Asia/Singapore Sunday, 26th April 2026
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HRS introduces Meetago Solution to SE Asia market

By TTGmice
0

HRS will roll out its Meetago solution for small meetings in South-east Asia by the end of this year.

Beyond cost savings, corporations will gain from simplified processes and transparent reporting in this meetings expense category. Online software that standardises steps for small meeting planners has driven the growth of the service in Europe and Asia over the past two years, where companies have recorded savings of up to 17 per cent on their small meeting programmes after implementing Meetago.

HRS’ Meetago moves into the South-east Asian meeting space

In addition to online meetings RFP functionality, Meetago’s global network of support staff, offers corporate clients local expertise for managing small gatherings. Meetago works with a company’s procurement strategy, including leading online booking engines, to ensure smooth data flow and efficient connectivity.

HRS initially invested in Meetago in January 2015, expanding the reach of the small meetings solution to its clients beyond Europe and adding HRS’s extensive hotel inventory to the solution.

Meetago’s transactions from HRS clients have cumulatively doubled each quarter since then, and the solution is now used in 18 countries. All of the content from HRS’ network of 350,000 hotels, including corporate rates from 210,000+ business-grade independent properties, are available to corporate clients using Meetago.

A Sofitel opens opposite Sydney’s International Convention Centre

By TTGmice
0
Swimming pool

Touted as the first new-build internationally-branded hotel Sydney has seen in more than a decade, the recently-opened Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour offers 590 guestrooms including 35 suites.

All of its maritime-inspired rooms come furnished with the Sofitel MyBed, double shower heads, soaking tubs, and boast floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Darling Harbour or the city.

Superior Suite with Harbour View

Meanwhile, suites feature extras such as an in-bathroom television, double shower heads and luxurious soaking tubs. Guests staying in Club Sofitel rooms and suites from levels 28 to 34 will have access to the Club Millesime Lounge on the rooftop.

The five-star property is located just opposite the International Convention Centre, but possesses its own event facilities as well. There are nine flexible meeting spaces, and a 450-pax Magnifique Ballroom.

Swimming pool on the fourth floor

Recreational facilities include a 20m-long infinity pool, and gym. Aside from French-inspired rotisserie and grill Atelier by Sofitel, there are three bars: The Champagne Bar, the largest Champagne bar in Sydney, offering 20 different types of champagnes; Esprit Noir lobby bar, and Le Rivage Pool Bar.

Skye Hotel Suites Parramatta debuts meeting spaces

By TTGmice
0

The recently-opened Skye Hotel Suites Parramatta in Australia, Crown Group’s first luxury hotel brand, has unveiled its collection of event facilities, as well as new meeting packages.

The property features 924m2 of event space, which includes three conference rooms, a boardroom, and an outdoor garden. The conference rooms can be combined into one larger room of 274m2 to accommodate more than 100 delegates, while the boardroom can hold up to eight people.

When breaking ground for the V by Crown Group development, Crown Group discovered archaeological remains integral to Parramatta’s historical and cultural past, including an 1840s house, underlying convict hut, wheelwright’s workshop and the cellar of the Wheat Sheaf Hotel. These have been preserved for public display and sheltered with a canopy, and functions as an event space that can hold up to 60 people.

To assist with planning, Skye Hotel Suites also offers a dedicated and experienced meeting planner.

Skye Hotel Suites Parramatta is offering a meeting package starting at A$70 (US$53) per person per day (minimum numbers apply). It includes conference room hire, arrival tea and coffee, morning tea, working-style lunch, afternoon tea, and equipment such as a whiteboard, and conference pads and pens.

Email info@skyehotels.com.au.

Andaz Singapore

By Rachel AJ Lee
0
Andaz King Suite

Room Andaz Singapore’s design is the brainchild of interior architect André Fu (of The Upper House in Hong Kong), who was inspired by the vibrant alleys and shophouses in the neighbouring Kampong Glam district. There are 342 rooms and suites across four configurations, and they are all located from levels 26 to 37 of the DUO mixed-used development.

At point of writing, Andaz Singapore is only 70 per cent open, as the Large Suites and Presidential Suite were not yet ready.

Andaz Suite King; photo credit: Rachel AJ Lee

I stayed in the spacious 76m2 Andaz Suite King which had a bedroom and separate living room. The king-sized bed had the best seat in the house, as the bedroom was flooded with natural light – thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows – and opened out to panoramic views of the harbour and city skyline.

Both spaces were painted with warm russet and mustard tones, and each came with faux shophouse doors and furnished with its own 55-inch flatscreen TV. The living room was where the plush grey sofa, minibar and Nespresso coffeemaker could be found. I was delighted to know that all in-house guests could enjoy all non-alcoholic drinks and snacks in the minibar!

Meanwhile, the bathroom had double sinks, a bathtub with a view, and a rainshower. There were also two separate toilets, as well as a massive closet – which I thought was generous but unnecessary.

Previously, Olivier Lenior, the hotel’s general manager, indicated that the main segment Andaz Singapore was targeting were bleisure travellers.

If I were a business traveller, it would be an absolute joy to return to this calm and comfy space I were to call home for a few days. I loved how the blueprint of a shophouse is cleverly incorporated within the luxurious suite, where the fluid space seemed to have no dead end. My only gripe was that the complimentary Wi-Fi was spotty in certain areas of the suite.

MICE facilities Andaz Singapore’s event and meetings portfolio include The Glasshouse ballroom, Garden Studio, and two smaller meeting rooms.

The 537m2 Glasshouse boasts a 6.5m-high ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, allowing for an abundance of natural daylight. It comes with its own foyer and is the hotel’s main function venue which takes up to 320 pax banquet-style or 500 pax in a standing reception.

The second largest space is the Garden Studio, which comes with its own patio perfect for pre-dinner drinks or even a barbecue grill. This facility can take up to 120 pax banquet-style, or 220 for standing receptions.

The last two smaller meeting rooms can accommodate 40 pax each, and come with a co-sharing kitchen that can be individually booked.

Mr Stork; photo credit: Rachel AJ Lee

Event planners who wish to book rooftop bar Mr Stork must also secure a back-up location downstairs in case of bad weather. Offering a bird’s-eye view of Singapore from all angles, Mr Stork can accommodate 200 pax cocktail-style and features high tables and tepees.

It is worth noting that Andaz Singapore is so “hyper-local”, so much so that coffee and tea breaks for all meetings and events serve up renowned Swiss rolls from the nearby Rich and Good Cake Shop.

Other local companies Andaz Singapore works with are local label In Good Company for staff uniforms, Tiong Bahru Bakery for freshly-baked bread, and Neh Neh Pop for their signature chendol ice creams.

Other facilities There is an infinity pool on the 25th floor, which proffers a view of the sprawling cityscape below. It is open from 06.00 to 22.00.

Also on the 25th floor is the Sunroom, which essentially acts like a club room, providing complimentary water, tea, coffee and snacks to all in-house guests. From 16.00 to 18.00 daily, guests can also imbibe in complimentary red and white wine, or taste the Andaz Pale Ale crafted by local brewery Red Dot Microbrewery.

For gym rats, there is also a sizeable fitness centre decked out with cardio machines and free weights on the 38th floor; it is open 24 hours.

There are four F&B venues: rooftop bar Mr Stork; steakhouse 665°F (opening December); Pandan cake and sandwich shop; and all-day dining venue Alley on 25. Alley on 25 is actually a diverse collection of five dining concepts split according to their different cooking methods – Auntie’s Wok and Steam, Icehaus, Plancha’Lah!, The Green Oven – and a bar.

Service Staff members I encountered were polite and helpful, and service was impeccable. The hotel is one of my most memorable stays to date.

Room count 342
Star rating Five
Contact https://singapore.andaz.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

[Sponsored Post] Things you might not know about Putin and his choice of resort for APEC 2017

By TTG
0

Some interesting facts about the Russian President’s interests and taste.

#1: Putin was greatly influenced by his paternal grandfather, Spiridon Ivanovich Putin, a skilled cook who worked for Lenin, then Stalin.

Photo: Reuters

“It required sensitive political instincts and nimble balancing… He passed what he learned to a grandson eager to hear such things” writes Katusa in The Colder War. Hence, there are undoubtedly culinary secrets about how and what one of the planet’s most powerful leaders actually eats. It is said that there are top chefs, doctors and even food tasters involved in each dish of Putin’s meals. As he travels a lot, the food he eats on the move is another story.

#2: Putin loves animals, nature and has a well-known passion for active outdoors leisure namely fishing, skiing, horse-riding and swimming.

Photo: Reuters

#3: Not to be outdone, there is undoubtedly over-the-top security involved in the accommodation of the President during overseas visits. Each time he travels, an immensely security plan is set and executed weeks before. About one month before the trip, a team of multi-functioned experts from Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) will be present to thoroughly investigate the area including the hotel Putin plans to stay. They will handle all possible risks and ensure the hotel can be considered “overseas Kremlin Palace” in term of facilities, security, hygiene and service. The chosen premises hence, certainly needs to acquire a long list of luxury standards, service and security.

#4: Recently in mid-November, Vinpearl Da Nang was chosen for Putin’s stay in Vietnam, for the APEC Summit 2017, and those foregoing facts explain.

Image: A deluxe ocean front villa with full panoramic view was chosen for HE President. Each villa has private space facing stunning tropical gardens and one of the six most attractive beaches on the planet, voted by The Forbes.
Image: Spacious and refined living room

Nestled in tranquility of the palm trees’ shadow, the villa boasts an open space in harmony with nature, yet ensures absolute privacy and security for the President.

Image: Inside the villa, each room is fully equipped with modern, high standard utilities and amenities; highlighted with Vietnamese contemporary artworks.
Image: Major books representing Vietnamese culture and all over the world’s are showcased on the bookshelf.

Image: A state-of-the-art conference room was the place to host important leaders’ meetings.
Image: Especially, a tranquil beach line connected with the resort campus has made Vinpearl Da Nang one of the most beautiful destinations in Vietnam.
Image: The infinity swimming pool under the tropical canopy is the favorite of most guests.

Vinpearl is the only Vietnamese luxury hospitality brand that was selected to accommodate world leaders and senior delegates during APEC meeting 2017. It is known as the leading Vietnamese hospitality company operating 17 hotels that adds on a total of over 11,000 rooms and 2,000 villas across Vietnam. After the success of accommodating Putin, the resort chain is expected to go through an extensive growth strategy in the upcoming year to compete with market leaders in the region.

Explore the luxury collection of Vinpearl at https://en.vinpearl.com/ and start planning your holiday to Vietnam.

Philippines takes a more serious, strategic look at business events

By Rosa Ocampo
0
Bengzon: targeting large groups

The Philippines’ first business events roadmap will be unveiled in mid-December to address issues impeding its growth and challenges in positioning the country as a competitive destination.

Tourism undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said part of the deliverables is to have an extensive business events database which will identify the delegates’ length of stay, preferred destinations, expenses in and outside the conference hall, the kinds of activities they do, etc.

Bengzon: targeting large groups

Such information is lacking in the Philippines as business event trips are not captured in the arrival and departure cards of tourists, he explained.

TTGmice understands that the Department of Tourism’s marketing arm, Tourism Promotions Board, relies on statistics from ICCA which do not include government meetings, such as ASEAN-related meetings of which 283 have been hosted by the Philippines this year for 28,000 delegates.

Bengzon said the roadmap will also work on the supply side by addressing how the sector can bring in large groups of 5,000 to 10,000 participants.

The business events sector, one of the nine priority areas of the National Tourism Development Plan 2017-2022, is attracting mainly smaller and medium-sized events due to the limited capacity of convention centres and other event venues in the country.

It is also understood that the roadmap, which will be targeting an annual growth of 12 to 16 per cent, will provide the strategic direction so the benefits of business events will cascade to the grassroots and increase employment while encouraging investors to build more hotels, convention facilities and other necessary hardware.

Details of the roadmap is just being wrapped up, a joint endeavor of the Department of Tourism, Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers Inc. and government agencies including the Department of Trade and Industry through the Board of Investment and Commission on Higher Education.

More efforts to bring business events to Dubai

By S Puvaneswary
0
CVB not keen on marketing through middlemen

Dubai Business Events, the convention bureau for Dubai, has revealed numerous strategies aimed at growing business events from Asia, where key markets are India, Greater China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

For instance, marketing efforts will now be directed to corporate clients – from key industries such as insurance, multi-level marketing companies, automotive and banking – instead of going through intermediaries such as outbound travel agents.

CVB not keen on going through travel agent intermediaries

Speaking to TTGmice at the welcome reception of the Discover Dubai Study Mission, Karina Lance, senior manager, sales and convention services, said another strategy was to have marketing partnerships with trade associations to obtain leads and provide exposure to the services that Dubai Business Events can provide.

Lance added that earlier this year, Dubai Business Events opened new offices in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia in its bid to grow the incentives segment.

Dubai Business Events’ three offices in China – Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou – have also expanded their coverage to provide marketing and support services to corporate clients and outbound business events agents based in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Dubai sees stronger incentive demand from Indonesia, Singapore

By S Puvaneswary
0
Mulyanto: word-of-mouth driving incentive interest

Outbound business event agents from Indonesia and Singapore are reporting a growing demand for incentive trips to Dubai, spurred mainly by improved destination promotion as well as a desire for new places.

Speaking to TTGmice on the sidelines of an ongoing trade fam trip organised by Dubai Business Events, Richard Mulyanto, supervisor, International Events & Corporate Incentive with Jakarta-based Golden Rama, said Dubai has become a “hot” destination for incentives due to word-of-mouth marketing, with the company recording a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in incentive business to the emirate.

Mulyanto: word-of-mouth driving incentive interest

“When one company travels to Dubai, it attracts others to follow,” he said.

Beny, supervisor, operation management of Jakarta-based Panorama JTB, revealed that his company’s “biggest incentive group” was a 700-pax movement from a multi-level marketing company that “chose Dubai because they were looking for a new destination”.

Mulyanto said Dubai’s new theme parks such as IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai Parks and Resorts integrated resort, and the lure of a desert safari adventure are all magnets for clients wanting an incentive programme.

Meanwhile, Singapore-based MICE Matters project executive, Nigel Ng, said Singapore corporate companies that have previously organised incentives to Europe and the US now see Dubai as a new option.

He said: “Dubai provides a whole new experience, (due to) the (destination’s) cultural and historical aspects. Most incentives will be 5D/4N and it usually ends with a gala dinner. I usually advise clients to stay in an average-priced hotel, and spend on tours and gala dinner (instead).”

For Lynn Ng, director of business development at Singapore-based Events Master, Dubai is perceived as an opulent destination and it attracts high-end clients from the banking and insurance sectors.

Indonesia to host major ASEAN MICE show next year

By Mimi Hudoyo
0

Indonesia will play host to the first B2B travel mart specialised in South-east Asian business events.

Named DestinASEAN Plus, the event will bear the theme, Presenting One ASEAN to the World and Bringing the World to One ASEAN.

Jointly organised by Indonesian travel trade associations with support from the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism, the event supports ASEAN’s goal to position the region as a single business events destination.

The show will rotate across other ASEAN members.

Besides a B2B meeting component, DestinASEANPlus will also include a conference, investment forum, educational and networking events as well as a friendly golf tournament.

The inaugural edition, to be held at the Indonesia Convention and Exhibition (ICE) in BSD Tangerang, Greater Jakarta on April 9-11, is expected to attract 200 sellers, 200 international and 300 Indonesian buyers.

Indra Sukirno, chairperson of the DestinASEAN Plus organising committee, said: “(South-east Asia’s) 600 million-strong population, plus the region’s affiliated countries like the US, China and Indonesia, make up 90 per cent of the world’s population.”

The massive market gives rise to huge growth potential for business events, he opined, adding that DestinASEAN Plus could generate a business value of US$625 million within the next three years for exhibitors.

Esthy Reko Astuty, Ministry of Tourism’s tourism marketing development deputy, urged regional business event players to participate in the event, saying that “business events is a primary subsector in tourism. They come in groups, spend between three and five times higher than leisure travellers and they usually come back as (repeat) leisure travellers”.

Building for the future

By Rachel AJ Lee
0

What do you think the meetings of the future will be like and what sort of facilities are needed?

The segment continues to evolve with new technology, a growing competitive landscape and an emerging millennial customer base for whom connectivity, culture and collaboration are trending.

With the Crowne Plaza brand, we spent a lot of time looking at insights of the ‘modern business’ traveller and built this into our design work. We know that the ‘modern business traveller’ has a contemporary, ‘lifeaholic’ and millennial mindset. Productivity matters but they also seek energising experiences and inspiration – living life to the fullest, trying new things and searching for efficiency.

This insight lies at the heart of the products and services that we offer to our business guests at Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts – a brand geared towards business travel that is ever more flexible, connected and mobile.

We offer Crowne Plaza Meetings Directors who are expertly trained via an exclusive global partnership with Meeting Professionals International; business-ready services and spaces; fast and fresh meal options specially designed to keep guests productive, and a Sleep Advantage programme to help perform at the top of their game.

Broadly, we see a trend for less structured meetings, freeing up more time and space for brainstorming and networking. Traditional boardrooms will give way to non-traditional venues, such as outdoor spaces, that create conducive settings for productivity, interaction, and creativity.

While face-to-face meetings are here to stay, technology will be essential for extending the reach of any meeting to those who cannot physically attend the event. Free wireless connectivity is no longer an option, but a must-have in every meeting.

Finally, the health and wellness trend in the meeting space will continue to grow, as companies strive to ensure maximum employee productivity. To help guests maintain wellness while travelling, IHG will be introducing the EVEN Hotels brand to Greater China, Australia and New Zealand over the next few years. As the industry’s first and only hotel brand created with wellness at its core, it offers a best-in-class fitness experience, healthier food choices and natural, relaxing spaces.

And how is IHG working with hotel owners to build properties that are better geared for meetings of the future?

The world of business has changed, and so has the way we work. Building properties to suit the needs of our guests starts by understanding who they are, what they like, and delivering an experience that meets their needs before, during and after their meeting (or stay) with us.

Outside of the meeting room, we’ve seen a continued trend for groups looking to immerse themselves in local culture and history, including activities and local fare to further enrich their travel experiences.

To cater for this, the Insider Collection by InterContinental Hotels & Resorts provides a range of delegate experiences that are rooted in the destination and can be tailored to meet different needs. These range from interactive off-site team-building activities to local speakers, or the opportunity for delegates to contribute to projects benefitting the surrounding community and environment.

Has IHG evolved the Crowne Plaza product to better cater to new meeting needs?

Crowne Plaza has implemented an innovative programme called Green Engage, an advanced online system developed by IHG for its hotels to measure the environmental impact of day-to-day operations. With deeper awareness of waste levels and energy usage, hotels are empowered with the right information to improve the sustainability of their operations.

Our Crowne Plaza brand also encourages nutritious menu options that can energise delegates and keep them engaged throughout meetings, while the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage programme provides a holistic approach to a better night’s sleep, through comfortable bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, Quiet Zone Floors and aromatherapy.

Lastly, where will the upcoming Crowne Plaza and InterContinental properties be in the Asia-Pacific region?

There will be 50 Crowne Plaza and 38 InterContinental hotels and resorts opening in here over the next three to five years, including properties in Greater China.

There will be new Crowne Plaza hotels opening in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu) and Australia (Sydney), just to name a few.

The other notable launch will be Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay, the company’s first Crowne Plaza in Phu Quoc and third in Vietnam, joining Crowne Plaza West Hanoi and Crowne Plaza Danang. The hotel will be part of the new Star Bay/Green Hill development and will be close to both the island’s town centre of Duong Dong and the new Phu Quoc International Airport – making it a prime venue for corporate and leisure events, complete with a business centre, a dedicated meeting and events team and six meeting spaces.

As for the InterContinental brand, new locations will include Indonesia (Jakarta), Laos (Vientiane) and Thailand (Phuket).

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGassociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTGmice | EventsAir introduces Air Intelligence
TTGmice | Security concerns dampen Indonesian incentive demand for Europe
TTGmice | Hub and spoke