TO counter the effects of the sliding Indian rupee in a price-sensitive Indian market, some sellers at IT&CM India are tossing in value-adds to stimulate MICE business from India.
Most of these value-adds help to reduce the cost of pre- and post-show programmes.
For instance, The Puteri Pacific Johor Bahru, Malaysia is promoting a US$100 value-added package that twins Singapore with the southern Malaysian city. The deal, valid till mid-September, includes a night’s stay with breakfast at the hotel, entrance tickets to Universal Studios Singapore and two-way transfers.
Indian delegates extending their stay in Hong Kong with their family can take advantage of a Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck promotion – valid till next month – which offers free entrance to a child for every two adult tickets purchased. The attraction’s managing director, Josephine Lam, said she would be meeting with an Air India representative and Indian outbound specialists at this show to develop special packages.
In Indonesia, Samabe Bali Resort & Villas and Grand Mirage Resort Thalasso Bali are offering Indian clients a stay-three-pay-two promotion till October 2013. Ralf Luthe, general manager of Samabe Leisure Hospitality Group, which manages the two hotels, hopes the promotion will attract more incentive groups from India.
Luthe noted that with weaker buying power, fewer Indian clients were buying optional programmes such as spa treatments. “Indians are also seeking savings by eating in restaurants outside the hotels,” he added.
Indian MICE buyers told the Daily that most Asian sellers have been supportive, sweetening deals with complimentary VIP lounge access, late check-outs, room upgrades and flexible cancellation policies.
Travel Tours Group vice-president, Joseph K Jose, said Asian DMCs had been willing to renegotiate and offer value-adds such as shopping vouchers.
Read more in TTG Show Daily – IT&CM India 2012
