No matter what Asian country you focus on there is something happening. From bold new Government initiatives like that in Singapore, to hotel and venue operators expanding and upgrading, Asia is where it’s at for meetings, incentives and events.
Not only does the Asia region ooze with opportunity it is clearly where the world is focusing much of its attention, particularly in the meetings business. Destinations like China are attracting a greater share of corporate meetings and incentives than ever before, while many of the older, more established destinations, like Bali, are slowly attracting a greater share of business.
Areas of Thailand devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami are now fully operational and securing strong business from Australia and Europe. Below is a snapshot of some of the latest and greatest initiatives in Asia.
Singapore grows market
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) recently unveiled a three point plan devised to attract a greater share of the business travel and MICE market. The sector accounted for approximately 30 per cent of all tourism receipts in Singapore in 2004, and the STB is aiming to substantially increase this to at least 35 per cent (S$10.5 billion) by 2015, equating to an average annual growth rate of 15 per cent over the next 10 years.
Singapore Tourism Board manager in Australia, Michelle Alice Thoo, says Singapore needs to move beyond merely being an efficient and effective venue and become a catalyst for business success.
“Our goal is to be a top BTMICE (business travel, meetings, incentive, conference and events) destination which offers visitors many opportunities to exchange ideas, network, explore business prospects and develop human capital,” Miss Thoo said.
The STB’s new strategy for the business events industry will entail a close collaboration between Singapore agencies and industry partners within key economic clusters to create, grow and attract business events that are centred on the nation’s key economic drivers and initiatives. The key clusters include biomedical sciences, ICT and digital media, environment and water technologies, banking and finance, transportation and logistics, and tourism.
“The strategy seeks to leverage Singapore’s key economic sectors in order to develop a strong ecosystem of business events, therefore strengthening the strategic position of Singapore as an exchange capital for each cluster,” Miss Thoo adds.
The second part of the initiative is the commitment of S$170 million drawn out of the S$2 billion Tourism Development Fund to finance the development of business events over the next five years.
This umbrella incentive scheme supports the evolving and varied needs of the business events industry. Developed in consultation with the industry this scheme empowers the industry to attract, bid for, and grow a sustainable volume of strategic business events to support the development of key clusters that make up Singapore’s economic base. The scheme will focus on new anchor events which would be held in Singapore over a number of years, as well as encourage industry to create new trade exhibitions, offer additional conference opportunities and further expand exhibition offerings.
Support for MICE organisers will be available in the form of bidding and lobbying, professional service, event enhancement, overseas event marketing costs, guest keynote speakers’ costs, in-market office set-up and representative retainers. The third part of the campaign is a global marketing and advertising campaign – Singapore, Where Great Things Happen. The campaign will be an integral component of the STB’s marketing communications plans to entrench Singapore as a top of mind destination for business events.
Regus doubles capacity in Asia
The world’s largest provider of outsourced workplaces, The Regus Group has doubled its presence in Asia over the last 12 months to 283 meeting rooms in 21 cities. Through acquisitions and the opening of new centres the company now has the capacity to service more clients throughout its Asian network spanning over 8000 square metres in 47 centres. Regus also offers clients access to the world’s largest network of professional meeting room and conferencing facilities with over 750 locations worldwide. General manager for Regus in Australia and New Zealand, Ian Wheeler, says demand is certainly growing in Asia.
“India and Japan will be targeted in the coming year. Regus also aims to bring all inventory online in the near future to enable ease of bookings across the network, offering clients the advantage of one point of contact,” he said.
One of Japan’s major consumer finance companies, Kyoto-based Aiful K.K. Japan which has over 1500 branches throughout the country, and employs almost 3500 employees has used Regus’ meeting room facilities on several occasions to conduct staff training sessions.
“Regus offers a much quieter and more business-like environment than a hotel,” said director of training for Aiful K.K Japan, Norimasa Hayashi.
“We are very impressed with the high quality of the rooms, equipment, catering and technical support services. I find they deliver so much more in a business sense compared to a hotel. The facilities are perfect for our training needs.”
Standard meeting room features include a whiteboard, flipchart, overhead projector, inclusion of local telephone calls, high speed internet for one person, TV and VCR or DVD. Additional pay-as-you-use services including catering, business support services, videoconferencing, data projector hire and computer hire are also available. The meeting rooms offer a variety of seating configurations, ranging in size from seven square metres to 350 square metres, including the China Life Tower in Beijing which is the largest centre, accommodating up to 380 people. China Life Tower also includes a full service restaurant. A broad range of companies use the facilities including training and recruitment agencies, education firms, technology companies, law firms, government departments and companies with international and interstate offices. The Regus Group (www.regus.com) serves more than 100,000 clients a day and has a network of 750 locations in 350 cities (60 countries) around the globe.
Carlson Hotels continues expansion
Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific continues its expansion in Asia, most recently announcing the development of the Radisson Hotel Shanghai Hong Quan, located northwest of Shanghai at the intersection of Tao Pu Road and Da Du He Road, in the Zhen Ru sub-centre, adjacent to the future Shanghai Western Railway Station. President of Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, Paul Kirwin, says as one of China’s most vital markets, Shanghai is a key target for the group’s continuing growth to serve customer demand for upmarket, internationally managed business hotels in the city.
“The Radisson Hotel Shanghai Hong Quan will serve this need by providing international and domestic business guests with the superior facilities and services they have come to expect at Radisson hotels across the world,” he said.
“The strategic location and innovative architecture of the Radisson Hotel Shanghai Hong Quan make the hotel an excellent addition to the Radisson portfolio of quality hotels being developed in the region and worldwide. Due to open in October 2007, the 318-room Radisson Hotel Shanghai Hong Quan will consist of a combination of four grand structures. The structures include an existing six storey building previously named the Hong Quan Hotel, now named the ‘South Wing’, a newly built 22 storey building with a 10 storey annex as the ‘Main Tower’, a ‘North Wing’ with newly added two storey convention centre and the ‘ West Wing’ which will undergo a complete renovation to finalise the Radisson transformation. The hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality Chinese restaurant, a lobby lounge bar, and a contemporary health club featuring an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and hair salon. The Radisson Hotel Shanghai Hong Quan brings the number of Carlson hotels currently under development in China to four. There are currently eight hotels already operating in China under Carlson hotel brands including Regent Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts brands.
Visit Malaysia 2007
In January 2007 Malaysians will be ushering in the New Year with a year-long event ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2007’, which will be grandly launched in the same month, followed by a kaleidoscope of events that will certainly make business travellers want to stay longer. Next on the list is the Floral Parade, where a riot of colours will come to life on a row of floats decorated with an assortment of flowers, accompanied by exotic cultural performances. The first two months of the year mark the festivals of two major communities of Malaysia. The first is the Chinese who welcome the New Year with vibrant lion and dragon dances accompanied by the thump of mighty drums, gongs and cymbals. It’s a celebration that spans a period of 15 days. Then, about two weeks later, the Hindu devotees celebrate Thaipusam to worship the deity Lord Muruga or Lord Subramaniam. The procession, celebrated on a gigantic scale, is an awesome sight of devotees in a trance, with hooks and spears piercing their bodies as they carry the kavadi, an elaborate ceremonial gear that symbolises their spiritual sacrifice and faith. If racing is your kind of sports thrill, there’s plenty of raw action to get your pulse racing from February to April. The three international events that you shouldn’t miss are the Petronas Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix, the world-famous Le Tour de Langkawi where top cyclists race at breakneck speed to reach the finish line, and the BMW Royal Langkawi International Regatta, which will showcase world-class seamanship and navigation skills by daring and dexterous sailors from all over the world. There’s more action in the water! Just get down to the beach for a splashing great time during the Malaysia Water Festival which features vigorous activities such as jet skiing, kayaking and canoeing. From food to tradition, Malaysia is a paradise of all things exotic, as you’ll soon discover with the Colours and Flavours of Malaysia Festival in July. During this month-long event you’ll get to savour authentic Malaysian cuisine, shop for hand-crafted and creatively designed souvenirs, see a colourful, lively parade of cultural shows and enjoy many musical performances. Then in June, the ethnic societies comprising the Ibans, Orang Ulu and Bidayuh of Sarawak celebrate Gawai Dayak to mark the rice harvesting season. A visit to their communal homes or longhouses is a must for you’ll be served tuak or rice wine and chicken cooked in bamboo, as well as witness and even participate in traditional ceremonies and cultural dances.
Malaysia is indeed a sight to behold, and to appreciate the nature and culture of Malaysian in full glory, join in the Rainforest World Music Festival in the mysteriously fascinating state of Sarawak. Here, you’ll be treated to an amazing panorama of sight and sound, all happening in the month of July. As you journey back to urban Malaysian centres like Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang and Malacca, you will discover a myriad of designer brands and other great buys at jaw-dropping prices during the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival. It’s the time when smart shoppers flock from bustling bazaars to street-side boutiques and posh shopping malls.
The mood of festivity will reach a crescendo as Malaysia celebrates her 50th Golden Anniversary in August to mark 50 years of independence. During the Independence Day Parade see a multitude of races and ethnic groups coming together in a spectacular sea of cultural displays. Then in October, the Indian community celebrates Deepavali, the festival of lights in the seventh month of the Hindu calendar. They will adorn their homes with kolam or a floor decoration made of multi-coloured rice. At the temples, prayers of thanksgiving and cleansing rituals will take place in a big way. In the same month, the Malays celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri and hold an ‘open house’, a tradition that demonstrates true Malaysian hospitality where guests are warmly invited to the host’s home for a great feast.
Come December, the Christians will hold an ‘open house’ to welcome family members and friends to join in the Christmas celebration. During this season, the streets and malls will transform into a dazzling wonderland of lights, ornaments, trimmings and all things Christmas. Whenever you are in Malaysia for business or pleasure, you will never run out of things to do, to see, to discover and to enjoy. This promises to be especially true during the celebration of Visit Malaysia Year 2007, which will certainly be a most exciting and festive experience!
Macau – a world of difference
If location is a pre-cursor to success then Macau has in the past been blessed with its position at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta. Traders from east and west have been meeting in Macau since the 16th century when it was the major gateway to China and a crossroad for cultures, cuisines and commerce. This history is now a major attraction, especially as Macau is easily accessible and offers international class hotels and a wide variety of meeting facilities.
Macau also offers the advantages of good service, imaginative management and freedom from official interference. In addition, it is less expensive, less hectic, and conveniently compact. Venues in Macau range from 4000-seat auditoriums to small boardrooms and everything in between, and getting to Macau is far easier than ever before. Landing in Hong Kong delegates take escalators to ground level and catch a boat to Macau – certainly a unique way to start any visit to a new country. Already with a large number of facilities the destination looks set to get even more with the opening of The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, which will have 3000 suites, and the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, both due for opening in 2007.
For details on Macau for meetings and incentives visit www.macautourism.gov.mo or contact the Macau Government Tourism Office Australian representative on (02) 9264 1488.
Asian destinations are fast becoming “can do” ones, offering plenty of truly unique experiences that will not only leave delegates breathless but begging for more of the same. One of the quiet achievers in Asia continues to be the Sultanate of Brunei. With a population of just over 230,000 Brunei is a cultural melting pot of Malay (67 per cent), Chinese, (15 per cent), indigenous tribes (six per cent) and other nationalities, giving it a wonderful mix of cultures, food and a style very similar to that of Malaysia. The nation’s official language is Malay but English is widely spoken by the majority of the population. With Malay traditions at Brunei’s cultural heart, the religion of Islam is at its core. Today Brunei receives more than one million visitors annually, the vast majority of which arrive from Malaysia. Business events is a growing market segment for Brunei. In the past Brunei has played host to a range of high-profile events including APEC meetings, the ASEAN Tourism Forum, and the South East Asian Games. Brunei’s capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, voted the seventh “Most Liveable City” in Asia in 2000, is an orderly, hassle free city with a great deal to offer potential business event travellers. The largest meeting venue in Brunei, the International Convention Centre (ICC) has greatly enhanced the country’s capabilities in terms of hosting high-profile events.
Who’s who in the zoo?
As much as Brunei is a whole of destination experience, Singapore caters to a variety of tastes and styles – from five star beach resorts to pure conference venues. One of the most interesting venues for business events has to be the Singapore Zoo. Leveraging on their open-concept animal habitats and lush greenery, the attractions now offer more unique packages that combine dining and wildlife appreciation. Available packages, which include Breakfast-in-the-Wild, Jungle Luncheon, Tropical Tea and Dinner Safari, offer special animal appearances and performances from fire-eaters, tribal dancers and musicians. At the Singapore Zoo visitors can savour a hearty yet thrilling Breakfast-In-the-Wild. Catered to specific requirements, this unique breakfast experience enables visitors to indulge in local delights as well as get up close with the zoo’s gorgeous animals, including the elephants, orang utans and pythons. Another option is the Gourmet Safari Express, with a capacity of between 15 and 72 people. This award-winning dining experience allows visitors to dine onboard a specially decorated tram that goes around the lush secondary forest in the Night Safari. Ideal for special dinner parties with business associates, Gourmet Safari Express promises visitors a leisurely yet sumptuous meal.
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