2016

In spring from March 12 to 21, the halls at the Taiwan Orchid Plantation in Tainan is filled with a variety of colourful orchids that are artistically displayed, with some of which are rare. Every year, Tainan play host to orchid growers, buyers and enthusiasts or fanciers of this flower who come to view, meet, conduct business and compete for the best orchid breed trophy.

Aside from the decorative displays and competition, the annual orchid show also features international orchid symposium with talks by world-renowned speakers and expert orchardists. There is also business matchmaking and orchid growers meeting, sale of orchid related materials, presentation of orchid art design, social activities and tours of orchid nurseries.

Taiwan is the largest producer and exporter of orchids. The annual international orchid show in Taiwan is said to attract about 300,000 visitors of which 3,000 are floral experts and buyers from abroad. Now in its 12th year, the show is considered to be the top three orchid exhibitions in the world, with orchids becoming a tourist attraction in Tainan.

This show is the single and most professional exhibition of all ranges of yachts, sailboats and motor boats, machinery, equipment, parts, accessories, and related design, shipping services as well as associations of the Marine industry in Taiwan. It is also the largest indoor boat exhibition in Asia which showcases, a wide variety of powerboats and a myriad of vessels of varying design, sizes and applications.

Jointly hosted by the Bureau of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Kaohsiung City Government, and organised by The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), with the support from the Taiwan Yacht Industry Association (TYIA).

The show is held biennially, and this year it ran from March 10-13 was held at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center (KEC) of the Horizon City Marina.

MATTA is the largest non-governmental organisation for travel in Malaysia with over 3,200 members. Indonesia well known for its breath-taking tourist attractions and diverse geology and natural landscapes, is occupying a total of 36 booths at Hall 3 of the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur during the MATTA Fair from March 11 to 13.

Arief Yahya, the Minister of Tourism of Indonesia mentioned that the country has identified three most important destination entrances into Indonesia: Great Bali, Great Jakarta and Great Batam. These gates contributed to almost 90 percent of the total foreign tourists visiting Indonesia. Top five countries of tourists to Indonesia he stated, are from Singapore, Malaysia, China, Australia and Japan.

According to Datuk Hj Hamzah Rahmat, President of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), Indonesia’s attractive tourist offers will be a crowd-puller to the visitors of the MATTA Fair.
For more information on the MATTA Fair 2016, please visit www.mattafair.org.my

A joint press conference between MATTA and Indonesia Tourism.

The conference hosted by HVS, brought together close to 180 industry stakeholders, business leaders and key decision-makers from across 14 nations. The two-day conference lived up to its reputation of being a one-of-a-kind hospitality event in Sri Lanka, creating a unique platform to deliberate on the development and direction of the hotel and tourism industry in the region.

Panel discussion – Global Leaders Check-In.

Panel discussion – The View from the Top: Creating Meaningful Partnerships.

In conversation with John Amaratunga, Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Sri Lanka and P M Withana, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism.

MICE in Asia is a media partner of THINC Sri Lanka 2016

The Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce (MICCI), celebrated the Chinese New Year, with a gathering of its members, business associates, friends and the media at the Malaysian Petroleum Club which is located on the 42nd level of the Petronas Tower 2 of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with the Chinese zodiac animal sign. Begining from February 8, 2016 to January 27, 2017 is the year of the monkey.

The Sunway Lagoon, a multi park destination in Malaysia with the collaboration of Viacom International Media Networks has opened the first Nickelodeon themed attraction in Asia. The Nickelodeon brand complements the existing attractions available at the Sunway Lagoon which has become a tourist venue for the country.

Visitors can look forward to 14 of the Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon hit properties among which are: SpongeBob SquarePants; Dora the Explorer; and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Climbing ancient temple steps, explorers will pass by pineapple columns and intricate carvings leading all the way up to the magnificent SpongeBob SquarePants structure. The adventure continues with geysers, sprouting water cannons, walks along cascading falls, and gooey moments with the signature green slime.

Running deeper into the forest are suspended bridges over rivers with more thrilling wet and wild activities, as well as gravity defying rides that twist around trees and hills. Visitors are greeted by breath-taking views of lush greenery, and can also choose to dine and relax by the lakeside restaurant. They might even have the opportunity to meet their favourite Nickelodeon characters.

Sunway Lagoon was named Asia’s Best Attraction by International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) for four years in a row since 2007.

Opening hours of the Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon is from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm every Monday to Sunday. www.sunwaylagoon.com

Tourism players can look forward to three international tourism exhibitions in China this year, that is: Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE), China Xi’an Silk Road International Tourism Expo (CXSRITE) and Chengdu International Tourism Expo (CITE).

At an appreciation reception in Beijing on January 18, Edward Liu, group managing director of Conference & Exhibition Management Services (CEMS) Pte Ltd (Singapore) and CEMS (Beijing) Conference & Exhibition Co., Ltd, launched all three of the international tourism exhibitions which are aimed at, capturing China’s outbound tourism industry.

He also announced some improvements in the interaction and networking opportunities which will be undertaken by the company during the three exhibitions. The first two days of the exhibitions will be dedicated to trade visitors, destination presentation sessions, buyer-seller meeting sessions, seminars and hosted buyer programme.

There are also some changes in the dates of the exhibitions. The 13th Beijing International Tourism Expo 2016 is now scheduled to be held from May 20 to 22. The fourth edition of Chengdu International Tourism Expo will be held from December 1 to 3. Meanwhile, the third China Xi’an Silk Road International Tourism Expo 2016 has been moved back to August.

For more information on the various tourism exhibitions, please contact Conference & Exhibition Management Services Pte Ltd at (65) 6278 8666 or email info@cems.com.sg.

MICE in Asia is the media partner of the 13th Beijing International Tourism Expo 2016, Chengdu International Tourism Expo and the 3rd China Xi’an Silk Road International Tourism Expo 2016.

Location wise the hotel, is on a prime site of the Changkat Bukit Bintang which is, right in the centre of the commercial district of the city of Kuala Lumpur (KL), within walking distance to shopping and entertainment outlets, banks and office buildings.

The Changkat Bukit Bintang is one of KL’s most trendy areas, popular for the number of bars and restaurants found here. At the same time, it is also known for its historical pre-war and colonial shop houses, with many converted into up market food and beverage outlets.

Elegantly decorated, the Kuala Lumpur Journal caters to modern day travellers who, not only want an accommodation that is comfortable but also functional. Ranked as a four-star, with 112 rooms, it has a sun terrace, a bistro and restaurant, fitness centre and a rooftop infinity pool with a vista of the city.
www.kljournalhotel.com

Cocktail Party to Celebrate the Opening of KL Journal

To usher in prosperity, good luck, fortune, health and longevity of the Year of the Monkey, a sumptuous elegant feast is available at Ti Chen to celebrate the auspicious Chinese New Year with five savourly menus for a table of six to 10 persons.

It is available at the restaurant from January 16 to February 22. To indulge in this once a year gourmet delight, you can book online at dine@the saujana.com.

You can also choose from eight course auspicious ‘Good Luck’ set menu for a table of six at costs of either RM798 or RM898; or a nine course auspicious ‘Good Luck’ set menu of 10 per table at RM1,198, RM1,398 and RM1,798.

There is also the ala cart Chinese New Year menu and the traditional raw fish dish of Yee Sang or “Loh Hei”. For this occasion Ti Chen’s Chef Sam Lu, has created a signature Yee Sang of salmon with abalone, Korean pear, jelly fish and crispy mushroom.

For more information, please visit www.shr.my

Tossing of the Yee Sang to usher in good luck and prosperity.

Members of the media were invited to taste the Chinese New Year menu prepared by Chef Sam Lu of Ti Chen restaurant of The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Amira Suriyati Selamat (seated), the Marketing Communications Exeutive and Michelle Gregory, Marketing Communications Manager.

Above are some of the dishes from the Chinese New Year menu: Stir Fried Mixed Vegetable with Crispy Almond; Homemade Cured Chicken Toss in Rice; and dessert of Deep Fried New Year Cake in Toasted Roll.