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[Sponsored post] 10th Conventions India Conclave

By TTGmice
0

India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), a body sponsored by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India is pleased to announce our Flagship Event “Conventions India Conclave” in Hyderabad from 29-31 August 2017 at HICC.

As the Theme of the Event is “Expanding The Boundaries – Mission Possible”, the focus area during the Conclave will be on all segments of MICE Industry – the Incentive, Exhibition and the Corporate Meetings, creating an opportunity for our Members to look for new avenue of business development.

The Conclave is not only significant being the 10th CIC but it will also be opportunity for us to project ICPB as a parent body for Marketing India as a preferred Convention Destination specially in the context of as we in ICPB working on restructuring and strengthening of ICPB.

The Exhibition and B2B meetings with pre scheduled appointments will be important component of the Conclave. We are expecting 250-300 Delegates during our 2 day Event including Domestic and International Buyers apart from 50-60 Exhibitors.

The two day Event is also packed with Sessions and Panel discussions on various topics like “Technology Innovation in the Meeting Industry”, Incentive – “Meeting expectations of Corporates”, A panel discussion on synergy between Exhibition and Conference Industry and renown Keynote International Speakers sharing their experiences during the Convention.

Ministry of Tourism, Telangana Govt. is the Platinum Sponsor of the Event as State Partner and HICC Hyderabad is the Venue Partner for our forthcoming 10th CIC.

The Conclave will provide the perfect forum of opinions, views and standpoints on India’s meeting and Convention Industry.

Beyond Asia: Lewinnick Lodge, Radisson Salt Lake City Downtown, and ecobuild 2018

By TTGmice
0
Lewinnick Lodge’s luxurious digs can be given as rewards to top achievers

Lewinnick Lodge in Cornwall adds luxe accommodation
A million pound investment has added six luxurious suites to Lewinnick Lodge on the North Cornwall coast of England.

The suites are spacious and promise spectacular coastal views, with the book-end two rooms boasting 360-degree vistas. Each is furnished with an emperor-size bed lined with Egyptian cotton linen, radios, Bluetooth speakers and smart TVs. Extra touches in the form of homemade biscuits, organic toiletries and cosy bathrobes make for a more memorable stay for top achievers.

Radisson Salt Lake City Downtown adds value to meetings
Radisson Salt Lake City Downtown in the US is offering one complimentary meeting room rental, additional 50,000 Club Carlson PlannersPoints and a complimentary reception (up to US$1,500 in value) for meetings booked at the hotel worth a minimum of US$10,000 in hotel rooms and event space.

To qualify, the meeting must be booked and consumed by June 1, 2018. Other terms and conditions apply. Contact rhi_slcu@radisson.com or (1 305) 3898421.

Ecobuild undergoes remodelling
In February, Futurebuild Events acquired ecobuild from UBM’s Built Environment portfolio, and changes are well underway.

Futurebuild, which was set up by long-standing ecobuild brand director, Martin Hurn, made the acquisition with the intention of taking the event back to its roots and making it more entrepreneurial under independent ownership.

To do so, two initiatives were started: a corporate advisory board made up of past exhibitors, and a steering group made up of the industry influencers. These groups gave feedback about what they want the show to look like and what they want it to include, as well as the issues that they want ecobuild to address.

The team is now working on a fresh format for ecobuild 2018, scheduled for March 6-8 at ExCeL, London.

Coming ICESAP Conference adds PCMA component

By TTGmice
0

Following Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) recent acquisition of the Incentive, Conference & Event Society Asia Pacific (ICESAP), a new session titled, Future Focused – what’s to come, will be added to the programme for the 4th Annual ICESAP Conference next month.

The new session, to be led by PCMA’s chief operating officer Sherrif Karamat and Asia-Pacific Advisory board member Oscar Cerezales, will discuss how the industry will progress forward and how both organisations will be at the heart of the evolving and increasingly complex Asia-Pacific business events industry.

Nigel Gaunt, president of ICESAP, added: “With the industry changing at a pace never before experienced, we will be making some bold statements about the industry and sharing valuable insights on where the industry is going.”

The conference will take place September 6 to 8 at the W Hotel Shanghai – The Bund.

Photo of the Day: Sarawak Convention Bureau brings joy of reading to local community

By TTGmice
0

Members of Sarawak Convention Bureau came together last week to construct a mini library for Long Iman, a Penan settlement along the Melinau River, Mulu as part of its CSR initiative.

SCB COO Amelia Roziman (back row, fifth from right) celebrates the accomplishment with village chief Isak (back row, fourth from left) and the community kids.

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental shows off stylish Entertainment Suite

By TTGmice
0

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong has unveiled its new Entertainment Suite, a 209m2 space that is designed for extravagant events.

Designed by award-winning Hong Kong architect and designer, Joyce Wang, the Entertainment Suite takes in a dining room that seats up to 10 guests, a tranquil master bedroom with its own sitting area, and a state-of-the art kitchen. It is also outfitted with cutting-edge technology such as a B&O BeoLab sound system and a concealed 160-inch TV screen with a 5,000 lumens laser projector.

The new suite marks the culmination of an 18-month transformation of its entire guestroom inventory

A highlight of the suite is a four-metre long Cabinet of Delights which houses boutique wines on tap, rare vintages selected by an expert sommelier, and a mixologist booth. Other treats include fine Cuban cigars, snacks, a popcorn machine, exotic teas and coffees, and a crystal vitrine filled with sweet and savoury delicacies created by the hotel’s Michelin-star chef.

Event planners can engage hotel chefs to serve up a private meal onsite.

“The Entertainment Suite elevates the guest experience by making many forms of entertainment possible in a spectacular private retreat. It is ideal for Oscar-worthy parties, extravagant dinner receptions or the most romantic getaways,” said Torsten van Dullemen, the hotel’s general manager.

“It is also perfect for those seeking a statement space as a showroom, catwalk, social or music venue, or ultra-chic screening or movie set.”

Accor to roar into Seoul with four-branded hotel complex

By TTGmice
0

AccorHotels will open Seoul Dragon City in Seoul’s Yongsan-gu district come October 1, a massive property featuring four AccorHotel brands: the 202-room Grand Mercure Ambassador Seoul Yongsan; 286-suite Novotel Suites Ambassador Seoul Yongsan; 621-key Novotel Ambassador Seoul Yongsan; and 591-room ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Yongsan.

In total, the complex will offer 1,700 rooms, alongside 11 restaurants and bars, 17 meeting rooms, and two multifunction grand ballrooms. There will also be four floors of entertainment in a Sky Bridge suspended between two towers.

The new “lifestyle hotel-plex”, South Korea’s first, will cater to every demographic, according to AccorHotels

Highlights at the Sky Bridge include King’s Vacation, a lounge bar with an indoor miniature swimming pool, stage and SkyWalk; and Sky Beach, a space reminiscent a private beach club.

Patrick Basset, COO of AccorHotels, upper South-east and North-east Asia hailed Seoul Dragon City – dubbed a “lifestyle hotel-plex” – as the largest project the company has signed in South Korea.

He added: “By the end of this year, the group will have 24 hotels in South Korea, which will be followed by eight more in the next two years. We will also be diversifying our brand portfolio to the luxury segment in the near future.”

Qatar introduces visa-free entry for 80 nationalities

By TTGmice
0

Qatar is allowing visa-free entry for citizens of 80 countries with immediate effect, according to a joint statement from the Ministry of Interior, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Airways.

A multi-entry waiver will be issued free-of-charge at the port of entry, upon presentation of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.

Announcing the waiver, (from left) Qatar Tourism Authority’s Hassan Al Ibrahim, Qatar Airways’ Akbar Al Baker and Ministry of Interior’s Muhammad Rashid Al Mazroui

Depending on the nationality of the visitor, the waiver will either be valid for 180 days (from the date of issue) and allow the visitor to spend a total of 90 days in Qatar; or 30 days and for a stay period of 30 days in Qatar with the possibility of an extension of the waiver for an additional 30 days. The full list is appended**.

The former applies to countries such as Turkey, Seychelles, Iceland, Austria, Spain, Greece and Italy; and the latter to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Japan, the US and UK, among others.

Hassan Al Ibrahim, chief tourism development officer at QTA, said: “With 80 countries eligible for a visa waiver, Qatar is now the most open country in the region.”

Qatar is also considering waiving visa requirements for holders of a residence permit or a valid visa from GCC nations, the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the Schengen countries. This would allow eligible visitors to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation by completing an online application at least 48 hours prior to travel.

Recent measures taken to facilitate visitor access to Qatar include the launch of an e-visa platform (www.qatarvisaservice.com) last month; +Qatar, an initiative to promote the country as a stopover destination in May; and enhancements for transit passengers last November.

The latest move comes amid a two-month boycott imposed on Qatar by its Gulf neighbours, as the oil-rich state seeks to build up its trade and diplomatic ties beyond the region.

**

Hilton to plant a DoubleTree in Halong

By TTGmice
0

A DoubleTree by Hilton property is scheduled to open its doors in Vietnam’s Halong city in 2Q2021, which will increase Hilton’s footprint in Vietnam to nine hotels open or under development.

At the singing ceremony, (from left) Tri Duc Hotel JSC’s Tran Toan Thang and Truong Thanh Long along with Hilton’s Guy Phillips and Christian Pucher 

The brand’s third hotel under development in the country, the 318-room DoubleTree by Hilton Halong Bay will four F&B options, a spa, fitness centre and swimming pool, as well as 1,200m2 of meetings and events facilities including a ballroom.

Located in the city’s tourism precinct about 14km from Tuan Chau International Port, the hotel provides boat and cruise connections to Halong Bay as well as access to entertainment and attractions including Halong Ocean Park.

Beyond Asia: Hotel Santiago, euromic, and British Magic Museum

By TTGmice
0
Hotel Santiago, Mandarin Oriental’s first hotel in South America

Mandarin Oriental now in South America
The former Grand Hyatt Santiago has been rebranded as Hotel Santiago, a property under the management of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, making it the company’s first property in South America.

Hotel Santiago will undergo extensive renovations to its guestrooms and public areas to allow them to reflect the local culture as well as Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage. The first stage is scheduled for completion in 3Q2018. The hotel will remain open throughout the period, and is now accepting reservations.

The property features 310 guestrooms including 23 suites with commanding views of the city and the Andes, a large free-form outdoor pool, landscaped gardens, five restaurants and bars as well as extensive banqueting and meeting spaces.

East African DMC joins euromic
Euromic, a global association of DMCs, has inducted Green Inspirations-DMC into its membership.

Green Inspirations-DMC is the newly formed business events division of Shades of Green Safaris, a pioneer in East Africa for conferences and corporate travel as well as an expert in safari travel. Shades of Green Safaris is the only company in Tanzania that has an IAPCO and CIS certified management and is the only Tanzanian member with SITE and ICCA.

Its CEO, Gadi Mbuya, served as chairperson of ICCA African Chapter in 2014 and 2015.

Green Inspirations-DMC operates all business events exclusively, in Tanzania, Kenya and all over East Africa.

“Adding East Africa to our association of top-tier DMCs has elevated us to offer contacts around the globe in almost every continent,” commented Hasan Dinc, president of euromic.

The British Magic Museum opens in Norfolk
A museum dedicated to the treasured art form of magic has opened in North Norfolk, England.

This British Magic Museum houses one of the largest exhibitions of magic in the world. The breadth of displays is considerable, with a vast array of apparatus, ephemera, memorabilia, art and grand illusions dating back 450 years. Many of these artefacts are unique to the museum.

Visitors have the unique opportunity to experience the magic of a bygone age, as well as experience the age itself, as the magic is brought back to life.

Indian companies axe conferences out of home state in response to new GST off-set requirements

By Rohit Kaul
0

Hotels in India are seeing cancellations of domestic conferences following a new tax regime that allows only tax off-sets for business events conducted within the home state of the host company.

The Input Tax Credit (ITC) comes with India’s newly introduced Goods & Sales Tax (GST). For hotels, the level of tax ranges from 12 per for room rates of 1,000 to 2,499 rupees (US$15.60 to US$39) to 28 per cent for room rates of more than 7,500 rupees.


Hotels in India see a reduction in event bookings due to new tax rules

According to Dilip Datwani, president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI), hotels across the country are in a fix now.

“Advance event bookings are being cancelled and new ones are not happening. Many companies are considering holding their events in the home state where they are registered for GST,” said Datwani, who added that while companies have accepted “the high GST”, the new tax structure becomes “unviable” without the ITC.

For Lords Hotels & Resorts, the impact of the ITC requirement is an eight per cent loss of conference bookings since July.

Pradeep Jain, associate vice president – finance with Lords Hotels & Resorts, told TTGmice that his stakeholders are also fearful of losing business to neighbouring countries.

“Many of our neighbouring countries not only tax less than half of what is required for hospitality services in India, but also a few of them provide tax refunds. (This issue) is essentially diverting business away from the country and we hope that the government addresses this at the earliest,” said Jain.

When asked if the ITC requirement is at least helping to increase the number of home-based events within each state, industry players said no.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTGmice | TCEB and TrendWatching release new report on engaging the 2035 workforce
TTGmice | InterContinental Chiang Mai names first cultural ambassador
TTGmice | Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong welcomes new GM