2014

MEET TAIWAN, a pilot programme designed to promote Taiwan as a MICE destination was unveiled in August at the Prince Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event saw representatives from six of Taiwan’s premium MICE suppliers, as well as more than 80 representatives from Malaysia in attendance for a get together, to discuss and explore the highly potential MICE market.

The event was sponsored by Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) and implemented by TAITRA and Taiwan Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. The organisers aim is to promote the MEET TAIWAN brand and to further enhance Taiwan’s reputation as a global destination which will attract more visitors to the island.

Six premium MICE suppliers were in attendance, providing information about MICE Taiwan were; Kuching Travel Service, WOW City, Tian-An International Travel Agency, GIS Group, Asia Concentrate Corporation and the MSL Group.

With regards to gaining ground in the new business market, according to Chang Ming, director of the economic division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, records from Taiwan Tourism Bureau show that some 138 International incentive groups visited the Island in the first half 2014. Japan is ranked first in arrivals, accounting for 10,900 visitors in 83 incentive trips. Malaysia came in third on the list with 1227 visitors in 14 incentive trips.

In addition 8,016,280 people visited Taiwan in year 2013, a year on year increase of 9.64 per cent. Malaysians make up for 394,326 of the visitors and Taiwan has emerged as one of the most preferred travel destinations for Malaysians.

Chang Ming also pointed out that Taiwan’s BOFT has been actively promoting the island as a MICE destination since 2009, and the MEET TAIWAN session this year will foster greater interaction between the Taiwan MICE industry and Malaysian businesses, this to serve as a platform to promote Taiwan to more Malaysians.

According to Lily Su the director of the MEET TAIWAN programme, the initiative is a four year plan undertaken by BOFT, and has made significant inroads since it was launched in 2013. Statistics indicate that last year alone it had successfully facilitated a total of 185 international conventions in Taiwan and had also assisted in hosting 107 corporate incentive travel events to the island, which include Mc Donald’s (China) Group Manager and development Convention 2013, with 2,500 members of management from 27 provinces of China, Amway (China) and Amway (Thailand) sent their 12,000 and 2,000 top achievers respectively to Taiwan for the corporate mega incentive programme 2013.

The international MICE business, education and networking event will be held in Delhi from August 19 to 21. It promises exhibitors the opportunity to sell their inbound and outbound and domestic travel business, as well as for buyers to procure travel products and services from India – promoting India to the world and vice versa.

First launched in 2012, the three-day event comprises of structured business appointments, exhibition showcase, seminar sessions, official networking functions and tours of the country. Luxury travel is also incorporated in the show programme. For more information, please visit www.itcmindia.com

The producer of the show, Ms Tiara Jacqueline, describes the cultural musical show entitled MUD as a performance that showcases the rich culture and heritage of Kuala Lumpur, reflecting the history of how this beautiful city came to be. Staging the show according to her, also goes to the long-term commitment of the development and promotion of arts and culture in the city, and also a move to host a permanent show in one of the city’s oldest architectures in Kuala Lumpur.

Performance is held daily beginning at 3.00 pm and 8.30 pm with tickets available at the Panggung Bandaraya.

In the meantime, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall plans to hold cultural shows regularly at venues in the city as part of the tourism offering of its Tourism Master Plan for 2014 to 2015. In 2012, the City Hall has recorded tourist receipts of 9.3 million and in 2013 at 9.4 million – is expected to continue to grow by 8 percent in 2014 – with the goal of hitting 16 million international tourists by 2025.

Entrance of the 110 year old Panggung Bandaraya theathre.

Talented performers of the MUD musical show.

Opening night of Mud:Our Story of Kuala Lumpur.

The exhibition brings together for two days Asia’s leading MICE organisers to meet and network with the region’s leading hotels, venues, event suppliers, and technology providers. Over 5000 event professionals are expected to attend the exhibition to discover the huge variety of supplies available.

Alongside the exhibition will also be two days of free conference for visitors and exhibitors featuring presentations from the industry’s top most experienced speakers, covering prevalent topics in the Asian event industry such as: guides on event planning; delegate/sponsorship sales training; online and offline marketing; recruiting and training event teams; operations and sourcing; market trends; and much more.

For more information on the exhibition which will be held in Singapore from November 13 and 14, please visit www.miceasiaexhibition.com

A three-day event, it will be held in Yangon from May 26 to 28 and is expected to attract over 200 urban planners, architects, developers, building users, capital investors and key real estate and urban development stakeholders from across the region. Organised by Sphere Conferences with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), and supported by Union Ministry of Construction, Myanmar.

There will be discussions and debates on the potential growth plans surrounding Myanmar’s urbanisation and investment opportunities in country’s real estate. The conference covers key areas of: urban and real estate development ranging from infrastructure and utilities; building and construction technologies and city planning; to real estate investment opportunities; and the retail mixed-use development trend in Myanmar.

One of the key highlights of the conference is the keynote joint plenary session featuring the Ministry of Construction, Myanmar, where the insights into the union government’s plans and updates on the Myanmar urban blueprint will be shared.

The second annual Myanmar Urban Development Conference (MUDC) will also be held at the same time. For more information, please visit www.mudc.sphereconferences.com and www.resm.sphereconferences.com.

MICE in Asia is a media of both conferences.

In a ceremony and luncheon held on April 24, the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib unveiled the trophy which will be awarded to recipients of the tourism awards. Thirty-two establishments and individuals selected based on their innovation, quality of service and product, as well as their global offerings and standards of excellence in the tourism sector will be given the trophy.

The trophy which is specially customised by Christofle International of Malaysia, is a one-of-a-kind silver trophy exclusively created by the internationally renowned modernist designer Andree Putman. Design of the trophy also incorporates the Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards signature of the five gold stars.

This year, the panel of judges for all 11 categories will be connected to Yes, Malaysia’s largest 4G network with nationwide footprint, where they can easily review and evaluate each entry online and at anytime and anywhere. The judges are equipped with Chromebooks that are lightweight, thin and sleek for their daily computing needs. It comes with cloud-computing devices with built-in chipset that are seamless and with the internet always on.

Among other partners of the award are Yes, a mobile 4G brand, Shangri-La Hotel and Malaysia Airlines.

The Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Award 2014 team with the head of the secretariat Noraza Yusof (extreme left) seen here with the trophy

For more information, please visit www.klmayortourismawards.com

A fully fledged conference programme of structured procurement sessions with suppliers and networking opportunities will be made available to Chinese corporate travel professionals, as of next year. This newly launched edition to be held in Shanghai is aptly named CTW China to reflect the show’s focus on the interests and requirements of the geographical region of China.

The CTW China will be positioned not only as a definitive education event for China’s professionals in corporate travel, but also as a platform for suppliers of corporate travel products and services to connect and engage with the industry. Aside from this, profiled personnel in the corporate travel business are invited to speak on a number of choice topics during the conference.

Signing of MOU between TTG Asia Media (Darren Ng, Managing Director on the right) and Carlson Wagonlit Travel (Albert Zhong, Managing Director).

This is the first ever collaboration between TTG Asia Media and Carlson Wagonlit Travel to co-organise such a programme. “Even though CTW China is established on a proven and tested format, the unique valuable proposition of the show will focus deliberately on the Chinese market,” explained Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media.

“Participants will be able to benefit immensely from discussions on salient issues key to Chinese corporations, as well as expert advice from experienced practitioners operating in the same environment and facing the same market forces and challenges.” Ng continued.

China is said to be the world’s largest procurer in this sector. The country is currently number two in global business spending. By 2017 with the growth of business travel spending in China projected at 14 percent (second only to India) annually, is on track to surpass United States currently ranked number one.

The 8th installment of the leading International MICE Event in China, IT&CM was held from April 15 to 17 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. Media who are affiliated to the show were awarded a certificate of appreciation for the promotion and coverage of the IT&CM China shows in their printed publication and online.

Awarded by the organisers TTG Events of TTG Asia Media and CITS International M.I.C.E Co., Ltd, the certificate presentation was on April 15 at the Huangpu Auditorium of the Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai. This was followed by a press conference on the official opening of the IT&CM China 2014.

Julia Douglas the managing editor of MICE in Asia accepted the certificate on behalf of the publication. Media from other countries such as Australia, China, Germany, Greece, Mexico and Poland also received their certificates.

Representatives of the media receiving their certificate of appreciation from Ooi Peng Ee, General Manager of TTG Events.

Opened early last year, the property is situated in the commercial and entertainment hub of Bangsar – a township on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, also known for its affluent residential suburbs and trendy shops and food and beverage outlets.

The hotel features a spa, swimming pool, kid’s pool and fitness centre. For the business travellers, the property has included the business centre, executive lounge and connectivity lounge. Conveniences available are concierge service, laundry with valet service, shuttle service, limousine service, indoor car park and valet parking. Rooms of the hotel are styled in Asian contemporary designs that are generously appointed with essential comforts. All units are fitted with modern design bathroom that has a tub and rain shower.

As for the restaurants, all the outlets offer global and Asian fares complemented with fine wines at the dining facilities on-site like B’s, La Cucina, Le Petit Cafe, The Lounge, Tempo, Cigar Lounge and Poolside Bar.

For meetings and conventions, the hotel is furnished with 11 meeting rooms and two ballrooms that can cater up to 2,000 guests which is ideal for gala dinners

Aside from attending the World of Accor Expo, members of the media were invited for a one night stay to experience the 5-star services of the hotel and a tour of the rooms and facilities of the property.

Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar – Lobby and Lounge Area

Restaurants and Bars

MICE facilities

World of Accor Expo 2014

A cocktail reception was organised by Tourism New Zealand at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence in Kuala Lumpur, to introduce tourism products from the country, and promote Māori arts and crafts.

Mischa Mannix-Opie, Tourism New Zealand’s Regional Manager for South and South East Asia began the evening with an introduction of some exciting destinations in the country, while Karl Johnstone, Director of New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute spoke about the customary art forms of the Māoris. Also known as Te Puia, the institute has nurtured and trained artists in carving, weaving and other skills including the kappa haka which is the Māori performing arts.

Guests for the evening, had the opportunity to watch an enchanting dance performance by a group from the Institute, and was later served a sumptuous buffet dinner.