As consumers become more aware of the impact of their purchases, travel and meetings professionals are demanding more sustainable options when planning business events. Ready, get set, go green! – a white paper released by STB and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) – looks at key trends of green meetings and events, the role a destination plays and how travel and meetings planners can measure a destination’s sustainability.
A sign of confidence in the recovery of Vietnam's leisure travel and MICE industry post-Covid-19, the Radisson Hotel Group has launched two new upscale hotels in the country in April this year. Both properties are located in scenic beachfront destinations - Danang and Phan Thiet.
Radisso Bhopal opened in the capital city of Madhya Pradesh in September 2021. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel is conveniently located within a 40-minute driving distance from Raja Bhoj International Airport and 10 minutes from Habibganj Railway Station. The hotel spans across 4,500 sqm and provides an ideal stay for both leisure and business travelers visiting the city. Radisson Bhopal also provides easy access to tourist attractions like Sanchi Stupa, Upper Lake, Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhimbeteka Caves.
Radisson Resort & Spa Lonavala was launched in the scenic hills of Lonavala, India on 23 August 2021. A drivable getaway with convenient air, rail and road connectivity from Mumbai and Pune, the destination is a travelers’ paradise offering many tourist attractions such as Rajmachi Point, Lonavala Lake, Duke's Nose, Karla Caves etc. The resort is spread over 14,100 sqm, offering sweeping views of the majestic Sahyadri range and one of the largest venues for hosting off-site meetings and large weddings. The resort’s commitment to sustainable design practices and extraordinary local character makes it a perfect getaway for modern travelers seeking a purpose-driven travel experience.
This is probably not the best time to feature Armenia as a travel destination given the current Covid-19 situation, but Armenia does have its beauty, legends and fascinating history. While there is potential for international meetings and incentive travel in Armenia, limitations in accessibility and its sometimes tense relationship with its neighbouring countries are obstacles for MICE organisers.
According to a report by Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), the cruise market in Asia has grown rapidly over the last few years. The number of cruise ships in Asia rose from 43 in 2013 to 78 in 2016, representing a compound annual growth rate of 12.6 percent. The number of cruises and voyages grew from 861 in 2013 to 2041 in 2018. In recent years, cruise is also gaining popularity in the Meetings and Incentives market.
With faster growth comes greater scrutiny, especially under the backdrop of increasing concerns about climate change. Some critics claimed that in one day, the exhaust from an average cruise ship creates more soot than one million cars, and more sulphur dioxide than 13 million cars. On a week-long voyage, a ship discharges 150,000 gallons of human sewage. (1) At the recent Asian MICE Cruise Conference held in-conjunction with IT&CMA 2019, the speakers discussed the viability of organising MICE events on a cruise ship. Some of the key benefits highlighted by the speakers at the conference include:
Driving from Bangkok to Hua Hin is a good three to four-hour's journey. Passengers will need some rest stops along the way. For corporate incentive groups, it will be more beneficial if some of these stops can be developed into destinations for team building or CSR activities. This presents a great opportunity for the rural communities to create new attractions on their property along the journey, and hence benefit from Thailand’s MICE boom. Relevant government agencies should work closely with these community enterprises and charitable organisations to upgrade basic amenities and to better understand the needs of MICE visitors. Here are some rural attractions between Bangkok and Hua Hin:
Baan Tha Ka Village and Golden Windmill Salt SpaKing Rama II Memorial Park and
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