Pullman Kuala Lumpur keen on international MICE

July 9, 2014

PULLMAN Kuala Lumpur Bangsar will continue leveraging its strength as a business hotel to increase its market share of international MICE business.

MICE now makes up 40 per cent of business and the 513-key hotel is targeting 60 per cent.

General manager, Eric Tan, said: “The use-up rate of the hotel is higher with international MICE business. With more international MICE business, we also get to showcase Malaysia as a strong MICE destination in this region.”

To generate more awareness of the hotel and its facilities to event organisers, DMCs and international delegates, the property is the official venue of Malaysia’s inaugural Business Events Week organised by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) next month (TTGmice e-Weekly, July 3, 2014).

The hotel will also participate at international tradeshows, follow MyCEB on overseas roadshows and participate in sales missions organised by Accor.

Tan said one of the selling points of Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar is its ballroom, which is one of the largest pillarless ballrooms in Kuala Lumpur and can accommodate up to 2,000 people in theatre-style and 110 round tables for banquet seating. The property also has 11 meeting rooms and an executive boardroom.

The property will be further enhanced by this year-end with the opening of two new F&B outlets – the first a fusion restaurant serving Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine, and the other a rooftop bar on the 28th floor providing a clear 360º view of the city. This brings the total number of F&B outlets at the hotel to six.

Wings of Time takes flight

By TTGmice

July 7, 2014

Sentosa Island’s new multimedia night show, Wings of Time, kicked off on June 17 and promises to wow with a range of effects from robotic water fountains to pyrotechnics.

Wings of Time tells the tale of two teenagers, Rachel and Felix, who help a bird-like creature, Shahbaz, find its way home through time and space.

French events company ECA2 was brought in to work on the project. CEO Jean-Christophe Canizares said of the challenges involved: “We are developing a night extravaganza designed to awe audiences every single day. That is first and foremost a technical challenge to take into account the sea water, heat and humidity. The second is the challenge of creating an immersive experience with a wow factor, and that comes from the music, story and choreography of effects and talents.”

Shows run daily at 19.40 and 20.40 along Siloso Beach. Premium seats are priced at S$23 (US$18) while standard seats cost S$18, and S$15 for local residents.

Wings of Time replaces Songs of the Sea, which ended in May after a seven-year run.

Best Western opens in Phnom Penh

By TTGmice

July 7, 2014

Best Western International has secured a second property in Cambodia, having taken over the management of a hotel now branded the Best Western River Palace Hotel, Phnom Penh.

The 59-key hotel is situated on the banks of the Tonle Sap River.

Glenn de Souza, vice president of international operations for Asia and Middle East, Best Western International, said: “This exciting city is fast becoming a regional hub for business and leisure travel, and the position of the Best Western River Palace Hotel means we are now at the very heart of Phnom Penh’s growth.

“Combined with our existing hotel in Siem Reap, this opening also means Best Western is now present Cambodia’s two leading destinations,” he added.

Best Western River Palace Hotel’s meeting space and VIP rooms provide options for gatherings of between 12 and 60 people. Business travellers are also supported by a modern business centre.

Other facilities at the hotel include two F&B outlets, a fitness centre and a spa offering Cambodia’s only Turkish hammam.

Tokyo offers new support

By TTGmice

July 7, 2014

Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau last month refreshed its subvention programmes for planners who hold their events in the Japanese capital.

Corporate groups with at least 50 attendees staying for a minimum of two nights in Tokyo, but are still choosing additional destinations, are entitled to rewards based on a tiered system according to group size.

Delegates within a group of 50 will receive a giveaway per person, while groups of 200 or more will receive a gift, choice of party entertainment from ninjas to awaodori dance performances and welcome parties at Tokyo’s airports.

Groups consisting of 500 or more attendees will receive the same benefits but with an extra choice between a traditional noh performance or a pop culture one.

The event must be held in Tokyo by March 31, 2015 and cannot be affiliated with religious or political agendas.

The second subvention programme is for key decision makers of events with more than 500 delegates planning to stay two or more nights in Tokyo, for a site visit in the city.

The CVB’s support extends to three decision makers who will have their airfare and accommodation sponsored. The site visit must be completed by March 31, 2015 and the event held before March 31, 2016.

Full terms and conditions are available at www.businesseventstokyo.org/special-offer-for-corporate-events.

It’s now New World Millennium Hong Kong

By TTGmice

July 7, 2014

The New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel debuts this month following the rebranding of the Hotel Nikko Hongkong.

A collaboration between New World Hotels and Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, the hotel’s rebranding will include a phased HK$120 million (US$15.5 million) renovation of the 464-room harbourfront hotel. It will remain in operation while undergoing the enhancements.

Located on Mody Road in Tsim Sha Tsui East, the hotel features 464 guestrooms and suites, with seven dining options including all-day dining, specialty restaurants and lobby lounge.

Meeting spaces include a grand ballroom and 10 meeting rooms, while recreational facilities include a health club and a rooftop pool.

AirAsia X, Air Busan join hands for Jeju flights

By TTGmice

July 7, 2014

Longhaul low-cost carrier, AirAsia X, has signed a commercial marketing agreement with Air Busan, offering passengers connecting flights to Jeju Island from Busan.

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X, said: “This collaboration would further strengthen our commitment to South Korea from Kuala Lumpur, and provide our guests greater connectivity between Busan and Jeju Island.”

He added: “Our flights to Busan, which started in July 2013, have recorded strong growth with an average of 88 per cent passenger load to date. With this commercial agreement, we hope to further boost traffic growth between South Korea and the ASEAN region.”

MAS tightens checked baggage rules

By TTGmice

July 7, 2014

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) now allows passengers to check in a maximum of two pieces of baggage within the 30-, 40- and 50kg free baggage allowance for travel on economy, business and first class respectively.

Guests travelling economy class are limited to one piece of cabin baggage up to a maximum of 7kg, while first and business class passengers are allowed two pieces of cabin baggage with a maximum weight of 7kg each.

New rates also apply for excess baggage charges: RM45 (US$14) per 5kg block of excess weight for flights within Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, and RM55 for flights crossing between the peninsula and Sabah or Sarawak.

For international flights, fees for excess baggage vary from RM70 within ASEAN; RM100 for South Asia and Greater China; RM115 for North Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East; and RM170 for Europe.

These revisions apply to all tickets on both domestic and international MAS flights, including MASwings. It, however, does not cover codeshare flights operated by other airlines.
Enrich and Oneworld members are entitled to the additional baggage allowance according to their membership status.

Quirky meeting concept takes root at Shangri-La’s Boracay resort

By TTGmice

July 7, 2014

Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa has unveiled Sunglasses at Work Meet by Design, a destination meeting concept combining corporate meetings with social event experiences.

It is a set of customised ideas and set ups that transforms the usual boardroom sessions, team bonding activities, special events and other corporate requirements into a fun and memorable affair, explained director of events Melissa Santiago.

Examples of this include holding corporate meetings in a Treehouse Villa rather than in a meeting room, coffee breaks paired with a quick massage, arcade games at the Entertainment Centre, or beach golf, etc. Attendees can take up greener causes through coral reef planting or beach clean-ups.

General manager Amit Oberoi said Sunglasses at Work Meet by Design does not necessarily entail additional cost to corporate clients as the 12.5ha resort already has the activities, facilities and space for “bleasure”.

The resort is mainly a leisure destination with little MICE business but the new meeting concept would encourage more corporations to come to the island destination, as the experience cannot be replicated in a city setting. – Rosa Ocampo

Hyatt Place debuts in Asia with Shenzhen hotel

By TTGmice

July 7, 2014

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts has launched its first Hyatt Place hotel in Asia-Pacific in Shenzhen, China.

Hyatt Place Shenzhen Dongmen is located near the Shenzhen Dongmen Shopping District and a short distance from the Luohu business district, offering easy access from the airport and train station.

The Hyatt Place brand aims to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers with its service concept, modern design and amenities including free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings.

The hotel boasts 144 rooms, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, free hot breakfasts, a 24-hour gym, free public computers with Internet access, and more than 110m2 of high-tech meeting space.

F&B choices at the hotel extend to a market serving food round the clock; Coffee to Cocktails Bar featuring specialty coffees, premium house beverages and cocktails; and Gallery Kitchen for sit-down lunch and dinner, dishing up local fare as well as Western food.

Celebration of Sales Excellence

By Prudence Lui

July 4, 2014

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort surpasses past events’ success with a unique dinner to reward top-performing partners, writes Prudence Lui

Inaugurated in 2011, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s Celebration of Sales Excellence event aims to reward valued travel agency partners with an evening of extraordinary experiences, underscoring its commitment to partners and providing them with a better understanding of its brand values and service capabilities.

What set this year’s event apart from the previous years’ was a range of refreshing ideas for partners who have experienced the Magical World of Disney events before. Sales and distribution marketing vice president, Terruce Wang, said: “For the first time, Adventureland was chosen as the venue to symbolise the many adventure-filled journeys we have shared with our partners. This theme was also in line with that of the new hotel planned by the Resort, offering guests an immersive and Disney resort-style experience dedicated to the spirit of exploration.”

The event’s immense success in the last two years had certainly raised the bar for the planning team. Coming up with and executing a number of creative ideas all at once was a challenge, said Wang.

He added: “We formed a task force comprising members from sales and distribution, marketing, entertainment, park operations and F&B departments and kicked off the discussion last October.”

The queuing area outside Theater in the Wild was turned into a cocktail and dinner venue. Creative décor and music, coupled with the provision of straw safari hats and animal print scarves to guests set the mood for adventure and exploration.

“The Theater in the Wild queuing area had never been used as a dinner venue. Besides fully transforming the area into a safari camp within two hours so as not to disrupt park visitors’ experience in the daytime, the team had to work out the logistics, from power supply and venue decoration to background music.”

Another innovative idea was an exclusive show, Adventures Behind the Scenes, which offered story-telling between award presentations followed by backstage staff showcasing safety measures for fire settings behind the show Festival of the Lion King. The overall atmosphere heightened when some in the audience donned costumes and danced with the performers.

Wang added: “There were live cooking stations where the chefs interacted with guests by introducing the creative ideas behind specific dishes. The extensive buffet spread also featured favourite dishes from around the world. Earlier, even the invitation to guests was uniquely contained in a mini treasure chest. At the end of the event a log book with photographs taken at the event as well as a telescope were given to guests as souvenirs.”

As the venue was outdoors, the team also had a contingency plan in case of rain. The alternative venue Royal Banquet Hall was on stand-by, as were umbrellas for guests.

With 26 top-performing partners honoured, the event proved a great success, drawing the attendance of over a hundred top leaders of the Resort’s closest trade partners as well as positive feedback.

Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management commercial division director, Alcuin Li, commented: “What’s special tonight is the chance to enjoy some superb performances while sharing the joy of the award winners. I would definitely recommend the delicious food too. The Disney Cast also made us feel really welcome!”