The St Regis Shanghai Jingan has opened with 491 guestrooms, including 66 suites and 55 residences. Facilities include six restaurants and bars, more than 3,000m2 of meeting space across 11 meeting rooms, the brand’s signature Iridium Spa, an indoor swimming pool, and a 24-hour fitness centre.
Of the hotel’s event venue collection, the elegant Astor Ballroom is the largest at 1,400m2. It can accommodate up to 1,300 guests for VIP receptions, gala dinners or corporate events. It features a 95m2 LED wall projection system and comes with a 368m2 foyer.
Meeting planners will appreciate the hotel’s provision of a St Regis event specialist, who will assist clients in customising every event detail, including curating culinary selections.
Situated on West Beijing Road in the heart of the Jingan District, Shanghai’s cultural and business centre, The St Regis Shanghai Jingan provides guests convenient access to explore the city’s storied past and bustling present.
Following a recent refurbishment, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, has added a new overwater pool cover that brings about more than 1,300m2 of outdoor events space.
Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Made of Plexiglas, also known as acrylic glass, the transparent Plexiglas table-tops are durable and engineered to support weights of up to 800kg per cube. When placed into the water, the standing Plexiglas-top cubes can be custom-built to take on various shapes, from a rectangle to a square or even a T-shape to accommodate the entire length and or width of the pool, or just a portion depending on the event.
There is also the possibility of video projection mapping, LED lighting in the trees and foliage, as well as underwater lighting to supplement the pool’s floodlights.
Possible events include product launches, pool parties, outdoor concerts with a dance floor, and fashion shows. The platform can accommodate between 150 to 200 people for a sit-down buffet dinner, or between 150 to 450 people for a cocktail reception.
Aside from the pool cover, the new outdoor swimming pool now features a three-tiered timber pool deck flanked by sun loungers, private cabanas, a pool bar and an outdoor grill.
Prices start from S$80 (US$58) for a cocktail reception for at least 50 guests. A minimum F&B spend of S$18,000 is required to close the pool for exclusive use, with an additional S$12,000 for the custom set-up of the preferred pool cover configuration.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has become the first Asian carrier to partner the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to offer customers travelling from US airports expedited security screening procedures under the TSA Precheck programme.
Singapore AIrlines
TSA Precheck enables low-risk known travellers to enjoy benefits such as a separate lane for security screening during departure, where the traveller is not required to remove jackets, belts, laptops, liquids and shoes.
Enrolment in the TSA Precheck programme is open to US citizens and lawful permanent residents. However, non-US citizens may also enjoy the benefits of the programme through various Customs Border Protection (CBP) trusted traveller programmes, such as Global Entry (open to citizens of Singapore, Colombia, Germany, Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, the UK, and Mexico), NEXUS and SENTRI.
Successful applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which they may provide across SIA’s various check-in or booking channels, including its call agents, online reservations system, website, mobile app or airport counter.
Children aged 12 and under travelling with passengers with a valid KTN may also enjoy the benefits of TSA Precheck.
In the coming months, customers travelling to and from the US can expect to also have the option of getting a self-printed boarding pass and/or mobile boarding pass.
Sustainable practices take centrestage at a new campground in New Zealand’s South Island focused on energy and water conservation.
Camp Glenorchy, 40 minutes’ drive from Queenstown, will open in December 2017 featuring rustic but comfortable accommodation for up to 70 guests, suitable for business retreats, workshops and tourist groups. There is a choice of basic or deluxe energy-efficient cabins with ensuites, bunkrooms, powered campervan/RV sites or even unpowered camping sites for a taste of life off the grid.
Camp Glenorchy
Everything from the design and choice of materials to its operating practices is aimed at achieving Net Zero energy consumption each year. Guests are encouraged to control their own energy efficiency and have the option to check in as an “Eco-Warrior”. Choices for heating, lighting, shower temperature and individual energy use can be tracked using an interactive in-room control panel.
Seeing the potential growth of Asia as a source market, Scotland is exploring ways to entice the burgeoning China outbound market, as well as the rest of Asia as a whole.
SSE Hydro in Glasgow. Photo credit: VisitScotland
Lindsay Brown, marketing manager – emerging markets & special projects business events, VisitScotland, told TTGmice: “We have growing numbers of visitors from China and India, but collectively, Asia is growing. Currently it’s very small compared to our other markets, but I foresee a significant growth for both the MICE and leisure markets over the next three years.”
When asked how much growth she expects from the market, Brown said it’s hard to put a number to it as visitors to Scotland were not registered. This is because most longhaul visitors from Asia usually start in London, and go on to Scotland, as opposed to entering via Scotland.
She explained: “For example, Chinese visitors to Edinburgh Castle last year numbered 150,000. But official statistics said that we had only 40,000 Chinese visitors to the whole of Scotland.”
In general, Brown feels that there is a trend of Asian groups looking towards Northern Europe as they want something different. For instance, participating in Scotland’s Highland Games in traditional dress can be organised as a teambuilding activity for companies.
Groups also perceive Scotland as a “very safe destination”, and locations that they usually head to are Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness, and there are dozens of venues across the country – from castles to universities – that can be used as conference and meeting facilities.
Hence, the Asian market is something Brown wants to develop and work is underway – she has met with a variety of outbound agents from Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. But China still holds most potential.
“At the moment, I have an enquiry for 5,000 people from China going just to Scotland,” said Brown.
However, Brown lamented that there were currently no direct flights from China although negotiations are underway, and that improved flight connections would help a lot.
As well, properties in Scotland are also keen to lure more Asian travellers.
Christina Boyle, sales, marketing and revenue manager of Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island, said: “Last year, we had less than five MICE groups from Asia. But we anticipate the MICE market from Asia to grow to 20 or 30 groups a year over the next three to five years.”
Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island is a five-star property set on a private island on the north-western coast of Scotland. It boasts more than 120ha of rugged landscape, a Michelin-star restaurant, 30-bedroom hotel, spa, nine-hole golf course, and private marina. The entire island can be booked out exclusively for events or incentives.
When asked what steps the property was taking, Boyle indicated that she would be attending tradeshows such as ILTM and IT&CM China. In addition, the property is also in the midst of creating a China-hosted website that will be fully accessible to all of Asia in numerous languages.
Boyle added: “We’re looking at a lot of avenues, such as having a separate sales person based in China or working with an agency in China.”
Nic Oldham, director of sales & marketing, Trump Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scotland, also hopes to grow the Asian market, with a particular focus on China.
He said: “A month ago we did a fam trip with VisitScotland, and we had 28 buyers from China. That went very well and we’ve had enquiries for this year. China is an important emerging market for us.”
Currently for this 111-year-old, 300ha golf property that offers 200 rooms, the Asian market does not even make up one per cent. But Oldham indicated that he would like to see the segment stand at “five to seven per cent in the next three years”.
By growing the Asian market, Oldham hopes to reduce reliance on the American and domestic UK market which make up 50 and 37 per cent respectively.
To do so, Oldham revealed: “We will partner with companies, such as London-based China Holidays who do outbound and inbound and know the market. Hopefully from there, we will be able to organise our own trade missions.”
“However, we don’t just want to concentrate on Shanghai and Beijing. The China market jumped out at us because of its size and spending power. For Asia, markets like South Korea and Malaysia certainly need to be looked at,” he concluded.
Marriott International, which has recently extended its partnership with non-profit organisation TED to deliver inspirational content to guests of Marriott Hotels into 2018, is considering ways to introduce the same valuable presentations to meetings held on-site.
The partnership, forged in August 2016, has led to TED-curated content relevant to Marriott Hotels’ guests in each region, ranging from curiosity and innovation to travel and entrepreneurship, being delivered to guests live and through in-room TV.
Mike Fulkerson
Past TED presentations delivered through in-room TV are currently only available across the US and in Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park in Asia, while live delivery is achieved through five global TED Talks Fellows salons in Seattle, London, Dubai, Bangkok and Santiago throughout 2016 and 2017.
The fourth edition will take place this evening at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park hotel.
Mike Fulkerson, vice president brands and marketing with Marriott International, told TTGmice that Bangkok was chosen to deliver the Asian TED Talks Fellows salon as “it was often the top few (travel) destinations no matter which ranking you looked at”.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park was picked as the host venue – and the location to debut the in-room content distribution in Asia – as it is the only Marriott hotel bestowed with the Marquis designation, indicating a strong business event product that checks seven boxes including hotel size and the number of guestrooms.
The hotel, launched November 2016, has 1,360 keys – of which 700 are twin rooms, a critical requirement for meeting groups – and 35 function rooms, each boasting a different look and theme.
The roll out of past TED presentations across Asia will happen progressively.
Fulkerson revealed that Marriott International is also “exploring how we could bring TED content into clients’ meetings in meaningful ways”, and options could be pre-recorded TED presentations being shown at the start of meetings to inspire delegates or live presentations by TED Talks Fellows.
“There isn’t a big pool of TED Talks Fellows though, and those who are in there are not always available (to speak) or not always very affordable, so we need to carefully consider how to make this partnership (work for TED, for Marriott and for our clients),” he added.
Meanwhile, additional cities that will hold 2018 TED Talks Fellows salons have not been determined, but Fulkerson will push for Asia-Pacific destinations and properties to be in the line-up.
Marriott International’s global Meetings Imagined campaign, which focuses on delivering memorable meetings that put people at the centre and utilises an image-heavy website to suggest unique event ideas and guide objectives, has seen a change in client purchase habits and higher enquiry-to-booking conversion rates over the past two years.
Speaking to TTGmice on the sidelines of an ongoing MICE media fam at the new Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, Xue Ying Mei, director of B2B marking and events with Marriott International, said that while online booking for event venues and services are relatively lower in Asia than elsewhere in the world, the informative www.meetingsimagined.com has led to a “higher conversion rate among meeting planners”.
“Planners who utilise the website to research for event ideas also tend to eventually rate our hotels higher on event experience, perhaps because they feel that the hotel had played a partner role (instead of just being a vendor),” Mei shared.
Mei added the global campaign is constantly evolving and expanding in terms of content.
It has recently added a Hotel Showcase feature, allowing the website to also convey much needed information on other hotel facilities besides function rooms and event ideas. In a few months’ time, the website will also be available in Japanese, in addition to the eight global languages currently offered.
As well, more Asia-Pacific content is increasingly being added to the website.
Enhancements to Meetings Imagined campaign also extend offline. The group has been investing in regular staff training to help sales personnel better communicate the programme to clients in fresh, new ways.
Currently, the Meetings Imagined campaign applies to JW Marriott, Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Marriott, Gaylord and Courtyard by Marriott branded properties.
Mei said other hotel brands recently acquired by Marriott International, such as those once under Starwood Hotels & Resorts, will eventually be brought under the programme as corporate integration progresses.
After months of searching, the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has finally chosen Melbourne-based Talk2 Media and Events as the new manager of its annual AIME tradeshow.
Talk2 Media and Events, founded in early 2016 and led by industry veterans Matt Pearce and Stephen Malbourne, will commence its management and operations of AIME in 2019. The company has approximately 30 staff in its Melbourne headquarters.
Karen Bolinger, CEO of MCB, said: “With proven success and an innovative and creative approach, it’s an exciting time in AIME’s journey and we’re looking forward to the new opportunities this partnership presents for the event and those who attend.”
Pearce said in a media statement: “AIME is the most important international event of its kind in Asia-Pacific, trusted with providing the stage on which the business events community can connect and create business opportunities. We’re excited to explore how we can reimagine AIME so that it continues to foster connections, inspire new ideas and drive business outcomes for both visitors and exhibitors.”
Bolinger also thanked Reed Exhibitions “for their vital contribution to AIME over the past 15 years” which had allowed AIME to “become the largest event of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region”.
The Shangri-La Hotel, Yiwu – part of the 52-storey mixed-used Yiwu World Trade Centre in Zhejiang Province – has opened.
The hotel offers 362 rooms and suites that start from 48m2 and 96m2 respectively. Aside from the rooms, the property also offers 136 residences that are available in four configurations: one-bedroom studio (72m2), one-bedroom (96m2), two-bedroom (144m2) and three-bedroom units (192m2). Each apartment has a living and dining area and a kitchen.
For meetings and events, Shangri-La Hotel, Yiwu offers more than 3,880m2 of event space, comprising 11 functions rooms and a 2,000m2 pillarless Grand Ballroom which has the capacity for 1,000 guests banquet style. The hotel is also the first in the city to feature an elevator that is large enough to transport automobiles directly to the ballroom.
Recreational facilities include a spa, fully-equipped gym, an indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna and steam rooms.
There are also three F&B options on-site. Yue Xiu Wok is an all-day dining restaurant with extensive buffet presentations and multiple cooking stations. Within the restaurant are eight private dining rooms. Brown Sugar Bakery & Cafe serves up made-to-order Asian and Western dishes, while the Lobby Lounge is the gathering place for light snacks, refreshments and evening cocktails.
Hangzhou and Shanghai are easily accessible from Yiwu via a 30-minute and 90-minute high-speed train journey, respectively. Also located within a short distance from the hotel are the Yiwu International Commodity City, International Expo Centre, airport and train station.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has appointed Vishal Sinha as CEO of CWT India.
Based in CWT India’s head office in Gurgaon, Sinha will report to Kai Chan, CWT’s president for Asia Pacific. His responsibilities include growing CWT’s business in India, particularly with local companies and small and medium enterprises, many of whom do not yet have managed travel programmes. He will helm CWT India’s team of over 1,2000 people across nine offices.
Vishal Sinha
Sinha has more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry, including considerable international experience. He was most recently chief operating officer of TUI India. Prior to that, he spent seven years in Tokyo as regional general manager at British Airways. Sinha has also held a number of other business development and management roles at British Airways and has been based in India, the UAE, Hong Kong and China.
Sinha takes over from Geeta Jain, who has moved into a new global role at CWT as strategic programme vice president.
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