Asia/Singapore Friday, 17th April 2026
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[INTELLIGENCE] APAC cities top of mind for Australian business travellers

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A STUDY by American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) has revealed that cities in Asia-Pacific remain high on the list for Australian business travellers, with the top four spots going to Singapore, Auckland, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

This highlights the significance of regional centres for Australian businesses.

London however, maintains its spot as the highest ranked destination outside of Asia-Pacific, followed by San Francisco and New York. Meanwhile, strong links between Australia’s technology sector and the Silicon Valley as well as improved airline connectivity appear to be driving an increase in business travel to San Francisco, which has overtaken New York as the top US business destination for Australians.

top_10_total_destinations_including_apac

In Asia-Pacific alone, Singapore, Auckland and Hong Kong remain unchanged as the top three business travel destinations, while Bangkok returns to the rankings after a year’s absence. This highlights a renewed confidence in the city following a brief period of political unrest, while China’s declining popularity could be linked to the country’s economic performance.

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“While we haven’t seen movement across our top three international destinations for Australian business travellers, we have noticed a decline in business travel to China over the past twelve months,” said Jo Sully, vice president and general manager, American Express GBT, Australia.

“Shanghai has fallen from sixth to tenth in the overall international rankings, and Beijing has dropped off the rankings entirely.”

“Despite recent reports that China has overtaken the US as the world’s largest business travel market, the Chinese travel market continues to be dominated by domestic travel. The decline in Australian business travel to China is likely to be heavily influenced by the slowdown in the Chinese economy and a wane in their demand for Australian resources.”

This data encompassed all air bookings made directly with GBT for Australia-based travellers between March 2015 to April 2016, and shows the top 10 most-booked destinations within the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Adelaide gets strong health, medical convention line-up with BioMed City developments

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ALTHOUGH only one of several developments within the Adelaide BioMed City Precinct has been completed – with the rest coming up over the next few years through to 2020 – the massive redevelopment along Adelaide’s Riverbank Precinct has drawn significant attention from health and medical associations worldwide. This has led to a line-up of 45 conventions that will take place between 2015 and 2016.

Damien Kitto, CEO of the Adelaide Convention Bureau, told TTGmice that a “large majority” of the wins were association gatherings and many of them were led by national associations.

Kitto attributed Adelaide’s recent success in health and medical events to the Adelaide BioMed City Precinct.

According to Marco Baccanti, chief executive of government agency Health Industries South Australia, the A$3.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) project is significant because it houses facilities that “combine the entire value chain, starting from academic research and scientific research at South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)” and will “bring about a combination of academic and clinical research, training, therapy for patients, and business activities”.

SAHMRI, which was the first facility to be completed in 2013, now houses 600 researchers from across the globe and these individuals “provide rich content to help us to bid and win related events”, explained Kitto.

Steve Wesselingh, executive director of SAHMRI, said the facility also helps to bring health and medical association conventions to Adelaide by offering to secure high-level speakers for the programme, organising site visits for the delegation, drawing national and international attendees to the convention, and writing letters of support to the international organising committee that extol the scientific strengths of its departments.

Last week, Adelaide Convention Bureau held its second Adelaide BioMed City Showcase, to raise awareness of the ongoing Adelaide BioMed City Precinct development and the transformation of the Riverbank Precinct, and how high-level state support is available for associations keen on taking an event to the South Australian state capital.

Kitto revealed that 70 medical experts had attended the event – double that of the inaugural showcase in April 2015 – and these participants were “associated with over 100 event possibilities for Adelaide and 90 per cent of those are international gatherings”.

The current calendar of 45 health and medical association conventions will draw some 16,000 delegates to the city and is forecasted to generate A$59 million in economic benefit.

Parkroyal Darling Habour unveils winter meeting deals

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PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney is running a promotion for first-time bookings of events held before July 31.

Featuring seven flexible meeting and event spaces with audiovisual equipment, the 340-room hotel now offers the Sunday and Monday Day Delegate Package at a discounted rate of only A$75 (US$55.8) per person.

The day-time package includes a sit-down buffet lunch, room hire, stationery and an onsite paging system linking delegates directly to the conference concierge. Half-day packages are also available.

Delegates will also receive complimentary Wi-Fi for the meeting; two complimentary valet parking spots for the duration of the event; and a discounted conference accommodation rate of only A$200 per night including breakfast.

And for two-day conferences for 30 delegates and more, planners can enjoy a rate of only A$85 per person.

With minimum stay of two nights, planners can choose one additional perk with a Day Meeting or two with a Residential Conference.

Perks include an additional food item at morning and afternoon tea; half-hour drinks package to use during the conference; one complimentary attendance with every 20 paying delegates booked (maximum three per day); or complimentary data projector.

Contact events.prsyd@parkroyalhotels.com or (61) 2 9260 3082.

Lounge and swim for a song

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PARKROYAMelbourneAirport
Travellers arriving exhausted in Melbourne can now have a quick recharge at Parkroyal Melbourne Airport which has rolled out a swim and lounge package for only A$15 (US$11).

The package allows hotel guests and visitors alike to relax and rejuvenate in the hotel’s heated pool, whirlpool bath, sauna, steam room and bathrooms which come with complimentary amenities, and refuel at AIRO Restaurant & Bar where Express meal options are available.

Travellers who desire a private space to unwind have the option of booking a standard room for three hours at A$85, five hours at A$105 and eight hours at A$130 between 07.00 and 19.00 daily.

Thai seaside destination welcomes SO Sofitel

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The luxurious SO Sofitel Hua Hin has opened in what used to be the Thai royal family’s favourite summer retreat, bringing with it 77 guestrooms including six pool villas, a collection of innovative F&B outlets like White Oven Thai restaurant and HI-SO rooftop bar, the Zen Ballroom for 130 guests in a banquet setting, a 12-seat Bliss boardroom, a gym, a spa and two pools.

Located a 150-minute drive from Bangkok, the resort also boasts private access to Cha-am beach.

Design-wise, SO Sofitel Hua Hin bears the signatures of fashion designer Polpat Asavaprapha, award-winning Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag and renowned interior designer Donatien Carratier.

SOSofitelHuaHin

Gee, what a lot of new creative spaces!

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Pullman Bangkok Hotel G has completed renovations to its event spaces and selected guestrooms, and now boasts several creative and designer spaces that promise to evoke inspiration and enhance creative thinking during meetings.

Event venues on offer now include The Retreat, a collection of three contemporary meeting rooms that are spacious and lit with natural daylight; The Library, a collection of four meeting rooms that are designed to resemble an architect’s studio, offering lounge areas with modern soft furnishings; The Gallery, a collection of four Art Deco-styled meeting rooms that can be combined to become a New York style art gallery, complete with art pieces and modern minimalist décor; and Ballroom 38, the hotel’s grand ballroom which can accommodate 350 guests.

The hotel is able to support residental meetings with its inventory of 469 guestrooms, all with designer amenities and city views.

PullmanHotelG

Oakwood swings into Brisbane with first property

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Oakwood Asia Pacific has opened the 162-unit Oakwood Apartments Brisbane, the very first Oakwood-branded property in Australia.

The property is located between Brisbane’s CBD and Fortitude Valley, and is walking distance from many retail and F&B options in the city.

Facilities include a tennis court, outdoor pool and spa, sauna, gymnasium, as well as Alto Restaurant and Bar which opens daily for breakfast and dinner.

Four conference rooms are also available and can accommodate up to 220 guests.

Fraser brings its Mercedes-Benz Living treatment to Singapore

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Mercedes-Benz Living@Fraser has been launched at the Capri by Fraser Changi City Singapore.

Nine terrace suites at the property have been given the Mercedes-Benz-focused design treatment, including S-Class gray-silver leather accents throughout the apartment, bed lighting inspired by signature Mercedes-Benz headlamps and a chandelier made out of Swarovski crystals.

Guests of the Mercedes-Benz suites are also entitled to services such as chauffer-driven airport pick-up in a Mercedes-Benz S or E class, special access to an AMG Simulator as well as exclusive use of the Mercedes-Benz Trek bicycles to explore Singapore’s East Coast.

Located in Changi Business Park within walking distance to Singapore EXPO, the property is part of a mixed-use development comprising offices, a shopping mall and a variety of dining, retail and entertainment options.

The suites are now open for stay at rates from S$400 (US$296.50) per night.
FraserCapri

Uno Mas

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Hotspot
Xinyi Liang-Pholensa
discovers organic, sustainable eats at this restaurant high above the city of Bangkok

Location

The 54th floor of Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, right in the heart of Bangkok’s downtown at the Ratchaprasong Junction.

Ambience

A terrific tapas bar and restaurant perched on the 54th floor of Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, the venue has its feet firmly planted in the Thai capital’s pulsating downtown and its heart in the Iberian Peninsula.

Decked in hues of teal and terracotta, Uno Mas boasts a rustic yet elegant vibe with Moorish-influences, glazed floor, arches and exposed wooden ceiling beams.

The restaurant has three zones: the 42-seat Wine Cellar, the 60-seat Tapas & Raw Bar, and the 78-seat Dining Deck. The Wine Cellar has tables and lounge seats overlooking the glass cellar centrepiece, while the Tapas & Raw Bar features a huge display of fresh oysters and seafood, an open bar and communal tables.

At the Dining Deck, patrons can mingle in the semi-alfresco space over feisty cavas and scrumptious tapas while observing the signature Cochinillo suckling pig roasting over the fire pit and Josper oven. Furthermore, the chest-high glass walls wrapping the restaurant allow guests to move close to the edge for views of a setting sun over the sprawling city. 

Menu

Led by Catalonia-born chef de cuisine and restaurant manager Joan Tanya Dot, Uno Mas specialises in Iberian-Mediterranean food, ranging from pièces de résistance like the 36-month-cured Jamon iberico ham to non-Spanish interpretations such as live Boston lobster tail sashimis.

Tapas plates hit our table minutes after our order: wild porcini mushroom croquettes, fried baby squid with aioli and lemon, and Wagyu beef and pluma pork meatballs. For main courses, we opted for fideua (angel hair prepared like paella) crowned with squid and langoustines and snowfish with Jerusalem artichokes and Joselito ham. The warm churros with Valrhona chocolate sauce rounded up our meal on a sweet note.

Uno Mas also shares a two-storey, 2,000-bottle transparent wine cellar with the famed Red Sky rooftop bar. An outstanding selection of 36 Spanish wines are available. Priced from 170 baht (US$5), drinks here are definitely a steal, considering the venue’s sky-high location in a upscale hotel setting.

Service

The crowds were visibly thinner when I visited on a Wednesday, a public holiday, allowing the staff to pay even more intimate attention to diners. I had wanted to catch the sunset but arrived too early, so the thoughtful receptionist suggested I enjoy a bubbly in the air-conditioned comfort of the Wine Cellar before proceeding to the Tapas & Raw Bar for dinner.

Verdict

No matter where one is seated, sublime tapas – and views – are guaranteed at Uno Mas.

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Contacts
Address: 999/99 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok
Tel: (66) 2 100 6255
Email: diningcgcw@chr.co.th
Website: www.unomasbangkok.com

Opening hours
16.00 to 01.00 for Wine Cellar and Tapas & Raw Bar; 18.00 to 01.00 for Dining Deck

KidZania doors fly wide open for corporates

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KidzaniaAirport
The new KidZania Singapore edutainment theme park on Sentosa island is now welcoming corporate clients, touting its ability to support venue buyouts for a wide range of events.

Located on Palawan Beach, the air-conditioned attraction offers 60 role-playing activities in a kid-sized city.

Leong Yue Weng, KidZania Singapore’s general manager, said: “Demand for unique venues in Singapore have been consistently high, especially given Singapore’s small geographical land area. Home to many global and regional headquarters, Singapore is favoured as a MICE destination. KidZania Singapore is perfectly positioned to leverage on this demand, and is able to offer a unique event space by delivering an entire city instead of a venue.”

Since its opening in mid-April, the attraction has received “overwhelming” interest from event planners looking to hold “a range of events, including corporate staff retreats and dinner-and-dance”, revealed Leong.

Leong opined that the attraction is also suitable for family days, product launches and cocktail receptions.

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