The city’s CVB is spotlighting new and revitalised venues to draw South-east Asian groups, writes Paige Lee Pei Qi
The Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau (Paris CVB) had recently concluded its third South-east Asian sales mission, touring Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. And for the first time, the destination promotion effort included a stop in the Philippines. Come October 2016, the Paris CVB will add Vietnam to its sales mission in a bid to net more business from the region.
Speaking to TTGmice during the 10th Rendez-vous en France Travel Workshop, an annual travel tradeshow, Patricia Barthelemy, marketing manager of Paris CVB, said: “These two new markets (the Philippines and Vietnam) have a tremendous untapped potential and we see that it is important to go in now and promote ourselves to them.”
According to Barthelemy, Paris welcomed 30 million visitors in 2014, up from 29 million in 2013, and business and MICE travellers made up 40 per cent of the destination’s footfalls.
She added that there were approximately 600,000 visitors from South-east Asia last year, a three-fold increase from 200,000 in 2013, a result of the CVB’s increased efforts to raise awareness of the destination over the past three years.
While there are currently about 30,000 visitors from the Philippines and Vietnam each year, Barthelemy said the CVB is targeting to pump this number up to 100,000 each in five to eight years’ time.
Paris CVB is also eager to attract more corporate event groups with new and revitalised products.
“What we need to do now is to get in touch with our key counterparts in South-east Asia and get them accquainted with the destination so they will know what to promote,” she said.
As such, the CVB has also organised fam trips for South-east Asian buyers.
“Paris is popular especially for incentive groups because the name of the city stands out…there is this sense of romanticism and culture that attracts people,” Barthelemy said, adding that the city’s plethora of new unique venues will charm and impress corporate groups.
An attraction that would appeal to business event planners is the Musee Picasso which was restored and reopened last October. A private visit followed by a cocktail for up to 80 guests can be arranged outside of its opening hours. The art gallery can support larger gatherings too. Its reception space can accommodate 300 guests while its open-air terrace, overlooking the Marais district, can host 100 pax.
Planners desiring a playful venue can consider the new Magic Mirror ballroom within the Musée des Arts Forains. The circular venue, made to look like a fantasy world with mirrors and wooden beams, can accommodate up to 200 guests.
For large-scale corporate events, the Bercy Arena should come to mind. Renovations are due to complete soon and the venue is expected to reopen this October. The refreshed Bercy Arena will have 20,000 seats, a grand hall, a restaurant, a bar and a lounge-terrace. VIP areas totalling 4,000m2 make Bercy Arena suitable for high-end corporate events.
Christophe Floch, director of KTS France, a DMC, said: “We know how important it is for the Asians to impress their guests, and there is never a shortage of impressive experiences here in Paris. We just have to do more marketing to show Asian clients what is available.”
Floch shared that there has been a 10 per cent rise in client requests coming from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.
“It is clear that there is greater spending power in clients from these countries because we see a rise in demand (as well as) new expectations. For instance they will not go for anything less than a four-star hotel and it has to be centrally located,” he added.
Stella Loh, manager of MICE, Golden Tourworld Travel, Malaysia, welcomes Paris CVB’s efforts in highlighting new and refreshed attractions and venues.
She said: “Malaysians are a very well-travelled bunch and Europe will always be one of their top priority destinations, especially for incentive programmes. Right now we are looking to explore deeper into France and to host (our groups) in unusual places, such as in the mountainous regions. We are keen to offer beyond the usual sights.”
Alex Djunisap, vice president of Indonesia-based AntaVaya Leisure, noted a 10 per cent growth in the number of Paris-bound corporate groups over the past two years. He believes the number will grow when visa on arrival is offered.
Djunisap explained: “Paperwork is one of the most tiring (travel) procedures for our clients and it is especially trying when you have a big group.”
Need to know
The Peninsula Hotels debuts in the city of love
The Peninsula Hotels has opened its first property in Paris. The 200-key Hôtel The Peninsula Paris is located in a late 19th century classic Haussmanian building on Avenue Kléber, near the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Elysees.
Event planners can host events with up to 100 guests in the hotel’s opulent ballroom, or utilise one of three function rooms for smaller gatherings.
The hotel is also home to six exquisite dining venues, one of which sits on the rooftop and stars a bar and terrace that comes with stunning 360-degree views of the French capital.
Making magic for MICE in Disneyland
Located a 35-minute drive from the Paris city centre is Disneyland Paris, a fun theme park that comes equipped with flexible event spaces to fit 50 to 25,000 guests.
Event planners can choose from two conference centres, 95 meeting rooms, two event spaces – one 2,300m2 and the other 6,500m2, a 1,570-seat amphitheatre, and 8,200 rooms in 14 hotels – among many other facilities. With ready entertainment at the doorstep, corporate gatherings can easily get a dash of fun when all solemn matters are done.
Revamped L’Arc Paris welcomes private events
L’Arc Paris, one of the most iconic clubs in Paris has reopened after an 18-month refit. Facing the Place de l’Etoile, the venue’s garden offers a unique view of the lively scene around the majestic Arc de Triomphe.
Opened on weekends for exclusive events, L’Arc Paris makes an ideal venue for prestigious private functions. It can accommodate up to 400 people for a cocktail party or 120 for a dinner banquet.
A fresh look for Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Following a full renovation last year, Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel opened its doors to offer refurbished rooms and spaces. The 430-room hotel is located just a stone’s throw from the iconic iron lattice tower and the Trocadero Plaza overlooking the river Seine. Fully equipped with Wi-Fi, the four-star hotel is equipped with 23 meeting rooms that can seat 15 to 400 people in theatre style. Other facilities include F&B outlets and a fitness centre.
New music to the ears of event planners
Hailed widely as France’s latest music temple, the Philharmonie de Paris – a 2,400-seat concert hall designed by architect Jean Nouvel – opened this year. Dedicated to musical extravaganzas, the venue is an art in itself with its floating balconies and suspended cloud-shaped sound reflectors. The whole hall can be booked for private events as long as the timing is outside the performance schedule.
