Ong: towards greater intra-regional cooperation

THE Japan Convention Bureau and Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) have established their fourth international MICE office, under the care of JNTO Singapore Office, which now joins existing specialised business events operations in New York, London and Seoul.

The new MICE bureau in Singapore, helmed by JNTO Singapore’s deputy director, Susan Maria Ong, focuses on bringing business events from South-east Asia and the Pacific to Japan. It provides business event planners in these regions with a host of services such as bid facilitation, liaison with government ministries to lobby for funding towards major congresses as well as local convention bureaus for onsite event support, assistance on site inspections, and recommendations for DMCs, venues and other event suppliers, among others.

In an interview with TTGmice e-Weekly, Etsuko Kawasaki, executive director of JNTO headquarters, said Asia-Pacific is an important market for Japan because “all kinds of business” are being conducted here while six major countries in South-east Asia had contributed an excess of two million arrivals in 2015, registering a 30 per cent leap over 2014.

Kawasaki said the tourism bodies are keen to “welcome travellers from these regions with visa-free entries”, so as to “create more opportunities for new businesses to meet and network” in Japan.

“JNTO Singapore will work closely with existing JNTO offices in South-east Asia such as Bangkok and Indonesia, as well as upcoming ones in Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam which are due to open next year,” said Ong, adding that her action plan includes conducting MICE-related workshops and seminars, networking meetings for associations as well as fam trips for the region’s planners.

Several trade events have been confirmed, and they include an association-focused meeting come October, meetings during ITB Asia in Singapore, and a series of Travel Incentive Seminar events in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore next year.

JNTO Singapore will also be inviting major MICE planners in the region to attend the annual Visit Japan MICE Mart for B2B meetings and a fam trip.

“We will also enhance communication with local and regional MICE media to increase JNTO Singapore’s presence and the role its plays in MICE development,” Ong added.

When asked what immediate goals have been set by JCB for the Singapore office, Ong said: “Japan ranked top in Asia in ICCA’s 2015 ranking of countries for association meetings. In order to maintain that position, we have to identify prospective associations based in Asia-Pacific and host their meetings in Japan. We also have to recognise active MICE players in this region (and) provide support and training through fam trips and seminars.”

SYDNEY’s Ovolo Woolloomooloo has launched its brand new event complex, after a A$20 million (US$15.1 million) renovation.

The complex, set in a 100-year-old heritage-listed wharf, has rooms that are named after some of Sydney’s most popular neighbourhoods and can cater for events from 12 to 350 people.

The biggest of the rooms, Piper Room (pictured below), can be combined with The Burbs – made up of Darlo, Paddo and The Cross rooms – to create a 390m² space for up to 350 guests.

For smaller events, planners can use the Glam-A-Rama boardroom, and AC/DC and INXS Ultraroo suites.

Joanna Hillier, conference & events sales manager, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, said: “We know that not all events are created equal and accept the challenge to make every event completely different. Whether it be for work or pleasure, a memorable location creates a memorable occasion. There are few areas in Sydney that rival our location and the versatility of our offering.”

The use of state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and Wi-Fi are included with every booking, while delegates receive preferential bookings at the hotel. Planners are also given a selection of menus, created by award-winning group executive chef, Gavin Berrecloth, to choose from.

Packages start from A$109 (US$83).

(From left) Akel Biltaji, mayor of Amman; and Daniel Sin, CEO Deks Air (Singapore)

JORDAN’S available tourism infrastructure, the business-oriented mindset of its people and country leaders, safe environment, and location in the heart of the Middle East, are the qualities that make the country ready to capture more international business events, opined capital city mayor, Akel Biltaji.

Speaking to TTGmice e-Weekly during his one-day visit to Singapore, Akel said the country is keen on growing the business events sector.

He said: “Jordan is business-oriented and sees itself as the launch pad for advancements into the Middle East. Our country’s high-level leadership is frequently overseas, engaging peers in talks for possible business opportunities. As we speak, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein is in Sun Valley (the US) on a business mission. Our people are always looking to bring international business investments into the country.

“Because of (all that and) Jordan’s tranquillity, security and the swell of intellectual capital, the country is home to many international organisations with humanitarian and commercial interests in the Middle East.”

In terms of infrastructure, Akel pointed out that the country has “almost all the big hotel brands you can think of – The St Regis, Kempinski, Le Meridien, etc – and a Ritz-Carlton is now being built”, in addition to the King Hussein Conference Centre at the Dead Sea, and the Zara Conference Centre and King Hussein Business Park in Amman.

Jordan will host the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa come May 2017, an event that Akel said would “demonstrate how much a peace-loving people we are and how safe the country is” and “serve to raise Jordan’s profile as an attractive tourist destination in the minds of global travellers”.

Another high-profile business event in Jordan is the Pan Arab Construction Forum, which Akel said would be attended by delegates from the Middle East, South Africa and Europe.

At present, China is regarded as an important source market for both leisure and business traffic.

“The Chinese government has earmarked US$50 billion for investments in the Middle East, and Jordan’s portion will be about US$10 billion to US$15 billion over the coming decade. His Majesty visits China every year for trade talks, and the Chinese view Jordan as a launch pad for further investments in the Middle East,” Akel shared.

“My city Amman is looking to engage Chinese companies to build our underground metro and possibly a railway system that may extend across the country and then region,” he added.

Akel pointed out that “trade follows travel and tourism”, and Jordan’s tourism industry can expect to benefit from both out of China.

To enable traffic from China, Royal Jordanian inaugurated its first service in China in April. The airline flies thrice weekly between Amman and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Daniel Sin, group CEO of Deks Air (Singapore), GSA for Royal Jordanian, said the demand for the service has been strong because it attracts passengers from Shanghai too. The service enjoys an average load factor of 80 per cent.

Royal Jordanian’s network in Asia also includes Hong Kong (four times weekly), Bangkok (daily), Jakarta (thrice weekly), and Kuala Lumpur (thrice weekly).

The Adelaide Convention Centre (background) was recently expanded

THE Australian Dental Congress, one of the largest business events in Australia, has chosen Adelaide for its next gathering in 2021.

Hosted by the Australian Dental Association, the congress is expected to welcome more than 3,000 participants from across Australia and around the world. It will add A$16 million (US$12 million) to South Australia’s visitor economy, provide over 15,000 bed nights and create 132 jobs.

Oscar van Elten, who represents the Australian Dental Organisation, commented: “Adelaide is the perfect sized Australian City that thinks outside the box for business events. I visited the city for the first time in quite a while early this year as part of Destination South Australia, and was surprised and highly impressed by the development the city has undergone. From the larger projects including the Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Convention Centre upgrades, to the 70-plus new small bars and restaurants adding a real vibe to the city’s laneways, we’re looking forward to an exceptional event”.

He noted that “a lack of suitable venues” in Adelaide had previously made it impossible for the city to accommodate the growing event since it last played host a decade ago.

However, the expansion of the Adelaide Convention Centre as well as the introduction of the Convention Bid Fund have changed things for the better.

Damien Kitto, CEO of the Adelaide Convention Bureau, said: “In such a highly competitive market (with many) destinations keen on hosting such meetings, this expansion (by the Adelaide Convention Centre) along with the entire Riverbank Development has certainly made us a much more attractive offering to event owners.”

AN ELEGANT multipurpose hall is about to join Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain’s offering to business event planners.

Set against a backdrop of the majestic mountains in Sichuan province with the resort’s one-hectare organic garden in the foreground, the spacious Qing You Hall can accommodate banquets of 300 guests or classroom meeting setup for 280 pax.

Designed for maximum flexibility, the pillar-free ballroom can be divided into three separate spaces, ideal for meetings and smaller gatherings or breakout areas. For larger and diverse events, planners can utilise a covered terrace and a lawn along with Qing You Hall. Vehicular access to all areas offers the potential for incentive or exhibitions to be held as integral elements of the primary affair.

Qing You Hall’s interior features beautifully crafted soft-hued timber finishes and paneling wrapped in rich earth tones with just a hint of delicate Chinese embellishments. Stunning lighting features descend from vaulted ceilings, augmented by recessed high-tech down lighting that can be programmed to create any mood desired.

A VIP anteroom is available for receiving dignitaries and special guests, while the hall itself is outfitted with state-of-the-art sound system, audiovisual capabilities and wireless Internet access.

Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain also supplies a dedicated team to provide event planners with support and service from the planning stages through to the event conclusion.

Manish Puri, general manager of Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain, said: “I know that our guests will love the venue for conferences, meetings and incentives, (as it gives) the opportunity for attendees to gather in the pure air of our location and the activities offered in this traditionally spiritual setting.”