The 234-key Courtyard by Marriott Boluo has opened in Huizhou, China, making it the first Courtyard by Marriott in South China and the 71st Marriott International property in the massive country.
It comes outfitted with seven meeting rooms, with the largest being the Kaisa Ballroom which has capacity for 600 guests. All function venues are equipped with modern audiovisual technology and high-speed Internet access.
Other facilities at the hotel include two restaurants, a well-equipped fitness centre, an indoor swimming pool with a dry steam room, and an outdoor pool.
In an email interview with TTGmice, Kevin Gong, general manager of Courtyard by Marriott Boluo, said the Pearl River Delta, which comprises primarily of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, will provide the hotel’s main source of business event bookings.
The hotel will pursue corporate clients such as Samsung, LG, Sony and Coca-Cola based in Huizhou, and Gong expects to “see interest from local government agencies”.
Since the hotel’s official opening on June 30, it has hosted a 500-pax local association gathering and a two-day corporate meeting for 90 guests. – Karen Yue
Much ink has been spilled over how airlines and hotels are adopting wearable technology into their operations, but TTGmice is excited how Google Glass – a voice-activated, head-mounted eyewear that allows users to take photos and videos as well as search the Internet – can be incorporated into meetings and events as well.
Peter Komornik, CEO of event technology firm Sli.do, believes that Glass can bring “more engaging and immersive experience” for event participants and speakers alike.
“Paired with an audience interaction app, Glass can serve as a private backchannel for event moderators to stay on top of the best questions from the audience (with a single tap of the headset),” he said.
Seeing “countless opportunities” in the utilisation of wearable computing devices in events, Komornik highlighted another potential use: “In a venue equipped with iBeacons (a mobile communication technology for indoor spaces), Glass can provide a real-time context for event participants to see push notifications about what is currently happening in which hall as they walk around the premises.”
Privacy concerns aside, another drawback that early adopters have pointed out, however, is the gadget’s limited battery life, which typically requires recharging after a few hours of usage.
Sli.do has rolled out a Google Glass app for event planners and speakers to interact with their audience.
MICE prospects are brighter now for New Delhi but several obstacles remain, threatening to stunt growth potential. By Rohit Kaul
Laxmi Narayan Temple is one of Delhi’s major temples and a key tourist attraction
There is a general air of positivity among New Delhi’s MICE players lately, with much of the optimism resulting from ongoing hardware developments in the Indian destination.
Three new hotels had emerged in New Delhi Aerocity in the second half of 2013 – JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity, Lemon Tree Premier, Delhi Airport and Red Fox Hotel, Delhi Airport – and all offer meeting facilities on-site.
On the exhibitions front, a major facelift is being planned for one of India’s top exhibition venues, Pragati Maidan. Some Rs8.2 billion (US$137.2 million) will be invested in the five-year revamp which will include the construction of new exhibition centres, convention halls, food plazas and a five-star hotel.
Ashok Jha, chairman of the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation which manages the venue, said: “The new facility will be among the best in the world. It will be on par with some of the facilities in Europe.”
These infrastructure improvements have inspired Chander Mansharamani, managing director of Alpcord Network Travel & Conferences, to believe that “the future is bright for the city”.
He also told TTGmice that business today is improving. “The MICE market in New Delhi has grown at a rate of 10 to 15 per cent this year so far. Being the capital of India and having good international (air) connections give New Delhi an edge over other Indian destinations,” he said.
Also optimistic is Prashant Narayan, senior vice president and head of leisure travel for inbound, Thomas Cook (India). “New Delhi is ideal for incentive groups as, apart from its own offerings, it has a lot of getaways in the vicinity. New convention facilities in New Delhi Aerocity and the Pragati Maidan facelift will further strengthen the city’s position as an incentive destination,” he said.
New Delhi has, for a while, been attracting international MICE groups from mainly Europe, the US and Australia. While demand from the domestic market far exceeds bookings from the international market, some business hotels with convention facilities are seeing a welcome change in the winds.
Balan Paravantavida, general manager of JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity, said: “MICE makes up around 40 per cent of our overall revenue. Currently, 20 per cent of our events are international ones while 80 per cent are domestic. However, we expect the share of international events to grow to 40 per cent in the near future.”
Despite the optimism, industry players are frustrated with their government’s lack of focus in marketing the city for business events, and have been demanding that the ministry come up with a clear strategy for the segment.
Anup Nair, managing director of Incentive Destinations, lamented: “New Delhi has a lot to offer as an incentive destination, but because of a weak marketing approach the city is not considered a priority destination for international groups.”
Rajeev Kohli, joint managing director of Creative Travel, agrees: “The government needs to understand that the needs of the MICE segment are different from others.”
Another obstacle for the industry is the city’s lack of integrated convention and exhibition venues of global standards, which puts New Delhi at a disadvantage when competing with other MICE cities for business events.
Ritu Saigal, director of Travel With Us, added that infrastructure that can support mega events are lacking too.
Local conference organisers are also lamenting the number of permissions required from government agencies in order to run an event.
“(The system) results in a lot of hassle. A single-window clearance is needed,” urged Mansharamani.
The India Convention Promotion Bureau has heeded the calls of trade players and is trying to implement a streamlined system. Updates on its efforts are expected to be announced during its annual convention this month.
Ideas
Two nights in and around Delhi
Qutab Minar in New Delhi
Day 1
Your first day in Delhi will be spent getting to know the city’s rich history and culture. A full-day tour is in order, with visits to key landmarks such as Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, India Gate and Raj Ghat.Z
Come evening, enjoy a feast worthy of the ancient royals. Delhi 6 – Royal Cuisine of the Walled City specialises in Mughlai cuisine and features both royal recipes of Mughals and homemade delicacies of Muslim families.
If energy is still running high at night, head to Pangaea and party with the elite of Delhi. The night club, located at the Ashok Hotel, can accommodate up to 400 guests and offers 20 VIP tables. Private functions are possible.
Day 2
Say goodbye to Delhi for now, as you head to Agra, home of the majestic Taj Mahal.
But before that, pay a visit to Sikandra Fort along the way. It is the final resting place of the great Mughal emperor Akbar.
Also, take the afternoon to explore Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah.
Taj Mahal will make the grand finale on the itinerary today, as it is most beautiful at dusk.
Check into your hotel in Agra and rest for the night.
Day 3
Jaipur is on the menu today. Upon reaching the Pink City in the afternoon, you will call at the City Palace where many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are kept here, including a valuable collection of weaponry.
Next stop, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory and the sprawling Albert Hall Museum.
Later, stroll through one of Jaipur’s many colourful bazaars before returning to your hotel.
Pangaea
Day 4
Today you will make your way back to Delhi. But first, a visit to Amber Fort just outside of Jaipur. Completed in the early 18th century, the fort took more than a century to build and offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the ruling families.
Need to know
Recharge at Rishikesh Recognised as the yoga capital of the
Recognised as the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh, about 250km from New Delhi, is home to Sanskriti Vedic Retreat which offers yoga and meditation workshops. Business warriors can choose to stay at the retreat after their meetings in the Indian capital and unwind through some of the best of Indian traditions of ayurveda and yoga.
Grilled delights
The Indian Grill Room in Gurgaon’s Suncity Business Tower, specialises in cuisine prepared with various Indian grilling techniques like the tawa, charcoal grill, pathar and tandoor. The establishment has indoor and outdoor sections, with the former featuring a large open kitchen with interactive grill stations, and the latter gazebos and a performance area. Guests pay a fixed price for a set menu that includes 12 varieties of Indian grills.
Vibrant Park Inn opens in Gurgaon
The new Park Inn by Radisson Gurgaon Bilaspur, about an hour’s drive from New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, offers 98 rooms and suites, more than 200m² of flexible meeting rooms that are supported by a team of events management specialists, a business centre, an all-day-dining restaurant and a fitness centre, among other facilities.
Spurred by Expo 2020, the UAE is now wooing global association congresses and meetings to sharpen its event destination status, writes Shekhar Niyogi
Offices and residential apartments reach lofty heights in Dubai Marina, a new district built around a yacht marina
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are seeing strong inbound MICE business growth, driven by rapid development in meeting infrastructure and hotel room inventory ahead of the Expo 2020.
Meetings and incentives have been identified as a pivotal segment for Dubai, which is projecting 20 million annual visitors by 2020. The number of international trade visitors to the emirate is projected to reach 1.9 million by 2020, up from 900,000 in 2012.
Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali, the 438ha site comprising a dedicated 150ha Expo area and a surrounding residential, hospitality and logistics zone, will play host to the 25 million visitors expected during the six-month Expo 2020. All major construction are targeted to complete by October 2019.
While Najeh Boughzala, MICE project manager at Alpha Tours, has not observed any impact from the Expo in winning events, he is confident that Dubai “will be in a better position to leverage the Expo” once new infrastructure, develop projects and hotels come on stream from 2016.
“Events are a key pillar of our Tourism Vision for 2020, with the objective of transforming Dubai from a regional events hub to a global destination for events,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, director general at Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.
Steen Jakobsen, director, Dubai Convention Bureau, said: “A recent ICCA survey showed that the number of associations, conferences and meetings in the Middle East has tripled over the past 10 years. In the rest of the world, it has doubled.”
The Dubai Association Centre (DAC) was launched earlier this year to attract association meetings and congresses to set up offices in the city. With a DAC license, international associations can leverage such benefits as the use and facilities at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), residency visas for employees, and offering services and products to the UAE and other GCC markets.
Ahmed Alkhaja, senior vice president – venues, DWTC said: “Dubai’s position as a premier international business tourism destination has grown steadily in recent years, buoyed by our core focus on developing our credentials as a global hub for key industries to hold meetings, conferences and exhibitions.”
DWTC is seeing “a robust 2014 calendar”, said Alkhaja, with its 11 global congresses expected to be attended by 12,000 international delegates and generate a combined revenue of US$32 millon.
Major events for Dubai this year include the 19th Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors, Annual Congress of the International Association of Law and Forensic Sciences, Asia Pacific Dental Congress and International Cotton Association Congress. Dubai has also outshone Copenhagen, Paris and Rome to win the bid for the 34th International Congress of the Society of Blood Transfusion in 2016.
Similarly, Abu Dhabi has also established its own Convention Bureau and is eyeing to be listed among ICCA’s top 50 association meetings destinations by 2018.
According to the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the MICE sector currently generates 2.4 billion dirhams (US$653 million) per annum for Abu Dhabi, with the figure expected to grow seven per cent to 5.1 billion dirhams by 2020.
“We are targeting 14 major wins in 2014 and 10 more in 2015” said Jasem Al Darmaki, deputy director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.
Major congresses taking place in Abu Dhabi in 2015 include the 20th Asia Pacific Society of Cardiology Congress, the 16th World Congress on Tobacco or Health and the 70th Annual Conference of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Need to know
Enchanting Arabic dining at Al Hadheerah
Located at the luxurious Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa, Al Hadheerah incorporates live cooking stations, wood-fired ovens and spit roasts in its eclectic menu. A falconry display, camel caravan, horse show, Arabic singers and Tamoura dancers create an unforgettable ambience at the fort-like venue. Delicacies with distinct Middle Eastern flavour include kebbeh, traditional fired meat and crushed wheat balls filled with minced meat and spices; and cheese sambousek, a light pastry filled with Arabic cheese and parsley. The restaurant is open from sunset to 23.30.
More information available at www.meydanhotels.com/babalshams.
Dubai sings out to new opera house
Envisioned to rival the Sydney Opera House, the 2,000-seat Dubai Opera House is being built as part of The Opera District in downtown Dubai. Designed in the shape of a traditional sailing vessel, the 60,000m² multi-use venue is expected to complete in 2015. The venue can be converted into a banqueting hall or exhibition space, as 900 of the 2,000 seats can be removed with the use of hydraulic technology and stored beneath the theatre.
Jockeying for position at Meydan Racecourse
Accommodating 60,000 spectators in a 1.6km-long grandstand, the Meydan Racecourse is home to the world’s most luxurious horse racing facility. When not used for races, it also serves as a conference and business facility, with the Meydan hotel offering 284 rooms and dining facilities for incentive groups and meeting delegates.
Email info@meydan.ae or call (971-4) 327-0000
Dive into the emirate’s pearling traditions
Visitors can experience the thrill of pearling, once a source of wealth in the emirates before the discovery of oil. Clad in traditional shirts and baggy trousers and equipped with a nose clip, delegates can board a dhow (traditional boat) off the shores of Jebel Ali and set out to collect oysters under the supervision of highly trained crew and instructors, who will teach the ancient pearl-diving techniques. Pearling is also popular as a teambuilding activity.
Contact Pavilion Dive Centre at divecentre@jumeirah.com or call (971-4) 406-8828.
Wildlife calling at new safari
Scheduled to complete in 2015, the Dubai Safari Park will house over 1,000 animals across four distinct sections – an open safari, plus Arabian, Asian and African villages. In addition to a butterfly park, a botanical garden, a resort and a golf course, the 120ha eco-friendly park will also boast educational, conservation and veterinary facilities. It is being heralded as a dynamic site for incentive groups and teambuilding exercises.
How I did a 16,500-pax incentive
Nu Skin China’s mega party on Yas Island
When 16,500 sales reps from Nu Skin China visited the UAE for their incentive trip, they made up the largest-ever incentive delegation for the company and the host destination alike.
Yas Island Destination Management was engaged to provide full logistic support for the mega corporate getaway event, with the itinerary encompassing Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
For the Abu Dhabi leg, the Chinese visitors filled 16 hotels and enjoyed a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a city tour and the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi experience, over two days in April. The packed itinerary centred around the Yas Marina Circuit, including workshops, tours and a large group dinner.
More than 2,500 staff were involved and 14,000 man hours spent to deliver the event, which featured festival celebrations each day and F1-style display races. All in all, 13,500kg of F&B provisions, 64 performers, 200 buses, 200 flights and 40,000 roomnights were utilised, and close to a million photographs were taken of the event.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “This was an extremely complex, multi-faceted event which took months of planning and a lot of hard work to execute.”
Notwithstanding the huge variables likely for such mega events, Yas Island Destination Management director, Clive Dwyer, stressed that the destination offers myriad opportunities. “Anything is possible,” he added.
Five star, 389 rooms and 19 villas
Jalan Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Bali 80363
Tel: (62-361) 773-377
Website: www.nikkobali.com
Many good things can be expected at Grand Nikko Bali. It is, after all, the first upper-scale Grand Nikko branded property by JAL Hotels. Following its rebranding exercise last year, from Nikko Bali Resort & Spa, the hotel gained hardware upgrades which included the addition of a second function hall, boardrooms and luxury villas.
Furthermore, its location in the South Nusa Dua area, atop a 40m cliff, affords it stunning views of the Indian Ocean. It is also one of the few hotels in Bali that still retain a rich Balinese architecture.
Meeting facilities The MPF (Multi-Purpose Function) is the newest meeting facility in the hotel. The 1,008m² pillar-less ballroom boasts its own entrance and is fitted with large glass walls to let in maximum daylight. MPF can be divided into three smaller spaces that can each accommodate 332 people, theatre-style.
MPF also comes with a 140-seat boardroom that can be split in three.
Grand Nikko also offers Graha Sawangan ballroom, which is good for 600 pax, theatre-style. This space can be transformed into five smaller meeting rooms.
These spaces come with free broadband Internet access, air-conditioning, sound systems with multiple microphones and telephone points.
Rooms I stayed at the new one-bedroom Pool Villa, a stunning 300m² property that resembles a Balinese house with a main gate that opens into a small, neat garden, which in turn leads into the villa.
What glorious views the bedroom has! Glass windows for walls and sliding doors bring the outdoors in. I was able to enjoy a full view of my villa’s gazebo, terrace, private swimming pool and flower plantations. A daybed set under a huge window in the bedroom makes a pleasant area for reading.
The villa offers a walk-in closet, a powder room and a spacious bathroom that comes with his and her sinks, a vanity counter, separate shower and toilet booths and a bathtub. I love how the bathroom opens to a garden where an outdoor shower stands.
Quality entertainment amenities, such as an LCD TV with international channels, BOSE sound system and iPod dock, are provided, along with a mini bar with one-time complimentary selected drinks, butler service and free Internet access.
It is great that the air-conditioning system is automated and shuts down when doors are opened.
F&B As a villa guest, I could have breakfast at any of the hotel’s F&B outlets or in the comfort of my villa. The Villa Lounge and Grand Nikko Club Lounge offer excellent à la carte breakfast options. While the Brasserie’s breakfast buffet featured a great variety of Indonesian and international dishes, I found their taste and quality pale in comparison with what was served at the lounges.
My dinner at Benkay Japanese Restaurant was splendid.
Other facilities The hotel has a departure and arrival lounge for business travellers and MICE groups, and a business centre. Tp unwind, guests can utilise the spa, gym, four pools, three tennis courts and equipment for water and beach sports. Meeting delegates who wish to extend their trip in Bali with their children will appreciate the hotel’s Children’s Jungle Camp (a kid’s club) and lagoon and pool for children.
Improved air links between China and Bali has strengthened the Chinese MICE market for the Island of the Gods, writes Mimi Hudoyo
Bali’s charms are working their way into the hearts of more Chinese MICE groups; pictured here is the Melasti Ritual in progress in Ubud
Indonesia’s MICE business from China has been dominated by clan meetings, retail and B2B exhibitions, most of which take place in Jakarta. In recent years, however, Bali’s appeal to the Chinese MICE market has soared on the wings of improved air access between China and the destination.
According to Herman, Jetwings’ senior operations manager, Bali is now connected to China by various airlines including Hong Kong Express, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, as well as Singapore Airlines via Singapore and Asiana Airlines via Seoul.
More air services by Chinese carriers will soon come online to put Bali within reach for even more Chinese travellers, said Bambang Sugiono, director of Gajah Bali Tour.
Data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy showed that Chinese arrivals in Bali from January to April this year was 191,413, compared to 128,125 during the same period last year. Indonesia, in general, welcomed 324.334 Chinese travellers in the first four months of this year, an increase of 30.4 per cent over the same period in 2013.
Commenting on the rising number of Chinese footfalls in Bali, Bambang said: “There has been a steady growth in Chinese arrivals over the last couple of years. Today, China has become the second biggest market for the island. While most of the traffic is still group and leisure FIT, we have started to see growth in the corporate meeting and incentive segments.”
Come September, Gajah Bali Tour will receive a 400-pax incentive group from a Chinese pharmaceutical company.
Bambang observed that the travel requirements of Chinese incentive groups are similar to leisure travellers – both would stay in Bali for five days/four nights and tour popular landmarks and destinations such as Tanah Lot, Ubud and Pulau Penyu (Turtle Island).
“The only difference is that the incentive package is full-board, including two day tours and one free day,” he added.
The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali has also reported busy days with the Chinese market. It welcomed two corporate incentive groups from China last April. One was from an insurance company with 156 delegates who arrived in two batches, and the other was from a consultancy firm with 84 people, revealed Saraswati Subadia, the resort’s director of sales MICE.
Other sellers in Bali are eager to get in on the action.
Bali Adventure Tours, which operates Ubud Adventure and Function Centre, and Elephant Safari Park & Lodge, exhibited at IT&CM China this year to tap the market. The company’s director of sales and marketing, Arifin Tirta Wijata, said: “Most of our Chinese business comes from the leisure segment, but we see a potential to grow the incentive market. Our participation in (IT&CM China) gave us a few pieces of business, so we have now placed IT&CM China on our yearly agenda.”
To attract the Chinese MICE market, Bali Adventure Tour has rolled out two packages, one a day tour and the other a two-night arrangement.
The day package, good for up to 30 people per group, includes white-water rafting with teambuilding elements, activities and shows at Elephant Safari Park & Lodge, lunch, refreshments and hotel transfers. The two-day option features the same activities and includes accommodation at the lodge plus a mountain cycling tour. It is suitable for groups of up to 20 people.
Bali Hai Cruises, which operates day and evening cruises around Bali and Nusa Lembongan Island, as well as a beach club on Nusa Lembongan Island, is also keen to attract more Chinese incentive groups with its area of specialisation. It currently handles the Chinese leisure segment.
New spaces at Padma Resort
Padma Resort Bali at Legian is revitalising its banquet and meeting facilities with a US$5 million renovation project which will give it a larger ballroom and four new breakout rooms.
Slated to open this month, the refreshed grand ballroom, Plumeria, will have capacity for 700 guests, theatre-style. It can be divided into three smaller spaces, and comes with a pre-function room.
Need to know
New stay at Seminyak
Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak will open this month in the entertainment enclave, offering 290 rooms and suites, 308m² of event facilities including a poolside pre-function area, all-day-dining Seminyak Kitchen, Pool Bar & Lounge, a fitness centre and swimming pool.
Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the hotel.
Table for more than eight
TABLE8 is the latest dining destination at luxury hotel, The Mulia Bali. The oriental restaurant specialises in authentic Cantonese and Sichuan delicacies, and even offers a tea corner where guests can enjoy imported varieties of premium leaves from China.
Menu highlights at the exquisitely designed restaurant include Australian five-head whole abalone braised with wild mushroom, and roasted suckling pig. Diners can also choose to have dim sum or pick off a buffet spread.
TABLE8 opens for lunch and dinner, and can seat 100 guests.
For private functions, the restaurant offers a private dining room for 48 guests.
DoubleTree by Hilton arrives in Indonesia
DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta – Diponegoro opened its doors to guests in June, the latest property in Hilton Worldwide’s Indonesian portfolio and the first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in the country.
It offers 253 rooms and suites, a ballroom for 700 pax in a theatre setting, six breakout rooms for 50 to 120 people, a 24-hour business centre, three dining outlets, and various recreational facilities including an outdoor pool.
It is located near the city’s CBD.
Zip around Bali in a vintage limousine
VW Limo Bali has reconstructed a vintage 1980 Brazilian Volkswagen Kombi to make it a fun transportation option for tours around Bali.
Good for small groups of five people, the iconic vehicle features an L-shape living room equipped with air-conditioning, a minibar, an eight-speaker sound system with hundreds of music albums to make the journey a fun party, and Wi-Fi Internet.
The Kombi is available for day or night charters at US$150 for eight hours, and includes a driver and concierge staff who will assist clients in creating itineraries and booking restaurants and bars.
VW Limo Bali will add four more Kombis to its fleet by early next year.
Email owner Brett Morgan at brett@privatevillasandhouses.com for more information.
Picture by Mimi Hudoyo
Ideas
A day in Bali’s countryside
The UNESCO protected rice terraces at Jatiluwih
MORNING
Drive to Jatiluwih in Tabanan Regency, where the rice terraces have been named a UNESCO Cultural Landscape. Learn about the Subak irrigation system and the rice plantation method, and then partake in hands-on activities such as traditional field ploughing, paddy planting or harvesting, depending on the season.
MIDDAY
Journey on to Bedugul for lunch at a local restaurant that serves Indonesian and international cuisine, then onwards to Candikuning to visit a traditional market where fruits, spices and local snacks can be purchased.
AFTERNOON
Spend the afternoon at three Balinese landmarks – the Pura Ulun Danu, a water temple located at the edge of Lake Bratan, Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and Tanah Lot.
Despite its small size, Singapore commands a large presence in the global events industry to reign as Asia’s top convention city. By Paige Lee Pei Qi
International associations or regional offices based in Singapore have helped the city to anchor a growing number of world congresses
International associations or regional offices based in
Singapore have helped the city to anchor a growing
number of world congresses
Singapore continues to outshine its regional counterparts in the business events sector, having garnered the accolade of being the only Asian city to be ranked among the top 10 convention cities in the world alongside Berlin, Paris and Vienna by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) last year.
Maintaining its position as Asia’s top convention city for 12 consecutive years, Singapore hosted a record 175 ICCA qualified events in 2013, up from 150 events in 2012 – achieving the strongest year-on-year growth since 2005.
Last year, Singapore hosted 12 world congresses and several key meetings, including some first-in-Asia or Singapore events such as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ General Conference and Assembly which attracted 3,900 top international librarians from 114 countries to Singapore over eight days in August.
Jeannie Lim, executive director of conventions, meetings & incentive travel at Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said: “Singapore’s stable and conducive business environment, financial strength and highly-skilled, multicultural workforce tend to attract international organisations to base their regional offices here.”
According to Lim, there are more than 140 international non-profit organisations and associations based in Singapore, which reinforce the city’s value proposition of being the “leading business and knowledge hub in Asia”.
“Singapore is well-positioned to stage association congresses in view of its political neutrality and stability in the world,” said Edward Liu, group managing director, Conference & Exhibition Management Services.
“In addition, many prominent Singaporeans are playing significant roles in several international organisations which put Singapore in good stead in hosting global events,” he added.
Not only does Singapore possess world-class infrastructure and services for hosting events, the city also harbours the domain knowledge and expertise in some of these fields, Liu posited, a view widely shared among industry stakeholders.
Of note, Singapore has been viewed as “a key base for entry into the Asia market among medical companies” lured by its positive economic growth and a prominent geographical location, according to Ng Sok Hia, executive assistant manager, sales and marketing, Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford.
She said: “Numerous medical corporations have since set up base in Singapore, which led to an increase in the number of pharmaceutical congresses held in Singapore.”
The presence of global biomedical MNCs and their manufacturing bases in Singapore will in turn attract more medical event organisers, declared Arun Madhok, CEO of Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. He said:
“This (biomedical) hub effect is self-reinforcing, so we foresee continued mid-term growth for this industry.”
Suntec Singapore has hosted inaugural medical events such as the International Congress on Glaucoma Surgery and the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region congress.
Likewise, Singex Venues’ director, sales & commercial development, Janice Yee, has also observed a “significant upward trend” of events from key industries like medicine and information technology at the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Events held at the venue include the inaugural edition of Internet of Things Asia 2014 in April, and the upcoming Singapore Health & Biomedical Congress in September and the MRO Asia Conference & Exhibition in November.
Marcel Ewals, director, business development from Kenes Asia, which specialises in organising medical and scientific conferences, concurred: “Singapore wins a fair share of these events due to the active medical professionals in the (respective) regional and global associations, with about three to five of such conferences each year.”
Recognising that Singapore’s strengths lie in its strong research and development capabilities and well-established business infrastructure, particularly in industries such as biomedical and healthcare, banking and finance, science and technology and urban solutions, STB is hence focusing on attracting association events that complement these industries, revealed Lim.
Having existing expertise in these industries will also provide local associations learning opportunities to support their international bids for hosting events in Singapore, she pointed out.
“We work with individuals, usually recognised experts or key opinion-makers in their respective fields, to play a key role in profiling Singapore and championing bids,” she said. “Tapping on their networks, insights and expertise, these ambassadors will partner the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB) to co-create relevant content and influence key conferences and meetings to be held in Singapore.”
To attract international associations, “high-quality distinctive content” is the differentiating factor, acknowledged Lim. She added: “We encourage international associations to leverage on Singapore’s key industries and strategic location in Asia. Singapore will provide interesting Asia-centric topics for the international audience.”
SECB will collaborate with the Singapore Economic Development Board’s International Organisations Programme Office to support the needs of associations looking to establish their regional base in Singapore, said Lim.
To reinforce the city’s allure as a congress destination, Lim said SECB also offers customised support like facilitation in securing venues and introduction with leading government agencies, local associations and business partners.
The first Internet of Things Asia was held at the Singapore Expo in April
Sentosa – state of fun and feasts
Add variety to a meeting programme by ending the day with a beachfront dinner party on Sentosa island
The leisure island of Sentosa is no stranger to any traveller or event planner who is used to selling Singapore, especially after the completion of the widely publicised Resorts World Sentosa integrated resort in 2010.
New hotels and attractions that came online in recent years, such as Mövenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa and iFly Singapore, have also helped to draw greater attention to the destination loved by many for its sun, sand and sea. Earlier in May, a new multimedia show, Wings of Time, debuted at Siloso Beach to offer visitors a fresh option for night-time entertainment. By the end of this year Madame Tussauds wax museum will join Sentosa’s growing list of attractions.
Bringing the Sentosa of today into focus is a brand new campaign and tagline, The State of Fun, which was launched in late-May. Explaining the tagline, Susan Ang, divisional director, island investment and branding, Sentosa Development Corporation, said: “The portrayal of Sentosa as a ‘State’ where all visitors are its ‘citizens’ with the ‘freedom of right’ to have fun, is a playful proposition that speaks to an increasingly open local and international target audience who can appreciate humour with a cheeky spin.”
But Sentosa’s MICE team wants to take destination marketing even further and show business event planners that the island can also be the state of unique feasts.
In an interview with TTGmice, Sentosa Leisure Group’s events director of Island Business, Jimmy Wong, said: “Now that the dust (from years of construction) has settled, it is time for us to rejuvenate, rekindle and reignite interest in the island. We have the hardware to support events, so what we need to do is to create memorable experiences for event delegates.”
To do that, Wong’s team is rolling out a series of experiential dining opportunities on the island. The star product now is BBQ by the Beach, a private dinner party that is held under the stars in a scenic nook on Palawan Beach. The unique feature of the party is the use of sand dining furniture – sturdy tables and benches crafted masterfully out of fine sand.
An imu, a traditional Polynesian earth oven, dug four to five feet deep into the ground is another highlight at this party.
BBQ by the Beach is suitable for events with no more than 30 guests, utilising five sand dining furniture sets. It is priced from S$180++ (US$145++) per pax. The menu and package can be customised.
The beachfront dinner idea can accommodate larger groups of up to 200 pax by using a mix of sand dining furniture, floor seats and standing cocktail tables.
“We’ve only just started to talk to local PCOs and DMCs about BBQ by the Beach but sales is moving very well,” Wong said, adding that the first client was a private bank that took 60 high-net-worth clients to dinner on July 18.
Another new experiential dining idea is offered on floating cabanas built out at sea. While this concept was first executed for a wedding party, Wong said it could be replicated for corporate groups.
Up to 20 floating cabanas can be fabricated, with each offering capacity for two to 10 people. These unique floating cabanas cost between S$3,000 to S$12,000 to build, excluding decoration. F&B catering is charged separately; a minimum spend of S$80++ per pax applies.
Although a floating cabana party can be held at any of Sentosa’s three beaches, the team highly recommends Palawan for its stunning background offered by the Southernmost Point and greater serenity.
There are plans to develop even more dining concepts that leverage the island’s natural environment, such as its forests.
“These ideas offer a different dimension to dining for conference delegates, whom I’m sure do not want to have all their functions within the hotel or convention centre.”
Wong is quick to clarify that Sentosa is “not out to compete with the MICE facilities on the island or on Singapore’s mainland”.
“We want to complement these hotels and convention centres by providing the leisure aspect of any business event programme,” he said.
“In fact, we are working with island partners now to create other experiential dining ideas. For instance, we are looking to partner Segway (GoGreen Segway Eco Adventure) in a dine-around activity which will see delegates moving from one dining location to another on Segways.
“We are also keen to develop a larger food trail adventure that will see delegates do fun things like race down the luge (Skyline Luge Sentosa) and at the finish line roll their own chicken rice balls, then make their way down to Tanjong Beach, for instance, for another activity, and maybe end with a durian party somewhere else on the island,” shared Wong.
The Southernmost Point adds to Palawan Beach’s allure as an outdoor function venue
“With the strong currency that Singapore has in comparison with its neighbours, the only way Sentosa – or any other tourism seller here – can compete well is to offer unique, memorable experiences that are not yet available elsewhere. And we must keep developing new ideas – on our own and with our partners – to keep interest high because our ideas today will one day be replicated elsewhere,” he said. – Karen Yue
Need to know
A fine-dining experience in Lewin Terrace
The elegant Lewin Terrance, which specialises in Japanese-French cuisine, has opened in the tranquil Fort Canning Park. Housed in a black-and-white colonial bungalow, the fine-dining restaurant features chef de cuisine Ryoichi Kano at its helm.
Already drawing interest from coroporate groups, Lewin Terrance recently hosted a private group of approximately 20 for lunch.
It can seat up to 82 guests, split between the well-appointed and spacious interior (66 pax) and the charming terrace (12 pax).
Email info@lewinterrace.com.sg for reservations.
New space for medical and lifestyle meetings
The five-star luxury One Farrer Hotel & Spa will open this month within the mixed-use lifestyle complex Connexion, offering a total of 250 rooms spread across three distinct hotel concepts.
Soft opening in phases, the hotel is located within Singapore’s historic neighbourhood of Farrer Park. The Connexion complex will also include the Farrer Park Medical Clinics and Farrer Park Hospital.
One Farrer Hotel & Spa will target MICE groups with its One Farrer Conference Centre. Its 698m² Grand Ballroom, which can sit up to 650 guests and be split into two sections, is equipped with three multimedia screens, touchscreen control panels for presenters, handheld Samsung interactive tablets for conference delegates and a smart light system for customised light projections.
Video streaming connections allow real-time transmission of activities happening in other locations in Connexion, such as Farrer Park Hospital’s 18 operating rooms, positioning the conference centre as a venue for medical and lifestyle meetings.
Events can also be held at the hotel’s meeting rooms, the air-conditioned marquee on the Lifestyle Podium and poolside venues.
Chinatown goes digital
Chinatown is the latest district in Singapore to offer free Wi-Fi access to visitors. The complimentary network covers five popular tourist areas: Smith Street, Trengganu Street, Pagoda Street, Sago Street and Kreta Ayer Square.
Besides being able to surf the Internet, visitors who log into the network can also access a map of Chinatown that highlights popular landmarks and places of interest such as the Sri Mariamman Temple and the Chinatown Food Street.
Look for the brightest star
If you are planning to escape the busy city centre for your next event, The Star Theatre in Buona Vista may be considered. Lauded as Singapore’s first massive performing arts theatre, The Star Theatre can seat 5,000 people in its iconic horseshoe structure.
Venue options include the auditorium which offers stalls and two circle levels, and the Star Gallery which is a multipurpose hall with retractable walls and flexible outdoor spaces. The latter can accommodate 770 guests in theatre-style or 400 guests in a banquet setting.
THE World Halal Forum, held annually in the Philippines except last year when it was run in Istanbul, returns to Manila this year on November 27-28.
Abdul Rahman Linzag, president and CEO of organiser Islamic Da’Wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP), said the forum, to be held at InterContinental Hotel Manila, will see over 500 local and foreign attendees including members of the World Halal Council of which IDCP is a member and Linzag is vice president.
Asked why the forum is held in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, Linzag said: “It is precisely to help and educate Muslims, and facilitate unity and understanding with the majority of Filipinos, so we can work together and make a strong country.”
This year’s forum is backed by the Department of Tourism that, aside from encouraging more MICE into Philippines, is also promoting the country as a Muslim-friendly destination and encouraging the hospitality industry to get halal certification and accreditation from IDCP.
IDCP is a federation of 95 Muslim organisations nationwide, authorised to issue halal certification and accreditation to hotels, restaurants, food manufacturers, etc, across the world.
Angel Ramos Bognot, president and managing director of Afro Asian Travel and Tours, groundhandler for the World Halal Forum, said the forum among other things will tackle halal tourism, its new parameters, as well as guidelines and standards of accreditation.
AS BANGKOK enters a period of relative peace following months of political unrest and a military coup in the first half of 2014, the city’s hotels are eager to win back confidence and business in the sector by trumpeting meeting promotions.
In addition to the 14 Baht Meeting Package launched in June (TTGmice e-Weekly, June 10, 2014), in which each additional guest after the first 10 attendees is charged only 14 baht (US$0.44), Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel has also launched the Rewarding Events offer.
The deal provides a choice between a one-night stay in a Deluxe Room or 3,000 baht in credit toward F&B or spa treatments for meeting planners who spend 250,000++ baht. MICE planners with higher spend at the hotel will be entitled to even more benefits.
Said Soo Oftana, director of sales & marketing at Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel: “We are seeing a positive trend with inquiries from Singapore, Hong Kong, India and the US after the curfew was lifted but demand volume is still very low and MICE inquiry volume is 20 per cent less compared with last year.
“We launched the new MICE promotion to keep our name in the market and also to keep our offer competitive with the market,” she added.
Other hotels noted for their MICE business have also joined the fray.
The Sukosol Bangkok has introduced a Residential Meeting Package that offers full-day meeting and accommodation packages at 3,050 baht per person (twin-sharing) and 4,700 baht (single occupancy), applicable for a minimum booking of 10 rooms per night, according to the hotel’s director of sales & marketing, Hisakazu Sato.
Full-day meeting packages are priced at 1,200 baht per person per day at Pullman Bangkok King Power, 1,600 baht per person per day at Dusit Thani Bangkok, and 1,800++ baht per person per day at Okura Prestige Bangkok, based on a media release from the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau highlighting events-related deals in the capital.
Meanwhile, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) has also created a New Trade Show at QSNCC special offer, which will shave up to 20 per cent off regular fees for professional exhibition organisers, plus other complimentary benefits.
HANGZHOU Tourism Commission (HTC) is taking steps to add a second brand – Hangzhou MICE Promotion Center, indicating it is taking on the roles of a convention and exhibition bureau (CVB) – to the Hangzhou Tourism Promotion Center to ensure the destination does not lose its number three ranking in China.
Speaking at an industry roundtable discussion last week, Roger Shu, MICE manager, HTC, said: “There were 15 international meetings in Hangzhou in 2013 and the city ranks number three in China with about 10,000 delegates. Our target is to reach 25 international meetings in three years’ time.
“With a CVB, Hangzhou will be in a stronger position to influence decision-makers to hold association meetings from Europe, and to attract more incentive business to the city.
“Hangzhou is number three in China’s MICE ranking. We do not want to lose out to Nanjing, which is also in the same position, and Chengdu, which was number three in 2012.
“Hangzhou’s needs for a CVB like Singapore, like Hong Kong, and to professionalise the industry are being highlighted to the city’s mayor, and we hope the bureau can be set up by next year.”
Hangzhou is also setting up a system to collate MICE data.
HTC’s Hangzhou Tourism Promotion Center established its MICE department in 2009, and set up China’s first MICE association with members from all sectors of the industry in 2010.
Explained Shu: “The association has more than 100 members and is a platform for them to participate in tradeshows such as AIME, EIBTM, IMEX, CIBTM, etc.”
The event was co-presented by Starwood Hotels and Resorts and TTGmice, and held at Sheraton Hangzhou Wetland Park Resort.
*This article originally stated that Hangzhou is setting up a CVB, which was incorrect and has since been amended.
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
Much ink has been spilled over how airlines and hotels are adopting wearable technology into their operations, but TTGmice is excited how Google Glass – a voice-activated, head-mounted eyewear that allows users to take photos and videos as well as search the Internet – can be incorporated into meetings and events as well.
