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Korean Tourism Industry on the Rebound as PM Declares MERS All-Clear

8/1/2015

 
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[Seoul, July 28] The Korean outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been officially declared over, according to South Korean prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. The announcement was made on July 28th, 23 days after the last suspected case, with no new cases reported.


"After weighing various circumstances, the medical personnel and the government judge that the people can now be free from worry," said Mr. Hwang on Tuesday, according to Yonhap. The statement comes amidst a flurry of increased activity for Korea’s tourism and business events sector; with 3,000 employees of Chinese health products company He He Kang Yuan (北京和合康源科技?展有限公司) departing from Tianjin on July 27th for a six-day cruise trip to Seoul and Incheon.

Meanwhile, the country recently secured two major event and travel bid wins for 2016, including a Chinese incentive tour in May for 15,000 employees of health product company Joymain International Development Group Inc. (南京中?科技?展有限公司) ? the largest-ever incentive travel group ever to visit Korea by airplane. Busan, meanwhile, won hosting duties for next year’s 27th FISM World Championships to Magic, to be attended by an expected 2,500 participants from 50 countries. 

With inbound travel to the country returning to normal, the Korea Tourism Organization recently launched its 100-day Tourism Recovery Plan, aimed at revitalizing the industry and attracting international visitors back to the country, thereby normalizing the tourism demand enjoyed by Korea prior to the outbreak.


Under the plan, the KTO will focus on promoting Korea’s distinctive touristic appeal to the global community by inviting foreign media and key industry decision makers to participate in sponsored programs in the nation’s main tourism destinations. The programs explore popular interests such as Korean cuisine, major local attractions, and hallyu (Korean Wave)-related content. 


Earlier in the month, KTO International Tour Marketing executive vice president Rhee  Jae-sung stated that the plan aimed to capitalize on traditional holiday periods in neighboring countries, such as the three-day Obon Festival and “Silver Week” held in Japan during August and September respectively, and China’s Golden Week holiday period in early October.

The MERS outbreak significantly impacted the Korean economy since the first case was reported on May 20th, with the nation’s largest feeder markets, namely China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, accounting for the biggest drop in inbound travel to Korea.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) consistently maintained that it “does not recommend travel or trade restrictions with regard to this event”, while most countries did not issue any travel warnings.

Leading MICE Buyers had More than 580 Meetings in One Day

8/1/2015

 
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SINGAPORE (July 21, 2015) -- The second-annual Asia Meeting and Incentive Travel Exchange (AMITE) hosted 37 leading MICE buyers from across the globe on 1 July, 2015 at the Grand Hyatt Singapore. AMITE is the leading one-to-one event bringing global meeting planners together with Asia-based suppliers. 

Organized by Questex Travel Group and the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS), AMITE 2015 brought suppliers together with thoroughly vetted buyers representing more than US$460 million in MICE contracts from European, North American and Asian countries.

The event kicked off with a pre-meeting familiarization trip in Chiang Mai and Bangkok organized by Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). It was followed by a familiarization tour in Singapore arranged by AONIA, visiting 11 event venues via river cruise and land tour.

In additional to the cultural enrichments and site visits, more than 580 signature pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings were the highlights of AMITE 2015. Proposals were requested and insights were exchanged between buyers and suppliers to establish future working relations.

“I'm really grateful for a chance to visit so many places and venues in such a short time and in such a comfortable way,” said Alexander Kazantsev, senior expert of Otkrytie Travels from Russia. “I am glad to experience myself the services which we are likely to offer to our clients in future.”

“AMITE was an extremely well-organised event. The organisers were conscientious, diligent, very creative and imaginative,” added Brian Morris, CEO of Crescent Associates from United Kingdom.

Sponsors and suppliers include Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau, Marina Bay Sands, The Singapore Resort & Spa Sentosa, Managed by Accor, Club Med, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Dorsett Hospitality International, Regal Hotels International, Shanghai CTS MICE Co, Ltd., and Starwood Asia Pacific.

“AMITE was a great platform for us to reach out to MICE agencies and communicate with them directly on one-to-one meeting opportunity. We received great potential leads for few hotels across the region during this 1 full day event,” said Romrawin Poo-eaim, Senior Regional Sales Manager at Best Western International – Asia. “Thank you for a user-friendly matching system, a nice selection of promising buyers and a convenient event location.”

AMITE 2015 was held in conjunction with the Singapore MICE Forum (SMF), organised by SACEOS on 2-3 July.

AMITE returns to Singapore on 27 July 2016. For more information, visit questexevents.net/AMITE.

ITB Asia strengthens partnership with K.I.T Group to enhance 2015 Association conference programme

8/1/2015

 
Singapore, 28 July 2015 – ITB Asia, the ‘Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market’, has announced it will continue its partnership with leading conference and association management company, K.I.T Group, expanding this year’s Association conference programme.

A series of sessions entitled ‘EAST Meetings WEST’ will focus on how European and International associations can optimize their activities and relationships within the Asia Pacific region, and include dedicated discussions focusing on key markets such as China and India. The K.I.T.conference will take place on 22 October 2015, the second day of the show, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

“This educational business programme, designed especially for association executives and industry leaders, adds to ITB Asia’s strong conference line-up. This year’s speakers will discuss Asia’s unique association landscape, and provide advice on how organisers can enhance their own events to attract greater participation from the region.” said Katrina Leung, Executive Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organisers of ITB Asia.

The first session titled ‘The Multipolar Knowledge Society’ will focus on the internationalisation and regionalisation of the Association world with contributions from Alessandro Cortese, CEO of the European Society Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and Mohamed Mezghani, Deputy Secretary of the Union International de Transport Public (UITP).

There will then be an in depth look at the growth of regional events in the association sector, case study presentations will be made by Josche Ouwerkerk, Manager of Conferences and Business Relations at the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and Professor Tan Huay Cheem, President, Asian Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology (APSIC).

“Our sessions are specifically designed for delegates looking to expand Asian involvement in their events, or to actually extend their events into the Asian market. Our timely and tailored content will allow attendees to garner insights into the vast opportunities of this diverse and expanding marketplace,” said Ben Hainsworth, Executive Director for Associations, K.I.T Group GmbH.

The conference will also shine a spotlight on the prospects of two regional giants, China and India. Speakers will include Jennifer Salsbury, CEO of IMC Convention Solutions, formerly Director of Sales, International at the China National Convention Center (CNCC), Beijing and a senior representative of the World Toilet Organization (WTO) which held its global summit in New Delhi earlier this year.

ITB Asia will have a strong line-up of conferences this year with a number of sessions already confirmed. These include partnerships with the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI), Centre for Aviation (CAPA), and DestinationElite. Attendees can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding on China’s booming outbound travel market, learn more about the latest change drivers that are essential to understanding the future of the aviation industry as well as trends in the premium travel and hospitality industry in Asia.

ITB Asia is a partner event of TravelRave, a mega travel and tourism festival week organised by the Singapore. Last year’s show attracted close to 750 exhibitors from 76 countries, as well as 850 buyers from 62 countries. ITB Asia is a partner event of TravelRave, a mega travel and tourism festival week organised by the Singapore Tourism Board.

For more information on ITB Asia 2015, visit www.itb-asia.com.

Kenya’s growing MICE sector in global spotlight with President Obama’s visit to Kenya

8/1/2015

 
Over recent years Kenya has hosted some of the biggest conferences and business convergences in Africa, welcoming delegates from all around the globe. This week Kenya’s International Convention Centre (KICC) is hosting a pre-global entrepreneurship Expo 2015. The Global Entrepreneur Summit, which Obama will be attending, is Africa’s largest startup event making use of all Kenya’s capital Nairobi, or the ‘green city in the sun’, has to offer. 

It will be Obama’s first trip as President of the United States of America to Kenya. In addition to attending the event Obama will hold bilateral meetings and it is believed he may visit the birthplace of his father in western Kenya.

The meetings industry remains one of the most buoyant sectors of the tourism industry in Kenya. Understanding the importance of MICE to the country, Kenya has developed a strategy to bridge the gap between itself (10% market share) and South Africa (35%) within the African market.

Kenya will carry out a series of modernization and expansion of MICE facilities, including infrastructure improvement and development and technological advancement. 2017 targets an increase from 35,663 delegates (2012 rate) to 57,435, increasing the number of conferences (as measured by ICCA) from 29 to 44. This goal is currently on track with 38 conferences in 2013. 2014 figures are yet to be publically released.

The beating heart of Kenya’s conference industry is the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC). The KICC has been and still is an icon and landmark for Kenya, and a premier meeting venue as the largest in the region. Located at the heart of the central business district of Nairobi, KICC has a good proximity to all major five-star hotels.

In June this year - Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Mrs Phyllis Kandie, said “Kenya is ranked the second best Business Conference Tourism destination in Africa after South Africa.”

“She affirmed the Ministry’s resolve to become Africa’s top Conference attraction. She made the remarks while inaugurating a new board of members for Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), who were led by Mr Omingo Magara, the new board chairman.

“Construction of a 15,000 capacity Bomas International Convention and Exhibition Centre (BICEC) in Langata Nairobi is underway. On completion, BICEC will be one of the three largest Conference facilities in Africa,” she said.

In his speech, Mr Magara promised to take the challenge of ensuring that conference tourism becomes one of Kenya’s highest revenue generators. KICC CEO Fred Simiyu said he has a competent staff that will continue transforming KICC to one of Africa’s premier Meetings Incentives Conference Exhibitions (MICE) destinations. KICC collected Ksh800 million in revenues this year.

Global meetings scheduled to be held at KICC this year include: the World Public Relations Forum in November 2015 that will be held for the first time in Africa and the World Trade Organization Conference in sub-Saharan Africa in December 2015.

For further information on MICE in Kenya please visit: http://kicc.co.ke

Best Achievement in Entertainment is back in the mix for the Event Awards 2015

8/1/2015

 
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The Groove Academy, finalist in the Entertainment Category 2014
The Best Achievement in Entertainment Category has been reinstated for Australian Event Awards 2015 following consultation with the entertainment industry. The category recognises an outstanding achievement in entertainment at an event or events between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015.

As a broad category, Best Achievement in Entertainment seeks to highlight the creative diversity of entertainment in the events industry and the considerable talents of those who deliver innovative performances and entertainment solutions to suit an enormous range of events catering to different audiences and purposes.

Entertainment agencies, entertainers and others in the events industry are encouraged to enter their achievements in this category before the 10 August close of entries.

Entries can be completed at www.eventawards.com.au. 

Korean Meetings Industry Stays Strong as MERS Cases Subside

8/1/2015

 
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[Seoul, July 13] Korea’s international business events calendar has been largely unaffected by the recent MERS outbreak, which is now subsiding, says the Korea Tourism Organization. According to the KTO, no major international congresses scheduled for 2015 have been canceled, while events such as June’s International Council of Nurses (ICN) 2015 Conference took place with strong attendance at the height of the scare, showing global confidence in Korea’s safety as reflected by World Health Organization and state-level agencies worldwide advocating normal travel advisories for the country throughout the incident.

"The existing concern about the MERS chaos isn't as serious as we thought it would be,” said a spokesperson for ICN 2015 Korean organizer, the Korea Nurses Association (KNA). Attended by 15,000 participants from 120 countries; including 3,000 from overseas, ICN 2015, which was held from June 19-23 at Coex, saw professional nurses from across the world convene to build cross-cultural understanding, global cooperation, and discuss key issues within the nursing profession. The conference’s opening ceremony included attendance by both South Korean president Park Geun-hye and WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan.

Along with ICN 2015, no major international congresses were canceled this year, with some only experiencing changes in scheduling, according to the KTO. In addition, earlier this month, global DMC Pacific World revealed South Korea was Asia’s number one destination for business events enquiries in their latest Destination Index.

Korea’s congress schedule for the second half of 2015 remains sturdy, with September, for example, welcoming to Pyeongchang - host of the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics - the 6th International Wildland Fire Conference, while November will bring to Seoul the 2015 World Road Congress. Meanwhile, in October, Busan will celebrate the 20th edition of the Busan International Film Festival, which anticipates a total audience of about 220,000 persons from 79 countries, including global buyers for the annual BIFF Asian Film Market.

As of July 13, there have been 186 confirmed cases of MERS, of which 33 of the sufferers are currently hospitalized. All confirmed cases of the infection have been limited strictly to within hospitals, with no documented external transmission of the virus. In addition, there have been no reported cases of the infection amongst foreign visitors, including international congress attendees. With no additional cases of MERS having been reported since July 7th, it is expected that the South Korean government will give an official all-clear announcement at the beginning of August.

This week, the KTO, along with other travel and tourism entities such as Asiana and Lotte Duty Free, will host a sponsored tour for 200 major Chinese travel influencers such as tour companies, journalists, and prominent bloggers, to help alleviate concerns about South Korea in relation to MERS. The nation’s largest feeder market, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan accounted for the biggest drop in inbound travel to Korea due to MERS, with concerns over the disease exacerbated by the SARS epidemic the previous decade. The sponsored tour, scheduled for July 15-18, will include a visit to some of Seoul’s most popular tourism destinations as well as a walk around the popular Myeong-dong district accompanied by Seoul mayor Park Won-soon.

For more information about the current MERS situation in Korea or any of the issues mentioned above, please contact the KTO via mice@knto.co.kr.

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