MICEtalk January 14 Issue

Rs. 100

Volume V Issue 1 January 2014 60 pages A DDP Publication

Industry Focus

2014

New Avenues

Guilty

To be...or not to be Perfect Business Lunch

DDP Publications Private Limited New Delhi: 72, Todarmal Road, New Delhi 110001, India Tel: +91 11 41669575, 41669576 Fax: +91 11 41669577 E-mail: micetalk@ddppl.com Mumbai: 504 Marine Chambers, 43 New Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020, India Tel: +91-22-22070129, 22070130 Fax: +91-22-22070131 E-mail: mumbai@ddppl.com UAE: P.O. Box: 9348, Sharjah, UAE Tel: +971 6 5528954, Fax: +971 6 5528956 E-mail: uae@ddppl.com All information in MICEtalk is derived from sources, which we consider reliable. Information is passed on to our readers without any responsibility on our part. The contents of this publication contain views of authors and are not the views of DDP Publications.

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Canadian Museum of Civilization Grand Hall, Quebec

Publisher & Editor

SanJeet

Editor-in-Chief

Deepa Sethi

Desk Editor

Neelam Singh

Correspondent

Neha Oberoi

Photographer

Simran Kaur

Design

Pooja Kalra

Advertising

Gunjan Sabikhi Geetika Pathak Paramjeet Kaur Udit Pandey

Advertisement Designer

Vikas Mandotia Nitin Kumar Aarushi Agrawal

Production Manager

Anil Kharbanda

Circulation Manager

Ashok Rana

MUMBAI: Advertising

Harshal Ashar

reader’s

page

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Dear Reader, The Christmas & New Year season brings with it a spirit of celebration. Destinations and hotels around the world are teeming with holidaymakers. Rates at hotels are the highest at this time, airlines also charge a bomb and seats on trains are impossible to come by or priced at a premium.

But, if you’re planning a MICE trip soon then we have a rare treat for you in Poland, with some exquisite venues against historical surroundings. Manila continues to be popular and affordable for MICE event organizers. The Novotel in Goa has great options for both indoor and outdoor meetings, keeping in mind the changing outlook to make meetings more fun and relaxed.

With social media overtaking every other means of marketing, we bring you tips on developing an effective eMarketing campaign. There are also expert opinions on how to choose a MICE venue and the President of the Outbound Tour Operators’ Association of India speaks to us about MICE trends in 2013 and 2014.

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Talking of relaxation, read about how feeling guilty at work plays havoc with our work and personal lives, how accepting your mistakes and facing up to your failures actually relieves you of your tensions. At the same time we have reviewed a book by JN Mishra, who has selected shlokas from the Bhagvad Gita, on tranquility and the core wisdom that guides the modern generation on sailing through the turbulence of life…

On that note, all of us at MICEtalk wish our Readers A Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014.

Deepa Sethi

to the editor...

“MICEtalk is an essential magazine for any senior manager from the Hospitality sector, as it give you a great snapshot of not only of India but of the world as well.

With this magazine we do realise that MICE market is growing in India . We at the Leela Ambience Gurgaon are very focussed towards this segment and specifically have created a team (Events team) to cater all needs as one stop shop.”

Michel Koopman, The Leela Ambience Gurgaon Hotel & Residences

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MICEtalk January 2014

contents 12

8

Cover Story

An Analysis of 2013-2014

8 Facts

22 MICE Initiative

MICE Support by NTOs

24 Country Talk Poland

30 Destination Talk

Emerging MICE Destinations

32 City Talk Manila

36 Let’s Talk

30

Finalising a Convention Venue

38 Expert Talk

To be or not to be...Guilty

40 Hotel Talk

Solaire Resort & Casino, Manila

42 Book Review Art of Life by J.S. Mishra 44 Sample This

Novotel Goa Shrem Resort

46 Talking People

Future Trends for Meetings

47 Event Talk CII Tourism Fest, Chandigarh 50 Your’s Officially Guldeep Singh Sahni, OTOAI President and

MD, Weldon Travels

52 Etiquette Talk

The Perfect Business Lunch

54 Technology

eMail Marketing For Business Events - II

56 Movements 58 Events

48 Green Initiative

‘Responsible Luxury’ in ITC Hotels

44

Istanbul to host 2014 M&I Forum

Kyoto to host ILTM, Japan

facts

Meeting and Incentive Forums will hold its oneto-one meetings and networking activities from July 1-5, 2014, at the newly built Hilton Bomonti, Istanbul’s biggest five-star hotel and conference centre, set to open at the end of January 2014. It is the leading way for event planners and MICE suppliers to connect. The event will host 400 high calibre buyers and 300 suppliers.

ILTM Japan will take place at the SODOH Higashiyama, Kyoto, Japan, during March 17–19, 2014.

Supported by the City of Kyoto and the Japan Tourism Agency, ILTM Japan will take place in Kyoto on March 17-19, 2014. Entirely dedicated to the high-end Japanese luxury travel sector, ILTM Japan identifies and selects discerning buyers of elite travel from both within Japan and internationally – 70 per cent of those invited to ILTM Japan 2014 will have never attended an ILTM event before.

Netherlands to host world summit on nuclear security

On March 24 and 25, 2014, the Netherlands will host the international Nuclear Security Summit in the World Forum in The Hague. The aim of the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) is to reduce the amount of nuclear material in the world and improve its security. Fifty-three countries and four international organisations are taking part in the negotiations.

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MICEtalk January 2014

New Event Space in Indonesia

Leading Indonesian hotel Hilton Bandung offers wider perspective on MICE Meetings. Its newly launched multi-purpose integrated rooftop event space Panorama offers corporate planners an open-air area consisting of the outdoor Fresco restaurant featuring an open kitchen concept, a spacious and elegant 181 sqm indoor meeting room featuring contemporary design with floorto-ceiling glass sides overlooking the expansive swimming pool, which also offers meeting planners ‘in the pool’ long table meetings and dining options.

facts

MCB launches Melbourne Planners’ Guide 2013/14

Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has launched the 2013-14 edition of the Melbourne Planners’ Guide, a comprehensive manual for planning a business event in Melbourne and regional Victoria. The Guide 2013-14 offers planners a directory of the state’s premier business events products and services located, including venues, accommodation, conference and event organisers, and pre- and post-touring options.

New Novotel in Pune Focus on MICE

Pune welcomes the latest property to debut under Accor’s Novotel brand in 4Q2013 after Novotel Goa Shrem Resort and Novotel Ahmedabad. Novotel Pune offers 223 guest rooms including 14 suites, five F&B outlets, and flexible banquet offerings with a divisible ballroom and six additional meeting rooms across 1,022m2 of indoor and outdoor space. An interactive virtual concierge service allows guests to browse information of the hotel and the neighbourhood via a touch screen panel.

facts

Daily Etihad flights to Dubai from Jaipur

From April 1, 2014, Etihad Airways, the national airline of UAE will provide daily flights to Dubai from Jaipur. This service will offer travellers all across the world with access to one of India’s most exciting destinations, while providing those in India with seamless connection to the Gulf region and Middle East as well as Africa, Europe and North America via Abu Dhabi hub. Etihad is also planning to increase the frequency of its existing service to the country.

China focussing on small and mid-scale meetings

Shenyang New World Expo is planning to target small and mid-scale meetings and exhibitions when it opens in spring 2015, will be part of a mixed-used development that comprises commercial and retail space as well as two hotels – a 3-star Penta brand property and a 5-star New World hotel.

Facilities offered by the venue includes a 25,000m2 exhibition space, a 1,800m2 multipurpose convention hall and 2,200m2 of meeting rooms. The venue will enjoy a good location in the central business district, with direct access to the Shenyang Metro Line 2.

Qatar Airways introduces new online visa system

facts

Shangri-La’s CSR activities with meeting offerings

Qatar airways introduced a new online system for applying for tourist visas to Qatar. The new system not only eases the process of applying for a tourist visa but also provides passengers with the convenience of tracking their visa application status online. Only one-month single-entry tourist visas are available and visa must be used within 60 days from the date of issue.

Shangri-La has come up with a selection of corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives to meeting and event organisers who take their programmes to any Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts properties worldwide. Initiatives offered by the new ‘Experience It’ programme are designed around three categories: People & Planet, which features activities involving children from a hotel’s local outreach project and conservation activities; Green, which utilises eco-friendly amenities during events; and Be Well, which offers event delegates fresh, sustainable and local dining options and rejuvenating activities.

Planting coral cones in a marine sanctuary, painting a school, engaging with local farmers on an eco-tour, are just a few of the many ‘Experience activities’ available at hotels.

HKIA to have a New Hotel

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) will soon have a new property. The hotel will be located on approximately two hectares of land adjacent to the AsiaWorld Expo – an area currently used for long-term car parking. To offset the reduce parking space, a new two-level basement car park will also be built in the area.

Cover-More extends agreement

Malaysia Airlines and Australian travel insurance provider Cover-More have expanded their partnership into India and New Zealand, with Europe and China on the way in 2014. The agreement means that passengers are offered travel insurance that is even more closely tailored to their individual needs and type of journey.

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MICEtalk January 2014

facts

New tool for meeting planners by Accor

Accor Meeting Hotel Finder is the new tool launched

by Accor which enables meeting planners to search for their ideal venue. With nearly 1,000 different destinations, this tool cumulates more than 10,000 meetings rooms in 90 different countries. The search is available according to the following criteria: • Geography (continent, country, city, airport hotels) • Type of meeting (attendance, room layout, number of meeting rooms needed, incentive activities requested) • Accommodation (number of rooms needed) – Hotel category (Luxury, Upscale, Midscale, Economy)

Malindo Air enters India market

The Malaysian hybrid airline has launched its first scheduled commercial flight from Delhi to Kuala Lumpur from December 30, 2013, followed by flights from Trichy and Ahmedabad to Kuala Lumpur in January. It provides more options for travellers from India to go to Malaysia and Indonesia, using Malindo Air, with connectivity to destinations like Bali, Penang, Langkawi, Bangkok and Jakarta.

cover story

MICE Industry

Focus on the Year Ahead An Analysis of 2013-2014

Neha Oberoi

The year 2013 has come to an end and all our readers are wondering what 2013 has been like for the MICE industry. What’s been swept up and what’s new and here to stay? MICEtalk spoke to some of the specialists to find out what they are expecting from business travel in 2014 and asked them to do a quick recount of the year that was 2013. We noted a general mood of optimism.... Read on.

cover story

TOUR OPERATORS

VIEWS

Currency Fluctuation and Shift to Domestic

Nihaluddin

Vice President MICE & Outbound Travel Trailblazers 2013 for the Industry

Expectations from 2014

Due to weakening of the Rupee, the outbound MICE business has taken a sharp downfall for the months of August and September 2013... which was the effect till December 2013 as far as MICE outbound destinations were concerned. But Goa has gained from this Rupee fall against the foreign currencies and many MICE movements have been shifted from countries like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai. Corporates also refrained themselves in trying new destinations as it used to be in the past in this quarter of the year.

Domestic MICE is still doing well and I think that it will continue to do so till the end of March 2014.

Untill the General Elections are over, the situation of Foreign Currencies like USD/ AUD/EUR/GBP/SGD/NZD against the Rupee will hamper outbound MICE business.

Corporates suffered a lot when they decided in May/June to travel in August/September and they paid almost 25 per cent more as compared to their budget which was finalised earlier. (In case of some clients, who hadn’t paid, we had to face the dent.)

The year looks promising as people who didn’t go during the last financial year, are now well prepared for the budgeting at the higher exchange rate. Holding off the incentive/ MICE trips for long isn’t good for a company as it is an integral part of their sales planning.

Among the new trends, increasing connectivity from India and within India, with numerous airlines being launched and more flights being added, will definitely boost MICE business.

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MICEtalk January 2014

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cover story

One-stop Solution

Kapil Arora

Director-Travel Wizard 2013 for the Industry Though the year 2013 was satisfactory from MICE perspective but we have noticed considerable reduction in MICE budgets in many corporate companies due to difficult market conditions that presently prevail.

Market is not doing very good but profits are manageable and can be achieved depending on the industry targetted. We now understand that all corporate companies require one stop solution for their requirements in order to execute all their MICE activities. They want an agency who can fulfil Ticketing, Accommodation, Creatives, Team building and Event management requirements. Today the need of the hour is upgraded model of

Newer Destinations

Rohit Khanna

Director, Travelclinic

14

travel agencies which can offer all services in order to grow within the market. Also, one should have core knowledge of all these products and services to understand and make every event successful.

Expectations from 2014

“

We expect that the year 2014 will begin with high hopes and end with glittering achievements as many industries in the verticals of pharmaceuticals, high-end IT companies, Mobiles & Electronics are still performing well.

2013 for the Industry

Expectations from 2014

2013 has been an average year with no major movements. However, amongst the trends surfacing there is a definite shift towards newer destinations. Travellers have their eyes open for some upcoming destinations, especially those that offer a bargain.

The year 2014 looks really good with the economy bouncing back. MICE will definitely generate more interest in the new year.

MICEtalk January 2014

cover story

CONVENTION BUREAUS Increase in Business Events

Jasmine Lim

Director, International Incentives, Melbourne Convention Bureau

16

2013 for the Industry

Expectations from 2014

Since the start of the 2013/2014 financial year, the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has conducted travel events worth an estimated AUD13.2 million for the state of Victoria, Australia.

These events have seen a 60 per cent increase in delegate numbers compared to the same period last year. In addition, the average number of nights delegates stay in our hotels has also increased by 35 per cent. The effect of this delegate growth will result in an extra AUD 7million for the state’s economy.

As far as trends are concerned, Tourism Australia recently conducted research into special events being a key driver for visitors to the country. There are areas where events were travel motivators in which trips and places visited were timed around an event or festival of interest, getting most visitors from the Asia region including China (81%), Indonesia (78%), India (72%), South Korea (67%), Malaysia (63%), Japan, (58%).

As per research the top three most appealing events are nature and wildlife, food and wine, and sports. The same can be said for business events and MCB has witnessed an increasing trend towards integrating major or special events into a business event – in particular corporate incentive programs.

For us 2014 means continued growth in incentive movements with the support of new air connectivity and capacity from China in the last 12 months, India (Air India) in Aug 2013 and Japan (Jetstar) in April 2014.

More favourable exchange rate against Asian currencies has also already and will continue to encourage clients to look at Australia as a destination for incentive programs.

Also, MCB expects the recovery of the US business events and incentive markets which will bring an increasing amount of long-haul groups to Australia.

MICEtalk January 2014

“

cover story

VIEWS

Rise of Social Media

Mike Cannon

Managing Director, Sarawak Convention Bureau 2013 for the Industry In 2013, Internet marketing and social media played a big role in showcasing our unique marketing tools on Sarawak as a business events destination.

Expectations from 2014 For 2014, our core focus still remains to venture forth and win more bids for Sarawak, and at the same time establish media relations. We are willing to take part in trade shows in Australia (AIME), Europe (IMEX Frankfurt) and America (IMEX America), to name a few. In 2014, we will be welcoming events such as ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), Routes Asia, Asia Pacific Orthodontic Congress (APOC) and Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA), among others to Sarawak which will definitely keep us busy.

“For 2014, our core focus still remains to venture forth and win more bids for Sarawak, and at the same time establish media relations�

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cover story

Future Trends Show Optimism

Sanjay Grover

Paharpur Business Centre

18

2013 for the Industry

Expectations from 2014

Despite the heavy thrashing due to the recession in the world economy in the past few years, MICE has continued its growth.

Tailor-made tour packages have broadened the scope for the travel industry where demand for meetings, conferences and seminars is always high.

Studies reveal that top future trends show a return to luxury. Undoubtedly, there have been tightly zipped budgets but demands for the luxury have not been totally out of bounds.

Moreover, we cannot deny the fact that the soaring demand in various industries like telecommunications, education, insurance, healthcare has raised the need of travel. This has been a catalyst to the progress of MICE.

The prospects are bright. World economy has started picking up after a long recession. The changing trends indicate a steady comeback.

Travel industry has to reinvent to face the challenges ahead. Organisations should think of events as launch pads for continual revenue generation. They must also understand that meetings do not contribute to economic chaos; rather they are vital business solutions that can draw leads, revenue and branding.

Hopefully, this change will be evident in the coming year.

MICEtalk January 2014

latest trends 2013 has seen innovative event ideas pouring in. The traditional Boardroom style is now being improvised. The new approach is about coupling up the outdoor spaces with a limited gathering.

It is no more a surprise when we see delegates assembled around a campfire or at a bar. Such an innovative approach relies on methods that favour economical and conducive arrangements.

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cover story

HOTELS Shortened Booking Window

Pradeep Kalra

Sr. Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. 2013 for the Industry

Expectations from 2014

Despite a turndown in overall business, there has been increased demand for rooms and meeting space from the MICE segment this year. The requirement is much more pronounced for locations with an IT/ITES base, such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad, as these destinations are well connected and can afford large MICE facilities.

Booking window has shortened considerably. Clients are now seeking solutions at a very short notice. Business locations within easy reach are equally in demand due to logistics.

In 2014, MICE will continue to be a major business driver for hotels especially during the off season in order to leverage better cost saving for companies. Some of the key sectors to watch out for would include pharmaceuticals, banking & insurance, IT/ ITES, tele-communications, among others.

We expect medical congresses to contribute majorly to hotel occupancies next year.

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cover story

VIEWS

A Promising Year Ahead

Amish Sud

Director, The Chalets, Naldehra

2013 for the Industry

Expectations from 2014

The year 2013 has been much slower for MICE movement as compared to the previous two years. This year, companies have taken austere steps to meet the economic slowdown and have either cut down their budgets for conferences, off-sites, training programs, etc., or have paused these activities for a while.

It seems that MICE movement in 2014 will take a positive jump. We hope to see an increase in MICE movement from February onwards. We are assuming that companies will be willing to go forward into the new financial year with motivated personnel and teams, so the outlook looks promising.

Rise in Domestic MICE

Ashish Vohra

Founder and CEO, Justa Hotels and Resorts 2013 for the Industry Conventions have increased to destinations like Hyderabad which has seen multi-fold growth both on the Inbound and Domestic front. Moreover, meetings are being conducted at resort locations with more focus towards ‘Team Building’ and ‘Physical Development’. Inbound incentives have shown an upward trend from countries like Germany and France. Executive Development

Programmes have increased both from corporates and PSU’s and for outbound, they preferred Middle East and Far East countries.

Expectations from 2014

“

In 2014, well connected off-beat locations will play a vital role. Tier II locations will get a major share of business, hence outbound MICE will see an upward trend.

MICEtalk January 2014

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MICE Initiative

MICE Support

by NTOs MICE Initiatives carried out by various destinations are becoming more and more predominant. Most destinations are investing heavily in inviting business traffic to their countries and the margins of volume business are steadily on the rise. MICEtalk brings forth what kind of support is available for large group movement in various countries.

Country

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Financial Subsidy

Cultural Giveaways/ performance/ Welcome Kit Gala dinner

Others

Macau

Yes

No

Yes

No

Thailand

Yes

Yes

Yes

VIP immigration clearance

Malaysia

No

Yes

Yes

Mini iPad for organising a 4D/3N vacation for 2 persons

Philippines

No

No

Yes

No

Switzerland

No

No

Yes

Yes, case to case basis

Korea

Yes

Yes

Yes

Airport Welcome, Welcome speech by senior official

Sri Lanka

No

Yes

Yes

No

MICEtalk January 2014

country talk

POLAND

Emerging MICE Destination After hosting the Euro Cup in 2012, the image of Poland has changed. Now, the country has new infrastructures, stadiums, new hotels and many of the hotels are based in historical venues, having comfortable interiors. Along with these there are a number of International chains of hotels. Poland is all about freshness, and its meeting industry is just 20 years young.

National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland

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MICEtalk January 2014

country talk

“Poland’s unique location in the heart of Europe, excellent transportation facilities, warm hospitality of the people, rich history and natural beauty make it an attractive MICE destination.” India is a key market for us along with China and Japan and Leisure and MICE are our present targets.

Emilia Kubik, ‘I like Poland’ - Project Leader Department of Marketing Planning, Poland Tourism Organisation (PTO)

P

oland offers its guests heritage and cultural experiences, warm hospitality and a competitive price. It offers value for money.

MICE Facilities in Poland Poland has many potential meeting and conferences venues which offer a great deal for MICE activities.

Some of them are: The Wieliczka Salt Mine (Krakow) – One of the most precious heritage sites of Poland, it is an adventurous place to hold meetings, conferences and gala dinner.

The property is built in an area spanning across 1, 573 sqm and the fascinating interiors of the Salt Mine gives a perfect setting to events. It offers multimedia conference rooms with state-of-the-art equipment offering a convenient place to host 600 people.

Gdynia Sports and Show Arena – Here you can host meetings and conferences on a larger scale.

The massive facility is built in an area of 1, 072 sqm, having 3, 102 seats out of which 612 seats are positioned on the board whereas 2, 490 seats are in the grandstand sliding.

Poznan Congress Centre – With conferences and indoor/outdoor exhibition space spread in an area spanning 1,50,000 sqm, it is definitely the perfect place for very large international conferences. Having a capacity of 2,000 people, the hall is distinguished by its size, functional flexibility and unique interior designs. It has 38 conference rooms, VIP zones

The Wieliczka Salt Mine (Krakow)

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country talk

and various areas for organising different kinds of special events. The entire facility is coloured in shades of red, black and grey. Featuring modern technology, lighting and sound systems, it is also a speciallyabled-friendly facility.

Wroclaw Centennial Hall – Spread across an area of 14, 000 sqm, this is a lively centre ideal for organising conferences, cultural and leisure events. The facility includes 12 well furnished conference halls, equipped with new generation audio-visual technology. The main deck of the hall (2,000 sqm) is situated at the Level 0 directly under the dome. It can easily accommodate 3,571 people.

Wroclaw Centennial Hall

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MICEtalk January 2014

future plans Poland Tourism Organisation (PTO) will be launching a segment on its official website in January 2014 to provide information specifically for Indian travellers and tour operators. PTO has also unveiled a special promotional campaign for the Indian market titled ‘Come and Find Your Story’. This campaign will be promoted on digital and social media platforms.

country talk

Radisson Blu Kraków

Radisson Blu Kraków is the first hotel in the world to be awarded the prestigious BS8901 certificate, introduced in 2007 by the International Standardisation (ISO).

Warsaw Expo XXI – Multifunctional venues equipped with latest technical standards can host exhibitions, conferences, seminars and all kinds of events. The centre’s flexible halls can easily accommodate around 13,000 guests and further space management is also possible as per the convenience of the organisers.

Spread over an area of 17, 000 sqm, its 4 main halls can hold up to 7 events simultaneously and the 4 conference rooms can further accommodate 820 delegates. The facility is very well equipped for the disabled and very well connected with the airports and railway stations.

Warsaw Expo XXI

country talk

availability of indian food You can find some good Indian restaurants in main tourist cities like Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw or Poznań. Also hotels, especially international chains are flexible and open their kitchen to Indian chefs, if the group requires it.

Above: Exhibition and Sports Centre Spodek, Poland Below: The Grand Theatre

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MICEtalk January 2014

country talk

post event activities Poland offers a lot of fun and adventure activities such as Motor Hang Glider, Wind Surfing, Skiing, Safari, etc.

Promoting Green Events

Poland is conscious of organising socially-sustainable events.

Managers of hotels and conference venues and professional event organisers are increasingly striving to limit the negative impact on the environment by protecting natural resources: saving energy, water and paper, recycling, reducing the number of conference giveaways and gadgets, as well as working with local business partners with a good record in following ecological standards. Hotel, restaurants and catering companies are keen to use traditional seasonal produce, work closely with local artists, and support local communities.

Poznan Congress Centre

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destination talk

NEW HORIZONS EMERGING MICE DESTINATIONS The MICE industry is one of the fastest growing segments within the tourism industry generating millions in revenue for cities and countries.

MICEtalk does a rundown of the most popular MICE destinations in 2014.

Asia

As MICE tourism booms, the Asia market takes the world by storm. The Asian countries have created fierce competition amongst themselves to provide MICE facilities. Thailand and Singapore fighting neck to neck for the biggest MICE market in South East Asia. With the growing demand in this sector and the realisation of certain success, there is a fuelled development in the infrastructure and technical capabilities in countries like Indonesia is making its presence known in the circuit.

Above: Kual Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia Left: Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, Bali, Indonesia

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MICEtalk January 2014

destination talk

Middle East

Dubai is taking the lead in the Middle East MICE business.

Countries like Abu Dhabi and Jordan are climbing steadily up the MICE ladder to make a mark to boost MICE business by taking on more exhibitions etc.

Top Destinations Thailand Dubai Malaysia Singapore Switzerland Macao Germany Australia United Kingdom Above: Atlantis Hotel, Dubai

Europe

Cities in Europe have always been a favourite with corporates especially with big budgets. Smaller numbers but larger margins beckon from the region. London, Paris, Zurich and Berlin provide exclusive convention facilities with the possibility of conducting several activities like wine tasting, unique venues like museums, themed events, etc.

Emerging markets: Europe is also seeing potential in Eastern Europe like Bulgaria, Russia, Poland, Cyprus, etc., which are showing an increasing demand for incentive travel. Also, MICE travellers are being wooed aggressively by these markets.

Long-haul destinations like Australia are also exceedingly popular, especially with companies looking at incentive travel. Special team-building activities with adrenalin jumping options like rafting, scuba diving, etc., are becoming popular.

Left: Lobby of Hilton, Prague

MICE business is here to stay. For most markets, the growth despite the falling rupee will be maintained as far as the number of arrivals to the country is concerned. Budgets, however, may be a constraint, but growth in volumes and quality is and will be the norm for MICE. MICEtalk January 2014

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city talk

Unique

Manila

As Asia now picks up to serve the MICE segment, Philippines has emerged as one of the ideal MICE destinations. The city where the rich Spanish and American culture blend with the true Filipino hospitality, Manila as a MICE destination is selling like a hot cake in the Indian market. MICEtalk checks out what the archipelago has in its kitty for the discerning and demanding MICE travellers.

Manila at night

city talk

MICE Facilities in Manila Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Built on reclaimed land along the Manila Bay, it has over 70,000 sqm of floor area. The main Reception Hall has a permanent stage and dressing rooms for live shows and special events. It can accommodate 2,500 guests for a sit-down dinner or 5,000 for a cocktail reception. www.picc.gov.ph

An architectural landmark, PICC made history as Asia’s first international convention centre. the visa edge Indian passport holders, with valid multiple visas for US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Singapore, UK and the Schengen Visa, can enjoy 14-day visa-free visits to the Philippines.

Resorts World Manila (RWM) The first integrated tourist hub in the Philippines, it combines lodging brands, restaurants, gaming facilities, entertainment spots and a mall. Just across Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and adjacent to the Villamor Golf Course, RWM is home to three hotels – luxury all-suite casino Maxims Hotel, five-star Marriot Hotel Manila and the budget accommodation Remington Hotel. Apart from these hotels, the city is home to a number of luxury properties, including the iconic Manila Hotel, Amanpulo, InterContinental Manila, etc.

The SMX Convention Center is a 46,647 sqm facility that is perfect for international exhibitions, largescale trade events, conventions, corporate and social functions. As the building is located in the Mall of Asia Complex, one can literally walk into the mall for a shopping extravaganza after a hectic day of business. www.smxconventioncenter.com

special feature An interesting feature of the SMX is the destinationthemed lifestyle café, Travel Café Philippines (TCP).

The food is reflective of traditional Filipino cuisine that has been adapted for the international market, while the beverages exclusively promote organic Philippine coffee as the core beverage. www.travelcafephilippines.com

Resort World Manila is home to three hotels – luxury all-suite casino Maxims Hotel, five-star Marriot Hotel Manila and the budget accommodation Remington Hotel.

Above: Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Right: The SMX Convention Center

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city talk

Post-event Activities Explore the City: Groups can take special tours of Manila and its museums. Some of Manila’s best museums can be found in the walled city of ‘Intramuros’, which during the Spanish times was the place where the rich and famous stayed or met. Today, it is home to several cafes, restaurants and museums.

For Adventurous: Go for a ferry ride on the Pasig river. It is the best way to get a bird’s eye view of the city. Sunset cruises on the Manila Bay are also a popular activity for groups coming to Manila.

Nightlife: China Town, Malate and Roxas Boulevard are the areas that are buzzing with activity. The Makati Commercial Centre, Greenbelt and The Fort are the other areas in Metro Manila where you can experience the city’s nightlife.

Shopping: Head for the Cubao Expo, which is full of shoe stores. You can even get a pair customised for yourself if you have the time.

Above: National Art Gallery of the Philippines Right: Manila Ocean Park

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unusual venue Groups looking for an unusual venue for their events can stop by at the National Art Gallery in the Philippines. The ‘Holding Room’ here can host private events. The museum is home to some of the world’s most valued collection of paintings and sculptures. The different rooms of the museum are designed with different themes and can be a fascinating experience for the groups who come here.

city talk

it’s more fun in the Philippines A MICE traveller should look forward to visiting the other islands that offer a plethora of experiences.

Bohol is home to Tarsiers, the smallest wide eye monkey primate in the world. Visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan, which features as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The beach lovers can escape to Boracay and Cebu for crystal blue waters, powdery sand beaches and unspoiled landscapes.

Left: Golf at Club Intramuros Below: Puerto Princesa Underground River

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let’s talk

Important Factors for Finalising a

Convention Venue

Organising a conference is an uphill task as there are a lot of factors which you need to keep in mind. MICEtalk is happy to help you as we bring forth what goes into the selection of the appropriate venue through our learned panel.

Good Transportation and Professional Support Wolfgang Wagner

Press Officer, Press and Public Relations, Messe Berlin The city where the venue is located is an important aspect. A city of interest to tourists, in general, will also be interesting to MICE travellers, as long as they are not limited by compliance or codex regulations which may rate certain holiday destinations as offering too much ‘relaxation’ and not being conducive enough to ‘MICE work’. Another relevant factor is the ease of access provided by public transport. Nowadays, this is increasingly important, due to an increased focus on the environment and ‘green’ meetings. Cooperating with the convention centre team is also important. International clients require English-speaking counterparts and they need to be confident that they will receive professional support. Naturally, the rental fees at the venue are also important.

Staying within the Budget Ankit Jain

Business Head, Euphoria World Travels The budget seems to be the first consideration for all large movements.

Understanding the overall value and cost of holding a meeting in a destination is imperative. Mainly clients look for a more affordable city, even at the cost of less attendance. Once, you close the budget then all other factors fall into place like the lay of the land in terms of location of the venue and whether there are enough opportunities to spend post-event hours.

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Connectivity and Availability of Space Pankaj Malhotra

Director - Corporate Sales & Operations, The Organizers There are a few major factors that contribute for selecting a MICE destination.

1. Easy Connectivity: How well a MICE location is connected by air, train or road from major metros of India and globally is very important.

2. Availability of convention space: Venue availability in terms of hall size for conventions and conferences and also room availability as per the number of delegates affect the decision of finalising a destination.

Rest all factors are secondary like infrastructure support, sound, light and fabrication, F&B, etc., as they all can be arranged post finalising the major factors mentioned above.

Below: Conference Venue of Fairmont Jaipur

expert talk

TO BE or

NOT TO BE… GUILTY

?

am I Y T L I U G

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S

Shabnam Mehra Life Coach & EFT Practitioner

Take a moment to reflect on these statements, how many of them cross our mind on a daily basis?

Sometimes such thoughts register only fleetingly and soon get lost within the rush of life. The causes may range from finding work life balance, to not delivering on promises or targets, of being late to work every morning, forgetting important dates or deadlines…, the list is endless and can never be exhaustive as each new event or occurrence in our life often widens our scope of guilt.

This emotion has several impacts, the least amongst them being: - a direct psychological reaction ranging from regret, feeling apologetic, taking corrective action or even a dose of self-flagellation. There is a chemical reaction as well, which as in the case of stress, releases adrenalin and other chemicals that one level, do help one cope but at the same time slowdown or shut off other systems such as the immune function and reduce the blood supply. Research also shows that feelings of guilt, anger, pain cause release of toxins within the body leading to longer term impact.

The dominant impact, however, is at a much deeper level and often goes unnoticed or untreated.

This creates energy blocks in the body, disrupting the smooth flow of energy throughout the body. An energy block is the birthplace of physical and mental illnesses. Greater the infliction of guilt, anger, pain, etc…greater is the chance of the body giving in to system failure. Hypertension, memory loss, aches and pains are just the starting point, they may lead to depression, diabetes, hormonal imbalance or even cancer.

expert talk

Now come to the root question, why do we even Choosing to first accept that we felt guilty and then feel guilty? One answer is that it is a normal reaction, choosing to consciously overcome that feeling rather just as naturally euphoria or feeling low and it should than denying it puts us and our body in a better sense be accepted, without attaching too much importance. of harmony.

Or a better way may be to understand and assess situations and instances where one is overcome by @#!? guilt. Take responsibility and ownership for actions @? and analyse which actions put us in the situation. In @? @ other words ‘take charge’ and understand the pattern to such events and cases.

Each instance will be diverse but the methodology of tackling may be similar, 1. Understand the triggers, 2. Accept what they make us feel.

3.

Be ready to seek and give forgiveness (especially forgiving oneself ).

4.

What actions will help negate ensuing situations?

5. How can we incorporate these actions into our life?

Sometimes the impulsive reaction to feelings of guilt is denial, where we just cannot take responsibility for what caused us guilt and we end up blaming others who cause us to feel that way. While that may be a fair assessment and there are people who try and make Wishing you all a Great New Year with lots of us feel guilty, the important fact is that it is we, who peace, balance and harmony. did experience that emotion. So, if we do not even accept that we are feeling guilty, we will not be able to For further details contact shabnamsmehra@yahoo.com address it.

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@#!?

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hotel talk

Business with Fun

Solaire Resort & Casino, Manila Philippine’s premier integrated destination casino resort Solaire hosted this year’s OTOAI convention, apart from the conferences of several pharmaceutical companies.

MICEtalk delved deeper to find out what the resort has to offer to its MICE travellers.

the attraction With a spacious casino floor, luxurious high limit areas, private gaming salons and an outdoorthemed casino and entertainment bar, Solaire provides a wide range of gaming experiences for all levels of players.

hotel talk

S

olaire is strategically situated minutes away from the international and domestic airports from the convention venues at the SM Mall of Asia complex, leisure and business hubs such as Makati and Bonifacio Global City and key historical and cultural landmarks particularly Rizal Park and Intramuros.

For business travellers

Solaire provides high-speed Internet connection and a wide variety of international television programming, along with a Business Centre, local and international e-newspapers, foreign currency exchange, express check-in/out and airport transfers, etc.

Dining

Solaire offers 4 signature restaurants namely Yakumi (Japanese), Red Lantern (Cantonese), Strip (Steakhouse) and Finestra for authentic Italian cuisine.

Also available are 3 casual dining options – Fresh which offers buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, Food Court and Lucky Noodles.

Post Event Fun

For nightly live entertainment, Eclipse Bar and Lounge is a perfect place to catch up with friends and unwind.

Their pool and spa also offer multiple options to relax at leisure.

Meeting Offers

The resort also offers half day and full day meeting packages for a minimum of 30 persons which include mid morning and/or afternoon snacks, use of the meeting venue, standard audio-visual equipment, etc.

solaire membership benefits Being a member of the resorts membership programme lets you enjoy complimentary dining and discounts (up to 50 per cent) at the casual and fine dining restaurants, Merchandise redemption on electronics and accessories, free play on slots and table games and exclusive access to the Solaire Club and High Limits Slot lounge.

book review

Relevance of Gita in the Modern World

The Gita has been a source of guidance in the struggle of life as well as the pursuit of God for millions around the world since ages. It is the essence of the core wisdom of the Upanishads and is the most important scripture of Vedanta philosophy.

Gita teaches us to have a tranquil mind set.

A mind that is confused, agitated and is in dilemma cannot lead one on the righteous path towards one’s duty.

Impact of Gita

An important trait of any leader or manager is the need to behave in a way that develops a legacy that is quite willingly emulated by others. This point is very well illustrated in the following shloka:Yadyadacharati shreshthastattadevetaro janah.

Sa yatpramanam kurute lokastadanuvartate.

- Chapter 3.21 (Whatever a great man does, the other men follow and put into practice. Whatever standard he sets, the entire world pursues the same).

Gita begins with the words ‘Dharma’ and ‘Kuru’.

The word ‘Kuru’ used in kurukshetra means ‘to do’ or ‘to indulge in action’, that is, ‘Karma’. Gita establishes the importance and utility of Karma and Karmayoga The Gita is a great scripture to guide human beings in the conduct of their daily affairs in running a family or an organisation virtuously and successfully. In the following shloka, Lord Shri Krishna exhorts Arjuna to dispassionately do his prescribed duty (dharma) with full conviction:Shreyansvadharmo vigunah paradharmatsvanushthitat.

Svadharme nidhanam shreyah paradharmo bhayavahah.

-Chapter 3.35

(One’s own duty, though devoid of merit, is more gratifying than the duty of another well-performed.

Meeting even death in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duty, for it is fraught with danger).

J S Mishra (Retd IAS officer), in his latest book Art of Life: Timeless Wisdom from The Gita, has tried to select 125 important shlokas containing core wisdom and essence of the Gita to guide the modern generation to sail through the turbulence of life.

sample this

Novotel Goa Adding Shrem Resort New Dimensions With new properties opening at a furious pace, it becomes our responsibility to bring to our readers ‘What’s New and Useful?’ for them. MICEtalk looks into the Novotel Goa Shrem Resort for MICE and other events…

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sample this

Rakshit Talwar, Director of Sales & Marketing, Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort and Novotel Goa Shrem Resort, talks about the resort’s MICE opportunities, “Our MICE meeting packages are tailor-made as per customer requirements.

However, we are currently working on some promotions which we would be launching soon. Our biggest inhouse venue can accommodate 160 in cluster seating.

Also, we have a wide range of open air venues.

We are getting ready to open another hotel by the end of Q2 2014. With the additional inventory, we will have more options available for the client and can then pitch for large conventions with multiple banqueting facilities.”

Above: The Square 2, Novotel Hyderabad The Square is the Novotel signature all-day dining restaurant

The Novotel resort is strategically located on Main Candolim Road, making it conveniently close to all the prime beaches of North Goa. The location of the hotel is a big advantage, especially for MICE groups, in terms of planning an event.

A

t present, the domestic MICE traffic is high with the property. Within just a few months of opening, they’ve seen a very positive response.

Dining

The resort comprises enticing food & beverage options.

The Square is the signature all-day dining restaurant which serves global cuisines and regional specialities and also includes an interactive live kitchen along with a wood fired pizza oven. Guests can unwind at the lobby lounge, The Bar, with regular entertainment events planned throughout the year. Swim Up is the resort’s sunken bar that serves high energy health drinks and has a sea food grill.

The resort has a banquet of 260 sqm, ideal for diverse events. For leisure, there is a perfect balance of physical and mystical wellness. With the sand pool and kid’s room, their services ensure an ideal stay for business groups and families alike.

Accommodation

The resort offers rooms in varied categories featuring from contemporary to family accommodating rooms and duplex suites.

talking people

Future Trends for Meetings

According to International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA), India is 27th in the global meeting market. The art of organising meetings is fast evolving to meet with the dynamic changes of the business landscape.

Crowne Meetings Directors and Crowne Plaza hotels’ dedicated event planners, share five insights that they foresee will drive the future of business travel and meeting trends.

The Changing Face of Meeting Spaces

Future meetings will be less structured, allowing for more time and free space for participants to brainstorm and network. Traditional boardroom walls are coming down and non-traditional venues are increasingly grabbing the attention of meeting planners. Now meetings are taking place in outdoor spaces or in conducive settings to foster creativity, interactivity and productivity.

Making Virtual Connections

While live meetings are definitely here to stay, today’s evolving business environment can harness the power of technology to extend the reach of any meeting to audiences who cannot physically attend the event. These hybrid meetings, a combination of face-to-face interaction and virtual connectivity, also serve as an effective forum for knowledge sharing across countries and time-zones.

The Need for Green

Amid a growing consciousness to eat healthy and care for the environment, people are preferring hotels that think and act green.

Technology with a Human Touch

Meetings and events are now expected to empower guests to be more mobile tech-savvy than ever – with instant connectivity and realtime meeting updates. Meeting-dedicated Facebook pages, meeting apps on smartphones and easily accessible mobile sites have become essential elements of every meeting package.

Also, free wireless connectivity is now a necessity in every meeting.

Meetings Remain a People Business

In the face of changing demands and evolving trends in the meetings industry, one thing will remain constant—meetings are, and always will be, about people. It is important for event planners to understand exactly what clients want and doing all it takes to make it happen.

MICE inbound arrivals accounted for over 4 per cent of the total number of arrivals in 2012, and this proportion is expected to grow further in the coming years.

event talk

CII Tourism Fest

Promoting India as a Preferred Tourist Destination

The 1st ‘CII Tourism Fest 2013’, which was held from December 5 to 7 in Chandigarh, witnessed a significant number of exhibitors and buyers from across the country and abroad to unveil the tourism potential of Northern India. Inaugurated by Shivraj V Patil, Governor, Punjab & Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, the event was addressed by S. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism Minister, Punjab; Usha Sharma, Additional DG, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and several other government officials and industry experts.

Shri Patil hoped that linkage between the Ministry of Tourism and private sector players, mutual co-operation between industry stakeholders, innovation and creative development of new concepts of tourism like-eco-tourism, lifestyle tourism, weekend tourism, farm tourism and medical tourism will take the Tourism industry to new heights.

Usha Sharma shared the healthy growth rate of tourism sector in India and new initiatives taken

by MoT such as e-Visa, Collective landing permit, 24x7 helpline in 12 languages, etc. She also informed that the Ministry of Tourism is working with Ministry of Commerce to rationalise tax simplification in the country.

Arjun Sharma, Chairman, CII Tourism Fest 2013 & Managing Director, Le Passage to India, called for integration of the region, cutting through the national boundaries of the states, making common policies and taxation structure and enabling seamless infrastructure to improve the connectivity to promote India as a preferred tourism destination.

highlights of the event International Chef Meet with 35 chefs from 15 categories from Iceland, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia and various Indian states and Dance festival with dancers from Thailand & Indonesia and Indian states attracted huge crowds.

Above: Shri Shivraj V Patil, Governor, Punjab & Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, inaugrated the event.

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green initiative

‘Responsible Luxury’ in ITC HOTELS

The endorsement of ITC Hotels’ ‘Responsible Luxury’ ethos, by guests is a sign of the times. Deeper luxury that facilitates guilt-free indulgences is what the consumers are looking to. Responsible Luxury ensures that the hotel is taking care of that aspect for guests without burdening them with the responsibility to do so. Therefore, when you stay at an ITC luxury hotel, be assured that the services and products are designed to enable luxury experiences that are planet positive.

unique feature ITC Hotels is the ‘Greenest Luxury Hotel Chain in the World’ (10 of the LEED Platinum certified hotels in the World at ITC’s luxury hotels). A distinction acquired by combining innovation, technology and design integration to create new benchmarks in energy efficiency, water efficiency, solid waste recycling and carbon reduction.

Special Features

• Transition from ‘wellness to well-being’ – heart smart menus, indicating ‘good fat’, ‘good for you’ ‘goodness of a bygone era’, ‘forgotten grains’ on the menus • Menus with calorie meters • More than 40 per cent of produce sourced within a 100 mile radius • Offering ‘green banqueting’ options for MICE such as led lighting, locally sourced food, ecf paper, wood free pencils, e-invites, glass bottles, etc.

• Technology enabled ‘gift

“With ‘Responsible Luxury’ at our core, ITC’s Hotels’ business endeavours to continue to make a meaningful contribution to the overall economic development of the country in multiple ways while enriching the tourism landscape of the country.”

Nakul Anand, Executive Director, ITC Ltd

Responsible Actions

1. Energy Efficiency: 55 per cent of the total energy demand is met through renewable sources i.e. Wind and Solar. The energy we produce through our wind farms is sufficient to light up a 1400 km stretch of highway, for a year.

2. Water Efficiency: Over the last 5 years, we have reduced our water consumption by 50 per cent. In addition, all our waste water is treated and re-cycled.

We recycle enough water to irrigate 65000 trees, aiding in sequestering approximately 13000 tonnes of CO2.

3. Waste Reduction: Almost 100 per cent of the solid waste is either reused or recycled through our recycling programmes.

ITC Grand Chola, in Chennai, sources 100 per cent of its energy from ITC’s wind farm near Chennai.

In addition:

1. ITC Maurya’s carbon mitigation programme through the installation of the world’s first on-site Paraboloid Solar Concentrator (with 320 sqm reflective area) in the hospitality industry that addresses the thermal requirements (steam and hot water) of the hotel.

2. Their hotels have initiated measures towards achieving rainwater harvesting and 100 per cent waste water recycling.

3. They ensure that more than 30 per cent of the food and beverage used in the hotels is harvested and processed locally within 100 miles of our hotels, endorsing the ‘Farm to Fork’ approach. Also, 20 per cent of the material used in the new hotels is sourced regionally in keeping with our endeavour to promote the local culture and generate employment in the region.

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yours officially

Expecting a

Promising Year Ahead

Neelam Singh

The year 2013 has shown that in spite of the obvious hiccups like tighter travel budgets, cancellations or postponement of corporate offsites, shorter travel itineraries or rise in airline taxes or higher service tax and rising prices, Indian corporates are still travelling and there are MICE activities being planned and travel budgets being discussed and revised.

MICEtalk, in a candid conversation with OTOAI President and MD, Weldon Travels, Guldeep Singh Sahni, finds out that there are several reasons to believe that 2014 will be a good year for this niche sector.

How has the year 2013 been for outbound MICE and what are your expectations from 2014?

Well, the year 2013 was not as per expectations.

Currency fluctuation, global recession and low economic growth impacted MICE movement. So people who would have chosen to go long-haul opted for short-haul destinations and those who wanted to go for short-haul opted for domestic or just cancelled the trip.

Looking into the kind of strategies adopted by companies, with respect to sales and management, the future looks volatile in a positive sense. With Europe’s economy being revised, we do expect an increase in MICE movement to Europe as it comes under the mid-haul segment.

What do groups look for when they decide on a destination?

The answer has to be divided into two sections— meetings & conferences and exhibitions. First of all people look for good facilities. For meetings,

people are not very particular but for conferences and especially for exhibitions, facilities of the venue, hall size, how products will be displayed, etc., do matter a lot.

For conferences, people look at the facilities that a hotel provides and they also consider discounts and free services offered by the hotel. Sound system, lighting, backdrop and other technical support are very important.

For hardcore conventions, companies prefer to choose a venue away from the city with some sort of group activities to keep members occupied and add a fun element to serious business. But for incentive trips, the perception is totally different because it’s a fun trip.

Another important consideration is air connectivity. For big MICE movements, we prefer direct flights and it’s really good if there are more airlines because then we can book a large number of seats on the same day.

Availability of Indian food is another major factor which cannot be overlooked.

favourable positive trend of 2013 During 2013, the number of visitors going to Australia and New Zealand went up. The reasons are mainly the way these countries have promoted themselves in India and the kind of visa relaxation they have given to Indian travellers. Also, Indian agents are very comfortable in dealing with them as Tourism Australia runs the ‘Preferred Agency Scheme’ (PAS) for easier facilitation of visas from shortlisted travel agencies.

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yours officially

For conferences, generally people look at the facilities that a hotel provides and they also consider discounts and free services offered by the hotel Is there any country which is more popular in terms of MICE facilities among corporates?

On the basis of the kind of movements that have happened in the past, we can say that after exploring one destination, companies want to explore new ones. But there are some countries which manage to add something new every time you visit them and have come-up with world-class facilities to attract more visitors such as Dubai, Turkey, Hong Kong, UK, Singapore, etc. For example, now Thailand is becoming more a family destination by adding new products to its inventory like Koh Samui, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, etc. Hua Hin is becoming famous as a wedding destination. Singapore offers cruise as an incentive option. In the same way, Uzbekistan from Eastern Europe is luring MICE travellers from India in a big way. These countries are mainly attracting Incentive

my pick of countries In terms of MICE facilities: Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Hong Kong and UK For incentive trips: I would prefer the Philippines as ‘its more fun in the Philippines’!

travellers. In Europe, Austria, Switzerland and Monaco are focussing more on the MICE segment. MICE is definitely one thing that adds to tourism numbers.

For organising an event, do you tie-up with any event management company in that country?

As a tour operator, whenever we have a MICE movement we always tie-up with an event management company. For OTOAI convention, DoT helped us in a big way. We also hired some local agencies for sound, light and backdrop support.

“

Does OTOAI work in tandem with the government of a country? If Yes then how do they help?

When we organise conventions, governments offer support by organising gala dinner nights, incentivising with discounts, offering welcome gifts at the airport, sometimes sharing our expenses and so on.

Below: OTOAI recently organised its convention in the Philippines at Solaire Resort, Manila

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etiquette talk

The Perfect Business Lunch

Shital Kakkar Mehra Practitioner of Corporate Etiquette and International Protocol in India

Often we casually say “let’s catch up over lunch” when chatting with a business associate or a client. While a business meal sounds casual, there are several skills, besides your dining skills, which are on display. Following are a few ways to prevent common business meal faux pas:

1

Don’t arrive late

As the host, it’s expected that you reach a few minutes before your guests, request for your table and wait in the lobby area/at your table for your guests to arrive.

While waiting, order nothing for yourself – your guests get to see a well laid-out table instead of halfconsumed food/drink. To avoid any confusion about time and place, follow up verbal invites with an email.

While waiting, order nothing for yourself – your guests get to see a well laid-out table instead of half-consumed food/drink.

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2

Be polite to the wait staff

3

Selecting a restaurant

It’s acceptable to politely ask the wait staff questions about the menu or bring to their notice problems with your order. Beckon the waiter by making eye contact or briefly raising your hand.

Business deals may go haywire after a potential client sees your shabby treatment of the wait staff.

Know your restaurant by referring to reliable sources – some target business persons while others target families, some take pride in being the best for their food, while others are known for their ambience/ service. Ideal business restaurants are those where the seating is in discreet booths, making it difficult for the other patrons to either see or hear you.

Be polite with the wait staff. Business deals may go haywire after a potential client sees your shabby treatment of the wait staff.

4 5 6

Know your guest

Some business persons enjoy leisurely four-course meals in up market restaurants, while others are happier with a quick sandwich in the local coffee-shop or delicatessen, which promises good food and better service. Also, ask your guests for their preference of food – the best seafood restaurant will not impress a guest who is either vegetarian or allergic to shellfish!

Keep a check on alcohol

While several companies have a ‘no alcohol’ policy for lunch, if you decide to order a martini, go easy!

Must follow-up

End the meal with a firm handshake and a warm ‘thank you’. As handwritten notes stand out in today’s paperless offices, send one to your host thanking him/her for the meal. Also, send a note to your client thanking him/her for taking the time out for a meal with you. This note can be used effectively to highlight your discussions during the meal.

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technology

eMail Marketing for Business Events Part 2 Email marketing is one of the best ways to leverage electronic media in order to grow your event. However, you’ve got to know what to do and how to do it. While good email marketing is alive and kicking, bad email marketing leaves companies rotting by the wayside with loads of unhappy readers and customers.

Here are a few tips to assist you when planning an effective email marketing campaign.

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technology

Consider Your Email Subscriber’s Needs A relevant email is based on a subscriber’s needs.

This need could be something that is based on value such as a discount or it can be advice. The more you know about your subscriber the more relevant you can make your content. If they’ve shown interest in a product in the past then you can influence their purchasing behaviour by showing them the same product.

What you do with the information you collect about subscribers is more important when creating relevant content than it is when using it. Personalisation tags are useful when creating relevant content but simply adding them does not necessarily make content more relevant to the subscriber.

Making Email Content Relevant A subscriber opens an email expecting something of value to them. How well you deliver on your subscriber’s expectations plays a large role in keeping them as subscribers. When you fail to deliver, your subscribers unsubscribe and consequentially your brand suffers.

Still worse, it makes you look disingenuous and they may not only unsubscribe but also report you as spam, which could get you in trouble with your ISP. Email marketing is effective when subscribers receive targeted mailings from companies they care about. As long as you keep sending content that they find interesting you’ll keep them as subscribers.

Relative content also increases brand loyalty.

How well you deliver on your subscriber’s expectations plays a large role in keeping them as subscribers The Forgotten Art of Email Testing Because Subject Lines are such an important indicator of whether or not a mailing is likely to be opened split testing a campaign to see which type of subject line gets a better response is strongly encouraged. Find two or more of your strongest subject lines and see which one of them gets the best results.

Measure the results Check out your opens, clicks and unsubscribes Test different subject lines and calls to action between campaigns. Work with your client to learn what works and doesn’t work for their particular subscribers.

Tweak the template and newsletter copy based on the results Collate your findings and make real changes to your email design or newsletter content. If one particular topic is by far the most popular in the link activity report, consider leading your newsletter with that topic for each email.

about the author Darren Edwards is the founder of Invisage Creative Services in Australia. With more than 20 years’ experience and knowledge in the meetings and events industry, Darren continues to drive creativity in events and the way they are run.

Contact: info@invisage.net

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Movements Holiday Inn, Amritsar welcomes new GM

Roombookpro.com welcomes New GM Roombookpro.com (online B2B hotel booking engine) appointed Ram Gopal Singh as General Manager - Sales (North India). He has been a part of the Airline/Travel industry for over 30 years. In his new role, he will be leading the Sales & Operation Teams, will be responsible

Kunal Shanker has joined as General Manager, Holiday Inn Amritsar, Ranjit Avenue and would be responsible for the entire hotel operations and commercial activities for successful post-opening of the hotel. He has been associated with the InterContinental Hotels Group for the last 14 years in variety of sales and marketing, task force and operational assignments. Before joining the Holiday Inn Amritsar, Ranjit Avenue, he was working at Holiday Inn Mumbai, International Airport, Holiday Inn Cochin and Crowne Plaza Hotel Kathmandu as Executive Assistant Manager responsible for hotel operations and sales/marketing.

Shangri-La’s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi appoints new Director of Sales and Marketing Alok Chakravarty has been appointed as the Director of Sales and Marketing at ShangriLa’s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi. With over two decades of rich experience in the hospitality industry, he brings with him knowledge and skills in diverse areas of both corporate and leisure business. In his current role, he will conceptualise and implement sales strategies to support the group’s business and financial objectives.

for Sales & Services of key accounts and develop new business for Roombookpro. com in North India.

The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa, Gulmarg appoints Director – Sales Rachna Mehra has been appointed as the Director-Sales of Gulmarg’s first luxury resort. At the Khyber, she will be responsible for conceptualising and implementing sales strategies and will further strengthen the resort’s effort in driving more business from existing as well as new markets.

Movements

Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi names Director of Sales and Sales & Marketing

Vikas Bhola has been appointed as the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi. He has over 7 years of hotel sales, operations and management experience having handled diverse portfolios in corporate, travel, trade and event sales.

Raag Verma has been appointed as the Director of Sales at the Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi. Apart from guiding the sales team and administering their daily operations, he will be accountable for supporting the team to achieve annual budgets, maintain market penetration index, and get involved in revenue management.

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events

EVENT India International Hotel, Travel & Tourism Research Conference

events calendar VenUe/PLACe

CITY/COUNTRY

DATE

BCIHMCT, New Delhi

India

February 12- 15, 2014

ITB Berlin

Messe Berlin

Berlin, Germany

March 05 - 09, 2014

Experential Travel Conference

TBA, Singapore

Singapore

March 13 -14, 2014

GCC Tourism Sector Employment Development Strategy Conference

TBA, Dubai

UAE

March 24-25, 2014

Belgrade International Tourism Conference

The College of Tourism

Belgrade, Serbia

March 27 - 29, 2014

International Hotel Technology Forum

TBA, Barcelona

Spain

April 01- 03, 2014

Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference

Rotorua Energy Events Centre

Rotorua, New Zealand

April 04 - 09, 2014

Mountain Travel Symposium

TBA, Colorado

Brazil

April 09 - 16, 2014

China Hotel Investment Conference

Grand Hyatt Shanghai

Shanghai, China

April 23 - 25, 2014

The Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference

TBA, Rio Bonito

Brazil

April 27 - 30, 2014

Important Business Visa Requirements GENERAL REQUIREMENTS • • • •

Two recent passport size photographs Travel Insurance Financial documents Covering letter from Individual and from the Company sponsoring the trip stating the purpose, date and duration of travel and details of all the travellers.

• NOC letter from the employer • Copy of e-ticket and hotel confirmation

HIGHLIGHTS

Philippines Visa • Having valid Schengen, UK or US visa will get one 30 days free entry in Philippines.

• Advantage of having an embassy in New Delhi and Consulate in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata respectively. One can apply in person or through a travel agent/tour operator.

• Option of fast track visa processing is also available.

Poland Visa • Upcoming destination for MICE • Filling-up online visa form is very easy.

• Having an Embassy in New Delhi helps.

For more information contact: Imran Uddin - 011 - 30103070

La Vacanza

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La Vacanza

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La Vacanza

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Postal Registration No.:DL(ND)/6150/2011-12-13 WPP No.:U(C)-305/2011-13 for Posting on 29th-30th of Advance Month at New Delhi P.S.O. Date of Publication: 22/12/2013, RNI No.:DELENG/2010/34144