In Asia, every destination you visit, every destination you read about, every destination you see highlighted on the myriad of travel shows on television, all point to the one thing: Asia continues to be the hottest region on the planet for seemingly everything; from business to leisure, and plenty in-between.
News reports, particularly in the business events arena, continue to point towards strong growth across the meetings and incentive sectors. Events are also hot news, and many companies are taking advantage of the strong business opportunities by setting up shop in Asia. This is true of a number of Australian companies (like Off Site Connections Event Management and Turning Point Solutions, which both have subsidiaries in China).
The big European-based event management company, MCI, described as a global association, communications and event management company, is also expanding in Asia. After establishing an office in Singapore in 2005, MCI was quick to expand into China, opening an office in Shanghai, and has further plans for additional offices in other Asian counties in the next 12 months.
Keeping up with the growth, new additions, new and refurbished hotels, and expansion of existing and indeed new companies isn’t easy. Over the following pages we give mice.net readers a snapshot of some of the very latest announcements in a region that never sits still for long (if at all).
Some might believe with the money being poured into Macau and strong infrastructure growth in China continuing that Singapore might simply throw its hands in the air and say that “enough is enough”. But that most definitely isn’t the Singaporean way.
Singapore, and those working in the competitive tourism sector, are rising to the challenges they face, and striving harder than ever before to capture more business. And, it appears as if they are challenging themselves and the rest of the world and putting in place strong forecasts and targets that, should they come off, will see the destination becoming one of the most lucrative in the world, particularly in the business events arena.
Already staging more than 5000 business events annually and hosting around 2.3 million business event visitors each year, Singapore has hung its hopes on transforming its business tourism sector into a key revenue generator within the next decade.
Currently, business and MICE visitors constitute approximately 25 per cent of Singapore’s visitor arrivals and accounts for more than 30 per cent, or SGD3 billion, of total tourism receipts. The country expects to substantially raise its contribution to at least 35 per cent, or SGD10.5 billion, by 2015.
One of the most exciting developments to help grow business events is the Marina Bay development at the southern-most tip of Singapore. This new downtown district will be home to the city’s new financial hub, dubbed the Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC), and one of Singapore’s two new Integrated Resorts (IR), Marina Bay Sands, opening in 2009 and boosting the destination’s MICE capabilities with more than 100,000 square metres of meetings space. Singapore’s island resort, Sentosa will host the second Integrated Resort, Resorts World at Sentosa, which is expected to position Singapore as an exciting incentive travel destination. Scheduled to open in 2010, Resorts World at Sentosa will have meetings facilities with the ability to host approximately 12,000 delegates across three key venues.
Venues and facilities currently in existence are already doing their part to keep business event delegates happy, both in terms of accommodation and attractions. One of the most popular Singapore attractions is Singapore Zoo, and specifically its Night Safari concept which is well-suited to convention and incentive groups seeking something out of the ordinary.
Singapore Zoo and Night Safari have further expanded their dining and event options for the business tourism market. Combining dining and wildlife appreciation, the attractions offer unique packages such as Breakfast-in-the-Wild, Jungle Luncheon, Tropical Tea and Dinner Safari.
Singapore Zoo provides a wide selection of incentive and corporate venues. At Treetops Trails, Elephants of Asia, Hamadryas Baboons or Tiger Trek, guests can choose to sip cocktails near the playful primates, enigmatic elephants or the mysterious white tigers.
Pavilion By The Lake, Reservoir Picnic Site and Garden Pavilion are perfect for outdoor settings replete with the thrill of cicadas to add ambience. For air-conditioned comfort, guests can opt for Forest Fare or Forest Lodge.
Two latest additions to the Singapore Zoo are the Australian Outback and Palm Park. Opened in March 2006, Australian Outback is located next to the pristine waters of the Seletar Reservoir. There, guests can enjoy the rugged beauty of “Down Under” and view a varied collection of Australia’s indigenous animals. Palm Park is a wonderful getaway from mundane city dining This venue caters to small cocktails of 50 to lavish dinners for 800.
And since November 2006, visitors to Night Safari can enjoy a new dining experience at Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant. Newly furbished with a rustic and rainforest theme, this restaurant evokes a kampong (traditional village) feel among diners and presents an array of food from many Asian countries. Diners can opt for al-fresco or indoor dining, buffet or a-la-carte.
In terms of accommodation in Singapore, the Marina Mandarin Singapore, managed by Meritus Hotels & Resorts, is without doubt one of Singapore’s best. Voted as one of the Gold List Hotels in Asia, Australia and Pacific Nations in the 2005 Readers’ Choice Gold List of Conde Nast Traveller, Meritus Mandarin Singapore is a five-star business traveller’s hotel that provides 1200 guestrooms including 32 suites, two exclusive Club Lounges and two Presidential Suites.
The rooms, equipped with broadband internet access, are designed with plush features to meet the needs of every business traveller.
Conveniently located in the most prestigious address on Orchard Road – the heart of Singapore’s business, shopping and entertainment district, Meritus Mandarin Singapore is a harmonious blend of traditional Oriental splendour and Western contemporary elegance. It is easily accessible via two Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train stations – Orchard and Somerset.
The hotel also hosts a smorgasbord of multi-award winning restaurants serving a diverse range of cuisine - Top of the ‘M’ Revolving Restaurant (French), Pine Court Chinese Restaurant (Cantonese), Triple 3, The Buffet Restaurant (International), MezeBar – Asian Tapas Bar (Asian Tapas) and Chatterbox (Home of the Mandarin Chicken Rice). This is complemented by impeccable service and recreational facilities including a fitness centre, in-room massage, tennis and squash courts and a swimming pool.
Meritus Mandarin Singapore also shone at the recently convened Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA) 2006-2007, walking away with prestigious awards – the much coveted Front Office Best Reception and this year’s newest addition – Most Promising Chef – Asian Cuisine! Following its S$25 million remodelling exercise, the hotel’s 575 well-appointed guest rooms and suites include the elegant Meritus Club with its contemporary décor and tasteful artwork by local and Asian artists.
Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA), celebrates 15 years when it kicks off on October 23 in Bangkok. This anniversary year event is themed as “Celebrating the Treasures of Asia”, and is expected to attract about 2000 industry professionals from throughout Asia and the world.
And what is equally as exciting is that the 2007 IT&CMA is be held at the brand new Central World Hotel and Convention Centre, located in the heart of the Bangkok central business district.
One of the largest properties in the Asia Pacific region, the world-class venue boasts a convention and meeting facility of more than 10,000 square metres with a ceiling height of 13.5 metres, and the ability to accommodate up to 6000 delegates in a single pillarless environment. One of the most recent hotels to open in Bangkok is the five-star Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel, which opened in October 2007.
Located in one of Bangkok city’s prime central areas on Asoke Road (Sukhumvit Soi 21), the hotel is within easy access to the business district, financial institutions and some of the city’s best entertainment spots. This latest addition to M&C’s portfolio is situated adjacent to the subway and skytrain stations near the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. With its central location, the hotel is a 30-minute drive away from Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
“Thailand has always been such a draw for tourists from all over the world. The presence of Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok in a key destination like Thailand will reinforce the Millennium brand as a provider of elegant and luxury accommodation,” says Kwek Leng Beng, executive chairman of the Hong Leong Group Singapore and Chairman of M&C Hotels plc.
Much of the attraction of Thailand to the conference and incentive travel industry is its diversity. Delegates can mix up their meeting or incentive travel reward programs by combining two destinations like Bangkok and Phuket into their events. The combination of a big city destination like Bangkok that is full of life, offers wonderful shopping, and is certainly the business capital of Thailand with a more resort-style experience, as can be found in Phuket, can work exceptionally well.
Phuket continues to be a strong performer in the business tourism or MICE market offering an abundance of resort accommodation, and plenty of things to see and do.
In terms of accommodation it is hard to go past the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, which is set against a backdrop of bright white sand and sparkling lagoons.
Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket offers what the resort describes as “endless recreational opportunities. The lush green hills and coconut groves of Phuket captivate the minds of even the most discerning travellers.”
Said to be ranked among the five best resorts in the Asia-Pacific, the hotel is a piece of paradise providing optimum service and luxury. Phuket’s natural beauty emphasises solitude and peace.
Resort guests are encouraged to take a leisurely swim in the 323 metre serpentine pool or refresh and pamper body and soul at Angsana Spa, complete with a luxurious product line. Guests are also encouraged to savour the epitome of fine dining al-fresco amongst greenery or overlooking the sunset of one of the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket’s signature gourmet dishes available from the resort’s 10 dining and entertainment venues.
The property offers 423 well-appointed guest rooms and villas, providing touches of luxury to guests. Rooms are spacious with a hint of elegant opulence while the exotic Thai culture is reflected throughout the rooms and indeed the entire resort.
Macau is one destination well and truly on the move. While excitement continues over China’s growth, particularly in the lead-up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, it is Macau that is leading the way in infrastructure growth.
A massive injection of money into venue infrastructure, particularly in the hotel casino segment – is already resulting in Macau not only lifting its profile internationally but attracting a greater number of tourists than ever before. The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has said it had 21.99 million visitors in 2006, which was an increase of 17 per cent on 2005.
In terms of MICE-related events, in 2006 Macau organised 31.2 per cent more international events than the previous year, lifting the total to 360 with 57,000 participants. Association meetings leapt from 129 in 2005 to 162 last year, and attracted nearly 25,000 visitors. The number of trade shows and exhibitions eased ahead 4.2 per cent in 2006, but attendance soared 117 per cent.
And to top it off the Macau Government Tourist Office has indicated that the incentive trade is its strongest growth segment with 14 groups in 2006, up from just five in 2005.
One of the latest and greatest complexes is undoubtedly The Venetian® Macao, being touted as the perfect destination for any event – from intimate corporate meetings to international conventions. The Venetian® Macao, opened on August 28, 2007, with guest accommodation that the venue operators say exemplifies their philosophy of giving guests the best of everything.
The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel’s 3000 suites take elegance to a new level – at more than 70 square metres each, complete with lavish Italian marble bathrooms.
Dining at The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is said to be a magnificent feast for the senses with tantalising aromas, delightful tastes and spectacular presentations by master chefs from around the world. Dining is said to be an exciting experience that will make you want to return to The Venetian® time and time again. Whether your choice is the elegant and luxurious fine dining in the treasured gourmet traditions, enjoyment of relaxing casual fare and beverages, or indulging yourself with your favourite foods in the privacy of your own suite, the venue says you will cherish every moment of The Venetian® dining experience.
Food service is always available at The Venetian with wonderful restaurants, convenient noodle bars and in-suite dining services available anytime day or night. Your favorite beverages and cocktails are also available at any time in the friendly and convenient bars and lounges. There is a total of 35 restaurants and a 1000-seat food court. In terms of conferences and events, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel offers more than 100,000 square metres of convention and exhibition space. This includes 6500 square metres of pillarless ballroom and 108 meeting rooms. On top of this the venue offers The Venetian® Arena, a 15,000-seat venue, and the 1800-seat The Venetian Theatre.
Another strong performer in Asia is Malaysia which continues to offer a diversity of facilities and attractions in a variety of locations. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, offers some of the best accommodation and meetings facilities available anywhere in Asia (not to mention its wide-ranging cultural pursuits).
Clearly one of the greatest success stories for Malaysia and the city of Kuala Lumpur has been the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre since it opened two years ago. And, just two years after opening, it recently achieved four quality certifications that will only further strengthen its international reputation.
The centre’s food safety, quality, environmental, safety and health (FOQESH) management system has been successfully audited by the world’s leading certifier, Lloyds Register Quality Assurance of London and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Certification arm, NIOSH Certification Sdn Bhd (NCSB). As a result of this, the centre is now certified to ISO 9001, ISO 22000 and OHSAS 18001 and has achieved benchmarked status to the Green Globe Company Standard which places the centre ahead of every other similar facility in Asia.
At a ceremony held at the centre, Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, director-general, Tourism Malaysia and representing the Minister of Tourism, Malaysia Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, presented the FOQESH certificates to Datuk Ishak Imam Abas, chairman, Convex Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the joint-venture company that manages and operates the centre.
According to Datuk Ishak, the FOQESH certification process began even before the centre started operations as each quality certification addresses key concerns in the hospitality and service industry: quality management, food safety, staff training and safety, as well as environmental sustainability.
“The FOQESH certification are not mere marks of achievement, it demonstrates our commitment,” he said.
“The centre’s theme, ‘Towards Better, Sustainable Business Practices’ supports this commitment as we endeavour to not only uphold global standards, but to surpass them.”
Datuk Ishak said that the certifications helped equip the centre to consistently meet the increasing expectations and changing needs of its clients over the long term.
“With the FOQESH management system in place, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s clients are assured of a more efficient and effective business partner who will work with them to ensure their event at the centre is a resounding success, every time.”
Datuk Ishak also gave credit to the centre’s strategic partners Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines (MAS), Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) “who have worked with us tirelessly to actively promote the country, Malaysia; the city, Kuala Lumpur and its support infrastructure; and in turn, our venue, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.”
To date, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is one of the few convention and exhibition centres worldwide to achieve this level of certification and environmental performance.
Jetstar is operating three flights a week to Malaysia – the first time an Australian carrier has landed in the country in close to 10 years.
According to figures, in 2006, 277,000 Australians arrived in Malaysia. This could significantly rise with the new three-weekly flights direct to Kuala Lumpur.
Jetstar chief executive, Alan Joyce said if the KL flight was successful it could become the airline’s Asian hub to connect through to European destinations including Rome and Athens.
He said once the airline had taken delivery of 15 Boeing 7878 Dreamliner aircrafts, the first of which should be delivered in August 2008, Jetstar will look at daily flights from Australia to KL.
For the first time in its history Montblanc International has held its annual world meeting in Shanghai, China. About 250 participants from 56 countries met at the JW Marriott Hotel at Tomorrow Square in late August in what is described as the most important meeting for all Montblanc management teams globally.
Montblanc’s international executive was said to be very pleased to hold this event in China, especially because China is one of the fastest growing countries for the luxury lifestyle brand Montblanc.
Montblanc already runs more than 100 retail stores in mainland China. It is planning the opening of the biggest Montblanc flagship boutique in the world, a 600 square metre store opening in Shanghai towards the latter part of 2007.
W Hotels will open its first property in Indonesia in 2009. W Retreat & Spa–Bali will be the brand’s fourth retreat in the world, following the award-winning W Retreat & Spa-Maldives, which opened in September 2006, and the impending openings of W Retreat & Spa-Vieques, scheduled to open in late 2008, and W Retreat & Residences-Koh Samui, scheduled to open in 2009.
The newly built W Retreat & Spa-Bali will be located in the Seminyak area on the paradise isle of Bali, featuring 232 rooms, including 80 luxury villas. The retreat’s guest rooms will provide direct ocean views and its 80 villas will reflect designs of a traditional Balinese courtyard featuring a private pool for guests to enjoy a personal refreshing experience.
“Following the success of our first W Retreat & Spa, the award-winning W Maldives, W Retreat & Spa–Bali is a terrific extension of our brand’s growth in the Asia Pacific region,” said president of Starwood’s Luxury Brands Group, Ross Klein.
“The rich and deeply spiritual culture of Bali, combined with the cosmopolitan style and energy of Seminyak, provides a perfect setting for the newest addition to our retreat & spa product offering. With the announcement of W Retreat & Spa-Bali, the W brand continues to extend beyond the boundaries of everyday travel, offering a magical mix of sexy destinations and sublime design.”
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