for us as a MICE opportunity.”

Carr cites a recent incentive group win from Amway China as an NZ Inc success story, which will see 10,000 delegates visit Queenstown next year in waves of 600 people at a time, the biggest incentive business New Zealand has won to date. The win represents a NZ$50 million (US$37 million) chunk out of NZ$311 million in total conferencing and incentive business secured over the past four years.

“We want to build on that success,” said Lisa Gardiner, Tourism New Zealand’s international business events & premium manager.

“For (Amway China), this was a new model of breaking the group up into a number of waves to be able to have a great experience of New Zealand. Amway is a leader in direct selling and incentives business so we’re looking to leverage their experience and grow our incentive program profile off its back,” she said.

What the delegates will be experiencing in Queenstown is still in the works but it’s a good bet some of their activities will be adventure based. Activities such as skydiving, helicopter rides and bungy jumping can be experienced in many parts of New Zealand but are mostly concentrated in and around Wanaka and Queenstown, which are an hour’s drive apart.
The large Amyway China group also points to a trend for Asian visitors to embrace more daring incentive experiences.

“We are seeing a transition,” said Sullivan. “We’re starting to see travellers from Asia that have perhaps studied in this part of the world, or America or Europe. We’re seeing the younger ones are really keen to leap off a bridge, skydive and be more adventurous.”
The trend is confirmed by Derek Melnick, business development manager at NZONE Skydive.

When asked which Asian countries his customers hail from, Melnick said: “Singapore and Malaysia are in our top 10 markets with Indonesia emerging.”

Still, at the end of the day Sullivan insists it is New Zealand’s culture that wins bids.
“How we welcome you as a people, that is our manaakitanga (a Maori word that loosely translates to hospitality). Our culture is a strong point of difference,” she shared.

“And I find that Asians are traditionally quite spiritual people so they connect well with our culture. It’s not just perhaps exploring some caves but finding out how we’re connected to the land, how we’re protecting our assets and how we manage life around it”.

Gardiner said there’s been year-on-year increase in the interest, number of leads, and business that their international incentive team have been converting from Asia, but admits there’s still work to be done in creating awareness with the right agents.

“We need to keep growing New Zealand’s profile and the most efficient way for us to do that is to work with key incentive houses and key joint venture partners to get us in front of the right people,” she concluded.

With a defined strategy in place, people on the ground across key Asian locations like Singapore and Shanghai, and experiences in New Zealand that promise to take your breath away, that goal seems well within reach.

Highlands Motorsport Park

By Adelaine Ng

September 1, 2017

0

09SEPT-Highlands-Motorsport-Park-640 — A McLaren at Highlands Motorsport Park

The Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, Otago, has been offering exhilarating experiences since 2013. The park, located a 45-minute drive from Queenstown, features a 4.1km-long motor racing circuit inspired by some of the world’s most famous racetracks.

Concept There are 12 activities onsite such as Go-Kart races, Jurassic Safari Buggies and laser-clay shooting.

But if you want to go home with bragging rights, ride in a Porsche, McLaren or Ferrari race car. Or take things up a notch and self-drive a Le Mans or Repco V8. There’s also a group self-driving option in one of six WRX Subaru vehicles.

MICE application McLaren, Porsche or Ferrari rides are available for up to 50 rides in the morning, or a total 80 rides for the day. The Subaru WRX Experience is Highlands’ newest product, created as a unique, group-only adventure.

There are three packages for up to 40 people ranging from a 30-minute teaser to the four-hour Ultimate Experience which includes private lounge access, circuit action, and a hot lap with a professional driver at the wheel. The McLaren I rode in as part of the Supercar Fast Dash was surreal and felt like I was in a movie.

Highlands can also work with groups to focus on teambuilding and competitive areas or take a more social approach. For instance, the Go-Kart activity was terrific fun for our group with a live display tracking our lap times to increase the competitive factor.

The park can also cater for up to 150 people theatre-style or 120 for a sit-down dinner. Additionally, it houses the National Motorsport Museum which features rare cars such as the US$4.2 million Aston Martin Vulcan, and The Benetton F1 driven by Michael Schumacher when he earned his first ever F1 point in 1991.

Service Highlands is well run by staff who are experienced in catering for groups.

Contact
Website: www.highlands.co.nz
Email: info@highlands.co.nz
Tel: (64 3) 445-4052

Sunway Pyramid Hotel

By S Puvaneswary

September 1, 2017

0

09SEPT-Sunway-Pyramid-Hotel-Deluxe-Executive-King-640 — Sunway Pyramid Hotel Deluxe Executive King

The Sunway Pyramid Hotel, part of Selangor’s Sunway City integrated resort, has reopened after a RM125 million (US$29.2 million) extensive renovation. The refurbishment resulted in technology improvements, and a complete makeover in public areas to reflect a more contemporary style.

Room My room came with complimentary Wi-Fi, wired broadband Internet access, bedside USB charger outlets, a 42-inch LED Smart TV with satellite channels, and ample closet space.

Sunway Pyramid Hotel Deluxe Executive King

I was given a Deluxe Park Room on Level 10, the highest floor. From my room, I had a splendid bird’s-eye view of Sunway Lagoon Theme Park. Rooms facing the opposite side will offer a city view.

MICE facilities The hotel is connected to Sunway Pyramid Mall, a mega shopping and entertainment mall offering over 900 retail stores and 170 F&B outlets.

Above the five-storey mall is the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, which underwent a facelift in December 2016. The convention centre comprises over 7,600m² of function space, and can hold up to 3,500 delegates in theatre-seating or up to 200 exhibition booths.

In addition, there are eight breakout rooms measuring between 80m² and 640m². The foyer entrance area is directly accessible from the highway via a dedicated ramp, which makes it convenient for conference and exhibition delegates to arrive and materials to be transported.

I like that meeting planners have greater flexibility as they can integrate facilities and activities within the integrated resort into their programmes.

For example, the MICE team at Sunway Hotel can help organise a teambuilding event at the shopping mall, or brainstorming sessions, gala dinners and cocktail events in an outdoor setting at the theme park, or on the tropical landscaped gardens of the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa.

Other facilities Taste Enclave at Sunway Pyramid Hotel comprises 14 eateries offering local, western and Middle Eastern cuisines, while Kaffeinate is an express café offering a variety of grab-and-go options.

Delegates staying at this property also have direct access to the recreational facilities – such as the Mandara Spa, a fitness centre and swimming pool – in the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa.

Room count 564
Star rating Four
Contact
Website: www.sunwayhotels.com
Email: reservations@sunwayhotels.com
Tel: (60-3) 7492-8000

Over the hills and far away

By S Puvaneswary

September 1, 2017

0

Event brief
Discovery Overland Holidays was the DMC appointed by Penang Global Tourism and Reed Exhibitions, tasked to organise a cocktail reception for WTM Connect Asia at The Tree Top Walk in The Habitat, Penang Hill, followed by a gala dinner and accompanying entertainment at David Brown’s Restaurant, also located on Penang Hill.

Challenges
The Habitat is an eco attraction located on the fringes of a 130-million-year-old virgin rainforest on Penang Hill. Within The Habitat is The Tree Top Walk, an open area with a 13m-high viewing platform. This was where the evening cocktail was held, before guests took a short walk downhill to to David Brown’s Restaurant.

One of the challenges was to make the event impactful and meaningful for delegates as many of them had already spent a long day sightseeing, while some overseas delegates had also just arrived.

Lex Lam, director of sales at Discovery Overland Holidays, recalled: “We anticipated they would be tired, and so we had to ensure the evening event was meaningful and worth attending.”

Preparations for the event were made weeks in advance. This included finding ways and means to transport long beams of steel and other heavy materials needed to set up a marquee – as contingency in case of rain. All these materials had to be transported from the city to the hilltop, and it was a challenge to transport them along narrow unlit roads with sharp bends. All these work had to be done during the night as well, due to road works during the day.

Another challenge was finding a contractor who was willing to build a temporary stage on top of a fish pond at David Brown’s Restaurant.

“Many we approached were reluctant because of the difficulty of carrying materials to the hilltop,” said Lam.

Solutions
Discovery Overland Holidays had teams at all four partner hotels to coordinate the 10 bus departures so that the buses left Georgetown before the evening traffic jam. The 30-minute bus ride from the hotel to the Lower Station of Penang Hill was made interesting by tour guides on every bus who briefed delegates Penang’s history and what they could expect at the evening function.

As the funicular trains arrive at the Lower Penang station every 10 minutes, the 10 buses were timed to arrive at staggered intervals of six minutes so that delegates did not have to wait long. When they reached the Upper Hill station, local performers greeted them.
The walk down from The Tree Top Walk to David Brown’s Restaurant was also made interesting with displays by fire eaters and fire throwers along the way.

As for the stage, The Habitat management referred Discovery Overland Holidays to a past contractor who was willing to build a stage as the materials needed were already on-site and need not be brought in from Georgetown.

The company also worked closely with Penang Global Tourism to get the necessary permits.

Key takeaways
“Planning well in advance and working closely with all parties were instrumental to the event being a success,” revealed Lam.

Kuala Lumpur Night Walk

By S Puvaneswary

September 1, 2017

0

09SEPT-Kuala-Lumpur-Night-Walk-640 — Kuala Lumpur Nigh Walk

The Kuala Lumpur Night Walk was introduced in September 2016 by the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau as a means of sharing the diverse cultural, heritage and historical treasures in the capital city.

Lasting 2.5 hours, the free walk is run by experienced guides every Saturday, provided it does not rain. The 2km route is suitable for all fitness levels and there are stops in between.

Concept Registration begins at 18.30 at Arch Café, Pacific Express Hotel. The walk itself starts at 18.45 from the Old Market Square, and ends at Independence Square.

Prior to the walk, the guide on duty – my guide that evening was Shirley Wong – will give out a pamphlet which depicts the route map, and a short description of landmarks and historical buildings.

Wong brought along with her black and white photographs depicting what the city used to look like in the 19th century, as well as images of renowned leaders of the era such as Yap Ah Loy, the third kapitan China of Kuala Lumpur, and Frank Swettenham, the resident general of the Federated Malay States.
For instance, I learnt that Pacific Express Hotel was where Yap’s house used to stand. Wong also showed our group images of what the house – which stretched all the way to the riverbank – looked like back then.

In addition, she also had a laser pointer, which made it easy for the dozen of us to see the building elements she was referring to such as the Neoclassical facades and Art Deco architecture.

MICE application Private tours for groups can be arranged in advance by contacting the bureau.

In such cases, tours will not be limited to Saturdays, and will be dependent on the group’s arrangement. Organisers can also customise tours by highlighting certain aspects, such as showcasing the local nightlife, learning about the lifestyles of the traders, speaking to shop owners who have run the same business for generations, and sampling the local cuisine.
If the group size is larger than 15, the group can be split into smaller groups with a tour guide each.

The tour can end with a late dinner or supper at one of the many restaurants in the area.

Service The guided tour was a marvellous experience. I have lived in the city all my life, but I learnt so much about Kuala Lumpur that evening. Pictures of the city in the 19th century was also an eye-opener, offering a window into how much progress Malaysia has made since then.

Contact
Email: pelancongan@dbkl.gov.my
Tel: (60-3) 2698-0332

Kyoto Railway Museum

By Julian Ryall

September 1, 2017

0

09SEPT-Kyoto-Railway-Museum-640 — Kyoto Railway Museum

While transport-related conventions and exhibitions would have an obvious tie-in with the Kyoto Railway Museum, the interactive nature of the exhibits means it would appeal to a far broader range of potential users.

Concept The spacious Kyoto Railway Museum showcases Japan’s railway technology from the late 1800s to the modern day. Exhibits include the newest-generation 500 Series bullet train, and visitors are encouraged to get hands-on and explore the displays.

They can go into the drivers’ compartments of a number of steam locomotives, drive scale replicas of trains through cityscapes, and operate a video-based train simulator. Eight of the steam engines can also be ridden by visitors.
For anyone feeling more energetic, the museum has a pedal-powered inspection vehicle that can be operated on a length of track.

MICE application The museum offers a fascinating – and unconventional – backdrop for business gatherings. At least four areas can be used for receptions, sit-down meals or presentations, or a combination of all such functions.
The Promenade is a sheltered area designed to resemble a train station, with a C62 steam locomotive, Series 80 train and the very first Shinkansen bullet train all pulled up at the platform. This space area is ideal for receptions or banquets for up to 1,000 people, while the interior of one of the trains can be used for smaller gatherings.

The adjoining Inner Garden has tables on the grass and, while more compact, is a pleasant outdoors spot for social parties.
Between the turntable and the roundhouse, which is home to 20 of the museum’s most important exhibits, is an outdoor area that can be used for larger events.

Another space planners can consider is on the fourth floor, between a train diorama and a track that visitors can use to drive model trains.

The museum works closely with outside caterers.

Contact
Website: www.kyotorailwaymuseum.jp/en/
Tel: (81 75) 323 7334

Rihga Royal Hotel, Kyoto

By Julian Ryall

September 1, 2017

0

09SEPT-Rihga-Royal-Hotel,-Kyoto-640 — Rihga Royal Hotel

Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto reopened in September 2016 after an extensive seven-month renovation of its 489 guestrooms, sporting facilities, lobby area, convention and meeting spaces, and restaurants – including its signature Top of Kyoto French restaurant on the 14^th floor, which completes a 360-degree revolution overlooking the city every 90 minutes.

Rooms Already a firm accommodation favourite in Kyoto for its high service standards, facilities and convenient proximity to Kyoto Station, the makeover has allowed the hotel to offer guests a warmer welcome.

Designers brought together the heritage of Kyoto and all the modern amenities expected of a quality hotel. Guestrooms now incorporate traditional fabrics and designs inspired by the city and its artisans. For guests from overseas, the 61m² Japanese room is particularly appealing thanks to the use of tatami matting, sliding wooden doors and a large bath.

MICE application The hotel offers a selection of banquet and meeting rooms, the largest of which is the Shunju Room. It can accommodate 1,000 guests for a reception or 500 people for a seated dinner or lecture.

The Suzaku room has capacity for a 400-pax banquet or 450-pax lecture. Four other medium-sized banquet rooms and six smaller meeting rooms complete the hotel’s event venue inventory.

The hotel can provide electronic equipment for events and signage, floral decorations, table arrangements and delegate souvenirs.

As well as fully catered meals, the hotel can set up festival-style food stands serving traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi and tempura, adding an interesting touch to event dining experiences.

Other facilities New dining options have been added, including the all-day dining restaurant Kaza, an old word in the Kyoto dialect that means aroma. The buffet-style restaurant can accommodate 180 guests and has three private rooms. Top of Kyoto has also undergone an upgrade, with the walls now adorned with karakami hand-made paper delicately depicting the four seasons. This restaurant can be booked for receptions.
For guests’ recreation, the hotel offers a pool, a gym and a sauna.

Room count 489
Star rating Five
Contact
Website: www.rihgaroyalkyoto.com
Tel: (81 75) 341-1121

Taking the pulse of luxury business events // Exquisite ideas

By TTGmice

September 1, 2017

0

09SEPT-Great-Gatsby-party-640 — Great Gatsby themed party

Sassoon House’s great revival
Pacific World China is able to revive the swinging heydays of the Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, when former owner Sir Victor Sassoon, a prominent British businessman, hosted many glamorous dance parties in the 1920s and 1930s.

A two-and-a-half-day Great Gatsby-themed event can be created – just as Pacific World China did for a client’s 110-pax group – complete with a cocktail cruise on the Huangpu River with themed decorations, vintage car, and side car ride around the city.
This was followed by an exclusive afternoon high tea party at the former British Embassy and the International Financier’s Club, a guest historian speaker to talk about the art deco of Shanghai, and a grand gala dinner and dance party where a top band performed hit music of the era and a series of songs which were specially composed for the event.
Price US$2,000 per pax (excluding accommodation)

A taste of vintage Cognac
The St. Regis Macao’s A Taste of 1904 programme is created around exquisite Cognac vintages, with guests getting an exclusive opportunity to enjoy five varieties of Cognac from recent vintages to the oldest dating back to 1904.

The oldest vintage was bottled in the same year the legendary St. Regis New York was founded. The St. Regis Macao scoured the world to find a supreme Cognac bottled in 1904 exclusively for the hotel’s grand opening.

Following the tasting session, guests will adjourn to dinner in The Penthouse Kitchen, the exclusive private dining area of The Manor restaurant.
Price MOP3,088 (US$383) per person, for at least eight pax; maxmium of 30 pax

Southern Ocean Lodge
Perched atop the limestone cliffs of South Australia’s Kangaroo Island is the opulent Southern Ocean Lodge.

Dubbed Australia’s original ‘super lodge’, this haven for nature lovers is a 30-minute flight from Adelaide, and is available for exclusive use for the ultimate incentive. The Exclusively Yours all-inclusive package is created for a group of at least 15 guests, and includes luxury accommodation, a ‘Taste of Kangaroo Island’ degustation dinner, and a host of signature experiences such as a guided walk among the colony of sea lions.
Price A$31,500 (US$25,244) a night for a minimum of 15 guests

Royal treatment
For event planners hoping to treat their guests like royalty, The J Team DMC in Japan can execute a regal experience at Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace, the country’s only Neo-Baroque palace.
The event begins with welcome cocktails to the strains of globally recognisable music performed on Japanese instruments. Continuing the Western/Japanese fusion theme, the menu will incorporate at least 12 miniature kaiseki courses that use ingredients carefully chosen from different parts of the country.
During the meal, sake sommeliers will speak with guests, and explain the history and attributes of a selection of fine drinks, including the dishes that specific sake work particularly well with.
Dinner entertainment will be a modern performance of taiko drumming, while the crescendo of the evening will be a dazzling performance by the sought-after eight-piece dance group Wrecking Crew Orchestra.
Price US$2,000 per pax

The Resorts World Sentosa canvas
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) Singapore can be a blank canvas on which event planners can create their most luxurious business events.

The integrated resort’s Michelin-star celebrity chef restaurants such as Joel Robuchon Restaurant and TungLok Heen can be bought out for private events, and entire attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore and SEA Aquarium can be turned into a red carpet or black-tie affair. RWS works with events management companies to plan, implement and coordinate the logistics of large-scale events held at its premises for clients. Corporate branding and decoration are fully customisable.
Price Varies

Check-in on the move
To reduce check-in time for large corporate groups, The Ritz-Carlton Sanya is able to provide check-in on the go for VIP groups.

For a 318-pax corporate group coming in from Haikou, the hotel sought to tackle a two-hour gap to check-in by moving its front desk on to the train the group was taking.

The front office separated its team members into two groups. Group A assigned the guests into 250 rooms, made the keys, took the train to Haikou and took the same train with the guests back to Sanya.

Group B was tasked with ensuring the rooms were ready for check-in. They made last-minute room changes, controlled the arrival times of the seven coaches, delivered the luggage and escorted the guests to the rooms.

With the precise plan, it only took the hotel staff one minute and 43 seconds to settle all the guests and their luggage on the first bus, and about three minutes for each of the six remaining buses.
Escorting the guests to the 250 rooms took less than 20 minutes.
Price Unavailable

A superior way to see Hong Kong
This VIP adventure offer by The Peninsula Hong Kong covers air, land and sea with the most spectacular views.

The experience begins with a flight to Sai Kung Country Park in the hotel’s custom helicopter. Upon landing, a luxury yacht will sail guests to a cove at Millionaire’s Bay, where a full banquet experience and open-air beach lounge await. After the indulgent meal, guests will return to the Star Ferry Pier at Tsim Sha Tsui and be whisked by chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce cars back to The Peninsula Hong Kong.
Price HK$133,728 (US$17,097) plus 10 per cent service charge; the experience is for only six people

A secret suite up in the sky
Stellar at 1-Altitude and Dom Pérignon have created a ‘secret’ P2 Suite, discreetly located in the al fresco restaurant 282m above the streets of Singapore.

Guests are greeted at 1-Altitude with a pairing of Sturia caviar and Dom Pérignon P2, then escorted to the ‘secret’ suite for a behind-the-scenes tour. They will then enjoy Stellar’s Plénitudes Garden, a food-pairing journey conceived by three Michelin-star chef Alain Ducasse. After dark, the suite can also be transformed into an exclusive VIP party lounge. The P2 Suite will be unveiled later this year.
Price Unavailable

Shop like the rich and famous
Event planners can book a by-appointment-only personal shopping session for their delegates at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. It curates a shopping experience of up to three hours exclusive to the individual, and gives them undivided attention and access to global brands. Patrons can opt for a VIP buggy service to shuttle between the boutiques, and end the day with complimentary high tea at TWG Tea Salon and Boutique.
Price S$250 (US$184) per pax

An elevated experience of Langkawi
A complete luxurious corporate retreat with personalised itineraries can be planned within The St. Regis Langkawi.
Some of the experiences include a 20-minute helicopter tour where guests can have an aerial view of the many islands that make up Langkawi, hear the stories behind the destination from a naturalist, or enjoy a coffee break onboard a yacht for two hours.
With the hotel boasting its own exclusive airport lounge at Langkawi International Airport, guests can be assured of regal treatment from the moment they arrive.
Price RM3,600 (US$840.43) nett per person for a two-night stay with breakfast

This is an excerpt from TTGmice September 2017’s cover story, Taking the pulse of luxury business events. Read the full story in print or download the ebook.

Kyoto’s old and new appeal

By Julian Ryall

September 1, 2017

0

09SEPT-Kyoto-Japan-downtown-city-skyline-at-night-640 — Kyoto, Japan downtown city skyline

Kyoto is harnessing its traditional and contemporary assets to build on its growing reputation as a business and association events destination, with 45,683 people taking part in 269 international meetings throughout the city and its surroundings last year.

The number of meetings was a record high while the total number of participants saw a remarkable increase of 54.7 per cent on the previous record. According to ICCA statistics, Kyoto climbed 13 places on the global ranking of meetings cities to 44th spot, the destination’s highest ICCA ranking since 2012.

The Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau is refusing to rest on its laurels, however, and officials are pushing ahead with a number of new initiatives designed to attract even more business and association events to the nation’s ancient capital.

“The development of unique venues in Kyoto has been one of our most successful initiatives in attracting new events to our city,” said Yoshiaki Matsui, deputy director of the bureau’s conventions planning division.

“The possibility of holding an event at temples, shrines and other exclusive locations is incredibly appealing,” he told TTGmice. “It is especially unusual to attend an event in a unique venue that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Currently, there is much excitement around UNESCO World Heritage Site To-ji Temple’s inclusion in Kyoto’s unique venue offerings.

Matsui said event organisers who are considering Kyoto as a destination are looking for quality, rich experiences and security so that their delegates can have peace-of-mind.

“As the quintessential Japanese destination, we have resources that are not found anywhere else and through which we can offer truly special experiences and enhance the overall quality of the meeting,” he added.

“Organisers find that Kyoto’s iconic quality and high appeal makes the destination easy to promote and draw higher numbers of participants.”

Organisers of events – particularly science or medical conventions – are also attracted to the city’s large number of highly regarded universities and companies that specialise in cutting-edge technology.

The bureau is also keen to play up sustainability and support for traditional local industries in the events Kyoto gets, especially since this is a concept already woven deep into the culture and history of the city.

The Kyoto Culture for Meetings Subsidy is provided by the city government and pays up to 300,000 yen (US$2,700) towards the cost of incorporating traditional elements into the event programme. Such elements include tea ceremony
demonstrations, handmade gifts by local artisans for delegates, Zen meditation classes, workshop visits or hands-on classes with local craftsmen, traditional performances like taiko drums and music and dances by maiko and geiko, Kyoto’s unique style of geisha.

Matsui emphasised: “It is incredibly important for us to develop our resilience and promote sustainable practices in meetings in Kyoto.

“Last year, we were the first destination in Asia to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index. We also have a partnership with the city’s Do You Kyoto? scheme, the comprehensive carbon reduction programme that offsets carbon footprint of events held in Kyoto.

He revealed that more organisers are taking a destination’s sustainability into consideration when choosing a host city.
“We want to attract meetings that are interested in contributing to our city, connecting with our community, embracing localism, using our carbon offset programme and supporting our traditional industries,” he said.

Alongside the sustainability push, Kyoto hotels are ramping up their offerings to give organisers additional impetus to take their events forward.

Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto recently completed a major overhaul of its facilities, including event venues, while Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto is carrying out sweeping renovations of all its 310 guestrooms as well as its restaurants, lobby area and gardens.
New hotels are coming online too. Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto opened recently and a new five-star hotel is scheduled to open close to Kyoto Station in 2019.

Refreshed facilities are also coming up at the Kyoto International Conference Centre (ICC Kyoto), Japan’s first convention facility when it opened in 1966 and venue for numerous high-profile meetings including the 1997 Third Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted.

ICC Kyoto covers 156,000m2 and takes in more than 70 conference rooms, including nine halls with simultaneous translation equipment and a Japanese garden.

When works are completed in June 2018, ICC Kyoto will gain a new hall with capacity for 1,600 people in theatre-style.
The city’s combined efforts are paying off. In September, the World Congress of Neurology will return to Kyoto with around 7,000 delegates, making Kyoto the only city in the history of the congress to be chosen twice as host.

Over coffee with Vidya Hermanto

Adventure capital

Highlands Motorsport Park

Sunway Pyramid Hotel

Over the hills and far away

Kuala Lumpur Night Walk

Kyoto Railway Museum

Rihga Royal Hotel, Kyoto

Taking the pulse of luxury business events // Exquisite ideas

Kyoto’s old and new appeal

Reviews

Mama Shelter Zurich

Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown

A versatile powerhouse