Messe Berlin (Singapore) is anticipating the buyer programme to scale up at ITB Asia 2017, with 90 per cent of recommended buyers targeted to attend the 10^th anniversary edition of the show this year.

There is an increase in the number of hotel groups participating in the programme this year, including names like Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Best Western Hotel Group, Meliá Hotels International, Resorts World Sentosa, WorldHotels and Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

The event is also seeing closer collaboration with key associations – including Malaysian Association for Tour & Travel Agents, Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents, Outbound Tour Operators Association of India and National Association of Independent Travel Agents – which helps to bring a fresh pool of buyers to the event.

“We want to continue this momentum by working with our partners to bring a fresh pool of influential buyers from across the region” said Katrina Leung, executive director of Messe Berlin (Singapore). “Working closely with our exhibitors this year has allowed us to increase the number of buyer programme partnerships and deep dive into each local market to identify key areas of growth and demand.”

In 2016, 895 buyers attended the show, leading to a 1:1 ratio between exhibitors and buyers whilst over 50 per cent of buyers signed deals with exhibitors post event. Some 43 per cent of attending buyers had purchasing power of US$500,000 to US$1 million while 85.7 per cent of attending buyers were direct decision makers.

For more information on ITB Asia 2017, visit www.itb-asia.com

Canada’s Ministry of Transport has announced that the country’s air transport agreement with Thailand will be modernised and expanded for the first time since 1989.

On top of removing the limit on the number of Canadian and Thai airlines serving any city in both countries, the refreshed agreement will also allow each country 21 flights per week to the other and afford fifth freedom rights on up to seven of the 21 flights.

The widened agreement also enhances existing codeshare rights and modernises aviation safety and ‎security articles as well as business provisions.

“An expanded agreement with a growing international air transport market like Thailand not only benefits our air sector, but also Canadian businesses, shippers and travellers who will now have more options,” said minister of transport Marc Garneau.

Thailand was Canada’s 29^th largest air travel market in 2016, and the 100^th partner country that Canada has negotiated with under the Blue Sky Policy, which encourages long-term, sustainable competition and the development of international air services.

Pending the completion of formal ratification procedures, the agreement is being applied on an administrative basis to allow carriers to begin planning new air services immediately.

Renovation works that had begun last year on both Four Seasons Hotel Macao and Venetian Macao – both on the Cotai Strip – will be completed by this September and early next year, respectively.

As the first integrated resort to debut on Macau’s Cotai Strip, the Venetian Macao will celebrate its 10^th anniversary on August 28 and show off 3,000 refreshed guestrooms in time for Chinese New Year 2018.

A spokesperson told TTGmice that besides applying a new colour palette, the rejuvenated rooms will feature greater ease of connectivity for guests, such as easier ways to charge their mobile devices and stream content from personal devices to TV sets.

Public corridors and elevator lobbies will also be refreshed.

Over at sister property Four Seasons Hotel Macao, which will celebrate its ninth anniversary this August, renovation works will give guestrooms “a new aesthetic approach fusing classic and contemporary elements”, according to general manager Kris Kaminsky.

Kaminsky revealed that guests can look forward to new interior elements and amenities, from new wallpaper and furniture to enhanced high-speed Internet access.

Guests checking in at Four Seasons Hotel Macao can get a taste of the new guestroom experience from July 1.

Club Méditerranée (Club Med) Hong Kong has started a group referral programme for the Hong Kong market on July 5, aimed at rewarding those who recommend group bookings at Club Med properties that are eventually materialised.

The larger the materialised group, the better the referee reward.

For instance, a recommendation that leads to a group of 50 to 99 delegates staying at a Club Med property will earn the referee two free nights for two guests in a Club Med resort in China. A group of more than 500 delegates will earn the referee a five-night stay in any Club Med property in China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, the Maldives and the French Alps.

Business development manager – MICE, Julien Hauss, told TTGmice that the programme has generated “a lot of interest” in the form of leads.

“The reward is very attractive. It’s not every day that you can earn a free all-inclusive stay for two in the Maldives, for just referring someone you know.”

The programme is expected to run until end-2017, but Hauss said it could be extended into 2018 should market feedback be good.

Hauss emphasised that Club Med is committed to serving business event groups.

He said: “We are opening new resorts in the region every year, all equipped with meeting facilities, as well as adapting existing resorts with new meeting facilities. Yet, the market is not yet fully aware that Club Med offers packages for corporate groups.

“Up to half of our MICE leads come from people who had enjoyed our resorts as FITs and then spreading the word within their (social and corporate network). Therefore, we have created this incentive to reward Club Med ambassadors.”

He added that the programme will help drive traffic to the Club Med MICE website which will be available in traditional Chinese in the coming weeks.

There’s an approximate five per cent gap between perceived and actual value of last room availability (LRA) rates, according to an analysis of over 7.3 million bookings across 97 countries by CWT Solutions Group, the consulting division of Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

When companies have negotiated LRA rates, they have the right to buy a room at their contracted terms and prices even if the hotel only has one room left in that category. Without a negotiated LRA clause, it’s at the discretion of the hotel as to what price they sell the last rooms.

“LRA rates have been the gold standard for hotel agreements since the 1980s, and no one has ever really questioned that. But we have now looked into this in great detail and it seems like the gold has lost some of its shine,” said Eric Jongeling, director, hotel solutions.

“Our research shows between five and 11 per cent differences in some markets so travel managers should bear this in mind when negotiating global rates.”

Some 44 per cent of hotels charge a premium for including an LRA clause, although there’s a 12 per cent chance the traveller will not be able to stay at the contracted rate even with an LRA agreement in place, the study further revealed.

CWT Solutions Group opined that the availability of multiple hotels in a target market negates the need for an LRA clause. Furthermore, the perceived value differs considerably between premium and economy hotels and between cities.

AirAsia has launched MyCorporate, a suite of products for business travellers.

MyCorporate consists of three bundle options – Fare Only, Corporate Lite and Corporate Full Flex.

The Fare Only product is just the airfare, with all add-ons available for a fee. The Corporate Lite bundle includes airfare, a complimentary meal, standard seat assignment, and a dedicated check-in counter. Travellers can also change their flight once up to 24 hours before departure with no flight change fee (fare difference will still be payable).

Lastly, the Corporate Full Flex bundle includes airfare, a complimentary meal, Hot Seat assignment, 20kg baggage allowance, dedicated check-in counter, Xpress Baggage, Premium Red Lounge access (only applicable to flights departing from KLIA2 in Kuala Lumpur), priority boarding, travel insurance (only applicable to flights departing from Malaysia and Thailand) and full flexibility with unlimited flight changes up to two hours before departure with no flight change fee (fare difference will still be payable).

Travellers using Corporate Full Flex will also be able to enjoy GoShow, an exclusive product allowing them to standby on an earlier flight on the same day, to the same destination, with no additional charges, subject to space availability at flight closure.

All companies signed up to MyCorporate will have access to a online booking system and comprehensive reporting to keep track of corporate travelling expenses.

Anantara Kalutara Resort in Sri Lanka’s south-west coast will be opening its 680m² ballroom later this month.

The pillarless ballroom can be divided into two for smaller gatherings and meetings, and is equipped with an advanced lighting system, as well as audiovisual and entertainment infrastructure. The ballroom can take up to 350 guests banquet-style and theatre-style.

The purpose-built two storey building offers views over the Indian Ocean, as well as an indoor, and outdoor pre-function space overlooking the Kalu River.

As well, there are four meeting rooms for breakouts and a dedicated meeting and events team is available to assist clients.

Opened late in 2016, the 141-room Anantara Kalutara Resort is the brand’s second property in Sri Lanka. Facilities on the property include two outdoor swimming pools, a yoga and meditation pavilion, gym, library, water sports centre and four F&B venues.

Hotels in Singapore are experiencing a decline in event bookings and room stays as companies are choosing to meet in more affordable locations.

This is a result of Singapore’s high price point compounded with competition from neighbouring cities, JW Marriott Singapore South Beach’s sales manager, Phyllis Pereira, told TTGmice, when interviewed at the Marriott Global Sales Mission in Singapore.

A sales manager with a hotel on Orchard Road who has requested anonymity, concurred, adding that top rival cities are Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, where the weaker currencies make these destinations more attractive and affordable for companies.

For instance, the manager revealed that flying over to Bangkok would save companies a value worth two nights in Singapore even with flights and hotel costs thrown in.

Hotels along the Orchard Road belt are also feeling the effects of being eclipsed by properties in the Marina Bay district.

The manager lamented: “It’s been a long time since (we’ve) seen any promotion for Orchard Road… The marketing is very strong for the Marina area, such that people don’t mind paying a higher rate to stay at Marina Bay even for one night, and then go to a lower-tier hotel for the rest of their stay. It’s very hard for us to beat.”

However, CWT Meetings & Events’ sourcing specialist Cyril Constantino told TTGmice that although exchange rates are boosting the popularity of other countries, Singapore remains a strong choice for its safety, clean environment and identity as a regional hub.

Regardless, hotels are looking for ways to forge ahead. JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, for example, is capitalising on its location within a conservation enclave.

Pereira said: “We have four heritage buildings on site, and the hotel occupies three. Our grand ballroom is in a heritage building… It has a huge dome and high ceiling (that creates) a church-like feeling… I’ve had a lot of clients who come to take a look at the venue.”

Element Hotels, part of Marriott International, has opened Element Foshan Nanhai, marking the debut of the brand in Guangdong, China.

The property offers 329 guestrooms that come complete with a Heavenly Bed, work space, complimentary high-speed Internet access, energy-efficient kitchenettes, as well as a spa-like bathroom featuring a rain shower.

Facilities on-site include a 56m² meeting space, Salon restaurant, a 24/7 self-serve pantry stocked with fresh produce and ingredients (for meal prep in the kitchenette), gym, indoor heated swimming pool, and a bike borrowing programme.

Located in Shishan Town, Element Foshan Nanhai is situated across from the Shishan City Government office, 200 meters away from the Nanhai Central Park is 200 meters away, and a 40-minute drive from downtown Guangzhou.

Following Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town, Asia-Pacific’s first Element Hotel, Element Foshan Nanhai is the second Element-branded property to open in Greater China. The brand has more hotels in the pipeline, including Element Chongli in ski resort town Zhangjiakou, beachside Element Sanya Haitang Bay in Sanya, Element Tianjin Beicheng in Tianjin, and Element Yinchuan Binhe in Ningxia.