At IMEX recently, CEO of the International Congress & Convention Association, Martin Sirk, said while there continued to be a great deal of uncertainty in the marketplace due to financial conditions it did not equate to noticeable cutbacks in the meetings business.
“This reinforces other anecdotal feedback we are obtaining from meeting planners which indicates that international meetings are becoming ever more important to companies and associations alike, and they are more reluctant to cut events which have become “mission critical” to achieve their business objectives,” he said.
“If this is so, it will help our industry to weather any future economic downturn.”
That may be the perception in Europe and the United States, but clearly in Asia there is no fear of any change to the status quo.
Attendees of Tourism Australia’s TABEE event in Macau earlier this year (see pages 38-9 this edition) weren’t only blown away by the outpouring of perceived opportunity Asia is offering by special guest speakers from China, India and South Korea. Being in Macau and inside the 4000-plus room Venetian Macau Resort for the majority of the event they were literally enveloped in the type of competition they are facing in Asia.
Right now Macau has around one dozen or so resort hotels under construction or in the planning stages. And with one billion Chinese right on their doorstep, they are already making waves on a global scale. Less than six months after opening, the Venetian Macau Resort welcomed its 10 millionth visitor. Serious visitor numbers indeed.
And it’s not just Macau that has seen an explosion in tourism numbers and is capturing a greater share of business events than ever before. Whereas Australia was once in the top 10 convention destinations, as defined by the International Congress & Convention Association, we are now in 13th place. Asia on the other hand has five destinations in the top 20 including Kuala Lumpur which is currently in 19th place after opening its national convention centre less than three years ago.
Asia’s strongest include Japan, ranked number seven in the country category (and hosting 215 international congresses in 2007), China ranked 11th (195 events), and Singapore and South Korea, which share 19th spot (hosting 120 events).
In the city rankings, Singapore was number three in 2007 (120 events) followed by Hong Kong in 12th (72 events), Seoul in 14th (70 events), Taipei in 18th (67 events), and Kuala Lumpur which secured 19th spot (66 events).
ICCA CEO Martin Sirk believes that the industry is in a significantly stronger position than it has been in times of previous economic downturn. He says it is now a genuinely global industry fuelled by massive investment in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and especially Asia, with China and Macau showing exceptional development.
He also said that India was poised to make a big impact on the world stage as it ramps up construction of world-class centres, hotels and resorts. India will no doubt likely join ICCA’s top 20 list of high-achievers in the years to come.
This view is also shared by Reed Travel Exhibitions, the world’s largest provider of exhibitions for the business events industry.
A research paper developed by Reed in 2007 reports that nowhere else in the world is the growth in infrastructural development more evident than in Asia and the Middle East, where new, world-class venues are set to open at an increasing pace over the next few years.
“China alone will add considerably to the 100+ conference facilities that have sprouted up in that country over the past three to four years,” the report says.
“Also, in mature business destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia there are enhancement works taking place to upgrade facilities and tourism products to encourage meetings and incentive planners to hold their events in these places.”
There is no question that the Beijing Olympics will have a profound impact on the China tourism and business tourism market, as it did when it was staged in Sydney in 2000. This is despite the controversy surrounding the Games in recent times, evidenced by protests around the world during the Olympic Torch Relay.
There will likely be additional protests during the Games themselves, however, these will probably have little effect on the perceived legacy that the Olympics leaves behind.
As noted above, Kuala Lumpur is one of the fastest moving cities in the world in terms of attracting a greater share of business events, securing 19th place in ICCA’s strict criteria for international meetings.
Not surprisingly, one of the significant contributors to this has been the opening of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) which really has been performing exceptionally well.
In its 2007 review of activities the KLCC recorded a 32 per cent growth in business over 2006 – its first full year of operation. General manager, Peter Brokenshire, said the centre’s growth in popularity was evident in the 628 events it hosted, attended by 2.1 million people. This comprised 219 banquets and functions attended by 111,755 guests, 22 conventions attended by 17,237 delegates, 64 exhibitions attended by 1.8 million visitors, 293 meetings and events attended by 89,863 participants and 30 entertainment productions attended by 82,775 people.
Of the 628 events, 76 were international and the balance, national or local in nature. The average attendance was 3397 delegates for an average duration of two days, representing 3542 delegate days per event. The highest growth in terms of number of events was recorded in entertainment (50 percent), followed by exhibitions (39 percent) and banquets and functions (33 percent).
Elaborating further, Mr Brokenshire said that among the more notable events were the 3rd Global Knowledge Conference attended by 1766 delegates from 135 countries, Microsoft Tech Ed 2007 South East Asia (2000 delegates), the 9th Hagemeyer Connections Conference & Trade Expo (850 delegates from Australia), Automechanika Asia 2007 (5480 buyers), Offshore Asia Conference & Exhibition 2007 (2290 delegates), Viennese Ball (575 guests), Chicago the Musical (10,000 guests), the historic Launch of the Angkasawan (Malaysia’s first astronaut, 2100 guests) and many others. Both the Microsoft and Offshore Asia events were scheduled to return to the centre for the third time in 2008.
“What is more important is that looking ahead, the centre has won more than 15 international and regional conventions from 2008 through to 2011,” Mr Brokenshire said.
“These include The IIA 2011 International Conference (3000 delegates), 14th Conference on Thinking 2009 (2000 delegates), 18th Asia Pacific Congress of Cardiology 2011 (2000 delegates), and Asia Pacific Digestive Week 2010 (2000 delegates) among others.
Borneo is said to be the third largest island in the world, and as our group arrived at Brunei Airport we were sure this part of Malaysia had a lot to offer.
Meeting at Sydney International Airport our group of six shared a bottle of wine before our adventure into Borneo, our first stop the kingdom of Brunei. Flying with Royal Brunei Airlines we were treated like royalty for the eight hour flight which landed just in time for our first Brunei sunset.
After a luxurious nights sleep at the Empire Hotel and breakfast in the Club Room which overlooked the South China Sea, the group was ready and raring to tour Brunei. Our tour guide, Chris Robles from Brunei Tourism, showed us the sights which included the Sultan’s Palace, the water village and convention centre. After lunch at the Sheraton Utama Hotel, a site tour of the Empire Hotel followed where we had the chance to check out its infamous Emperor Suite which includes its own pool with a movie screen. Nothing in this suite has been omitted and includes everything an Emperor or Empress could desire.
After flying into Sarawak’s capital city Kuching late the previous evening to a welcome glass of champagne and, after a well needed sleep at the Holiday Inn, the new day kicked off with an authentic Malaysian breakfast on the deck of the hotel overlooking the river. Our breakfast menu included Nasi lamak, which is rice, sambal (a spicy paste), peanuts and dried anchovies, as well as a Sarawak laksa (which many in our group did not know was traditionally a breakfast meal). After our hearty breakfast we departed the Kuching Holiday Inn for an adventurous day which started with river kayaking through the rainforest.
Representatives from Deithelm Travel were our guides during our time in Sarawak and made sure we travelled safely, were well fed and made it to every destination on-time and raring to go.
Once we made our way down the river (for some we had a closer encounter with the riverbank on the way and instead of going with the current we looked more like pin balls!). After we made it back on dry land we followed our Deithelm guide Salvem into a village where we met the chief and had lunch in his house. From here we scaled an Indiana Jones-style rope bridge across the river to our awaiting 4WDs. With our tummies now full and in dry clothes we made our way up a winding road to the Borneo Highlands Resort, which is known for its impressive golf course. This course was opened by Tiger Woods in 1999 and playing on these greens is sure to be a memorable experience, with the steep inclines and rolling greens nestled in the dense rainforest.
We meandered our way around the course until we reached the top of a peak which marks the border of Kalimantan Indonesia and offers striking views across dense rainforest. We were told the view from this point in the morning is covered in cloud, which no doubt would have been spectacular to see.
The Borneo Highlands Resort was the first place for many to try the Sarawak laksa with tofu prawns – tofu made in the shape of prawns, complete with orange markings. After a delicious, somewhat unconventional high tea overlooking the resort’s rainforest waterfall, it was back down the winding slopes and back on the road to get ready for the night’s dinner. Themed as the “carwash”, the group was clearly surprised as we drove to the entrance of a real carwash. Inside we ventured into the restaurant, however a smell put the group into a panic – sure that there was a leaking gas pipe in the kitchen – only to be told it was the scent of the local jack fruit that had put us on alert! The Sarawak Convention Bureau hosted the night and guests were all dressed in Sarawak Convention Bureau car wash t-shirts. Hailed as the newest place in Kuching this carwash has been built with an adjacent restaurant so you can have your car washed as you relax with dinner. Our evening, however, was much more animated. we arrived at the carwash and were greeted by performers that you might see in a drag show on Oxford Street. These fabulous showgirls aren’t the norm at this restaurant but they seemed more than happy to boogie the night away to Christina Aguilera’s version of the song Car Wash. Not only was the team from the Sarawak Convention Bureau celebrating our arrival in Kuching, they were also celebrating winning the Diamond Award at the Das Goldene Stadttor (the Golden City Gate) Film Competition in Berlin for its MICE video commercial.
On the third day of our Sarawak stay we met our Deithelm guide Salvem in the lobby of the Holiday Inn to depart on one of the most memorable days of the trip. Our first stop was the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre where we witnessed wild Orang-utans swinging from the trees balancing bananas and coconuts during the morning feeding session. It was a truly mesmerising experience watching these beautiful animals swing from vines and trees so effortlessly.
From here it was back on the road to have lunch in a Bidayuh family house in a village where we sipped from fresh coconuts, feasted on local pineapples and traditional food, and enjoyed a glass of rice wine (or two) with the village chief. From here we travelled further and stopped off at a pepper plantation, which our guide Salvem said is a government cash crop for local villages.
Back on the road again, we were almost at our final destination for the day, and after hours of driving many were happy to know that we had a neck massage awaiting us on arrival! We reached the waters’ edge of the Batang Ai National Park and boarded a boat to the Hilton Longhouse. Stretched out among dense rainforest this resort is designed as traditional longhouses in the region have been for centuries, however is equipped with a pool, spa, restaurant and breathtaking views across the water of the national park. We made it just in time to sip a welcome cocktail while watching the sunset over the twinkling water. This is a truly remarkable Hilton, which would be the perfect incentive destination as you can completely retreat from the busy outside world and simply relax.
After breakfast the group was back on the boat and then back in the 4WD for another adventurous day. From one boat into another, our first destination was a trip to a longhouse (literally in the jungle) via a long boat. As our group balanced its way into three long boats – where I more blundered than balanced – feeling like I was walking the plank! Nevertheless, we were en route to a traditional Iban tribe’s longhouse, which was perched high on stilts and seemed to be mostly made of bamboo. The journey itself was breathtaking. With the slight hum of the engine perched on the back of the long wooded boat, we travelled effortlessly between the bends of the river to a destination unknown. Our longboat skipper was an expert and made the job look easy as we weaved our way through the water-lined dense rainforest. Arriving at the Iban longhouse we were greeted by two women dressed in traditional costume with rice wine in bamboo cups. Inside, the chief presented more rice wine in a long piece of bamboo which was poured into each of our mouths (which I decided to wear instead of drink!). But prior to entering the house we had a live chicken waved over our heads, which was explained as a sacrifice to the spirits to keep us safe. It was truly an honour to witness and be a part of a ceremony of this kind and one which included the group joining in a traditional dance with the villagers.
After a tour of the longhouse and delivering some gifts to the host of families living in this organic structure it was time to explore the jungle with a guide from the village. We ate a traditional lunch before once more boarding our longboat for the journey back to civilisation.
Civilisation this time was in the form of the Permai Rainforest Resort, an eco-resort set in the foothills of Mount Santubong. The resort is made up of tree houses and cabins, giving us an opportunity to try sleeping out high in the rainforest canopy. A spectacular dinner and tour of the Damai Puri Resort and Spa, and with full tummies, we all scaled the steep stairs to our beds up high.
Breakfast with entertainment provided by monkeys swinging in the trees close by was followed by a site inspection and short boat ride to the “bazarra”, which is a street of stores full of Sarawak souvenirs and mementos. Our group spent its last lunch together in Kuching before we flew off to Miri and the Miri Marriott Resort & Spa. Here we were met by drummers which even included the kitchen staff who banged away to their heart’s content on big steel pots and pans. For our last official group dinner in Sarawak the Miri Marriott provided a buffet feast for our group that was sumptuous to say the least.
The last day kicked off with breakfast, a site inspection of the resort’s facilities, and a quick tour of Miri. With some free time back at the resort, the group made the most of the facilities, which include an impressive pool and day spa. Our stay was, however, short lived, as all-too-quickly we crossed back into Brunei for our final leg back home to Australia. It was indeed, a famil to remember.
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