Sporting ambitions on track

September 5, 2014

The Gold Coast offers an alluring backdrop for corporate meetings and teambuilding activities

The Gold Goast is a strong contender for sports-related meetings and events, backed by its diverse attractions and new facilities. By Paige Lee Pei Qi

The sporting appeal of Gold Coast is set to grow a notch higher as the city welcomes the newly upgraded Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, which just hosted the biggest Pan Pacific Championships in Australian swimming history in August and will be one of the official venues for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

These two international events will give a “significant boost” to Gold Coast’s branding as a sports and recreation destination, according to Anna Case, director of business events, Gold Coast Tourism.

This “active reputation” will enable the destination to “court sports-related industries to host sports science and sports medicine meetings and conferences”, she said.

Opening in September following an A$14 million (US$13 million) redevelopment, the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre features not only state-of-the-art, international-standard competition facilities, but is also capable of hosting meetings in its multi-purpose spaces for up to 80 pax. Located along the Gold Coast Broadwater in Southport, the outdoor podium areas also provide a waterside venue for larger functions and events.

The centre will pave new opportunities for teambuilding activities with over-water views of the Gold Coast skyline, and the NTO is already linking up with corporations and conference organisers to develop a fresh range of teambuilding activities.

She said: “With so many sporting heroes and athletes residing on the Gold Coast, we see this as an opportunity to incorporate their expertise, motivational and inspirational stories, and successes to engage with the corporates.

“Several former Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalists currently host teambuilding activities within their sporting field,” she elaborated.

An example is five-time Olympian Natalie Cook, who conducts motivational, leadership and teambuilding workshops as well as personal play and coach volleyball sessions to corporate clients, according to Case.

Talan Miller, managing director of Sabre Corporate Development, believes that the Gold Coast’s well-reputed image as Australia’s holiday and business tourism playground offers a “terrific backdrop for any tailored teambuilding experience”.

“The Gold Coast can easily offer diverse environments of beaches, city, rainforest, theme parks and luxury resorts all within a 30-minute travel radius,” said Miller. “This gives us unequalled scope for great events that incorporate different environments and locations, and it is also a very safe destination.”

Sharing similar sentiments, Byron Kurth, managing director at Managing Australian Destinations (MAD), said: “Gold Coast has a unique blend of urban and city experience, coupled with water and bush. And given the climate in the Gold Coast, we rarely need to change plans to suit the weather.”

In tandem with the destination’s rising sports stature, sports-based activities can be incorporated into teambuilding activities to increase the fun factor, industry players advocated.

One of the sports-based activities Sabre offers is Beach Olympics, which immerses groups in Olympic-theme action with beach team activities and dress up to represent different countries, complete with opening and awards ceremonies, according to Miller.

Another top favourite he recommends is Strike Force, in which a commando raid interrupts a meeting and troops issue uniforms, dog tags and special equipment. The military theme then becomes a fun and dynamic medium for team missions, imparting key messages to ensure a memorable event on the battlefield.

Alternatively, MAD’s Kurth suggests Yachting Regatta, where participants get to race on luxury yachts and world champion yachtsmen can be invited aboard to share their skills to enhance the regatta experience.

For sporty activities but with less adrenaline rush, companies can opt for lawn bowling, which enables executives to wind down after a serious day of conferencing, Kurth recommended.

Ideas

Out and about in Queensland in two days

Delegates take to the sea for corporate outings

Day 1
Begin the morning in style and zip freely down the roads of Gold Coast on a Harley Davidson, heading towards Surfers Paradise for breakfast with the dolphins at SeaWorld. The dolphin encounter also allows guests to touch and feed bottlenose dolphins and learn hand signals to communicate with them. Spend the rest of the morning at this marine animal park filled with attractions and rides for all ages.

At noon, indulge in a sumptuous buffet of local seafood and international delicacies at Four Winds 360°, alongside panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the hinterland at Queensland’s only revolving restaurant. After lunch, take a helicopter out to South Stradbroke Island. At this exclusive island getaway, guests can enjoy a diverse range of activities including speedboat rides, paraflying, seaplane rides and four-wheel drive tours.

Wind down with a sunset dinner cruise back to the Gold Coast, savouring views of the beautiful ocean over champagne aboard a comfortable sailing boat.

Day 2
Rise and shine early, and take off at dawn on hot air balloons to float over picturesque landscapes on a 60-minute ride. Following which, indulge in a delicious breakfast with refreshing champagne at a secluded vineyard.

A revitalising break away from the city awaits in the afternoon. A hinterland tour will take guests to visit tumbling waterfalls, verdant rainforests and stunning lookout points in the South East Queensland region.

Come evening, head to Harbour Town Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast, where guests can shop at brand outlets and specialty stores offering goods at discounted prices.
Mark the end of the day in true Aussie style. Enjoy a unique dinner-and-show experience filled with outback music, drama and action with over 40 stock horses and a three-course Australian BBQ dinner.

Credits: Gold Coast Tourism

Sleeping in the wilderness

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, near Dubbo in New South Wales, has launched 10 new luxury African-inspired lodges at Zoofari Lodge. The new safari lodges feature African-inspired décor, king-size beds, double bath and private decks right on the edge of the zoo’s African Savannah, enabling guests to see giraffes, elephants and zebras roaming from the comfort of their own lodges.

Cooking with Masterchef Julie Goodwin

Learn to cook up a storm with Australia’s first MasterChef winner Julie Goodwin, who has established her very own cooking school, Julie’s Place. Located in Gosford, Central Coast, the school features a selection of cooking classes hosted by Julie and her team.

A wide array of culinary skills at various levels are available for mastery at Julie’s Place, ranging from the fine art of cake decoration and classic French techniques to canapés and family meals. Email cook@juliesplace.com.au for more information.

Darwin welcomes new homegrown hotel

The 301-key Élan Soho Suites has opened its doors in Darwin’s CBD in July, marking the launch of the Northern Territory’s newest homegrown hotel chain.

Offering one- and two-bedroom apartments, this modern 4.5-star property is Darwin’s first hotel to offer remote check-in facilities, allowing guests to check in via smartphones and using their devices as room keys throughout the duration of their stay.

The mezzanine level boasts a dedicated conference floor comprising six event spaces that can accommodate up to 400 delegates. The hotel will also introduce Darwin’s inaugural Korean barbeque restaurant, Seoul Food.

Dirty Dancing returns to Down Under

Fans of Dirty Dancing will rejoice to know that the popular stage musical will return to Australia for its 10th anniversary production. AussieTheatre confirmed that the production will open at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre by late 2014. Dirty Dancing staged its world premiere in Sydney in 2004 and has since enjoyed ongoing success on the international circuit.

Tigerair starts roaring on Brisbane-Cairns route

Tigerair Australia launched new daily return services between Brisbane and Cairns in April, reflecting growing confidence in the Far North Queensland tourism industry. The introduction of the service will provide a 30 per cent growth in Tigerair’s existing services to Cairns. Also launched in April are daily return services between Brisbane and Darwin.

Power of team spirit

By Prudence Lui

September 5, 2014

Association meetings are on the rise in Hong Kong but industry players say stronger trade collaboration can speed up growth, writes Prudence Lui

Hong Kong is well-positioned as an international meeting destination, with more than 1.6 million MICE overnight arrivals recorded in 2013, based on statistics from Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

At the same time, the small but significantly growing segment of association meetings is “an excellent way to enhance Hong Kong’s international profile”, said HKTB’s general manager of MICE and cruise, Kenneth Wong.

“Given the city’s strengths in finance and medicine, there are many association meetings related to these sectors,” he remarked.

In January, Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) invited 15 medical doctors from China to Hong Kong on an exchange, which included meetings with medical associations and visits to hotels and attractions; pair-up activities like seminars and dinners were also held.

Wong said: “China is on our (target) list. This year, we will proactively (seek out) medical chapters and bring their national and provincial meetings to Hong Kong. Mainland Chinese are interested to visit the city alongside meetings, whereas international medical chapters look for knowledge exchange and even member recruitment.”

Next year, MEHK will focus on business development such as strengthening networks with decision-makers.

Other government bodies like Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) and InvestHK also play a pivotal role in lead referrals and congress bidding.

Wong said: “We have leads coming from (our strong international overseas networks) regularly. HKETO refers mostly conference leads, and convention organisers who’d like to organise big events can approach InvestHK for advice.”

AsiaWorld-Expo Management director of business development, marketing and branding, Monique Yeung, said: “We have been working closely with HKTB on attracting association events to Hong Kong. The venue works together with the bureau from the bidding stage right up to the event day.

“For example, for Future Travel Experience Asia 2013 and Airline Retail Conference 2013, HKTB provided constructive advice and practical guidance from the proposal stage to final conclusion and offered strong support in event promotion in both the local and overseas markets.”

Industry stakeholders are also starting to realise the potential of association meetings, although the segment is still a niche area in its infancy, observed Janet Wu, director of sales at Hotel ICON.

She remarked: “We hosted on average about 10 association meetings/conferences per year based on the last 30 months of operations. As we are owned by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, we get many business referrals (academic meetings). We hope to develop association meetings but the booking window is long, averaging about 2.5 years in advance. Moreover, countries like China and Singapore are also keen to compete for this sector.”

Wu hence urged HKTB to take the lead in pulling hotels together to create unique ideas and educate the trade on how to tap the segment more effectively.

Space constraint, on the other hand, is the greatest challenge to developing association conference business for Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), which holds around 30 international conferences every year, with a majority related to the medical and dentistry sectors, said the venue’s managing director, Monica Lee-Muller.

“Other key reasons stopping association executives from bidding for congresses include financial risks, (the availability of) expertise to organise a congress and the small number of potential attendees,” commented Clemson Lo, general manager of MV Destination Management, which specialises in organising medical and scientific conferences.

“(MEKH) could help with overseas promotions and promotional materials, and introduce local suppliers to associations,” he suggested.

Sharing similar sentiments, Oscar Cerezales, COO Asia Pacific and global director of association services at MCI Group urged a more united industry front comprising the tourism boards, convention centres, expos and hotels.

“These service chains should be more cohesive, (comprising) not just their own agendas, tactical plans and strategies but one incorporating all services,” commented Cerezales.

“There is also a need to apply management strategy or specific tactics for low seasons, like (what) airlines and hotels do because the city has certain days, weeks or periods (that are) less full.”

Space constraints and high cost of operations are said to be obstacles to Hong Kong’s quest for more association events

Need to know

Cultural insights at Jao Tsung-I Academy

Formerly the Lai Chi Kok Hospital, the 32,000m² Jao Tsung-I Academy was recently converted into a cultural landmark. Divided into high, middle and low zones, the compound comprises historical buildings, galleries, exhibition halls, F&B outlets and landscaped gardens. Free guided tours are available to introduce visitors to Professor Jao Tsung-I’s contributions to the field of humanities and exhibits as well as the site’s historical and architectural features.

Visit www.jtia.hk for more information.

Survival in Ocean Park

Ocean Park’s Ultimate Survival is a signature teambuilding programme designed for corporate professionals. Taking on the roles of a rescue team, participants will tackle a series of challenges to help the fictional country of Kacalia to overcome national crises and build a sustainable future. The team will have to explore park facilities and go on rides as they seek to accomplish their mission. For a tailor-made programme, orienteering elements can be combined with teambuilding activities.

Contact (852) 3923-2323 or visit www.oceanpark.com.hk.

Silent dialogues

Developed by Ngong Ping and Dialogue Experience, Silence Motion 360 is a teambuilding event conducted in natural surroundings and dining facilities to promote interaction between people in total silence. A full-day programme combining this experience with optional activities such as hiking and a visit to Tai O can be provided. Later this year, the Ngong Ping 360 terminal will be converted into a new 310m2 MICE venue named 360 Dialogue, which will offer teambuilding activities in total darkness.

Contact sales@np360.com.hk for details.

Handmade Hong Kong

This tour takes delegates on a sensory experience of Hong Kong’s grassroots industries through visits to workshops such as suit making, metal signage tooling and shoemaking. The eight-hour journey showcases long-cherished traditions of master craftsmen, offerings visitiors first-hand insights into these handmade craft industries. Tours are conducted in English and Mandarin every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Contact (852) 3759-7022 or inbound@hstvl.com.

Moving on up

By S Puvaneswary

September 5, 2014

Penang, still loved for its great food, is gaining a reputation among the artistic community; street art “Little Children on a Bicycle” by Ernest Zacharevic pictured above

With leisure arrivals plumped up by a UNESCO world heritage honour, Penang is now banking on new hotels and convention centres to boost its MICE fortunes, writes S Puvaneswary

Penang has long been known for its addictive street food, well-preserved local culture and heritage, and beautiful beaches that are close to the city. Popular with holidaymakers and relatively unknown to business event planners, Penang’s reputation only took a turn for the better – from a MICE point of view – after its state capital, George Town, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Inbound tour operators in Malaysia told TTGmice that the destination has become easier to sell since then.

Comparing year-on-year growth of meetings and incentives to Penang, Luxury Tours Malaysia manager, Ganneesh Ramaa, said his company had seen a 25 per cent growth in 2013 and the appeal for the destination was mainly from multinational companies with offices in Asia and small incentive groups from Eastern Europe which appreciated the destination’s offering of beaches, shopping, culture attractions and good food.

Ganneesh added: “For longhaul markets, Penang is usually twinned with Kuala Lumpur and the average stay in Malaysia is at least five nights. For Asian groups, Penang is usually a mono destination, with average stays of three to four nights.”

He also noted that the completion of the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge – commonly known as the second Penang bridge – on March 1 this year had made Penang far more accessible. The bridge links Batu Kawan on the Malaysian mainland with Batu Maung on the island.

“With the second Penang bridge, a coach ride from Kuala Lumpur to the island takes only five hours. Before that, access via the first bridge took around six hours,” said Ganneesh, adding that overland access offers a cheaper way to combine Kuala Lumpur with Penang.

According to Ganneesh, return flights on the national carrier between the two destinations cost around RM200 (US$62.50) on economy class whereas a coach trip for 35 people costs RM60 per pax.

“It’s also more convenient for delegates because after checking out of their hotel in the capital, delegates can travel by coach directly to their hotel in Penang. The flight time from Kuala Lumpur to Penang is only an hour but that excludes time at the airport for (immigration clearance and luggage collection), and the time needed to travel from the airport to the hotel.”

Also thankful for the new bridge is Saini Vermeulen, head of international sales, Panorama Tours Malaysia. He recalled: “Five years ago, it used to be a challenge (bringing) more than 800 delegates (to Penang) at one time. There were insufficient flight capacity between Kuala Lumpur and Penang.”

Besides bringing about a rise in arrivals, George Town’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site has also led to a boom in property value in the state. Many pre-war heritage buildings in the inner city of George Town have been purchased by private individuals, preserved and converted into boutique hotels and restaurants.

Today Penang has 15,000 hotel rooms, of which 8,000 are in the four- and five-star categories.

New hotels that recently opened include the 180-room Royale Bintang Penang and the 220-room Four Points by Sheraton Penang. Royale Bintang Penang, located in the heart of George Town, targets business travellers and offers a ballroom for 400 pax and four meeting rooms. Four Points by Sheraton Penang in Tanjung Bungah is outfitted with 1,100m² of flexible meeting and function space, including two ballrooms that offer great views of the sea.

By the end of 2014, Penang will gain 1,240 more hotel rooms.

One future hotel development to watch for is The Rice Miller Hotel & Residences. Occupying a restored 19th century property where the Rice Miller godown once stood, the hotel will offer 45 luxury suites and 21 residence suites.

“It will be an ideal location for high society parties, business gatherings, photo exhibitions and destination weddings,” said Thansita Sirapastuwanon, director of sales and marketing for The Rice Miller Hotel & Residences.

“Facilities will include six F&B outlets, a fitness centre, an infinity pool, a spa offering hammam treatments and event spaces equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual and lighting systems.”

Penang will also see a boost in its conference and exhibition capabilities through the new Subterranean Penang International Convention & Exhibition Centre (SPICE) Arena and the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC).

SPICE, formerly known as the Penang International Sports Arena, completed major renovations last year to the tune of RM25 million, said Khoo Teck Chong, general manager of SP Setia Property Division (North).

SPICE’s pillarless arena on the second floor can accommodate large conferences with up to 9,000 delegates. This massive space is supported by four other meeting rooms.

The arena is just one of five components of SPICE. The remaining infrastructure – including a convention centre, an aquatic centre, 42 lots of retail outlets and a 400-room business class hotel – is expected to complete in 2016.

Since opening its doors, SPICE has played host to a two-day, 5,000-pax conference in December 2013 by Singapore’s Riway International, and an 8,000-pax QNET international convention, V-CON, from May 7 to 13, 2014.

Khairie Yusoff, events sales manager at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, noted that SPICE has drawn large events to Penang, which benefits four- and five-star hotels in the area.

“We got around 300 room nights from V-CON,” he revealed.
Due to be completed in 2017, the PWCC at The Light’s commercial precinct is being developed by IJM Land and Suntec Penang, a subsidiary of Suntec International. The centrepiece of this venue is a 10,000m2 column-free multipurpose hall that can be divided into smaller spaces or be converted into a 9,000-seat arena for concerts. It is suitable for exhibitions, conventions, corporate events and private functions.

Meanwhile, the state government has also pumped in money to turn the streets of George Town into an interesting showcase for street art. There are currently 52 paintings in George Town alone, and more street art of good calibre, drawn by locals, have appeared elsewhere in Penang.

But a more definitive MICE move by the state government is its push for a state convention bureau to be established by end of this year. In mid-August Danny Law Heng Kiang, Penang state minister for Tourism Development announced the appointment of David Hall, senior partner at Adelaide-based David Hall & Associates, as a consultant to set up the structure of Penang International Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PICEB) and recommend a sustainable funding model and potential candidates for the COO’s position.

Law said the bureau would be a division under Penang Global Tourism.

While many inbound agents agree that the bureau will build awareness for Penang and its offerings, views differ on whether it will succeed in generating more business for the state without cannibalising business going into other Malaysian cities.

Diethelm Travel Malaysia’s managing director, Manfred Kurz, opined that the bureau would compete with Sarawak Convention Bureau and Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau. On the other hand, Anthony Wong, group managing director of Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel, believes that Penang and Sarawak appeal to different markets. Wong explained: “Heritage, shopping and entertainment are Penang’s strengths. Sarawak’s strengths lie in its culture, heritage and nature. Penang is more likely to compete for business with neighbouring Thailand and Indonesia.”

Ideas

One-day city tour of Penang

A lifelike painting of Penang’s chief minister, Lim Guan Eng, is a hot favourite with visitors at the Made in Penang Interactive Museum

Start your delegates’ day with a guided walking tour of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, George Town.

The first stop is at the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, once the home of a rich baba – a Straits Chinese gentleman – more than a century ago. Built at the close of the 19th century, the mansion is preserved and recreated to offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle, customs and traditions of Penang’s old Peranakan community.

After the visit, walk on to King Street, the historic core of George Town and hear its stories. King Street leads to Market Street where spice shops are aplenty. The guide will explain how various spices are used in Indian cooking.

Next stop, Little India, where delegates can cast their eyes upon lively and colourful shops selling beautiful sarees and delicious Indian food. Delegates will dig into a local Indian lunch and watch a seller prepare pulled tea. They will also be invited to try their hand at ‘pulling’ tea from one container to another until the beverage becomes foamy.

The tour continues after lunch through the street of Harmony which is peppered with various places of worship such as Masjid Kapitan Keling, Kuan Yin Temple, St George’s Church and Sri Mahamariamman Temple – a reflection of Malaysia’s multicultural society.

As evening falls, your group will proceed to the quirky Made in Penang Interactive Museum at Weld Quay. Delegates will enjoy posing for pictures with 3D lifelike paintings on walls and floors.

All the walking should get your delegates hungry soon and the city tour concludes at Gurney Drive, a hot spot for seafood and popular street eats. Dinner will be hosted at Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, allowing your group to experience the local ambience and cuisine.

Contributed by Luxury Tours Malaysia

Need to know

Shopping, dining, private parties all under one roof

Occupying three pre-war heritage buildings that are connected by a common courtyard, ChinaHouse has gained a strong following of fans who love it for its eclectic mix of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Art galleries and a multipurpose performance space on the upper floors can be hired for private dining functions or cocktails parties, as can the open air courtyard downstairs.

One of ChinaHouse’s F&B outlets, 14 Chairs, functions as a mixed-use private dining space. It features a 12-feet marble table, an indoor kitchen and an old-fashioned outdoor kitchen. Besides being available for private hire, 14 Chairs hosts a wine dinner every Thursday and a chef’s dinner every Friday.

Email info@chinahouse.com.my for more information.

Go on a wet adventure

One of Penang’s latest attraction is the Wet World Wild Adventure Park – said to be Asia’s first seawater adventure park.

Opened on last Christmas Day, the park at Moonlight Bay, Batu Ferringhi can create water-based teambuilding activities.

Wet World Wild Adventure Park has 10 bouncy inflatables that mimic outdoor sports facilities such as a rock wall, a running track, a trampoline and a human catapult.

It has a maximum capacity of 80 persons.

For group bookings and more information, email getwet@wetworldwild.com.

New hotel on Kelawai Road

Scheduled to open in 4Q2014, G Hotel Kelawai will offer 208 well-designed rooms and suites, six function rooms of various sizes, a business centre, three trendy dining outlets, a gym, and a rooftop infinity pool.

Guests will be placed within walking distance of two popular malls, Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon.

Stay differently

Opened last year, Seven Terraces is an 18-suite boutique hotel that occupies a row of seven 19th century Anglo Chinese terraces on Stewart Lane. Great for small-sized corporate groups that desire a unique accommodation experience, Seven Terraces offers a courtyard with ample space for events as well as a restaurant with a bar on the ground floor. Kebaya restaurant features décor and furnishings with a strong Baba Nyonya influence.

CHM expands property network in Penang

George Town will welcome two new properties by Cititel Hotel Management (CHM) come 4Q2014.

The Wembley – A St Giles Premier Hotel, Penang, will offer 415 rooms, a grand ballroom with seating capacity for 1,200 people, several meeting rooms, an executive lounge, a swimming pool, a gym and a helipad, among other facilities. It will be CHM’s first hotel in Penang and the northern region of Malaysia.

Adjacent to The Wembley will be the 234-room Cititel Express Penang, the third Cititel Express property after Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. Located on Magazine Road, in the heart of the city’s commercial and government district, the hotel will sit alongside retail shops, restaurants, a food court and car park bays for more than 500 vehicles.

Both hotels boast easy access to shopping complexes and numerous cultural and historical sites.

Host a green meeting

Sister hotels Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang and Golden Sands Resort, Penang are offering green meeting packages to help lower the carbon footprint and environmental impact of corporate meetings.

These packages feature environmentally friendly theme breaks. For example, water and snacks are served in non-disposable ware and locally sourced titbits are offered. In addition, non-toxic markers are provided and recycling bins are placed at strategic spots.

Delegates will also be given a plant each as a souvenir after their teambuilding activity.

Planners can choose to have their meetings outdoors, in the hotels’ expansive gardens, to reduce their use of air-conditioning. At Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, meeting delegates can start the day with a tai chi or yoga breakfast in the manicured gardens or under giant rain trees.

Gangwon reaches out

By Karen Yue

September 5, 2014

The luxurious Alpensia Resort in Pyeonchang will be one of the main sites of the 2018 Winter Olympics Picture by Gangwon Convention & Visitors Bureau

A convention bureau has been formed, underlining the South Korean province’s determination to make the most of its Olympic win. By Karen Yue

Securing the rights to host the 2018 Winter Olympics has not only catapulted Pyeongchang city into the global spotlight, it has also inspired Gangwon province, which the city belongs to, to begin courting international business events by establishing a convention bureau last year.

The South Korean province, which sits on the northern-most end of the country, is accessible via Incheon International Airport followed by a two-hour car ride. Gangwon itself has both an international gateway – Yangyang International Airport, which connects with 10 cities in China – and a domestic airport, Wonjo Airport, which offers flights to Jeju.

Pyeongchang’s win, which was announced by the International Olympic Committee in 2011, has already yielded a victory for Gangwon’s MICE industry – it hosted the 2012 International Ski Federation Congress and became the first Asian destination to welcome the event.

Although the Gangwon Convention & Visitors Bureau (GWCVB) is in its infancy, the province is no stranger to leisure tourism, insisted Jeongmi Shin, marketing team manager.

Nature lovers have crossed the globe to explore Gangwon’s three national parks – Mt Seorak National Park, Chiaksan National Park and Odaesan National Park – while history buffs have appreciated the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yeongwol Jangneung. The Jangneung tomb of King Danjong is said to be one of the most beautiful royal tombs from the Joseon Dynasty.

Gangwon’s other heritage draw is the Gangneung Danoje Festival, which is recognised as a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Celebrated across Gangneung city in the fourth and fifth months of the lunar calendar, the religious festival’s roots go back over a thousand years and is today South Korea’s largest traditional festival.

Gangwon is also a favourite haunt for ski enthusiasts as it offers nine major ski resorts, three of which sit in Pyeongchang.

“These attractions are popular (and) can cater to large groups of incentive and post-meeting tour participants,” said Shin, adding that Pyeongchang’s ski resorts are already attracting incentive groups from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia during winter.

Despite the province’s varied range of attractions, Shin said international corporate groups stay for only one to two days and these were usually for meetings, incentives and conferences. The lack of large exhibition centres has been Gangwon’s stumbling block in attracting the full spectrum of MICE business.

“Most of the other provinces in South Korea have mega exhibition centres, but not Gangwon. We do have plenty of (other) venue options though, such as museums, universities, and hotels and resorts,” Shin explained.

According to the Gangwon Provincial Government, the province has 37 hotels, 48 condominiums that welcome travellers, and 11 ski resorts. Several of these are equipped with event facilities. Currently, Yongpyong All Seasons Resort in Pyeongchang offers the largest venue in the province for corporate gatherings. It has 2,500 guestrooms, the Yongpyong Dome which can accommodate 5,000 people in two grand ballrooms and 19 seminar rooms, a 5,000-seat indoor gymnasium, a golf course, and 31 ski slopes.

Vivaldi Park in Hongcheon comes in at second spot with 2,446 guestrooms, 21 meeting rooms – the largest of which is the 1,386m2 Grand Ballroom – and various recreational facilities including a water park, a 13-slope ski resort, and a golf course.

Unique venues that can support conferences, meetings and seminars include Kangwon National University in the provincial capital, Chuncheon, which offers its convention hall for rent. The space can seat 200 pax in theatre-style or 150 guests in a banquet set-up.

Hallym University in Chuncheon is another option for corporate event planners. Its Ilsong Arts Hall offers a 78-seat auditorium and a 32-seat seminar room, while its Center for Aged Society Education has a conference hall for 88 people.

Gangwon’s closest options to a dedicated venue for conventions and exhibitions are the Donghae Mangsang Convention Center and ANGVA Donghae Expo Exhibition Hall. The former has seven meeting rooms, with the largest being the Grand Ballroom which can seat 350 pax theatre-style. The latter, built to host the 3rd Asia-Pacific Natural Gas Vehicles Association (ANGVA) Conference & Exhibition in 2009, has two halls.

Gangwon’s MICE capability is set to improve once the 2018 Winter Olympics draws to a close.

According to updates published on Olympic.org, several new winter sport facilities are being built in the lead-up to the games. They include a venue with figure skating and short-track skating facilities, an ice hockey stadium, and a speed skating oval in Gangneung, all due to complete by October 2016. Pyeongchang’s Alpensia Ski Jumping Stadium, meanwhile, is already operational, and was built as a legacy of previous bids for the 2010 and 2014 games. It sits within the luxury alpine resort of Alpensia and is supported by a range of quality accommodation including InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort, Holiday Inn Alpensia Pyeongchang, and Holiday Inn & Suites Alpensia Pyeongchang.

Kim Jin-Sun, president and CEO of the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee, was reported to have said that all new facilities will have post-game uses. “We are developing various legacy plans. Most of the snow venues are privately owned and will be used as resorts and for sports. The indoor venues will be converted into gyms, school gyms, convention centres and leisure centres for the public,” he said.

Shin also pointed out that “there are plans to remodel the game facilities in Pyeongchang into a gorgeous exhibition centre”.

She added that efforts are underway to certify Pyeongchang as a convention city in South Korea.

Need to know

Baa, baa, so many sheep!

Daegwallyeong Yangtte Sheep Farm which sits in Pyeongchang County, Gangwon is home to some 200 sheep. Popular with photographers, the sprawling ranch offers a scenic trail that runs 1.2km around the property. Visitors are invited to feed the sheep, and if they were to visit in March and April, they could see fluffy sheep being sheared for their wool.

For information on how this attraction can be incorporated into your programme, email Gangwon Convention & Visitors Bureau at igija0001@korea.kr.

Be on the borderline

Did you know that five counties in Gangwon are adjacent to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a peaceful buffer zone between North and South Korea?

Underground tunnels in Cheorwon and Yanggu, the Unification Observatory, and the Dam of Peace in Goseong are all well-known tourist sites that serve as solemn reminders of the nation’s title of being the only divided nation in the world. In additional to its historic and cultural significance, the DMZ has also gained attention for its lush ecosystem, which has flourished ever since access to the area was restricted to the general public almost six decades ago.

Contact Gangwon Convention & Visitors Bureau at igija0001@korea.kr for more information.

Cycle down the ocean coast

Samcheok Ocean Rail Bike is an attraction that leverages the majestic views of the East Sea and its surrounding pine forest and rock formations. Visitors will cycle a four-wheel bike down a 5.4km double track along the coast. Rest stops are available at Gungchon and Yonghwa Stations, and visitors can explore an observatory lounge, an ocean tunnel and other attractions.

For more information, email Gangwon Convention & Visitors Bureau at igija0001@korea.kr.

Plush attraction

Plush toys, that is. The Teddy Bear Farm in Gangwon’s Sokcho chronicles the history of South Korea through the use of adorable teddy bears that are posed in scenes of recreated significant moments. There are also light-hearted scenes of teddy bears enjoying a pot of tea, at a birthday party, and building a snowman.

Fun programmes for visitors are offered too. Contact Gangwon Convention & Visitors Bureau at igija0001@korea.kr for more information.

A taste of Korea

The Traditional Korean Food Experience Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon is dedicated to preserving and promoting local food culture. Set in a traditional building, the attraction gives visitors a chance to indulge in hanjeongsik, a traditional full-course meal that originated from the royal palaces.

Contact Gangwon Convention & Visitors Bureau at igija0001@korea.kr for details.

Cityscape exhibition and conference to shake up Malaysian property scene in 2015

By TTG Asia

September 4, 2014

MALAYSIA is hosting the world’s largest real estate investment and development event, Cityscape Malaysia 2015, from February 4-6.

The event is meant to act as a platform for local and regional real estate professionals and investors to do business and network.

Over 5,000 participants and 70 exhibitors are expected at the event, made up of developers, investors, financiers, architects, and urban planners, among others.

According to Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), the event aims to generate an estimated RM15.5 million (US$4.88 million) in economic impact for Malaysia.

Besides the exhibition, Cityscape Malaysia 2015 will also feature a plethora of knowledge-sharing and networking events including the Malaysia Real Estate Summit, the one-day Islamic Property Finance Forum, and opportunities to mingle in the form of investor roundtables.

On picking Malaysia as a venue for the event, Deep Marwaha, group director of Cityscape, commented: “Malaysia stood out due to its continuous economic growth and robust real estate sector. We have built many key relationships in the country and have been encouraged by the huge response from the real estate community.”

Continued growth, an educated workforce, and quality infrastructure also influenced the choice of Malaysia. The country rose from 12th to 6 th place in the World Bank’s 2014 Doing Business Report for ease of doing business.

Cityscape is organised by Informa Exhibitions, part of Informa, an international provider of specialist information and services for the academic and scientific, professional, and commercial business communities.

The flagship Cityscape event is Cityscape Global, which is held in Dubai. Besides Malaysia, sister events of Cityscape Global include city, country and regional editions held in destinations including Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Riyadh, Jeddah, Qatar, Kuwait, Latin America, and Asia.

Cityscape Malaysia 2015 is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia and MyCEB.

Dubai struts its stuff at M&I Forum 2015

By TTG Asia

September 4, 2014

EUROPEAN buyers will receive a schooling in Dubai’s offerings as a business events destination when the emirate hosts the Meeting & Incentive (M&I) Forum Europe Spring 2015.

To be held from March 9-14, the six-day event is set to welcome more than 225 top international meeting planners and dozens of Dubai-based event suppliers.

Richard Barnes, managing director of M&I Forums, commented in a release: “Dubai’s emergence as a global destination over the last 20 years has been utterly compelling. The pace of development, scale, and standard of facilities serving the MICE market are unrivalled in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and we have had so much demand from our buyers to visit Dubai.”

Dubai thus joins a host of other cities including Cebu in the Philippines, Edinburgh in Scotland, and Vienna in Austria, in hosting M&I Forums next year.

The Dubai edition is hosted by Dubai Business Events (DBE) – the Official Convention bureau, in partnership with JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Emirates, and a number of local DMCs.

Steen Jakobsen, director of DBE, said: “Europe, and the UK in particular, are extremely important markets for Dubai’s business events industry and our hosting of the M&I Forum Europe Spring 2015 reflects this.

“We are witnessing strong business tourism visitor growth numbers from continental Europe and the UK, and are very pleased to host this high-quality networking event as part of our extensive efforts to further build global awareness of Dubai’s business events and incentives credentials.”

Fabian Seet

By TTGmice

September 3, 2014

Fabian Seet is now vice president, sales with Pan Pacific Hotels Group, based in Singapore. Seet was last general manager, International Markets at Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Co. Prior to that, he was director, global sales with The Ascott Limited.

Irena Reha

By TTGmice

September 3, 2014

Grand Nikko Bali has appointed Irena Reha its new director of sales & marketing. For the past six years Reha had been based in Dubai, working for international and Arabic hotel brands including The Westin, Le Méridien, Sofitel and Habtoor.

David Hill

By TTGmice

September 3, 2014

David Hill is now general manager of Bintan Lagoon Resort in Indonesia. Hill joins from WMC Property Management Group where he was general manager and responsible for opening a 40-floor mixed-use tower in Saigon in January 2013.

Nitin Kumar

By TTGmice

September 3, 2014

Nitin Kumar has joined India’s StayWell Hospitality Group as regional sales manager, taking charge of operations in the country. Kumar has been in the travel industry for seven years, and has worked with brands such as Ginger Hotels, Clarks Inn Group, Peppermint Hotels and Premier Inn India.