Press Room

Larger representation is expected from Thailand, Philippines, Pattaya, India and Seoul, with a significant cluster of cities from Japan exhibiting and a number of independent pavilions.  This is riding on the success of last year’s anniversary show – IT&CMA continues to showcase the largest congregation of Asian MICE convention bureaus and national tourism organisations.

In addition, exhibitors have increased their space this year, namely Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (60%), Pattaya MICE City (50%), Worldwide Cruise Associates (50%), Tourism Promotion Board Philippines (33%), Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau (33%), and India Tourism (12%).  

Japan pavilion this year, will display six global MICE cities Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kobe, Nagasaki, Osaka and Sapporo.  While Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) is debuting as an independent pavilion, looks to boost their MICE competitiveness with renewed focus on Asia-Pacific since formally becoming a government-funded foundation.  Keen to tap on Asia-Pacific interests, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau will leverage on this year’s IT&CMA to reach out to incentive planners and buyers.

All in all, IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2018 expects more than 3,000 delegates in attendance, including over 800 exhibitors from some 300 exhibiting companies and 450 hosted buyers, to do business and networking over three action-packed days. Delegates can also look forward to an intensive education programme, as well as hosted social functions by partners and sponsors.

If you would like to meet these destinations and organisations at IT&CMA 2018, you can join the trade show from September 18 to 20 at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld from 18 – 20.

For more information, log on to www.itcma.com

Over 300 international companies and brands have confirmed to participate in the travel trade show, and it will also have the support of 300 hosted buyers from over 40 countries and 26 hosted media from 16 countries. The organisers are also expecting local exhibitor participation from 37 provinces and cities in Vietnam.

The travel trade show will make a spectacular return with a strong entourage of participants from Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

ITE HCMC is the largest and most established annual international travel trade event in the Mekong sub-region, featuring services and products for both inbound and outbound markets. The event, gives industry players and leading brands the opportunity, to showcase their latest tourism products and services – source for quality agents and distributors and expand their business into Vietnam and the Mekong sub-region.

Attendees will also find ample opportunities to build contacts, foster new relationships, and discover new business leads. It will be held on September 6 to 8 at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center, and the first two days are for industry visitors and invited guests. The last day is open to the public as the Travel Fun Fair Day, with various attractive travel packages, performances, and games to excite visitors

MICE in Asia is the media partner of ITE HCMC.

It opened last year with 347 guestrooms and suites, the hotel is the latest five-star property in Yogyakarta.  This historical city has over the years, seen an increase in the arrivals of both domestic and international travellers.  According to Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (Badan Pusat Statistik), Yogyakarta experienced in 2017, a consistent strong double-digit growth figures of foreign arrivals at the Adisutjipto International Airport.

The presence of the Marriott Hotel in Yogyakarta is timely, as the city continues to be a popular destination, mainly due to its Javanese culture, friendly people, heritage districts such as Kotagede and the two ancient historical temples which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Borobudur and Prambanan. This as well as, home of the palace complex of the Javanese royal dynasty, the Keraton which is also the official seat of the reigning Sultan of Yogyakarta and his family.

Apart from catering to leisure travellers, the hotel has extensive facilities for meetings and conferences with eleven meeting rooms of a total space of 46,919 square feet including the largest pillar less ballroom in town of 20,096 square feet. The Keraton Ballroom can be transformed into three separate function spaces with each able to host up to 600 guests.  A wide foyer outside is an added space for exhibitions, trade fairs and large scale events.

Just opposite the hotel, is the Hartono Mall which is newly opened where guests can do a bit of shopping.  Available in the complex are branded fashion shops, restaurants, entertainment outlets and a hypermarket.

In terms of location, the Yogyakarta Marriott Hotel is only 20 minutes away from Adisutjipto International Airport.  Yogyakarta has also direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore with Jakarta only a 50-minute flight away.  The city is expected to have a new international airport by 2020.

Three media representatives, two from MICE in Asia and another from a publication in Hong Kong, were invited by Yogyakarta Marriott Hotel, to experience the hotel’s hospitality and view the property’s meetings and conference facilities with visits to local attractions: sunset at the ancient Borobudur Temple and exploring the temples in the Prambanan compound; travel by jeep to Gunung Merapi site; discovering the culture and history of the royal family of Yogyakarta at Ulu Sentalu Museum;  street shopping at Malioboro; and tour of the Keraton royal palace complex.  Not to be missed is to attend the evening performance of the Ramayana ballet at the Purawisita Amphitheatre.

The media team with Firman Indra Rusindriansyah (extreme left), Marketing Communications Manager of Yogyakarta Marriott Hotel.

In the first half of 2018, the total trade value is estimated to be over USD 13 billion with total export value to Malaysia at USD 2 billion; and total import value from Malaysia, is over USD 11 billion.  This was shown in a presentation by Hoh Jee Eng of Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s director in Malaysia during a luncheon for the press organised by HKTDC.

Every year HKDC organises more than 30 exhibitions and trade fairs of international level.  It ranges from jewellery, premium gifts, electronics, watch and clock, lighting and wine and spirits. Between 2017 and 2018, it was recorded that there were 39,000 exhibitors and over 750,000 buyers to these exhibitions and trade fairs organised by HKTDC. Out of these, 1,000 exhibitors are from ASEAN member countries with over 36,000 buyers. The figures indicate there is a keenness among buyers to explore business opportunities through HKTDC exhibitions platform.

According to HKTDC Malaysia director Hoh Jee Eng, it is popular among business people in Malaysia, to visit trade fairs in Hong Kong to source for products such as optical wares, electronic parts, watch and clocks among others.  She has over the years, arranged a number of visits of buyers from Malaysia to exhibitions and trade fairs by HKTDC. Hong Kong remains a favourite destination among Malaysians to visit for business.

Members of the press at the luncheon organised by HKTDC with Hoh Jee Eng, Director, Malaysia HKTDC (4th from left), Dato’ Joseph Lim, Vice President of Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (5th from left ) and Julia Douglas, Managing Editor of MICE in Asia.

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre took the initiative under its KLCC BE Alliance programme, and invited two representatives from the United States-based Maritz Global Events to Malaysia.  This was for them to familiarise with the local scene in Malaysia and explore opportunities to partner with the Centre in bringing international events, meetings and congresses into the country.  The Centre welcomed Ben Goedegebuure, global general manager of Maritz from The Hague, and Nancy Debrosse, senior vice president strategic account management in Arlington, Virginia.

Some background facts about the KLCC BE Alliance: It was established by the Centre in collaboration with key business events players and stakeholders who are located within the heart of the city of Kuala Lumpur.  The alliance offers a seamless single point of contact for organisers and meetings professionals in planning their events, from venues available in the area, to accommodation and entertainment.

In an interview with MICE in Asia, global general manager Ben Goedegebuure who has been to Malaysia before, was enthralled with the multicultural society of the country which he said, augurs well for the country’s attractiveness as a host, and destination for incentives and events.  According to Goedegebuure, it’s good that the Centre is taking the lead in advocating business events in Malaysia and promoting it to the global market for there is a need to know more about the country, as Malaysia has a lot to offer.

Meanwhile Nancy Debrosse informed that the American market tends to gravitate more towards the Asian destinations of Singapore and Hong Kong.  Her clients are also currently looking at diverse location to go to.  Having experienced Malaysia through this trip, she can testify to her clients to have a fresh look at Malaysia, especially through the favourable currency exchange, Malaysia offers value for money, from affordable hotel rates to shopping.

Both guests however agree that Malaysia has both the hardware and software and can hold its own in the global events market.  They were also impressed with the technology level of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre which has the necessary hi-tech requirements for a top venue to host international events.

Angeline van den Broecke, director of sales and marketing of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre mentioned that the Centre is actively working with the Malaysian government particularly with the Ministry of Tourism, to develop an infrastructure to empower a business event environment in Malaysia.  Together with a proposition to establish a business events industry that can contribute to the country’s GDP, as well as create jobs and promote the local economy.

The two associations aim to announce the launch of the joint Asia Pacific Executive Development Programme at the upcoming UFI Asia Pacific Congress 2019 in Japan. This programme is considered by both parties as relevant for the future readiness of the exhibition professionals in the region.  It will also be distinguished in its value as the industry’s first recognised certification in executive development.

Aloysius Arlando, president-elect of SACEOS remarked that it is the mission of SACEOS to raise the industry’s professional standards and enhance the mastery of skills over and above what is available in the marketplace. The programme will help Singapore’s MICE professionals increase their skills elevation and job opportunities.

Meanwhile Kai Hattendorf, managing director and chief executive officer of UFI, welcomed the collaboration with SACEOS which he said will allow, both the associations to nurture more industry professionals in Asia and globally.

Aloysius Arlando, President-Elect of SACEOS (left) signed the MoU in Singapore with Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UFI.

After a successful run for four consecutive years in Bali, the 6th edition of the conference will return to Jakarta due to the unpredictable and volatile nature of Mount Agung’s volcanic eruptions.  It will be held from September 5 to 6 at the Fairmont Jakarta.

This year’s conference will explore the latest trends in tourism and identify new opportunities, as well as exchange ideas and share best practices to foster new partnerships.  Once again stakeholders in the industry will come together for networking and opportunities to attend some engaging conference agenda.

It is hosted by Hotelivate, a new age global consultancy firm. Each year, THINC Indonesia brings together nearly 250 industry stakeholders, business leaders and key decision-makers from close to 15 nations.

For more information on the conference visit http://www.thincindonesia.com

MICE in Asia is the media partner of THINC Indonesia 2018.

Media professionals from Asia, Europe and United States invited by Korea Tourism for five days to tour Seoul, Incheon and Busan. The itinerary of the trip designed for the media representatives to visit some unique venues in Korea and experience the authentic culture and the history of the country.

Stepping back in time to the glorious days of the royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, the Gyeongbokgung Palace is located in northern Seoul and was built in 1395 is now a place of interest for tourists.

Introduction to Korean cuisine at Korea House which was opened in 1981, with the building of the restaurant created in the traditional architecture of the Gyeongbok Palace.  Menu of the restaurant are of royal cuisine with dishes prepared by award-winning chefs.  Cultural shows and performing arts are regularly held at the Korea House’s traditional theatre.

A walkabout at the Gyeongdong Market where, vendors sell fresh produce, seafood, meat and herbal goods – a feast for the eyes with the background sound of buyers haggling over prices, and smell of local ingredients that go to cooking Korean food.

Spiritual visit to the Haedongyonggungsa Temple located in the north eastern coast of Busan. The only temple in Korea that is located in the shore line, as most are in the mountains. It was built in 1376 by the Buddhist teacher Naong during the Goryeo Dynasty.

A unique venue just outside of Seoul, the Gwangmyeong Cave was formerly a mine where gold, silver and bronze were found.  It is now a large theme park with underground passages leading to: an aqua world of fishes showcased in glass aquariums; a wine cave of 170 types of wine from around South Korea and a café: with attractions such as, Wormhole Square of light shows on the cave walls; Golden Road where you can leave messages of long life and happiness on “gold” wall hangings; and among others a path leading to a horror experience of ghoulish sculptures.

Other activities during the tour include rolling up our sleeves to make Makgeolli face mask of fermented rice wine and preparing local sweet delicacies at the OME Cooking Lab.

Site inspection conducted: in Busan, Nurimaru APEC House, the Bay 101, Busan Cinema Centre and Hilton Ananti Cove; while in Incheon attended the Korea MICE Expo 2018 at Incheon’s Songdo ConvensiA Convention Centre; a briefing at G Tower on the Incheon Smart City; and in Seoul visited the Seoul Dragon City at Novotel Suites Hotel.

This year is the third edition of TIME held, to focus on Thailand’s long haul MICE markets namely Europe, North America, and Oceania. According to the organiser TCEB, the event creates business opportunities, enhance understanding and new perspectives, and updates on market insights for MICE entrepreneurs.

TIME concentrate on three primary activities:  knowledge exchange; business exchange; and experience exchange.  Nichapa Yoswee, vice president of TCEB added, besides TIME2018, TCEB is also introducing a promotional campaign ‘Meet by Design’ which is specially created to attract MI groups.

She said that the Meetings and Incentives (MI) sector is a significant contributor to Thailand’s MICE industry, generating approximately 50 percent of the industry’s total revenue.  The recent statistics in the first-half of this fiscal year showed that MI sector delivered the highest growth rate. Meeting sector (M) alone welcomed 150,849 business travellers, or 11.81 percent increased from the same period last year.

Incentives sector (I) welcomed 176,005 business travellers representing 21.63 percent growth. To elevate the MI sector, TCEB has implemented strategic plans for this year and 2019 to focus on building MICE ecosystem to support the MI sector that will be of benefit to all target groups.

TCEB expects that at the end of 2018 fiscal year, Thailand will welcome 1,327,000 business travellers with 124,000 million baht in revenue to the country. Of these figures, business travellers from MI sectors are expected to reach 569,000 with a growth rate of seven percent. On the overall, the long haul MICE market is expected to grow by five percent.