Sunway Hotels & Resorts has appointed Silva Sunway Putra Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s senior general manager. Prior to this, Silva was head of asset management and fund manager for Ascendas Hospitality Trust, based in Sydney.
Alex Cabañas
The International Association of Conference Centres has elected Cabañas global president. Cabañas, who is CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International, will serve a two-year term as head of the association, which has over 350 conference and meeting venue members in 22 countries worldwide.
Positive winds of change
Both the public and private sectors are taking steps to raise the profile of MICE in the Philippines, writes Rosa Ocampo
The underperforming Philippine MICE sector is making up for lost ground through a more vigorous private-public collaboration, infrastructure renaissance and better air access.
Heeding the call of the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), more private companies and associations are going out of their way to bid for and bring international events into the country.
Several months ago, the Philippine Council for the Advancement of Association Executives (PCAAE) assembled a group of ambassadors from over 70 national associations to bid for and win international events.
“We too can help in this effort. Inbound MICE will dramatically increase now and in the future as the country continues to get positive economic and political reviews internationally,” explained PCAAE president and CEO Octavio Peralta.
For its second year in 2016, the B2B Asia Premium Travel Mart (APTM) will include not just buyers and sellers for luxury properties but MICE specialists as well, said Edwin Villanueva, director of APTM organiser S8 Exhibition.
He noted rosy prospects for MICE as the Philippines already has an extensive list of upmarket hotels and events venues that are supported by highly trained and service-oriented hospitality staff.
Indeed, private sector confidence reflects developments in recent years that bode well for MICE.
Firstly, the shortage of hotels and resorts is being eased by international brands that continue to make a beeline not just for Metro Manila, but also elsewhere in the Philippines. In the pipeline are Okura, Mandarin Oriental, Conrad, Westin, Hilton, Sheraton and more Marriott, Movenpick, Dusit Thani and Accor properties.
Secondly, convention centres are being built where there were none, in Cebu City, Iloilo and Bohol, apart from new ones in Davao and Bacolod. Another convention centre is also being planned for the Makati CBD in Metro Manila.
While air traffic congestion at the single runway of Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport remains a major hurdle, its Terminal 1 has been spruced up, while Terminal 3 is now open to foreign airlines.
Airports in secondary destinations are also being upgraded, paving the way for increased direct flights from abroad. Mactan-Cebu International Airport will have a second terminal by 2018. Puerto Princesa International Airport is undergoing expansion while the gateway to Boracay, Caticlan Airport, is being expanded to accommodate wider-bodied aircraft.
The Philippines’ accessibility has improved substantially this year as more airlines opened routes to Manila and increased flight frequencies to secondary gateways. Carriers now flying to Manila include Turkish Airlines from Istanbul, Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa and Garuda Indonesia from Jakarta. Flag carrier Philippine Airlines now flies to New York, Australia and New Zealand and together with Cebu Pacific, the carriers have opened routes to several points in China and the Middle East. There also are more non-stop flights from Asia to Cebu, Davao, Kalibo, Palawan, Clark and Iloilo.
MICE prospects are sanguine this year, the year of Visit Philippines 2015, and the debut of MICE brand Fun Works, said TPB COO Domingo Enerio III.
The country is playing host to over 150 meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), culminating in the November summit. APEC is expected to bring in 25,000 international delegates and over 4,000 media personnel.
Other high profile events this year include the Madrid Fusion Manila, the 17th Asia Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition,
and the 70th anniversary commemoration of the end of World War II hostilities.
“These (events) give us the opportunity to put our best foot forward,” enthused Enerio III.
{Insider}
Farid Schoucair, general manager of New World Makati Hotel, suggests what visitors can do in Manila
Rise and shine
Pick your side of the Makati CBD on weekend mornings, and inhale the vibe of the Salcedo and Legazpi markets. Explore and discover the fresh, the organic and the artisanal.
Retail reinvented
Explore, browse and pick up great finds at the Greenbelt Lifestyle Center. The premier lifestyle complex is home to international luxury brands, fine local boutiques, a museum and a heritage library.
Holes in the walls
The local gastronomic scene has expanded to compete for a share of the palate with the authentic, the fusion or the deconstructed. In the same token of authenticity, speakeasy bars have sprouted in hidden corners with a fine collection of premium blends.
Hit the streets
Ride in the iconic Philippine jeepney or the calesa at the historic walled city of Intramuros. Better yet, join the famous walking tours through Spanish colonial churches, museums and other landmarks.
{Spotlight}
For the grandest of business events
Inaugurated in July, the Marriott Grand Ballroom (MGB) in Marriott Hotel Manila is described in superlatives. It is the Marriott group’s biggest convention and exhibition space outside the US; the biggest ballroom in the Philippines. MGB is also the most modern, the grandest; and the most sophisticated in terms of technology. Its location is also extremely convenient, sited just a stone’s throw away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
MGB is huge and boasts 8,000m2 of space for more than 4,000 people in cocktail-style. Its column-free main ballroom and 28 other meeting spaces – including six VIP sky boxes – are flexible, allowing more creativity when handling events, accommodating different MICE group sizes, and holding exhibitions, concerts and performances.
MGB boasts the latest in meeting technology such as SkyFold (automatic vertical folding partitions set from the ceiling); 176 programmable ceiling lights that change to 360 colours; and an adjustable ceiling height. Furthermore, the three restaurants on-site eliminate the need for outside caterers.
There are also booking tools and meeting services apps that can help to connect meeting planners and MGB in real time, any time. For example, on an event day itself, the meeting services app allows meeting planners to manage events without moving from their seat.
For event attendees who meet and stay under Marriott’s roof, they can make use of the mobile check-in, which enables guests to check-in and check-out at their own convenience. The hotel has an existing inventory of 342 rooms, and it is building another 228 luxury rooms, which will be available next year.
{Talking Numbers}
Soak up the sunshine
The weakened rouble has sparked a tourist exodus from one of Vietnam’s popular beach resort areas. Tourism operators are now looking towards MICE to pick up the slack. Dave Fox reports
Along stretch of beach, drier weather than most of the country and sand dunes that offer unconventional teambuilding opportunities are among the draws that have tour operators and resort managers promoting two neighbouring towns on Vietnam’s South China Sea coast as new MICE hotspots.
Located 190km north-east of Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne and Phan Thiet were once sleepy fishing villages with virtually no tourists. Then in 1995, Mui Ne was found to be the ideal viewing area for a total solar eclipse. Throngs of eclipse-watchers flocked to the area and discovered a 10km-long stretch of idyllic sandy coastline.
A resort town emerged, becoming especially popular among Russian tourists. But with Russia’s economic downturn, tourism has dwindled in the past year.
Tour operators, locally and in Ho Chi Minh City, are now attempting to reposition the area as a viable option for small- to mid-sized conferences.
The big attraction, said Robert Tan, director of business development for Lac Hong Voyages, is the nature. Tan recommends conference organisers consider two urban days in Ho Chi Minh City, coupled with two days by the sea.
“Phan Thiet is still a natural environment, and also a place for incentives and activities, indoor and outdoor,” Tan said.
Nikolaos Chatzipetros, general manager of Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa, said meetings in their sea-view conference rooms create a refreshing vibe.
“From the moment you sit down,” he said, “you see water.”
The Anantara is Mui Ne’s largest conference facility, Chatzipetros said. Its ballroom can hold 210 visitors in a theatre-style seating, or 90 in a classroom set-up.
This size limitation is one of Mui Ne’s challenges for MICE events, Tan said. The area has no other facilities to support larger gatherings.
Some have also questioned the logistics of getting there.
Speaking earlier this month in Ho Chi Minh City at a forum on Vietnam’s MICE industry, Herb Cochran, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, said: “The development of the industry has been far behind the potential.”
Asked specifically about Mui Ne, Cochran told TTGmice: “In my personal opinion, there is inadequate transport infrastructure and quality accommodations for Mui Ne or Phan Thiet to develop a MICE industry.”
Chatzipetros disagreed. He said while road conditions were an issue in the past, they have improved considerably. He estimated travel time between Ho Chi Minh City and Mui Ne is about 3.5 hours, though when TTGmice visited, heavy traffic stretched the journey to five hours.
The train, which takes less than four hours, is another option. With enough lead time, Tan and Chatzipetros said, it can accommodate large groups.
Tan acknowledged that Mui Ne and Phan Thiet face logistical challenges in expanding their MICE infrastructure. For small to mid-sized conferences, however, he said he believes it’s worth the journey.
With a new airport scheduled to open in 2018, these two towns, untouched by tourism two decades ago, are striving to diversify and become new players in Vietnam’s young MICE industry.
{Insider}
Jonathan Tran, executive director of Lac Hong Voyages, recommends some teambuilding fun
Be a fisherman
Phan Thiet’s original fishing village still retains its authenticity in spite of nearby tourism development. Groups can spend a morning learning about the traditional lifestyle of local fishermen, try their hand at rowing the tricky-to-manoeuvre, basket-like fishing boats that are unique to the area, and see who can catch the most fish.
Frolic in the dunes
The area’s famous red and white sand dunes offer fun teambuilding challenges. Teams can compete in sand-sledding competitions as they zoom down hills of sand on plastic sheets. For a motorised adventure, they can hire all-terrain vehicles and race across the dunes. Plan to get dirty here; no business attire, please!
Hit the beach
After a long day of meetings or activities, a refreshing stretch of sandy beach awaits. Nearby dunes create a microclimate that keeps Mui Ne drier than nearby areas. When the winds pick up, particularly between November and March, it is thrilling to watch the kitesurfers fly above the waves. Why not take a class and join them?
{Talking Numbers}
SACEOS appoints a new CEO
THE Singapore Association of Conventions and Exhibitions Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) has appointed Tan Guan Heng to its newly created CEO position.
Tan joins the association with more than 20 years of experience in events and training. He has held leadership roles in Terrapinn, ZDNet and CityNeon (Concepts), and was most recently director (Asia Pacific) at the International Council of Shopping Centers where he spent a decade developing and implementing professional training programmes for the association’s members in the region.
He takes over the helm of SACEOS from executive director Lilian Kuan, who was previously seconded from Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 2013. Kuan will be returning to STB in January 2016.
Annual hospitality and food fair will head to Phuket next month
FOLLOWING a successful first show in Khon Kaen last year, organiser Expolink Global Network has expanded the FOOD and HOTELEX 2015 to two more locations in Thailand in 2015, with Phuket ready to host the next edition from November 19 to 22 at the Royal Phuket Marina.
Focusing on hospitality and food, the show is said to be the largest of its kind in Southern Thailand. The organiser aims to showcase Phuket’s status as a hub of the hospitality and food industry, and has joined hands with the government, the private sector and the local business community to achieve that.
Phusit Sasitaranondha, managing director of Expolink Global Network, said: “Phuket has a strong tourism economy and is a world-class destination. It has more than 500 hotels and resorts and a well developed infrastructure. This, together with an international airport that connects to many countries around the world, makes Phuket a key hub for the hospitality and food industry in the region.
“FOOD and HOTELEX 2015 will take place over four days and we expect more than 3,000 visitors and to generate 120 million baht (US$3.4 million) in business for the industry.”
More than 60 leading companies from Thailand’s hospitality and food industry are expected to exhibit at the event. Besides Phuket, the event was also held in Suratthani from July 2 to 5 and Khon Kaen from September 17 to 20.
Air Canada’s direct New Delhi service to aid incentive traffic
INDIA-BOUND incentive movement from Canada is expected to get boost from Air Canada’s new direct service to New Delhi from November 2.
The four weekly service from Toronto will be served by Boeing 787-9 series aircraft, offering three cabin options and the airline’s next generation lie-flat seat in international business class.
Flights are timed for convenient connections both within Air Canada’s North American network and in India on its Star Alliance partner Air India to cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.
Jennifer Glynn, managing partner of Canada based Meeting Encore, welcome the new link. She said: “At present the traffic from Canada to India is mainly corporate with little incentive travel. One of the prime reasons that has turned incentive groups away from India is the long flight. This new direct connection will reduce travelling time to about 14 hours, and we can promote India for incentive travel.”
Amaresh Tiwari, managing director, Seasons & Vacations Travels, added: “As of now not much Canadian incentive travel is happening in India, although we have been attracting conference delegates in fields like agriculture. With Air Canada’s direct flights we expect that the incentive market to flourish.”
SITE adds Jordon chapter, looks to grow representation in Asia
THE 30th SITE chapter will soon open in Jordon as part of the association’s efforts to boost global membership.
Rajeev Kohli, SITE’s president-elect, told TTGmice e-Weekly that membership in Jordon is now 30-head strong, and a president will be elected once the chapter is formed in the next few weeks.
“Jordon has been receiving incentive groups from across the world. The SITE chapter in Jordon will help us to attract even more business,” commented Ghada I Najjar, managing director of Jordon based Karma House Travel.
After the UAE, the Jordon chapter will be SITE’s second presence in the Middle East.
Kohli noted that the profile of SITE members is evolving. “We used to see half of the membership from the Americas and the rest from other parts of the world. But this is changing and SITE sees a great opportunity in reaching out to different parts of the world.”
He expressed interest in doubling SITE’s Asian membership by the end of 2016 through the establishment of chapters in markets like Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand.
“We have only 120 members in Asia, 80 per cent of which are in China and India,” he remarked.
Indian incentive players look beyond Europe for business
THE softening European economies and resulting dip in incentive business from the region are forcing Indian incentive houses to turn their attention to other source markets.
Incentive specialists who spoke to TTGmice e-Weekly at last week’s SITE Global Conference 2015 revealed that average spend had also declined.
“Europe has been a major source of incentives to India for the last few years but the number of such events has gone down and the average group spend has fallen 10 to 20 per cent. So that’s why we are trying now to open new markets like the US (and Australia),” said Anup Nair, managing director of Incentive Destinations.
Several Indian DMC opined that it is important for new markets to be sought especially since the inbound incentive market for the country is relatively small, with about 40 to 50 groups annually.
“Inbound incentive volume isn’t high and the market has not grown the way we wanted,” said Amaresh Tiwari, managing director of Seasons & Vacations, adding that Latin American markets are now on his radar.
Indian incentive specialists are hopeful that New Delhi’s hosting of the SITE Global Conference 2015 will help draw global attention to India and kick-start business growth.
“The conference is going to be a big advantage for India. The US economy is improving (and US) participation at the event made up about half of the total attendance. We are looking at this conference to open up more avenues for the incentive business into India,” commented Nair.
Kadambini Mittal, regional director, global sales, India & Subcontinent of Marriott Hotels India, agrees. “Domestic market has been a major source of incentive business for us, but we expect the conference to increase our international business,” she said.
Tiwari expects India to benefit from a 20 per cent growth in inbound incentives next year as a result of global exposure through the conference.
Angsana Xi’an Lintong demonstrates MICE capability through public events
THE year-old Angsana Xi’an Lintong hotel has conducted several public events, from symphony concerts to festival celebrations, to raise its profile and showcase its event capability to MICE planners.
Since its opening in October 2014, the 400-key luxury hotel in the Lintong district of Xi’an has hosted a poolside Valentine’s Day party, a Mid-Autumn celebration that saw 80 hotel guests releasing sky lanterns in the courtyard, and a symphony orchestra concert for 300 hotel guests – also in the courtyard – in celebration of China’s National Day.
The events were marketed as a room and/or dinner package.
Angsana Xi’an Lintong’s general manager, Jerry Mong, told TTGmice that the events were an effective way of demonstrating the hotel’s MICE ability.
“Our hotel sits on a large piece of land and has many beautiful open spaces, such as the courtyard. Our internal events utilise these spaces and they show the variety of activities that can be done here,” said Mong, adding that the events were captured on film which are used as part of the hotel’s marketing activities.
Besides a ballroom for up to 800 guests and seven meeting rooms with spacious foyers, Angsana Xi’an Lintong also offers several outdoor venues such as landscaped gardens, indoor and outdoor pool decks, and a courtyard that can accommodate up to 1,000 pax for welcome receptions, gala dinners and teambuilding games.
The hotel, whose architecture and layout are a modern interpretation of a Tang Dynasty court, was also the venue of the 2015 Banyan Tree General Manager Operation Review, an event in July that was attended by 200 general managers and directors of sales and marketing from the company’s properties worldwide. The delegation was welcomed by a royal procession that recalled the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty’s heyday, executed by 200 actors dressed in ancient garb and armed with elaborate props.
“We planned that opening ceremony on our own, and it is proof that the hotel can facilitate strong welcome receptions for our clients,” Mong remarked.
To celebrate the hotel’s first anniversary, a Halloween party has been planned for 300 hotel guests, trade partners and the media on October 31. It will be held at the soon-to-open Angsana Hot Spring Xi’an Lintong which sits next to the hotel. The two-storey complex features an indoor pool, 25 outdoor hot springs and private cabanas, among other facilities.
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