Press Room

The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) held its annual Meet in Macau
promotion in Kuala Lumpur on July 20 with the theme “Open Doors For Success Today.” This is the fourth year MGTO has organised the event in Malaysia, with the objective of gathering together tourism industry representatives from Macau to meet, discuss and exchange ideas so as to further strengthen business ties with travel agents, tour operators and MICE planners in Malaysia.

Led by Licenio da Cunha, Head of Macau Business Tourism Centre (MBTC), a delegation of 14 Macau travel industry partners representing hotels, convention and exhibition venues, travel agencies, event and destination management companies, had a one-to-one business meeting with Malaysian MICE and travel trade buyers. The MGTO also hosted a business luncheon for corporate guests, associations and the media

Guests at the Meet in Macau presentation of “Open Doors to Success Today” in Kuala Lumpur.

Representatives of Macau Government Tourist Office led by Licenio L.M. da Cunha (second from Left) at a networking corporate luncheon for tourism and MICE buyers from Malaysia and the media.

To encourage more international companies to host events in Macau, MGTO has extended its “Strategic MICE Market Stimulation Programme” to December 31 which is aimed at maintaining Macau’s competitiveness as a MICE destination. The programme was first launched in May 2009. Depending on the category, organisers can enjoy support related to accommodation, food and beverage, site inspections and bidding costs. To qualify, the organisers need to bring in a minimum of 50 participants, and stay two consecutive nights in Macau.

In terms of business tourism, about 397 events were held in Macau in the first quarter of 2010, up by 4% year-on-year, drawing 92,737 participants. (In 2009, there were 1,485 events held in Macau, drawing 660,880 participants). These numbers comprise of association meetings, corporate meetings, incentive travel, exhibitions and expos.

This year, from January to June, Macau welcomed 12.2 million of tourist arrivals –
Malaysia contributed 170,388 visitors. This actually makes Malaysia the 5th largest visitor generating market for Macau. For 2010, the Malaysian MICE market to Macau is forecasted to grow at 50% higher than 2009.

The Club at The Saujana of Kuala Lumpur recently invited Anton Mosimann, OBE to introduce his new style of cooking Cuisine Naturelle which is a healthy and honest cuisine, nutritionally balanced, very wholesome and without fats and alcohol.

For four glorious cuisine filled days at The Restaurant of The Club at The Saujana, Chef Mosimann prepared exclusive lunches and dinners for those with a discerning taste. Among the delights he prepared were his signature dishes – the highly acclaimed Risotto al Funghi, Chicken Liver Parfait with Pistachio Brioche, Roasted Saddle of Welsh Lamb, with herb crust which he then rounded off with Anton’s Bread and Butter Pudding – a traditional British dessert served with a new twist to an old favorite which is found only at at his private dining club, Mosimann’s of London’s Belgravia.

Chef Mosimann is known for his revolutionised cooking style which he created and started in 1985 – a new philosophy that advocates natural cooking, which brought him to the international stage of the culinary world and attracted the attention of the media. A Swiss by birth, he has worked throughout Europe, Canada and Japan before he came to London, and created his new style of cooking. There he made two cookery series on prime time British television, as well as countless television appearances world wide. His tenth cookery book Mosimann’s Fresh was published in November 2006.

He received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from H.M. Queen Elizabeth 1 in January 2004 for his dedication and commitment to the food and tourism industries. Six months later he received the Catey Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Catering Industry and, in November 2004, an honorary professorship from Thames Valley University. In 2006, he was appointed Officer, National Ordre du Merite Agricole (France) and in that same year was made President of the Royal Warrant Holder’s Association.

Among those for whom the chef has had the privilege to cook for are, four Presidents of the United States of America, all of the British Royal Family, four British prime ministers and most of Europe’s heads of state.

One for the album.

Guests enjoying lunch prepared by Chef Anton Mosimann at The Restaurant of The Cub Saujana.

The Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuad Ismail officiated the opening of the 9th Council of Promotion for Tourism in Asia (CPTA) at the auditorium of the Kuala Lumpur Library. The meeting was chaired by Nobuhiro Maeda, director general of Industrial and Labour Affair Bureau, Tokyo Metropolitan government, who is also the CPTA chairperson.

Issues discussed during the two-day meeting were of reports on conditions surrounding the implementation of joint projects and proposals for new joint projects, matters relating to the promotion of the “Welcome to Asia Campaign”, as well as opportunities for inter-city collaboration in fostering the regional tourism industry

Established in 2002, the CPTA has nine member cities, Tokyo, New Delhi, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the projects under the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21). Since its establishment, the CPTA has conducted a series of initiatives that included the promotion of Welcome to Asia campaign, development of promotional materials, stury tours between cities, tourism and cultural exhibitions, exchanges of ideas for the expansion of the regional tourism industry and sharing of best practices.

MICE in Asia representatives were at the press conference held by the Mayor on the outcome of the CPTA two-day meeting.

Nobuhiro Maeda, Director General, Bureau of Industrial and Labour Affairs briefing the media on issues discussed during the 9th Council of Promotion for Tourism in Asia held at the auditorium of the Kuala Lumpur Library.

E & MICE is known for its international profile of exhibitors. This year, the total number of exhibitors of the exhibition increased 2.5% to 625. They came from 46 countries and regions, with 16 of them from Asia, 13 from Europe, 5 from the Middle East, and the rest from Africa, Americas, Oceania, and the Pacific.

Amid uncertainties in the world economy, the 24th edition of ITE and the 5th edition of ITE MICE were held successfully. There were more exhibitors, more trade and public visitors, and a recorded number of newly participating countries and regions. Also new were a Geo-park theme pavilion on eco-tourism, and several new official participations and pavilions by tourism authorities mostly from Europe and the Middle East.

The number of trade and corporate buyers and visitors including those from local, mainland China and abroad rose by 2% to 11,464, pre-registrations for all corporate travel seminars 35% to around 1,200, while training seminar by the Asia cruise association was 50% over-subscribed. Public visitors this year increased by 7% to 68,900. Findings of previous surveys indicate some 70% of all public visitors preferred traveling in FIT.

MICE writers and editors with representatives of Thailand Convention Exhibition Bureau during a
visit to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

A group of MICE writers and editors from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Vietnam were invited by Thailand Convention Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) to witness first hand the return of the exhibitions industry in Bangkok. Members of the media were brought to view and walk through two major exhibitions – ProPak Asia 2010 held at BITEC and Asian Paper 2010 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Situation in Bangkok has now returned to normal and the Royal Thai government is working hard with other authorities to reinforce Thailand’s reputation as a globally preferred destination for MICE activities, as well as bolstering the country’s MICE industry.

Supawan Teerarat, TCEB’s exhibition director has this to say, “The long term economic impact of the protests on the country as a whole is expected to be limited, with latest forecast anticipating 4.5 percent GDP growth this year, an increase from its 3.5 percent forecast last December. This reflects the strong confidence that Thailand remains the globally preferred exhibition destinations, and as the top destination in ASEAN.” This was demonstrated by Bangkok playing host to three major exhibitions in June. According to TCEB, the recent protests have not had a significant impact on the exhibitions industry.

IT&CMA 2010 sees returning exhibitors pledging substantial increase in their participation. National Convention and Exhibition Bureaus such as Thailand, Brunei Indonesia, Seoul and Korea have committed to larger floor spaces of 20% to 50%.

“The increased participation affirms Asia-Pacific’s desire to further expand the MICE industry in Asia. Choosing IT&CMA is testimony of their confidence that the event can deliver superior business prospects,” acknowledges Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media, the organiser of IT&CMA and CTW 2010. With some five months to the event in October 5 to 7, IT&CMA 2010 has sold more than 90% of its exhibition space.

Confidence in the show remains buoyant despite the recent challenges in Bangkok. “The safety and welfare of our delegates are our utmost priority. As normalcy returns to Thailand we are confident that the event will be staged with minimal disruption,” assures Darren Ng. Long-standing partner Thailand Convention and Exhibitions Bureau (TCEP) have also re-affirmed their support and commitment to making IT&CMA and CTW 2010 a success.

The team remains positive that industry demand will spur IT&CMA and CTW 2010 to out perform last year’s sales and delegate numbers. In addition to exhibitor bookings, the organisers have received more than 500 applications from interested buyers, corporate travel managers and media to date. These numbers are set to increase as marketing efforts heighten in the run-up to the event. Registrations for IT&CMA and CTW 2010 can be made at www.itcma.com www.corporatetravelworld.com respectively.

Grand Prix Formula 1 “fever” is on in Kuala Lumpur. The Pavilion, Malaysia’s premier shopping destination held a press conference to announce what is in store in celebration of the Grand Prix (GP).

Pavilion Pit stop promises three days of excitment which includes dining specials, racing themed entertainment, fashion show and Champagne party. For shoppers, there are shopping discounts from several of the retail outlets and an opporunity to meet the Grand Prix drivers. At the main entrance of shopping venue are on display a Formula 1 racing car. Fashion enthisiasts can look forward to the Pavilion night of fashion and glamour on the red carpet.

The Kuala Lumpur Pavilion is located in the heart of the city along the thriving Bukit Bintang shopping district. It houses the best of the international retail brands, as well as food and beverage offering a lifestyle experience.

Malaysia’s most popular singer, Shiela Majid sitting on a Formula 1 car.

A Fashion show at the Kuala Lumpur Pavilion shopping centre.

Julia Douglas with Nikola Hassan, Public Relations Manager of Kuala Lumpur Pavilion.

In conjunction with the official opening of Pullman Kuching, the hotel hosted a dinner for guests, clients and the media. It was held at the Colosseum ballroom of the hotel.

Entertainment was provided by the Chinatown Shanghai specially flown in from Shanghai, China. Reigniting the fun and fantasy of Shanghai’s 1930’s heyday is Chinatown created by veteran entertainer Norman Gosney and dancer cum actress Amelia Kallman. The troupe presented a mix of cabaret, vaudeville and broadway live variety show.

The Colosseum is a ballroom measuring 1,615 square metres that can accommodate up to 1,500 people for a sit-down banquet and 3,000 people for cocktail reception.

Chinatown Shanghai girls on stage at the Colosseum, Pullman Kuching.

The troupe with Julia Douglas.

Welcome to the show.

Pullman brand hotel was officially opened by Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak on March 16 at the lobby. It is the second Accor Pullman hotel in Malaysia and the first in Kuching, Sarawak. Strategically located in the city’s commercial business district called the “golden triangle” and atop the hill of Jalan Mathies, a mere 20 minutes drive from the international airport.

The hotel is outfitted with a total of 389 spacious guest rooms. Opening of the hotel in Kuching was timely, as it will allow the Pullman to position itself for the growing meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector in Sarawak.

Chinese lion dance troupe waiting for the arrival of guests.

Guests at the official opening held at the lobby of the hotel.

A “lion” greeting Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and VVIP guests.

Drumming away to bring in good fengshui (luck) to the hotel.

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Asia Pacific organised a get-together of members and friends. It was organised by Noor Ahmad Hamid, Regional Director Asia Pacific ICCA at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. During the meeting, Christian Mutschlechner, Director of Vienna Convention Bureau breiefed everyone regarding the workings of the bureau. Among members present at the event were Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Convention Bureau, Sarawak Convention Bureau, Thailand Convention Bureau, Malaysia Airlines and Macau Government Tourist Office (represented by its office in Malaysia). MICE in Asia was invited to the networking session.

Members and friends of ICCA at the get-together and networking session.