FOLLOWING a successful run with Asian incentive arrivals, Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) is stepping up efforts to grow MICE business from South-east Asia by employing a new business events manager who will promote the destination through industry tradeshows and familiarisation trips out of his office in Singapore.

Taking on this responsibility is Edward Kwek who will help the tourism bureau grow arrivals from Thailand by five per cent this financial year, said Steven Dixon, TNZ’s regional manager South and South East Asia.

Dixon pointed out that Thailand is a “recognisable market” and business from incentive travels is growing, although numbers are “under-reported”.

To encourage more Thai business event planners choose New Zealand, TNZ will build on its existing relationship with key industry partners, including New Zealand Immigration and airlines to improve visa approval processes for Thai travellers.

Dixon noted that there are currently three preferred agents in Thailand and they enjoy faster visa processing privileges.

Editor’s Note: A correction has been made to this story. The first version had reported that the search for a South-east Asia business events manager was still on. That was a mistake.

HYATT Regency Kinabalu has launched a stylish multifunctional event venue centred around a show kitchen, called The Residence. It can accommodate up to 160 guests, is  furnished with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology, and complements the newly renovated Tanjung Ria Kitchen restaurant, The Lounge and The Poolside Bar.

The multipurpose layout of The Residence enables event organisers to use the facility for various purposes, ranging from small parties to entertainment dinners for important clients. The venue can also be combined with Tanjung Ria Kitchen restaurant for larger gatherings of up to 300 people.

Bennett Peter, director of sales and marketing at the hotel said the new offering was necessary because “the hotel customer of today needs, demands and expects flexibility and versatility in experiences and  service”.

Arifin Darmawan, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, said: “Imagine you have been in a meeting room all day and when it’s time for a coffee break…the doors open and suddenly your meeting room is transformed into a show kitchen with chefs ready to serve you delicacies and beverages… all prepared right in front of you. Now that is a truly memorable meeting.

“The new facility exudes an aura of elegance and relaxation with its contemporary yet classic décor, complemented by natural daylight window panels. With show kitchens and multiple rooms, the focus is on one-on-one guest engagement and personalising the entire hotel experience.”

Peter added: “The launch of The Residence truly solidifies the position of the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu as being the landmark in the heart of downtown Kota Kinabalu for luxurious stays, exciting dining and memorable meetings.”

TTG TRAVEL Awards 2015 culminated last Thursday evening in celebration of 83 top performing travel and tourism companies and individuals in Asia-Pacific.

Eighteen new winners, including Gardens By The Bay for Best Themed Attraction, Etihad Airways for Best Airline – Business Class, The Westin Singapore for Best New City Hotel, and Myanmar for Destination of the Year, emerged across various categories, taking home the signature Hermes trophy for the first time.

Amid strong competition, 16 winning organisations were able to grow from strength to strength, making their remarkable comebacks into the awards. Among them were The Langham Hong Kong for Best City Hotel – Hong Kong and Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre for Best Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Veteran organisations such as Qatar Airways (Best Middle Eastern Airline), Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Best Convention & Exhibition 
Bureau), Resorts World at Sentosa (Best Integrated Resort) and Singapore Tourism Board (Best BT-MICE City) defended their titles with consecutive wins.

Regal Airport Hotel and Banyan Tree Spa were inducted into the TTG Travel Hall of Fame for having won the same award over l0 years. A virtual Hall of Fame (http://www.ttghof.com) was launched in late September to showcase the accolades and memorabilia of inductees to a global audience.

For the first time, the Awards also honored two industry partners – Jae Pil Sho, editor and publisher of TravelPress Korea and Chower Narula, managing director of World Media – for their lifelong contributions and immense dedication to the travel trade industry and TTG Asia Media.

SHENYANG New World EXPO has appointed Diane Chen its new deputy general manager.

Chen joined the company in June 2012 as director of business development.

Commenting on Chen’s promotion, Shenyang New World EXPO Management chairman, Cliff Wallace, said: “Diane has demonstrated her commitment to China’s exhibition and meeting venue industry and to making EXPO Shenyang the landmark exhibition and meeting venue.  Her enthusiastic leadership of pre-opening staff progress and response to and grasp of the industry as well as her superior people and communication skills have been admirable.”

Chen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and a Master Degree in Business Strategy Management.  She has a certificate in International Business and Operations Management, and is a member of the International Association of Venue Managers.

Shenyang New World EXPO, slated to open in spring of 2017, is part of a massive multi-use complex in the Chinese city’s Hunhe River and adjacent to the city’s Golden Corridor which runs through the central business district.