AFTER three years of construction, the 40,000m² Suzhou Jinji Lake International Convention Center officially opened on March 18. The opening ceremony took place concurrently with the 2016 China (Suzhou) Convention and Exhibition Industry Fair.

This is the third facility to be built as part of the larger Suzhou International Expo Center. The convention centre offers 60 types of meeting and convention spaces, with the capability of dividing and combining the spaces as required. There is also the 8,000m² pillarless banquet hall, the largest of its kind in Asia.

As well, a four-star conference hotel directly connected to the Suzhou International Expo Centre, the 307-room Novotel Suzhou SIP, has also opened.

KLCC staff showcasing the new equipment

THE Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) became the first facility in Malaysia to install the 6500 ANSI Lumens laser technology projector as part of a 3.1 million ringgit (US$765 thousand) investment to upgrade the audiovisual capabilities of all its 21 meeting rooms.

The first phase was recently completed, involving 10 meeting rooms on level four where the centre’s short-lead bookings and just-in-time meetings facilities are housed. The second phase includes 11 meeting rooms on level three and will be completed by end-2016.

Its general manager, Alan Pryor, said: “As technology becomes an even bigger component of any world-class convention facility in today’s increasingly technology-driven world, the latest AV upgrades will enhance our clients’ overall meeting experience.

“The six new digital ceiling speakers in each room facilitates clearer projection of voice and sound, while the installation of the 6500 ANSI Lumens laser technology projector produces outstanding and clear high-definition images.”

KLCC had also recently undergone a 1.8 million ringgit upgrade with the installation of 190 new digital speakers and digital audio processors at its Plenary Theatre, Plenary Hall, Conference Halls 1, 2 and 3, Banquet Hall and Ballrooms 1 and 2. All audio processors in the Exhibition Halls have also transitioned to digital.

THE Malaysian government’s introduction of ENTRI (electronic travel registration and information) earlier this month to boost Chinese tourist arrivals to Malaysia has been found ineffective in attracting business events from China.

ENTRI allows visitors from China visa-free entry for stays of not more than 15 days. However, the process has proven cumbersome, and is the latest sore point for Malaysian agents after a string of failed initiatives by the government to ease visa restrictions.

Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel assistant manager, business development, Roger Yin, said that the ease of obtaining visa is an important consideration for MICE organisers when choosing a destination.

But ENTRI is not user-friendly for outbound travel agents in China who are attempting to bring groups to Malaysia, according to Mint Leong, secretary general of the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA).

She elaborated: “Agents can only key in the details of up to five applications per unique ID. Imagine the manpower and time needed if there is a group of 600 delegates.”

Leong added that MITA had already written to the Malaysian government on March 14 to have the system rectified, as well as to lengthen ENTRI beyond its December 31 end date, as business events from China usually take six months or more to materialise.

John Chan, business development director, Kris International Traveltours, said: “It is cumbersome as it does not allow smooth processing for big groups. The shortcomings have to be resolved quickly in order not to stifle the enthusiasm of incentive houses and meeting planners who have placed Malaysia as one of the key destinations this year.

“If this is left unresolved, Malaysia will lose its attractiveness as a destination to competing neighbours,” added Chan.

BLEISURE has truly taken off in Asia. An October 2015 survey of 2,500 Asian business travelers by the Singapore Tourism Board showed that more than half consider travel to be a perk of their jobs, and almost the same number – some 48 per cent – want to build weekends or extra nights into their work-travel itineraries purely for leisure purposes.

For some it’s even more than that. Business travel is a lifestyle choice; a way of seeing the world without incurring substantial personal expense. These business travelers routinely take advantage of company-paid flights to explore a new city, tap into local culture, or simply to relax and unwind before or after business commitments. HRS data show the impact of this trend. Average stays are increasing in length, especially in key global cities such as Tokyo, London, and New York.

This is good news for the business travel industry, and also for companies – since having happier and more rested employees should lead to better business performance. However this trend also challenges all stakeholders to become ever more traveller-centric and really respond to the emerging needs and priorities of executives on the road.

When mixing business and leisure, travellers want to stay in the best locations, for the right price, with flexibility and convenience as standard. To meet these needs, HRS offers negotiated rates on more than 40,000 properties, a cancellation policy that allows travellers to change their plans up to the night before arrival, and a simple-to-use mobile app that works on all platforms. We expect that in 2016, mobile will account for a third of all HRS bookings.

In addition to having happier and more engaged employees, encouraging bleisure travel can lead to cost savings for companies. Travel managers are in a better position to negotiate with hotels if they can demonstrate a higher take-up of their corporate nightly rate. This, however, depends on having the relevant data, and makes it even more important that bookings go through the authorised channels.

The trend towards longer average stays is also advantageous for hotel groups, which are continuing to sharpen their focus on attracting the business-leisure traveler. This includes tailoring loyalty schemes, providing spa, dinner, or events packages, or simply creating an environment that encourages hotel guests to relax and socialise. Ensuring that business travelers enjoy their stay and become rapidly connected to the best of what the city has to offer is key to hotels’ ongoing competitiveness.

In today’s digital age, there is increasingly little separation between our personal and working lives. We’re looking to seamlessly blend social interaction and personal interests with a demanding 24/7 business environment. Against this backdrop, it seems that bleisure as a lifestyle choice can only continue to become more prevalent.

This is a positive development for corporates and the business travel industry, but also one that requires us to deeply understand and respond to emerging traveller priorities. If we don’t provide the right tools, options, and price points, our savvy customers can easily find their needs met elsewhere.

Todd Arthur is the managing director, Asia-Pacific of Hotel Reservation Service (HRS). HRS is a global hotel solutions provider and serves more than 40,000 corporate customers worldwide through its inventory of more than 300,000 hotels in 190 countries.

Todd Arthur’s core responsibilities include setting the business direction, driving organic growth with new and existing customers across Asia-Pacific markets, establishing strategic partnerships and talent development.

Article by Todd Author

THE Pavilion, an outdoor event space that can accommodate up to 100 guests cocktail-style, recently opened on March 1 on the grounds of The Vines Resort & Country Club in Perth’s Swan Valley area.

Three sides of the covered structure open out into the grounds, featuring views of the manicured gardens, koi ponds, and distant vistas across the golf course.

The Pavilion joins the resort’s list of function spaces that include The Barrett Lennard Room, The Boardroom, Samuel Copley and Cabernet.

Other on-site facilities include a golf course, the Keshi Day Spa and Muscat’s Restaurant, among many other F&B options.