The sharing economy pickle

October 6, 2016

Sharing economy travel providers have come up with business travel tools but why are companies slow to bite? Caroline Boey finds out

While acceptance of sharing Infocus economy travel providers is growing among corporates, most travel managers are still saying no to putting their travellers in Airbnb accommodation citing duty of care issues.

Unlike a hotel, which comes with strict safety and security codes, a private home may not. Protecting the privacy of the traveller – for example being filmed on CCTVs installed by the homeowner – and nobody to turn to in an emergency were some of the reasons companies cited for not travelling down this road.

On the other hand, transportation services such as Grab/Lyft and Uber are facing more green than red traffic signals, but usage still depends on the destination and whether or not there are legal constraints, the managers pointed out.

Peter Koh, Asia strategic sourcing manager – travel and professional services, Corning Singapore Holdings, told TTGmice: “We have yet to implement the use of sharing economy providers in our travel policy but one of them has been identified in the pipeline because it can send booking data to our travel security agent International SOS. But even then, we require our corporate security team’s approval, and have to educate our travellers on how to use the app.

“For Airbnb, it will be cumbersome for our travellers to invest time to find the right property for themselves, unlike a hotel which is easier to identify.”

There are exceptions to a hardline Airbnb stand and a Bangkok-based travel manager in a global manufacturing company said it would reimburse the traveller if prior approval to stay in Airbnb accommodation was given.

“It’s still rare and we are trying to limit the use. But pressure is mounting from travellers who have used Airbnb for leisure. It makes sense to allow it where there is a shortage of rooms especially during peak travel periods. While I don’t foresee (adoption) soon, we have to look into it. Like the LCCs, never say never!”

On the transport side, the Shanghai-based travel manager of a US technology company said the uptake for Grab/Lyft in the US has been very positive. “For now we are not using other sharing economy suppliers mainly due to security concerns. That and better visibility of cost savings are needed for us to consider including them in our travel programme.”

Describing the sharing economy as a “grey area”, another Shanghai-based travel manager said he and his boss had differing opinions. “I want to say yes to ground transport but he is unsure. We have not formally approved the use of sharing economy services in our global corporate travel programme but questions from travellers on whether or not they can use them have been increasing. The main obstacles are the uncertainty surrounding risk and legal issues.

“This is likely the easier one to deal with as these services have matured and can be an alternative to public transportation. Ride sharing is also an attractive aspect of the service due to sustainability and cost reasons especially with travellers from the same company going to the same destination.

“Lodging is trickier as (it requires us to move) away from suppliers with a brand name and level of service to uphold. The challenge to audit locations for safety and security in the many hotels we use today is huge. With homestays, it will be impossible to manage. There is also the challenge of capturing these bookings and managing risk.”

An IT travel manager in New Delhi added the main obstacle is still the “managed versus unmanaged debate”. “In today’s world when terrorist attacks are occurring more (often), duty of care as a focus area is very high and is (more important than cost savings).”

However, technology advancements may start to break down some barriers.

The announcement in July that BCD Travel is now working with Airbnb for Business to provide corporate travel clients with rich data in a new security and risk management tool that can track the location and trip patterns of business travellers who book Airbnb listings, may offer a breakthrough.

US-based Autodesk finally took the Airbnb plunge at the end of March after two years of watching and studying developments. With a millennial workforce of 30 to 40 per cent familiar with the sharing economy, and engineering teams with members ranging between 25 and 55 years old, Autodesk’s travellers fit the profile to be Airbnb poster children.

But it was not an easy journey to add the option into its travel policy, according to Adriana Nainggolan, travel programme manager, Autodesk Asia-Pacific. “We faced challenges with the legal and procurement departments. To implement it, we had to develop a training programme on how to use the Airbnb for Business portal, receive assistance from International SOS and ensure accommodation hosts are covered by insurance.”

In two months however, Nainggolan said Autodesk registered a six-figure US dollar cost saving in five cities – San Francisco, Singapore, Mexico City, London and Montreal – based on the “variance for the cost differential taken from the lowest rate of the day and the Airbnb rate”.

And after learning about the Autodesk experience, a travel manager in the oil and gas industry said he was “closely monitoring” sharing economy accommodation suppliers and other developments. “We have not considered Airbnb because of duty of care challenges, but we will listen to what our travellers have to say. However, we still need to be able to control out-of-policy exceptions.”

Island lures close to the city

By TTGmice

October 6, 2016

The appeal of an all-in-one venue for business events and fun, social functions is clear for all to see, and this is the selling point Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise boasts.

Located within an hour’s drive of central Tokyo, Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is an island theme park spanning 24 hectares at the tip of Yokohama Bay. It is home to the ocean-facing Hotel Sea Paradise Inn which comes with function rooms that can support meetings, training seminars and workshops; four quality aquariums where visitors can see and interact with Japan’s largest collection of marine creatures; the Pleasure Island adventure park with numerous exhilarating rides such as the Blue Fall which drops participants from a height of 107m; a selection of restaurants and fast food outlets; and retail shops.

Despite its variety of facilities, the park is surprisingly tranquil, with beautiful gardens and a serene marina for visitors to stroll down. Visitors can also choose to explore the island by bus, train or boat, before scaling the Sea Paradise Tower for unparalleled views of the area.

At night, structures on the island are illuminated, creating the picture-perfect setting for outdoor social sessions over a gourmet dinner or casual drinks at one of the theme park’s many restaurants.

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise’s close proximity to Tokyo makes it an easy extension option for post-conference programmes, or for incentive groups that desire a more relaxing team-bonding experience.

19 WAYS TO FORGE A TIGHT TEAM

By TTGmice

October 5, 2016

Phare, The Cambodia Circus Workshop

How it works:
Phare, The Cambodian Circus is an award-winning troupe that use jaw-dropping acrobatics, juggling and other circus acts to retell Cambodian folk tales. It is the brainchild of a group of boys who underwent art therapy to deal with the trauma of the Khmer Rouge reign while living in refugee camps on the Thai border in the 1980s.

Today it offers underprivileged youngsters the chance of a new lease of life. A corporate event spin is provided through opportunities for teambuilding groups to learn a few acts, such as tumbling and juggling, from stars of the troupe.

The programme can be customised, and even include a team dinner and entry to a Phare show.

Where: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Capacity: Minimum eight people

Contact: Phare, The Cambodia Circus; ticketing@pharecircus.org

JUNGLE SURVIVAL

How it works: The indigenous Aetas, many of whom still live in Subic forests, taught the United States Navy Seals and Special Forces units jungle survival skills which proved useful during the Vietnam War.

When the US Navy left Subic Bay in 1992, Jungle Environmental Survival Training Camp was created to help the Aetas transfer their attention to the civilian population. Some of the original tribesmen who taught the Americans are still around to share their knowledge.

Customised activities include an overview of local plants and wildlife and their medicinal properties; and demonstration of mountaineering and survival techniques that the Aetas still use today (making cooking tools from bamboo, creating a full campfire without match, setting up animal traps).

Another option is an overnight stay in the jungle without food and water with an Aeta guide teaching how to retrieve water from various vines, survival skills using only knife, cooking rice using green bamboo, making insect repellent and soap from certain plants.

Where: Subic, the Philippines

Capacity: Five to 20 people

Contact: Jungle Environmental Survival Training Camp; adventure@jestcamp.com

CHRONICLES OF EXPLORATION

How it works: Teambuilding participants get to live a day as a travel blogger through this activity. As they explore the city, they are required to take photos according to specified topics using an iPad or any mobile device, and share the images – edited with PicsArt app – on Pinterest. The images must go along with a description of the experience. Teams will be judged based on their ability to address all specified topics, photography and editing quality, writing flair and usage of mobile applications.

Where: Across Malaysia

Capacity: 20 to 500 people

Contact: Apxara Travel & Events; ivanlim@apxara.com

DRAGON SQUAD

How it works: Time and resource management capabilities are put to the test in this activity themed after the traditional Chinese dragon dance. Participants are placed in teams and then tasked to construct their own bold and vibrant dragon while overcoming problem solving elements and interact to forge a stronger bond. Once completed, each team will perform a dragon dance with their uniquely created dragons. Teams are awarded points for creativity and performance. The dragon heads can be taken back to the workplace as a reminder of collaborative company success.

Where: Indoor locations across Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore

Capacity: 24 to 500 people

Contact: Team Building Asia; hongkong@teambuildingasia.com, shanghai@teambuildingasia.com, singapore@teambuildingasia.com

TAB TOUR

How it works: This interactive activity is flexible enough to be adopted by small groups working on hotel-based puzzles during meeting breaks or by massive groups of 1,000 people on city-wide explorations. Participants are equipped with a tablet PC and given a map with target destinations where they will take photos or videos and perform a task to earn points. Strategy is required in choosing targets, and participants get real-time information about their competitors through the map and scoreboard. A central PC collects the images and videos, which will be used in the results session. The Tab Tour can be customised to incorporate company branding and corporate goals.

Where: All major Thai destinations

Capacity: 10 to 1,000 people

Contact: Tabtourthailand; reinier@tabtourthailand.com

MINI OLYMPIAN GAMES

How it works: As its name suggests, Sydney Olympic Park, just 14km from the city centre and once home to the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, provides corporate groups with the opportunity to hold their own sporting competitions. Over the course of two to four hours, participants are split into teams and rotate through events such at Ultimate Frisbee, Laser Clay Shooting and Volleyball held at various locations throughout the Park. At the culmination of the Games, results are tallied and the winning team takes home a gold medal at a ceremony. Prices start at AU$88 (US$67) per person for groups of 20 to 50 pax, and drop to AU$66 (US$50) for groups of 100 or more.

Where: Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia

Capacity: 20 to 500 people

Contact: Sydney Olympic Park; info@sopa.nsw.gov.au

SELFIE CHALLENGE

How it works: Selfie Challenge works by dividing groups of three people into three zones. To move through the zones, teams will get a set of four clues to help them answer challenges by taking selfies. These selfies are then sent to a designated mobile number via Whatsapp. Getting the right answer allows them to proceed to a physical challenge, which once completed takes them to the next zone. The game ends when all teams cover all three zones.

Where: Any outdoor venues in Malaysia

Capacity: 80 to 200 participants

Contact: TRUevents; terence@truevents.my

PARTY MAKER

How it works: This full-day team building programme challenges participants to deliver a party with stage entertainment, where the actors and the entire production stage worked together. They share the work load by practising song and dance, making decorations and ornaments, and preparing for a production.

Participants are divided into two groups. One takes care of the stage and party preparation while the other one handles the stage performances. The event organiser will assist and facilitate the groups’ needs, including musical instruments, a dance teacher who will impart a few dance moves, and a decorator who will provide guidance on venue and stage décor.

Party Makers aims to stimulate out-of-the-box thinking and challenge creativity.

Where: Indonesia

Capacity: 50 to 500 people

Contact: EGO Global Network; harry.egology@yahoo.com

ADVENTURE IN MASUNGI GEORESERVE

How it works: Masungi Georeserve in the rainforests of Baras, Rizal province, a few hours overland from Manila, is a 1,500-hectare conservation area with facilities that can be customised for teambuilding.

Participants can go around on a lambat or giant net; climb up a sapot or a cobweb-style viewing platform to get a panoramic view of the country’s biggest lake, Laguna de Bay; race to be the first inside Yungib ni Ruben, a cave formation within a karst landscape; climb one of the two peaks of natural sculpture and formation composed of several rocks piled on top of one another or the second peak with five limestone rock peaks interconnected by bridges.

Take a rest finally on the duyan or giant hammock.

Where: Masungi Georeserve, Rizal province,
the Philippines

Capacity: Seven to 10 people

Contact: Masungi Georeserve; trail@masungigeoreserve.com

TEAM BUILDER

How it works: Touted as Australia’s first aerial playground, MegaAdventure Aerial Park offers teambuilding activities for the brave. Over four to six hours, the Team Builder experience sees participants split into groups of four to six to compete in both ground and aerial challenges, working within specific rules and restrictions. Activities include the ParaJump, a 20m high free fall simulator, and SkyMate, a 70 obstacle high ropes course comprising of scramble nets, rope bridges, beams, swings, log steps, aerial surfboards and even Adelaide wine barrel steps.

Where: MegaAdventure Aerial Park, Adelaide, Australia

Capacity: Four to six people per team

Contact: MegaAdventure Aerial Park; achieve@megaadventure.com

TWILIGHT MYSTERIES

How it works: Twilight Mysteries is a game of twists and turns. The Twilight Bus of Horror will take participants to clues and they are then required to complete a series of hair-raising tasks, such as Fear Factor-type dares and entering a ‘haunted’ house. The team that completes all tasks without losing most of their nerve and in the shortest time, wins.

Where: Across Malaysia

Capacity: 20 to 500 people

Contact: Apxara Travel & Events; ivanlim@apxara.com

SCAVENGER HUNT TEAMBUILDING PROGRAMME

How it works: The traditional scavenger hunt gets updated by being conducted at Universal Studios Singapore, where teams will pound the streets of New York and comb the ancient pyramids of Egypt.

The three-hour Scavenger Hunt Teambuilding Programme is designed to incorporate most of the rides and attractions at the world-class theme park on Sentosa island. Placed in group, participants will solve quizzes by finding answers at specific spots in the park.

The activity can be shortened to suit group’s preference.

Where: Universal Studios Singapore

Capacity: Minimum 30 people

Contact: Universal Studios Singapore; (65) 6577 9977

SAIGON COOKING CLASS

How it works: The tantalising tastes of Vietnamese food are renowned across the world, so what better way to bond with colleagues than sampling the famous flavours of the country?

Saigon Cooking Class offers a range of food themed teambuilding exercises to whet the appetite and challenge the mind. An interesting exercise is the Street Food Secrets tour, which puts participants on the back of a scooter to follow expert chefs on a journey through the capital’s back alleys and markets to discover some of the best street food around. A blind tasting test is thrown in, challenging participants to identify a range of local ingredients and dishes – some more unusual than others. All activities are led by Vietnamese chefs and assistants who are fluent in English.

Where: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Capacity: 15 to 100 people

Contact: Saigon Cooking Class; i.briosca@saigoncookingclass.com

WIN IT IN A MINUTE

How it works: Inspired by the popular TV game show Minute to win it, Asia Ability Training’s Win It In A Minute is packed with fun and bizarre 60-second challenges that build team dynamics, raise morale and get participants to get to know each other outside of the usual work environment.

The challenges are fun and inclusive, and the open format ensures everybody is encouraged to join in comfortably without feeling any pressure to take centre stage.

Facilitators will also reveal additional challenges and bonus activities to allow teams to pick up extra points, keeping the energy high throughout the programme.

Win it in a minute is also suitable as a conference ice-breaker or a post-lunch energising activity.

Where: Indoor and outdoor locations worldwide

Capacity: At least 10 people

Contact: Asia Ability Training; ask@asiaability.com

BATTLESPACE

How it works: New to Sabre Corporate Development’s teambuilding portfolio is Battlespace, a military-style team activity, which begins with a commando raid during a meeting. Teams are transformed into a military unit, complete with camouflage uniforms. Each team member assumes various functional roles to plan and execute a complex operation with parallels to business unfolding in real time. Teams gather intelligence, plan their logistics and deploy combat air and ground assaults to complete their operation in accordance with both their overall vision and mission over three hours or a full day on request.

Where: Across Australia

Capacity: At least five people

Contact: Sabre Corporate Development; admin@sabrehq.com

SEARCH & RESCUE

How it works: A small VIP airplane has just crashed into the sea. Safety teams are many hours away but a small group of people happen to be nearby. How can they help? This is where teambuilding participants come in. After spending the morning carrying out underwater training with professional divers, including safety, dive theory, equipment handling and scuba techniques, the afternoon is spent on the rescue mission with the team split up to put to test the skills they have learnt. Accompanied by divers, the teams must communicate underwater to help rescue crash survivors in depths of up to six metres.

Where: Seaside resorts in Nha Trang, Vietnam

Capacity: Unlimited

Contact: Top Team Vietnam; info@topteam.co

BEAT THE BOX

How it works: The challenge begins with a mysterious and chilling video message that beckons participants into partaking in a game that requires them to crack a special code fast to stop the countdown.

To get this code, teams must solve four intriguing cases, whose details are hidden in locked aluminium boxes. The final case will unveil letters that when placed in the right order, will yield a predefined slogan and allow participants to crack the code.

The winning team is the one that stops the countdown first.

Where: Indoor locations worldwide

Capacity: 12 to 200 people

Contact: Asia Ability Training; ask@asiaability.com

Suntec adds accommodation support to suite of offerings

By Paige Lee Pei Qi

October 5, 2016

hotels_tv

SUNTEC Singapore is now offering event organisers using the venue an online accommodation booking service that enables them and their delegates to secure hotel rooms in the vicinity in one easy step.

Powered by hotel booking agency Hotels.tv, Suntec Singapore offers the service in two ways: through a customised, private online booking platform which is integrated into an event website, and through an online booking facility on the Suntec Singapore website for general accommodation needs.

Arun Madhok, CEO, Suntec Singapore, said: “With this partnership, we bring a strong value to our clients by offering them an easy and effective channel to source and secure the best negotiated hotel rates for their delegates and visitors.”

According to Madhok, this service will help event organisers secure the requisite number of rooms to meet the needs of their delegates and visitors, with no attrition penalties. The platform also promises the lowest rates, attractive value-adds like free breakfast and upgrades, flexible cancellation policies and customer support services.

Delegates who book through this service will pay for the rooms only upon check out, and are able to modify or cancel their bookings prior to arrival, subject to the hotel’s cancellation policies.

There are three categories of participating hotels: connected hotels, affiliate hotels, and hotels that are near the venue. Properties now in the system are: Conrad Centennial Singapore, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Marina Mandarin Hotel, Pan Pacific Singapore, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, Rendezvous Hotel Singapore, Village Hotel Bugis, Carlton Hotel and Grand Park City Hall.

pan-pacific-hotel-singapore
Pan Pacific Singapore will be among the many hotel options available in the programme

The list of participating hotels will expand.

Gino Tan, area general manager, Singapore and general manager, Pan Pacific Singapore, said: “International meeting planners will find us for their accommodation needs and through the portal be able to make their selection in a quick and seamless manner.”

According to Denise Kwok, spokesperson of Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford, the two hotels are now in talks with Hotels.tv and Suntec Singapore, and are anticipating to be listed on the platform soon.

What do you bring to the table for corporates?

By TTGmice

October 5, 2016

Julian Persaud, regional director, Asia-Pacific, Airbnb
JulianPersuad
What are key corporate travel trends are you seeing this year?

Asia-Pacific currently accounts for the largest spend in business travel around the world and we expect the growth to continue.

A large driver for this growth is the shift in mindset towards the notion of “business trips”. With enjoyable experiences through personal travels, more than half of Asian business travellers now value the same experience during their business trips as well.

Around 48 per cent of Asian business travellers are interested to extend their business trips for leisure, and around 60 per cent of business trips at Airbnb in the last year included a Saturday or Sunday night because business travellers are looking for opportunities to explore a city. Almost 15 per cent of stays in our business travel programme are for over 10 days and the average stay is more than one full business week.

What corporate travel innovations have been introduced to-date?

The Airbnb for Business product, translated into 26 languages, provides a suite of tools for travel managers to help employees book and stay with Airbnb. Through corporate reporting and duty of care functions, travel managers can access and monitor data, giving them better insight into employee experience.

Airbnb’s third party booking function is the latest product in our business travel suite of tools that allows both the employer who is managing travel and the employee who is taking the trip to view trip details, make changes to the reservation and message the Airbnb host with questions about the listing or neighbourhood.

What breakthroughs in corporate travel have you achieved?

Companies from over 150 countries have signed up for our Airbnb for Business and more than 50,000 companies globally – ranging from SMEs to large corporations such as Google and Morgan Stanley – have completed bookings with Airbnb. These business travellers have travelled to more than 172 countries on Airbnb.

Reuben Lai, head of business development, Grab

What are key corporate travel trends are you seeing this year?

Mobile is a first touchpoint for travellers. Grab for Work links the Grab app to the Grab for Work web portal, enabling corporate travellers to manage transport expenses and reimbursements on their mobile devices. With the growth of on-demand services, Grab provides corporate partners with the Venue App to let guests and concierge teams book rides from their premises, now mostly in hotels, serviced residences, malls and healthcare institutions in Singapore.

What corporate travel innovations have been introduced to-date?

We have collaborated with global ridehailing partners to enable South-east Asian travellers to use their native Grab app to book Lyft, Ola and Didi rides when they visit the US, India and China respectively.

We introduced Grab for Work in May, a free corporate transport expense management solution across six South-east Asian countries. (Employers) can set and enforce ride policies, track and manage expenses, set a preferred payment option and save time by reducing paperwork. Employees can tag all Grab rides as business or personal via the app, access ride histories and manage e-receipts for reimbursements.

Grab is fully integrated with the Concur solution, so companies using that will enjoy faster expense reimbursement.

Grab’s integration with Alipay lets Chinese corporate travellers in South-east Asia pay for rides in renminbi.

What breakthroughs in corporate travel have you achieved?

Grab for Work has been used by over 150 companies since its launch. We have partnerships with airports such as in Manila where GrabCar is allowed to pick up passengers from all Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals in designated areas where booking agents will assist passengers without a smartphone or mobile data connectivity.

Chan Park, general manager, South-east Asia, Uber
ChanParkUber
What are the key corporate travel trends you are seeing this year?

We are seeing an extremely strong focus on employee safety in every aspect of business travel. Corporates continue to invest in strengthening risk management procedures and extend their duty of care to their employees.

As corporates continue to seek ways to cut business travel costs, we are seeing a shift in focus to improving employee efficiency more than just achieving cost savings.

We also are seeing a lot of new innovations in corporate travel technology including travel service apps, mobile payments and wearable technology. Corporates are slowly but surely adopting and embracing these new technologies, especially ones that improve policy management and data reporting.

What corporate travel innovations have been introduced to-date?

Uber’s mission is to provide access to convenient, reliable transportation for everyone, everywhere. We recently introduced two key products for the Singapore market – Uber for Business (U4B) and UberCENTRAL.

U4B is our corporate ride management platform to centralise and optimise transportation costs across borders. Employees are able to request rides anywhere around the world and have it automatically billed to the company. Corporates are able to easily customise ride policies and manage everything from a single dashboard.

UberCENTRAL enables any business – large or small – to request, manage and pay for Uber rides on behalf of their customers. For instance, hotels are able to now purchase rides on behalf of their guests, property developers can enable rides for their customers to and from their sites, and many others.

What breakthroughs in corporate travel have you achieved?

While we are unable to name names, we have partnered with thousands of large-scale organisations globally to provide strong and relevant data points for the impact U4B has been able to bring about in their industries.

Build and they will come: Bangkok

By Michael Mackey

October 2, 2016

Bangkok is replete with business event venues and hotels but still tantalises with new and improved hardware. By Michael Sanderson

All eyes will be on the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) next month as its US$170 million expansion is put to the test with the heavy duty Grand Metalex 2016, a Machine Tool & Metalworking Technology Expo.

The expansion nearly doubles the 19-year-old venue, with three new event halls bringing the total exhibition space to 70,000m², making it one of Asia’s largest and a formidable growth catalyst for Bangkok’s conventions and exhibitions sector.

Complementing the event halls are three convention halls, 12 meeting rooms, a visitor centre, VIP rooms and the launch of Bhiraj Tower at BITEC, a mixed-use office building with retail, dining and entertainment facilities.

Managing director, Panittha Buri, told TTGmice construction Panittha-1 had “progressed quite smoothly” and she was now “looking forward to showing what our new facilities can offer”.

Panittha said: “One of the key highlights will be an event hall with a 25-metre-high ceiling, which is a standard requirement today for concerts, lifestyle and live entertainment shows as well as large-scale exhibitions and conventions.”

The expanded centre will also boast improved accessibility.

Panittha said: “Getting to and from the venue will be easier with new infrastructure such as a direct link to the BTS station, connecting visitors to all the major attractions and hotels in Bangkok. We will also have three underground levels of parking for over 4,000 cars.”

Investments are being made on BITEC’s software too, revealed Panittha. She said: “In order to stay ahead, we need to be able to deliver the right information to the right people in the right way. And so, we’ve developed a greater online presence through our comprehensive and responsive website and various social media channels which are always up-to-date and allow our customers to connect with us using their preferred method.”

Rival IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani is also adding new infrastructure. After recognising growing client demand for accommodation near the centre, operator IMPACT Exhibition Management Co invested one billion baht (US$28.7 million) to develop a second hotel in the centre’s complex. Ibis Bangkok IMPACT Hotel, slated to open in early 2017, will offer 587 rooms. It joins the existing Novotel Bangkok IMPACT Hotel.

Foreign delegates attending events at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center also have another fresh accommodation option close by. The 183-key Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel opened in May on Chaeng Wattana Road, a 3.4km drive from the centre. The upscale hotel has nine function spaces, including a 927m² grand ballroom.

Corporate groups from Muslim nations can seek familiar accommodation at Al Meroz Hotel, Bangkok’s first hotel certified by Dubai-based Gulf Halal organisation. The hotel has 424 rooms and meeting facilities.

Come 1Q2017, Park Hyatt Bangkok will welcome its first guest. It offers 222 rooms and suites, a selection of F&B venues on the top three floors (35^th to 36^th), and outdoor terraces with lush gardens.

Exisiting hotels in Bangkok have also been stepping up their game to better compete with the glut of hotels in the city, and Events Travel Asia’s group managing director Max Jantasuwan is particularly impressed with what have emerged.

Pointing to the recently renovated Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel, and new function spaces at the Swissôtel Nai Lert Park Hotel and Banyan Tree Bangkok, as prime examples, Max said these properties “offer something different to what have been done before in Bangkok or Thailand”.

He said these properties were getting good responses from his clients.

{Talking numbers}

493,383
The number of business events travellers to Thailand between October 2015 and March 2016, according to the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

103
The number of international association meetings held in Bangkok last year, according to ICCA, making it the 16th busiest city for such events in the world

12
The number of organisations joining TCEB in encouraging companies to hold meetings and seminars in other provinces to boost the domestic MICE sector

{Developments to Watch}

Domestic MICE has become a focus under the Thai government’s State of People policy, with both state and private organisations encouraged to hold inter-provincial meetings and conferences. The domestic MICE market was worth US$1.32 billion in the 2015 fiscal year, and the government hopes to improve on this as part of a strategy to stimulate a stagnant economy

After the Board of Investment rejected the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s request for hotel renovation privileges, it remains to be seen whether the idea will have more luck with the Revenue Department in the form of a tax break. As Thailand’s hotel rooms outstrip demand, the challenge for older properties is to renovate and modernise to remain competitive.

Thailand is offering special perks and discounts for MICE travellers through the Spice Up Your Business Agenda in Thailand campaign. The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has teamed up with the government, Thai Airways, Thai Smile and Visa to offer incentives on everything from flights and accommodation to spa treatments, and is targeting the Chinese and CLMV

August saw the introduction of the Thailand Incentives and Meetings Exchange, which TCEB will use as an annual platform for education and sharing experiences. The one-day forum will have a particular marketing focus, with the first centred on the Chinese market.

Park Society

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

October 2, 2016

By Xinyi Liang-Pholensa

Perched on the 29^th floor, So Sofitel Bangkok’s signature restaurant and bar named Park Society was one of city’s most talked-about venues when the hotel debuted in 2012.

In the face of relentless competition in Bangkok’s dining scene, the restaurant recently underwent a revamp to boast a new head chef and concept focused on the “social dining experience”.

Concept

Presided by new chef de cuisine, Joost Bijster, previously of Savelberg fame, Park Society eschews its former haute gastro credos in favour of a more casual vibe. The Dutch chef has given his modern European concoctions playful Asian influences – think Risotto Tom Yum, with tiger prawns and coconut foam. Tasting sets customisable to taste and group size are also available.

MICE application

The reimagined restaurant seats 60 and features a long table for larger groups suitable for corporate dinners. Book the chef’s table to watch chef Joost at work.

The adjoining terrace, a semi-outdoor space, is great for parties and cocktail receptions for up to 120 pax, with the option of having live band entertainment.

The Hi-So lounge above overlooks the terrace with spillover room for 100 pax. A roof is currently under works so al fresco spaces can host events in all weather.

Head to the more exclusive bar – Super Hi-So – which can fit 30 pax. Groups can opt for a small stage for DJs.

With its 29^th floor location that overlooks Lumpini Park and a skyscraper-studded skyline, Park Society makes an outstanding option as a hip venue – just make sure to get the party going by sunset to watcy the city light up.

Service

Attentive and unobtrusive. Chef Joost and wine and dine manager Falko Flamme made rounds to seek feedback from diners.

Avani Bangkok Riverside Hotel

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

October 2, 2016

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

As the brand’s global flagship, the 26-storey Avani Bangkok Riverside Hotel is conceived as an upscale brand to complement Minor Hotel Groups’ traditional, resort-style Anantara brand. And with a location just next to sister hotel Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, both properties combine to offer MICE planners more than 650 keys and a choice of resort-style amenities and contemporary business facilities.

Rooms All 248 rooms and suites are located on levels 12 and above, whose high locations command sweeping views of the surroundings. Suites measure upwards of 62m², going up to 138m² and 166m² for two- and three-bedroom units respectively.

My 30m² River View Room, the smallest room type, boasts a contemporary design with an open bathroom concept.

I especially like the expansive window, framing unobstructed views of the Chao Praya River bend.

The work area could do with some improvements however. The work desk, which was fixed against the wall, was too narrow for my liking. Guests with bigger physiques may find it a tad uncomfortable after a while.

MICE facilities The main event spaces are located on the 10^th floor, offering 4,500m² of versatile multipurpose space that can accommodate 1,500 delegates or 80 exhibition booths. The 27 meeting rooms are named after the elements – Wind, Sky, Air, Horizon and Breeze – with generous pre-function areas which could serve as a space for coffee break or additional space for large conferences.

With a soaring 11-metre-high ceiling, the 1,152m² Grand Riverside Ballroom can be separated into four spaces and accommodate up to 1,500 pax. It also offers the options of an open-plan show kitchen at one side and a car lift (with a 3,000kg weight load) that gives direct access to the venue.

As well, the Terrace is an outdoor balcony that can be used for evening cocktails.

The open event spaces, coupled with wraparound views of the Chao Phraya River, make the hotel a strong MICE option in a city replete with choices.

Other facilities Residing on the light-flooded lobby on level 11 are the all-day dining restaurant Skyline as well as Pantry, which offers speciality snacks and drinks round the clock as well as meeting corners that make great spots for smaller, informal meetings.

On the level 26 rooftop, there is a 25m infinity pool, spa and Attitude bar and restaurant, which makes a great cocktail spot at sunset.

The lower levels of the building is home to a shopping mall, giving guests access to additional dining and retail outlets, while a complimentary shuttle boat service connects to Asiatique night market and Saphan Taksin skytrain station on the opposite bank.

Ready riders of the storm

By Paige Lee Pei Qi

October 1, 2016

Global economic woes have hit the Little Red Dot, bringing down BTMICE arrivals and meeting group sizes, but a hefty tourism promotion fund should help lift the mood. By Paige Lee Pei Qi

Singapore’s tourism earnings dipped 6.8 per cent year-on-year in 2015 to S$22 billion (US$15.7 billion), even as international visitor arrivals climbed 0.9 per cent to 15.2 million.

The poorer tourism receipts were largely due to a six per cent fall in BTMICE visitor arrivals, with a corresponding eight per cent drop in per capita expenditure, according to the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) chief executive Lionel Yeo.

While 25 per cent of the total visitor number belonged to the BTMICE pie, Yeo said: “As the average BTMICE visitor spends about twice more than the average leisure visitor, the fall in BTMICE visitor arrivals and spending due to companies cutting back on both travel and trip budgets has had a significant impact on our tourism receipts.”

STB deputy chief executive, Melissa Ow, added that China and India has taken a hit in terms of business travel traffic. However, she added that they are “encouraged by the performance of our business events in 2015 where attendance was very healthy”.

In 2015, STB supported more than 350 business events, a 27 per cent year-on-year increase from 2014. This resulted in 287,000 visitor arrivals, a year-on-year hike of 0.3 per cent.

“An example was Sibos 2015 in October, which saw an over 30 per cent increase in attendance to more than 7,000 visitors,” Ow said.

“We recognise business traffic will be subjected to some of the conditions that will impact overall economies. That means there are a lot of opportunities for us to think about how we might grow our business events,” she remarked.

For Arun Madhok, CEO of Suntec Singapore, he said that business events have performed well in 2015 and 1H2016. In particular, 2015 was an excellent year for the centre as Suntec Singapore saw its “best ever financial performance”.

Also feeling positive is Nichlas Maratos, vice president of sales strategy and operations, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, despite having seen a reduction in meeting group sizes and even shorter booking lead times.

Fuelling his optimism is the growing demand and numerous requests for proposals for meetings, as well as an increase in product launches and incentive groups being hosted at Starwood properties across the city state.

Maratos told TTGmice: “Singapore has always been seen as attractive location for meetings and events due to great geographical location, strong infrastructure and flight connectivity”.

However, Madhok has cautioned against expecting easy months ahead.

He said: “In the next six to 12 months, we anticipate a somewhat softer overall business events market, especially for smaller meetings of less than 500 pax due to a more uncertain economic outlook.

“(Hence), we will see an emphasis on quality and value, and greater demand for customisation.”

Whatever the global economic conditions may bring, STB is ready for it and destination promotion efforts will not falter.

The bureau had announced in April at the Singapore Tourism Industry Conference that it would be getting S$700 million (US$520 million) to support its destination promotions over the next five years. A part of it will be channelled to the Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) fund to provide organisers, corporations and associations greater support for their events.
quotes
At this point, the exact amount of funding for BEiS is yet to be determined, and STB assistant chief executive, Yap Chin Siang, said that “detailed perimeters are still being worked through”.

The enhanced funding will enable the bureau to support business development initiatives that are industry driven. For example, a MICE venue, a DMC and a cluster of hotels can now be supported in their joint effort to go after an incentive group or large-scale business event, said Yeo.

BEiS will also be used to support associations in their pre-bidding activities.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s MICE scene will continue to keep busy with several significant business events coming up. They include the International Council of Nurses World Congress 2019 which will see 3,000 visitors; the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress 2019 which is expecting 6,000 guests; as well as the Lions Clubs International Convention 2020 which is expected to host an impressive number of 20,000 delegates from around the world.

Clockwise from below: Bird’s-eye view of Gardens By the Bay; street
art along Haji Lane; the spacious plazas of Resorts World Sentosa

{Taking Numbers}

TALKING-NO 242.40
The average hotel room rate in Singapore dollars – equivalent to US$180 – for the months of January to March 2016, compared to S$244.60 the same time last year

64,347
The number of hotel rooms Singapore is expected to have by the end of 2016, up from 61,947 last year

2,500
The number of engineers and developers from all over the world that will be descending on Singapore for two pinnacle IT events – the ISACA Cybersecurity Nexus Asia Pacific in November 2016 and the Internet Engineering Task Force 100 meeting in November 2017

{Developments to watch}

SIA restarts non-stop flights between Singapore and US. Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced its longest flights in its network, with the launch of non-stop services between Singapore and San Francisco, which started from October 23 this year. This come on the heels after United Airlines started the only non-stop flight between the two destinations this year. These new connections are expected to herald good business for inbound tourism and events from the US.

Singapore Tourism Board is extending its In Singapore Incentives & Rewards (INSPIRE) rewards programme beyond China and India to target corporate meeting and incentive groups from Europe and North America. In partnership with Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport Group, the programme will feature discounted group airfares, a choice of six cocktail experiences hosted in historic venues or rooftop bars, and a choice of six themed business tours around the Lion City.

Merlion

Over coffee with… Peggy Chong

By Karen Yue

October 1, 2016

The deputy CEO of Singapore’s iconic Gardens by the Bay tells Karen Yue that her garden is always kept fresh and beautiful to entice event planners who are yearning for unconventional venues

It has been four years since Gardens by the Bay opened with Bay South Garden in June 2012. I remember reporting on the strong MICE interest in your venues ahead of opening. How has demand been since?

More than 800 events have been held here since opening. What makes the Gardens a venue of choice for many is perhaps its unique setting of outdoor and indoor gardens, juxtaposed with the striking architecture of the Supertrees and the cooled conservatories.

We have seen a steady growth in the number of events held here, with the highest number recorded last year during Singapore’s Golden Jubilee.

Event planners are constantly on the lookout for unconventional venues and unique experiences. The Gardens takes an event beyond the confines of a conventional ballroom or function hall, making it an ideal off-site venue.

What are some of your most memorable corporate and public events throughout these four years?

The SG50 Appreciation Dinner (March 2016), which marked the finale of Singapore’s 50^th birthday celebrations, is one. Our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong placed the final item into the SG50 Time Capsule, which was then housed in the Gardens and will be opened in 2065.

Another memorable event is the Tourism 50 Gala Night and Singapore Experience Awards (November 2014), organised by Singapore Tourism Board and graced by the Prime Minister. That event was held in celebration of 50 years of the transformation of Singapore’s tourism landscape.

We’ve also had plenty of fun public events and festivals such as Christmas Wonderland, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Singapore Garden Festival, as well as concerts by international artistes such as Jennifer Lopez, Jason Mraz, Aerosmith, Psy, AR Rahman, DJ Hardwell and Corrine May.

The St Jerome’s Laneway Festival has also been held at the Gardens for four years in a row.

What is your most popular venue, and how far in advanced does it get booked?

Well, we’ve got two hot ones actually – the Flower Field Hall which is indoors and The Meadow which is outdoors. Advanced booking for them can range from nine to 18 months.

The Flower Field Hall is housed within the Flower Dome – the “Largest Glass Greenhouse” in the Guinness World Records 2015 – and its signature feature is the LED lighting with 100 colour options and can be customised to suit a specific theme or to evoke a certain ambiance. As you can imagine, Flower Field Hall is a popular venue for weddings, gala dinners, networking events and product launches.

The Meadow is the largest outdoor garden events space in Singapore. Spread across 22,000m² with a panoramic view of the Supertrees, cooled conservatories and the Marina Bay skyline, it provides a stunning backdrop for mega events like concerts, festivals and carnivals.

Surely you must have had some challenging event requests over the past four years.

We do our best to cater to the varied nature of each event. We have had a number of automotive events held at the Gardens before, where we made special arrangements for the vehicles to be brought directly into the Flower Field Hall, and even converted The Meadow into a test drive circuit.

Has the Gardens evolved its products for planners over time? What has changed?

Well, we introduced two new incentive experiences in July 2016.

One is the Secret Life of Trees. This newly refurbished outdoor venue is nestled amid lush greenery in our World of Plants outdoor themed gardens, and makes an intimate venue for an evening cocktail party. It boasts an unparalleled view of the Supertree Grove and provides an optimal vantage point for guests to enjoy the nightly Garden Rhapsody light and sound show.

The other is Champagne @ OCBC Skyway. For the first time, the suspended walkway between two Supertrees in the heart of the Gardens, will be available for private hire. It provides an unusual setting for an unforgettable experience. Plus, guests can enjoy an exclusive Garden Rhapsody show as they sip champagne and take in the panoramic view of Marina Bay.

The Gardens has an interesting collection of education programme for the young. Are these programmes available to corporate groups too?

At the moment, the educational programmes in the Gardens cater to the general public. However, we do provide private guided tours which can be customised to suit the needs and interests of the group.

The current year has been said by many MICE players to be a particularly challenging one. Often when this happens, corporates tighten their belts and event expenditures are among the first to be affected. What are you doing to ensure corporate event bookings remain strong going forward?

It is not uncommon for some months to be quieter than others. On the whole, the Gardens remains popular with events and we continue to see a steady stream of enquiries on our venues.

Having said this, we continue to innovate by refreshing our offerings and introducing new incentive experiences such as the ones mentioned earlier.

As an added incentive to encourage event planners to host their events with us, we have also created a package where local event planners can enjoy a 20 per cent rebate for each event they bring into the Gardens.

This is valid until December 2016, and our Event Venues team will be happy to tell your readers more about this promotion.

I like how the Gardens holds several thematic exhibitions every year to keep the attraction fresh for local and foreign visitors. Have these thematic exhibitions helped to reel in corporate planners too?

Why, yes! The changing floral displays are a perennial favourite with visitors and they do add to the unique selling point of the two event venues within the Flower Dome – the Flower Field Hall and the Waterview Room.

As a horticulture themed attraction, we constantly inject fresh ideas into our floral displays by incorporating new themes and introducing plants not commonly seen in Singapore, such as tulips, dahlias and cherry blossoms.

Earlier this year in March, we surprised visitors with the opportunity of experiencing sakura (cherry blossoms) in Singapore. Response was extremely heartening, and we have even received enquiries from companies wanting to coincide their events with next year’s display. Some of our floral displays coincide with festive seasons like Lunar New Year and Christmas, making them a popular choice too among event planners who are organising corporate events during these periods.

At the beginning, the Gardens opened first with Bay South Garden, while Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden were supposed to be ready at a later stage. How are Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden coming along?

Bay East Garden, when completed, will be a place with a serene ambience, where visitors can take in the beautiful vista and skyline of Singapore.

Full development of Bay East Garden will only be carried out at a later stage, taking into consideration the infrastructural works of other projects in the surrounding area.

However, we have opened Bay East Garden as an interim garden with basic infrastructure such as parking lots and restrooms.

As for Bay Central Garden, we are currently in the master-planning stage. The experience gleaned from designing Bay South Garden and Bay East Garden will prove useful when we design Bay Central Garden at a later stage.

For now, our focus is on Bay South Garden, including the event venues that we have in place, as well as the two new incentive experiences that we have rolled out in July.