STB to spend S$700 million over five years to court tourists

April 27, 2016

THE Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will be getting S$700 million (US$520 million) to support its destination promotion activities over the next five years, and a part of it will be channelled into the Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) fund to provide organisers, corporations and associations greater support for their events.

The announcement was made at the Tourism Industry Conference earlier this week by S Iswaran, Singapore’s minister for trade and industry.

However, the exact amount of funding for BEiS has yet to be determined. STB assistant chief executive, Yap Chin Siang, said “detailed perimeters are still being worked through”.
What is known at this stage, according to STB chief executive Lionel Yeo, is that the enhanced funding will enable the bureau to support business development initiatives that are entirely industry driven.

Yeo said: “This will allow us to support three or more business entities coming together to collaborate and undertake business development initiatives. 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.”

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

Yeo said: “We recognise that associations need to start their lobbying earlier to increase their chances of successfully bidding for events.”

STB assistant chief executive, Yap Chin Siang, added: “(For instance), we can support them five years in advance by flying local association members to relevant global business events prior to bidding. This will put them on a much more competitive footing so they can secure world-class exhibitions and conferences.”

Building a legacy

By Rebecca Elliott

April 27, 2016

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Seoul-skyline
National and city-level authorities are all pitching in to ensure the Rotary International Convention is a success; Bongeunsa temple in Gangnam, Seoul pictured

South Korea is determined to be a superb host for this month’s Rotary congress, an event that will not only benefit the country’s tourism sector, but also key industries. Rebecca Elliott reports

Later this month more than 55,000 delegates from over 200 nations will descend upon Seoul for the 107^th Rotary International Convention.

Held over five days on an annual basis, the convention brings together Rotary members from across the globe to exchange knowledge through an integrated programme of speaker presentations, breakout sessions and an extensive social programme.

Scheduled for May 28 to June 1, the event will be held in the country’s largest convention centre, KINTEX, and will be the second edition hosted in the South Korean capital. Seoul played host for the first time in 1989, and that event drew 38,878 delegates.

According to research conducted by the Korea Institute of Conventions & Exhibition Management in 2012, the 2016 edition is expected to generate in excess of US$300 million for the South Korean economy.

When asked how South Korea managed to score the massive event, Haesook Ma, assistant manager of the convention team at the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO), told TTGmice that it was a combination of active and “enthusiastic” Rotarians in the country and the support provided by the MICE bureau and city governments.

Ma revealed that the KTO provided monetary and marketing support during the bidding process, while further financial assistance also came from Gyeonggi Province and Goyang City where the main venue, KINTEX, is located.

Securing the event in 2008 was just the beginning of years of preparation for the convention. Moreover, with the significant level of support provided by the various parties comes an equally significant level of pressure to ensure the event is a roaring success.

“Each city government and convention bureau has now assembled a task force to prepare for this event professionally,” said Ma.

The KTO’s task force is led by the executive director of the Korea MICE Bureau, Keehun Kim, and is comprised of five teams to fulfil the various requirements including public relations, accommodation and tourist information.

The KTO also conducted an extensive delegate boosting programme in 2015 and is expecting at least half of the delegation to come from abroad.

“We’ve supported several Rotary International congresses all over the world including those held in Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Hawaii, Manila, Jaipur, Taiwan, Melbourne and London,” said Ma.

Hosting the 107^th Rotary International Convention will do far more than benefit Seoul’s tourism and business events sector. According to the convention’s official website, the gathering will “fully reflect (South) Korea’s recent success and growth as a G20 nation within the international communities as a highly developed IT industrial nation with cultural and historical abundance”.

A focus on industries such as technology, medicine and pharmaceutical has been a key strategy for the country in securing international association conferences. In 2014, the Union of International Associations ranked South Korea fourth in the world for hosting 636 global association events.

“Many are interested in industrial tourism so we try and make the pre- and post-programme (activities) related to their industry. It’s quite attractive for a lot of conferences,” opined Ma.

“We are trying to win larger conferences so we can attract (the attention of) delegates from the US and Europe.”

And there’s little doubt that all eyes in the global MICE industry
will be on South Korea come end May.

{Taking Numbers}

630 183 3600-1

{Insider}
Daehong Kim, president of Holiday Planners

DaehongKIm

Daehong Kim, president of Holiday Planners, recommends three experiences around the city

Appreciate Seoul’s beauty after sunset

Walk 10 minutes from the Seoul Central Post Office to the Cable Car station for a ride to the top of Namsan Mountain. From the station, another three-minute walk will bring you to N Seoul Tower where you will find a fantastic night view of Seoul at the cafeteria or restaurant.

Go hiking

A 15-minute taxi ride from Seoul’s City Hall will take you to one of the several entrances of the mountain trail of the Bukhansan National Park. If you hike up to the peak, a breathtaking view of the city awaits.

Get a taste of local experiences

Experience Korean culture at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, 50km south of Seoul. A traditional wedding ceremony show is put up every day. Have lunch at its open-air market place – try jeon (Korean pancake) and makgeolli (Korean rice wine). A free shuttle bus runs between the village and Suwon Station.

Bukhansan-National-Park

{Spotlight}
Modern meeting venue where ancient chiefs once gathered

HICO3
Gyeongju, approximately 50km north of Busan, used to be where Silla Kingdom’s leaders used to meet 1,500 years ago.

Today, it is home to South Korea’s newest convention centre, the Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center, or HICO as it is most commonly referred to.

In close proximity to many UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Bulguksa Temple and Yangdong Village, HICO debuted with the hosting of the 7^th World Water Forum in April 2015. The event drew approximately 40,000 participants from 170 countries.

Occupying close to 43,000m² of land, HICO houses a convention hall for 3,500 delegates, an exhibition hall and 12 meeting rooms over five storeys.

Kyla Yeonwoo Joo of HICO said the centre had contributed significantly to the growth of the city’s MICE industry in the past year, hosting over 180 meetings and conventions.

“Gyeongju Convention & Visitors Bureau and HICO (are working together) to attract many more visitors to hold their meetings and events in Gyeongju,” she added.

Joo said attracting conferences from the water and nuclear power fields will be a focus of the bureau’s strategy moving forward. Destination marketing will also leverage on Gyeongju’s rich heritage and its host city status for the World Congress of Organization of World Heritage Cities in 2017.

Scary hotel mammoths? Not quite

By Karen Yue

April 27, 2016

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A robust corporate travel policy and a good spread of hotel Hotelmammoths partners to keep options flexible will help travel and event managers maintain a balanced relationship with the new mega hotel companies. By Karen Yue

As with all changes, the recent mergers of global hotel operators – AccorHotels with FRHI Holdings and Marriott International with Starwood Hotels & Resorts – were met with trepidation among travel and event managers.

Although it is still early days and the full impact of the hotel consolidation on corporate travel and events is still unknown, reduced competition resulting from so many brands now residing under two giants has emerged as a top concern among travel and event managers.

ACTE Global regional director, Asia, Benson Tang, remarked that hotels may now hold back discounts and value-adds such as free use of the executive lounge and airport transfers.

HRS managing director for Asia-Pacific, Todd Arthur, said travel managers and meeting planners need only to look at the airlines industry to see how things might fare for them in the near future.

Arthur said: “Every merger in recent history has resulted in reduced competition. When the 2008 financial crisis hit, airlines in the US pushed for consolidation to stay afloat. There are now four major airlines (in the region) that make up 80 per cent of content and they are able to get real tough on pricing. The same may occur in the hotel space.”

To understand the impact on corporate travel, ACTE will have a session on this topic during the ACTE Global Conference in Beijing this August.

No loss of negotiation power

But not all travel and event managers are panicky over what might come.

Scott Brennan, executive vice president and head of Global Supplier Management with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, said travel managers and meeting planners can benefit from the broader footprint formed as a result of giant hotel operators coming together.

“(The mergers) should provide (the hotel companies) the ability to work on larger global contracts, which benefits travel management companies and travel managers of multinational companies. If done well, business travellers can expect and receive a more consistent service offering across a wider footprint of properties,” he elaborated.

Brennan does not think buyers will lose negotiation power at the table, as the consolidation is of brands managing the room supply and not of supply.

“Given the dynamics of the hotel industry, with the majority of properties owned by third parties, the brands will need to continue to deliver guests and events, or risk having their properties changed to other brands,” he reasoned.

Marina Krechetnikova, administration director with leading tobacco company JTI Russia, agrees, saying: “I foresee greater ability to negotiate better contracts for my company, as we can consolidate our large booking volumes under fewer hotel companies and demand better rates and perks. We can also earn more points faster under fewer loyalty programmes.”

HRS’ Arthur pointed out that “while (these companies) have a lot of rooms as a result of the mergers, they still represent a fraction of the content in the marketplace. In some Asia-Pacific markets, the big chains only make up single-digit marketshare”. As such, travel and event managers should still retain their bargaining power when dealing with the new hotel giants.

Unlikely impact on quality

Another common worry is the possibility of compromised product and service quality at the hotel level as mega parent companies trade precise ground control for the power of volume and reach.

Unilever’s regional travel head for Asia-Pacific, Geetha Arekal, disagrees. In fact, she believes that the mergers will lead new parent companies to shake things up across properties of newly acquired brands to ensure all are operating on the same high level.

Focus on needs, compliance

Existing competition in the marketplace is expected to help keep in check mammoth chains’ ability to charge premium prices.

“I expect independent hotels to jump at this opportunity to better engage their corporate clients (to show that they are more flexible and agile in responding to clients’ needs),” opined Arthur.

Brennan advised travel managers and travel management companies “to work with competing brands and properties to maintain negotiating leverage”.

He also urged travel and event managers to “focus on what is uniquely required for their clients and business needs” and allow for flexibilty in choices.

He said: “Looking at multiple brands is an option when contracting smaller meetings or travel programmes. Always having at least two or three hotels in the destination will ensure the offer remains competitive.”

Having a robust travel policy helps too, said Arthur.

“To know if mergers are costing companies more money (as a result of higher prices being commanded by hotel groups in power), travel managers must understand their spend through good data. Good data cannot be collected when bookings are fragmented and compliance with policy is absent.”

Cruising into a gala event

By Prudence Lui

April 26, 2016

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RCI
It is RCI’s first dinner on land and it has to be delivered in a strange kitchen, but the culinary team of the cruise company pulls it off with finesse. By Prudence Lui

Event brief

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council approached Royal Caribbean International (RCI) with a request for a royal cruise themed gala dinner during its Hong Kong International Jewellery Show on March 3 this year. The event was for 250 guests and aimed to provide industry professionals a networking opportunity.

Challenges

The gala event proved to be a series of firsts for RCI’s culinary team. It was the first time that the team had to plan and execute a dining event on terra firma. Instead of a familiar kitchen, chef Michael Gilligan and his team had to adapt to an onsite facility with slightly different equipment, while partnering with Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre’s in-house catering and culinary teams to create jewel themed dishes.

It was also the first RCI dining event that did not run over a long time, lasting only from 19.00 to 20.30, unlike the usual lengthy fine-dining affairs on board the company’s cruise ships. Although Gilligan had proposed an eight-course menu for the gathering, the idea was found unfeasible due to timeline and budget.

Solutions

After reviewing the wine-pairing menu, the dinner was reduced to four courses. Still, that arrangement required precise use of time.

Simon Blacoe, RCI director of F&B operations for Asia-Pacific, explained that there were in fact seven courses that must be served in 50 minutes, as the first three courses comprised two dishes each.

“That’s not something we would experience on a ship or in the US,” said Blacoe.

Two rounds of tastings were held before the menu was agreed upon. To deliver this, Gilligan flew to Hong Kong in December 2015 to meet with the event organiser and the culinary and catering team serving onboard Quantum of the Seas. The meeting ensured all parties involved to be on the same page with regards to issues such as cooking arrangements and presentation. The local team also shared observations on how Hong Kong dinner events were often brisk and diners tended to eat less. As a result, smaller portions were planned.

The second round of tasting was held three weeks before the big day.

These dress rehearsals enabled Gilligan to adjust procedures along the way. For instance, after realising that the salad dressing must be prepared in a specific way to maintain consistency, he went back and forth several times with the culinary team to establish the right recipe.

Key takeaways

The F&B collaboration allowed RCI to show off its culinary prowess and learn how to execute such co-branded exercises. RCI believes that similar partnerships with local companies or restaurants are likely in the near future, since the company is focusing on F&B this year to attract the Hong Kong cruise market. Moreover, RCI benefitted from bring able to showcase to potential clients the wide range of quality food available on Royal Caribbean cruises.

Creating the perfect blend

By Prudence Lui

April 26, 2016

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05MAY-WRGchivasMax-Warner-making-cocktails-640 — Making cocktails at House of Chivas

Event brief
Last August, WRG Creative Communication (Asia) Ltd was invited to manage the House of Chivas – The Icon Launch.

WRG handled the entire project from start to finish, which encompassed the initial conceptualisation, design, build, production and event management. The end product was a four-day experience which culminated in a night of fun and celebration at the Chivas party. It was the first-ever Chivas house in Hong Kong that reached multiple audience groups.

Challenges
It was an ambitious event, as there were 15 initiatives conducted over the span of four days, with four events taking place each day. Events included a trade lunch, media-blending session, corporate lunch, VIP dinner and numerous parties.

WRG staff had to use their time efficiently, as well as work with the space and design of the venue. As each event focused on a different line of products within the brand, multiple changeovers were required over the four days.

The venue was about 370m² with a standing capacity of 200. It was limited in the sense that the layout was fixed. Space constraint was a challenge that WRG faced both during the design of the area and the actual event itself.

Solutions
To ensure smooth delivery and first class service in this new venue, the WRG team worked very closely with venue staff.

From designing the menu to physically serving guests, WRG made sure everyone brought their A-game and was well informed of the event happenings.

Working with such a small space, WRG devised solutions where private rooms could also be utilised. The hallways were also sculpted to be part of the experience, helping guests transition from one space to another smoothly.

To bring out the heritage of Chivas, the space was decorated with fresh misting moss and riverbed pebble ornaments, the sight and smell helping guests think of the brand’s Scottish origins.

Key takeaways
An ambitious goal can be achieved when extreme attention to detail is given. WRG was dedicated from the start, during the actual event, and to the dismantling. This contributed to the smooth running of an event that resonated well with its audience.

In reality, there will always be possibilities of the unexpected happening, regardless of whether they are good or bad. That is why pre-event planning, experience, and the ability to think on one’s feet is crucial to a successful event.

Event: House of Chivas – The Icon Launch
Organiser: WRG Creative Communication (Asia)
Venue: Foxglove
Date: November 30 – December 3, 2015
Number of participants: More than 700 guests

The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

By S Puvaneswary

April 26, 2016

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The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur is impressive. It has been around for a while now and had just completed its renovations, but the property feels and smells brand new.

Its location is perfect for both leisure and business travellers, being a short walk from shopping and entertainment central, Bukit Bintang Road, and connected via a link bridge to the adjoining luxury shopping mall, Starhill Gallery. Above the mall sits the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, which is also owned by YTL Hotels & Properties. Both hotels are supported by a centralised sales and marketing team which makes it convenient for meeting planners and incentive houses with large groups on hand. Between the two properties, there is a total of of 925 rooms and 49 meeting spaces.

Meeting facilities The conference centre holds all the meeting facilities. Planners have the option of having a separate group check-in area in the lobby. Across the two floors, there are a total of 13 meeting rooms and a Banquet Hall which can accommodate 350 people classroom-style. The ballroom, with its large chandeliers, bright yellow walls and clever use of mirrors, makes an impressive venue.

Rooms There are 364 rooms, of which 144 are suites with one- to three-bedroom options, and all come with full butler service which is perfect for time-strapped business travellers.

Malcolm Sing, my butler, made sure I was able to attend my meetings looking dapper in well-ironed outfits, set up my mobile Wi-Fi and arranged for a two-hour itinerary that involved shopping and dining around the city.

My one-bedroom suite is a haven of comfort. I enjoyed the 60-inch HD TV which came with all the prime global news channels such as CNN and Bloomberg as well as National Geographic and Disney to satisfy a varied entertainment interest. I also enjoyed the amount of space I was given. The living room is large, accommodating a dining area, a study table and a cosy corner with chairs and a sofa bed where I could receive guests should I have any.

It is worth noting that guests across all room categories are able to purchase supplement access to the club lounge which is open all day.

F&B While my room was a delight, I discovered an even greater joy outside – the hotel offers five F&B outlets, including the Lobby Lounge which is loved by many for its afternoon tea. After having a go at the three-layer trays decked with sandwiches, cakes and pastries, all paired with freshly-brewed tea, I’ve become a fan too. It was an enjoyable experience, heightened by musicians who played in the background.

I am also now a huge fan of Li Yen, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant. It is just one of two hotel restaurants in Kuala Lumpur that serve pork dishes.

And if one’s still hungry after sampling all five outlets, there are more options to be found in Starhill Gallery.

Other facilities The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout – well done!

For relaxation, there’s an in-house Spa Village which can position therapists at the conference rooms to put tense delegates at ease, upon request. Spouse and post-conference programmes such cooking classes can also be arranged at Starhill Gallery’s Culinary Studio.

Zenith Hotel Kuantan targets Asian MICE markets

By S Puvaneswary

April 26, 2016

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THE Zenith Hotel Kuantan has turned its attention to three Asian markets – Singapore, Indonesia and China – after four years in operation to expand its business beyond domestic sources.

General manager, Nathan Vaithi, told TTGmice e-Weekly: “It is time we expanded. We have very good hardware and software for meetings, incentives and conferences. We are the only facility on Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast with a dedicated conference and exhibition centre.

“This year, we were awarded the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard which will give us an edge when we bid for MICE groups. Being close to two well-known beaches, Teluk Chempedak and Cherating Beach, is an added advantage.”

The property has 12 meeting rooms, two exhibition halls, and three ballrooms which can fit 5,000 people theatre-style when combined.

In its endeavour to expand its MICE business internationally, The Zenith Hotel Kuantan recently hired a director of sales for MICE and is currently creating indoor and outdoor teambuilding packages.

There are also plans to participate in IT&CM Asia this October, as well as conduct product presentations for meeting planners.

IACC sports new logo following rebranding exercise

By TTG Asia

April 26, 2016

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IACC, a global association that represents small to mid-sized meetings venues, has undergone a rebranding to better represent its 378 members from 22 countries.

Extensive research with members and industry stakeholders was conducted and the result is a new logo designed to reflect symmetry. Made up of four overlapping hexagons, the logo illustrates the strength and alignment of universal connectivity, and represents the four brand pillars which are – exclusive meeting venues, by design; at the forefront of meetings innovation; globally connected network of passionate members; and curators of exceptional meeting experiences.

Mark Cooper, IACC CEO, said: “As we continue to grow and expand the association globally to thrive in what is undoubtedly a fast changing meetings industry, the brand needed to evolve to acknowledge this.”

Alex Cabañas, IACC president, added: “This gives us a refreshing new look that reflects and projects a modern, forward thinking and innovative personality, which remains a unique characteristic of the IACC global community.”

Founded in 1981, IACC members include conference centres, seminar houses, day meeting venues, corporate universities, and meetings-focused hotels and resorts.

All signs point to go

By S Puvaneswary

April 26, 2016

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he increase in flights to Malaysian destinations like Langkawi
(above) will help raise the country’s profile as a MICE hub

Improved accessibility and a weaker ringgit are making Malaysia more attractive for Chinese buyers. S Puvaneswary reports

China was the darling for Malaysia’s incentive travel stakeholders in 2015, contributing 22 groups with a total of 17,409 delegates to the country’s tourism arrivals.

The strong performance has only served to whet the appetite of the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and inbound travel agents. Several initiatives were recently launched to promote the country as well as make its secondary cities more accessible to Chinese groups. Among the efforts is MyCEB’s move to establish an account on WeChat, a popular social media app among Chinese users.

Zulkifli Sharif, MyCEB CEO, said: “This initiative allows MyCEB to reach out and engage with industry partners who are frequent users of WeChat. To date, we have more than 600 followers with 95 per cent stemming from travel/MICE agents.”

MyCEB also had success with roadshows aimed at driving more business events from China to Malaysia, scoring seven wins and nine potential leads from trade activities in Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing.

Supplementing the bureau’s destination promotions is a stronger effort to improve air connectivity to take more Chinese deeper into Malaysia.

China Southern Airlines introduced thrice-weekly flights from Guangzhou to Kota Kinabalu on December 1, 2015. This was followed soon after by AirAsia which commenced a new daily service between Kota Kinabalu and Wuhan on January 22 and between Guangzhou and Langkawi two days later.

On the back of these new air links, business events stakeholders in Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu have stepped up destination promotions in secondary Chinese cities.

Director of Langkawi International Convention Centre, Ramizan Kaman Shah, said a joint fam trip was organised late last year with MyCEB to invite media agencies from all over China to Langkawi.

Ramizan said: “Langkawi is a new destination for China. Its UNESCO Geopark status, golf courses, good beaches, as well as water and jungle activities make it an ideal destination for meetings and incentives.”

He pointed out that efforts are made to target Chinese MICE buyers from all over China, not just from Guangzhou, “as there are also good linkages from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi” which enable Chinese MICE travellers to visit the island via Malaysia’s main gateway.

As well, Sabah Tourism Board and Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents Sabah Chapter have co-organised a sales mission to Wuhan in March to engage outbound Chinese agents. According to Ebony Leong, marketing manager at Sabah Tourism Board, the bureau is ready to provide non-financial support, such as welcome cultural performances, to Chinese planners.

While some of the new services are operated by low-cost carriers, John Chan, business development director at Kris International Traveltours, opined that improved accessibility is more important than the extent of services provided by the airline.

The new air links support Chan’s plans to tap secondary Chinese cities, such as Wuhan, Chongqing and Xi’an, for incentive business. He said companies in these cities are increasingly rewarding top sales staff with travel opportunities.

Meanwhile, China is expected to keep contributing strong numbers towards Malaysia’s MICE arrival targets this year. It welcomed a 12,000-pax Perfect China incentive group in March, brought in by Sunflower Holidays. The group, said to be Sunflower’s largest incentive movement this year, visited Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Penang in batches between March 2 and 10.

Mint Leong, Sunflower’s managing director, expects 2016 “to be a better year than 2015”.

This sentiment is shared by Winnie Ng, deputy general manager, Pearl Holiday Travel & Tour. She said: “There is more interest in the destination and the devaluation of the
ringgit certainly helps. We have a confirmed booking of 3,300 people from a multilevel marketing company from China and another group of 700 people.”

{Taking Numbers}

{Insider}
Iskandar Zulkarnain, director of sales at The Andaman

Iskandar Zulkarnain, director of sales at The Andaman, recommends three activities that can be done on Langkawi island

Cruise down a mangrove river

Kilim Nature Park features a mix of well-protected green mangrove forests, isolated beaches and blue lagoons. A guided boat tour along the winding river will show delegates the flora and fauna that depend on the mangrove, as well as unique rock formations that are millions of years old. Visitors may also spot wildlife such as macaques and eagles.

Take a cable car to the mountaintop

The Langkawi SkyCab goes to the peak of Mount Mat Cincang, which offers fantastic panoramic views of the Andaman Sea and its surrounds. There are also walking trails and viewing platforms at the middle and top stations. With a length of 919.5m, Langkawi SkyCab is recognised as the longest free span single rope cable car in the Malaysia Book of Records.

Tee off on the greens

Langkawi has excellent, professionally-designed golf courses. Els Club Teluk Datai was designed by Ernie Els and it offers a memorable golfing experience amid a centuries-old lush rainforest with the Mat Cincang mountain range as a backdrop. The 18-hole Mount Raya Golf Resort was designed by Max Wexler and its location at the foothills of Mount Raya offers scenic views.

{Spotlight}
Corralling underwater support

The Andaman’s Coral Nursery provides environmental education and teambuilding opportunities for corporate groups

The Andaman in Langkawi uses its unique location in Datai Bay to offer meeting planners and incentive houses a unique teambuilding programme.

At the heart of the programme is the luxurious resort’s Coral Nursery, a purpose-built facility near the beach. There, guests can learn more about the reef from Gerry Goeden, the head of marine environment at The Andaman.

Delegates can also snorkel, look at corals and learn how they sit within the underwater ecosystem. Teambuilding exercises include coral transplanting and building artificial reefs, invaluable activities that help encourage the reproduction of marine life and, in turn, create a more sustainable local fishing industry.

The programme to rebuild the reef was conceived in light of the 2004 tsunami, when the 8,000-year-old Andaman reef was adversely affected due to the destruction of thousands of coral colonies.

The Andaman’s general manager, Christian Metzner, said: “Multinational companies with headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are increasingly looking for CSR (corporate social responsibility) programmes involving meaningful projects which can be incorporated into meetings and incentives. During the bidding process, this programme gives us an edge as it is unique to Langkawi and, I believe, is the only one of its kind.”

The Andaman also has a Marine Life Laboratory, a multipurpose indoor space at the lobby. The lab’s main function is to serve as a research area for marine science and biology students in order to increase their understanding of coral reef ecosystems and how to manage artificial reefs effectively.

Airy alpine ambitions: Switzerland

By Rosa Ocampo

April 26, 2016

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The mountainous landlocked nation is trying to wiggle its way up the MICE destination list for Asians, confident it has what it takes. By Rosa Ocampo

Exotic is how Urs Eberhard, Switzerland Tourism’s head of markets, described Switzerland’s appeal to Asians.

“It’s a year-round destination for Asians,” said Urs-1 Ian Evasco, retail team leader – travel products, Adventure International Tour.

What makes Switzerland exotic are its stunning landscapes, unspoiled environment, and gastronomic delights. Not to forget, the Alps. Experiencing the Alps is one of the main attractions for both those who have seen and haven’t seen snow.

And the Swiss know how to make the most of such attractions.

For instance, when Zermatt hosted the Switzerland Travel Mart in September last year, instead of the usual indoor venue, organisers chose to highlight the Matterhorn by taking delegates to a unique outdoor venue replete with charming chalets. Where else but in Switzerland can you find a 360-degree view of the Alps and its snow-capped peaks linked by suspension bridges?

Eberhard also noted that Switzerland is easy to travel to, thanks to its efficient transport. The country is safe and secure, the air and water clean. Switzerland is also where the world’s best hoteliers are trained, and its hotels and resorts are noted for their high quality facilities and service.

In a nutshell, Switzerland offers a premium experience in terms of nature, accommodation and hospitality.

“We believe that people are looking for unique experiences and we can cater for those needs,” said Eberhard.

As a result, Switzerland is constantly enhancing the destination and developing new products and services.

Moreover, the country pulls no punches in marketing itself as a coveted premium destination for MICE, especially for incentive trips.

There’s prestige attached to Switzerland, said Ivan Breiter, Switzerland Tourism’s director, South-east Asia. This partly explains why in Asia, South-east Asia is the biggest producer of incentive trips to the country.

“Employers and employees perceive Switzerland as very valuable,” Breiter explained.

Breiter also said MICE groups from Asia are getting larger and they are staying longer in Switzerland, which is currently being promoted mostly as a mono-destination. In 2015, Switzerland welcomed 2,200 pax from Amway Bangkok and more than 900 pax from AIA in Singapore.

The NTO has also doubled its MICE budget in Asia to complement the creation of the Switzerland Convention and Incentive Bureau (SCIB) two years ago.

SCIB in-charge Dominique Oi, who is based in Singapore, said Switzerland is “full of tradition and must-see destinations that can be revisited in innovative ways to create unique incentive programmes and allow participants to have an unforgettable experience”.

“There is always something new going on and worth a visit, like the newly-opened FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich and Chaplin’s World museum near Montreux, which opened on April 14,” said Oi.

Meanwhile, the Asia Trophy, Switzerland’s most important programme for MICE buyers from Asia, is going strong in its destination promotion efforts. It has raised awareness among Asian buyers of not just popular destinations like Davos, St Moritz, Gstaad, Jungfrau, Zurich, Geneva and Lucerne, but also of lesser-known ones like Ticino, St Gallen and Montreux.

Yen Thing, tours consultant of Kuala Lumpur-based Boustead Travel Services, opined that the demand for Switzerland is evergreen precisely because there are still many places yet to be explored by Asians.

At a time when clients are becoming more travel savvy and discerning, Switzerland has boundless potential for MICE, opined Feliz Gracielle Axalan, marketing executive of Manila-based Tradewings Tours and Travel.

Alps
Switzerland’s Alps are a main draw for visitors

{Insider}
Sara Rosso, president, Planhotel Hospitality Group

SaraRosso

Sara Rosso, president, Planhotel Hospitality Group suggests a few must-dos in the southernmost canton of Switzerland

Cruise down Lake Lugano

Enjoy the tranquility and sunshine while cruising on Lake Lugano. Be sure to visit quaint romantic villages along the lakeshore, and take walks along some of its scenic paths. For an amazing view over Ticino, take a funicular ride up Monte San Salvatore or Monte Brè.

Taste Ticino’s wine

Ticino is known internationally for its excellent merlot wines. Visit a variety of famous cellars and enjoy guided wine tastings at its source location. To enjoy the wine better, pair it with a delicious meal in a typical Swiss grotto (rustic Ticino-style inn or restaurant).

Stroll around the town of Lugano

The town of Lugano is a must visit, thanks to its diverse architecture, delicious food, ancient churches and stunning alpine panoramas. Also check out the Lugano Art and Culture Centre, a new centre dedicated to the visual, music and performing arts.

LakeLugano

{Spotlight}
A sunny slice of Mediterranean in Switzerland

Ticino ramps up its marketing efforts in Asia, confident that its varied MICE offerings will attract the small yet very promising oriental source markets.

While domestic MICE groups account for 90 per cent of the total meetings in Ticino, “we are also paying close attention to the foreign markets – including Asia – that are showing an increased interest in Switzerland,” said Elia Frapolli, director of Ticino Turismo.

“We believe in Asia’s growth potential”, said Frapolli.

Leisure arrivals and overnights from Asia to Ticino have been increasing. In 2015, arrivals rose 17.8 per cent while overnights increased by 13.8 per cent from a year ago. At the end of 2015, overnights generated by Asian markets were 50,037, representing 2.3 per cent of total overnights in Ticino.

Recently, Ticino Turismo collaborated with the Switzerland Convention and Incentive Bureau (SCIB) to host foreign meeting planners and journalists. The 60 meeting planners from all over Asia also competed in a race across Switzerland for an Asian Meeting Trophy.

“Through games and challenges, not only did they have fun, they also learnt more about Switzerland and the diverse meeting destinations available. We guided them for two days through the different venues and allowed them to experience Ticino,” said Frapolli.

“It was a good opportunity to meet the meeting planners in person and understand their needs and requirements in order to adapt our offerings to the market,” he added.

Home to Lugano, the third largest financial centre in the country, Ticino offers modern business and MICE facilities juxtaposed with breathtaking landscapes and scenery.

Ticino’s Italian heritage is fodder for unique gastronomy-based incentive ideas. Some examples include touring the raw ham maturation cellar of Alp Piora, baking various types of panettone, and visiting vineyards for wine tastings.

Other unique MICE venues include the Swiss Bunkers, Splash e Spa Tamaro waterpark and centuries-old castles. Technical visits to TV – Studios RSI, Swiss Air-Rescue Rega, METEOSwiss Weather Forecast Centre, and Institute for Research in Biomedicine can also be arranged.

TicinoVerzascaValley
Ticino is confident that it can lure more Asian MICE groups;
Ticino Verzasca Valley pictured

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{Insider} Sara Rosso, president, Planhotel Hospitality Group

{Spotlight} A sunny slice of Mediterranean in Switzerland

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{Spotlight}
Modern meeting venue where ancient chiefs once gathered

{Insider}
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{Spotlight}
Corralling underwater support

{Insider}
Sara Rosso, president, Planhotel Hospitality Group

{Spotlight}
A sunny slice of Mediterranean in Switzerland