TRAVEL DAILY INDIATRAVEL DAILY UKTRAVEL DAILY MECRUISE NEWS UKwww.traveldailymedia.com/asiaRESPONDING TO THE CHANGING DEMANDSOF BUSINESS TRAVELLERSIt is little wonder that <strong>Asia</strong> has attractedincreasing attention from <strong>the</strong> internationalbusiness community when you consider <strong>the</strong>growth opportunities and relatively strongeconomies in <strong>the</strong> region.As more businesses focus on <strong>Asia</strong>, this presentsvaluable opportunities for <strong>the</strong> business traveland meetings, incentives, conventions andexhibitions (BTMICE) industry.And it is this growth that is driving demand forrelevant business events that enable businesstravellers to gain new knowledge, forge valuablecontacts and networks as well as to understandand to tap on <strong>the</strong> opportunities in <strong>Asia</strong>.Research is certainly backing <strong>the</strong> fundamentalsof this developing trend. According to <strong>the</strong> 2013American Express/CFO Research GlobalBusiness & Spending Monitor, <strong>the</strong> majorityare expecting to increase <strong>the</strong>ir spending onbusiness travel over <strong>the</strong> next year.The report also noted that one of <strong>the</strong> key driversof business travel is to “meet with current andprospective customers”, with 52% of <strong>the</strong> CFOsin <strong>Asia</strong> and Australia likely to spend more ontravelling year-on-year to meet customers.In particular, <strong>the</strong> potential of business travelin China cannot be ignored. According to <strong>the</strong>inaugural Global Business <strong>Travel</strong> Association(GBTA) BTI Outlook – China, business travelspending in China is forecasted to increase by21% in 2013, to US $245 billion.The report noted that while China is currentlyranked second in <strong>the</strong> business travel market, it isforecast to surpass <strong>the</strong> US by as early as 2015.For Singapore, <strong>the</strong> BTMICE sector is a keycontributor of tourism receipts. From January toSeptember 2012, BTMICE visitor arrivals stoodat 2.5 million, representing a 6% year-on-yeargrowth. Expenditure by <strong>the</strong>se business visitorsrose 7% year-on-year to an estimated S $4.29billion.On average, business visitors contribute a thirdof Singapore’s overall visitor arrivals and tourismreceipts. They also spend more. SingaporeTourism Board’s data shows that <strong>the</strong> per capitaexpenditure of a business visitor is almost twicethat of a leisure tourist.Delivering greater value to businesstravellersDespite <strong>the</strong> uptrend in overall business travel,purse strings are still being pulled fairly tight asorganisations become increasingly cautiouswith <strong>the</strong>ir travel spending.Business travellers have to justify <strong>the</strong>ir tripsand are seeking greater value from <strong>the</strong>irinvestments.Executive director of travel tradeshow ITB <strong>Asia</strong>,Nino Gruettke, says corporate travellers havebecome more demanding over <strong>the</strong> past decade,“looking for hotels and service providers that“Today’s business travellers are well-travelled,discerning and savvy, looking for a holisticexperience,” he continues.and enjoyable travel experience, not just a roomfor <strong>the</strong> night or a way to get from point A to B.”To increase <strong>the</strong> value for today’s businesstraveller, ITB <strong>Asia</strong> has been adding newconference content each year aimed atenhancing attendees’ understanding of <strong>the</strong>changing corporate travel segment.The array of conference and event topicssurrounding each year’s show addresses <strong>the</strong>trends and needs of <strong>the</strong> fast-growing travelindustry and provides participants with muchneededinsights and business knowledge tobetter anticipate today’s travellers’ needs.Beyond content, <strong>the</strong> BTMICE industry also needsto continuously innovate to provide enhancedexperiences for delegates to keep pace with <strong>the</strong>irrising expectations and evolving needs.For example, <strong>the</strong> growing demand for spaceto stage conferences alongside exhibitions or‘Confex’ events, has led to <strong>the</strong> development ofa new convention wing MAX Atria @ Singaporefor a variety of purposes, including meetings,exhibitions, product launches and banquets.Director, Exhibitions and Conferences ofSingapore Tourism Board, Andrew Phua,asserts that business travellers are becomingmore sophisticated and <strong>the</strong> industry “will need toprogress to a higher level to deliver more valueto our international partners”.“Decisions are no longer made based just onsuperior meeting infrastructure and service,but an entire value proposition surroundingintellectual property and in-depth content,” hesays.“Toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> industry, we will continueto collaborate and streng<strong>the</strong>n Singapore’sposition as a knowledge exchange hub and<strong>the</strong> ever-evolving needs of global businessprofessionals.”Driving cross-event synergiesAs event attendees are looking to optimise <strong>the</strong>irbusiness trips for greater returns, <strong>the</strong>y have alsobecome more selective towards <strong>the</strong> types ofevents <strong>the</strong>y attend.that enrich <strong>the</strong>ir perspectives and lead toproductive outcomes.One way to deliver greater value to eventattendees is to cluster complementary eventsevent synergies in ‘industry focus’ weeks.Such an approach also allows time-strappeddelegates to optimise <strong>the</strong>ir business trips andevents within <strong>the</strong> same eco-system.One example of an ‘industry focus’ week is<strong>Travel</strong>Rave, created by <strong>the</strong> Singapore TourismBoard. Held annually in October, <strong>the</strong> travel tradefestival provides a unique platform for thoughtleaders in <strong>the</strong> travel and tourism industry tocome toge<strong>the</strong>r, exchange insights and explorein <strong>Asia</strong>.Into its fourth edition this year, <strong>Travel</strong>Rave hastrade festival. Last year’s festival concluded witha record 10,700 attendees (representing a 12%increase over 2011), from <strong>the</strong> entire spectrum of<strong>the</strong> <strong>Asia</strong>n travel and tourism industry to network,exchange knowledge and share experiencesover eight events.<strong>Travel</strong>Rave 2013 returns from 21 to 25October with new content on top of insightfuldiscussions that have become an integral partof <strong>the</strong> travel trade festival and will continueto harness collective <strong>Asia</strong>n insights from <strong>the</strong><strong>Travel</strong>Rave is a prime example of an 'industry week'which drives cross-event synergiesindustry’s top leaders.For Messe Berlin (Singapore), <strong>the</strong> organiserof ITB <strong>Asia</strong>, <strong>the</strong> launch of <strong>Travel</strong>Rave hascontributed to <strong>the</strong> growth of <strong>the</strong> show.The clamour for exhibitor space highlights <strong>the</strong>importance of <strong>the</strong> show – it was completely soldout four months ahead of <strong>the</strong> event.Gruettke says part of <strong>the</strong> success is <strong>the</strong>convergence of travel trade events and“unique and valuable synergies”.“It helps to draw toge<strong>the</strong>r a wide range of highleveldelegates and participants from all around<strong>the</strong> world, making ITB <strong>Asia</strong> a strategic gatewayfor <strong>the</strong> global travel trade to reach out to thisregion,” he adds.Delegates can also look forward to enjoying<strong>the</strong>mselves at complementary networkingsessions. For instance, <strong>Travel</strong>Rave’s crosseventnetworking event, Rave On! <strong>Travel</strong>RaveParty, which will take place on 23 October,aims to bring <strong>the</strong> industry closer to forgingmore contacts and facilitating exchanges in aninformal setting.<strong>Travel</strong>Rave attendee Marc Steinmeyer,president director and founder of TAUZIAHotel Management, says as a platform thatamalgamates <strong>the</strong> best of <strong>Asia</strong>’s travel andtourism industry in a single week, “<strong>Travel</strong>Raveprovides invaluable opportunities for me tomeet and network with industry leaders across<strong>Travel</strong>Rave: Unlocking invaluableopportunities and insight<strong>Travel</strong>Rave comprises multiple complementaryevents that cut across <strong>the</strong> travel and tourismindustry, from hospitality and tourism investment- to aviation (Aviation Out- and technology .on business travel, ITB <strong>Asia</strong>’s GBTA Business<strong>Travel</strong> Forum segment delve into <strong>the</strong> <strong>latest</strong> economicforecasts on business travel spend in <strong>the</strong>region and provide new insights and ideas thatwill help business travel professionals to successfullyplan for <strong>the</strong> future.Similarly, during <strong>the</strong> , ArunMadhok, CEO, Suntec Singapore Convention &Exhibition Centre and Datuk Peter Brokenshire,general manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre,will be speaking on <strong>the</strong> topic of investmentoutlook for MICE destinations in <strong>Asia</strong>. To meet<strong>the</strong> need for new and <strong>Asia</strong>n-focus insights for <strong>the</strong>association community, UIA is also launching itsinaugural <strong>Asia</strong>n edition of UIA AssociationsRoundtable 2013 in Singapore.line up of eight quality events under <strong>the</strong><strong>Travel</strong>Rave umbrella. <strong>Travel</strong>Rave will take placefrom 21 to 25 October 2013 providing a dynamicplatform for business leaders and industryprofessionals to share knowledge and insights,explore business opportunities, and celebrate<strong>Asia</strong>n tourism at its best.Get connected with <strong>the</strong> best travel minds aheadtrade festival in <strong>Asia</strong>. Follow us @<strong>Travel</strong>RaveSGor visit www.travelrave.sg for <strong>the</strong> <strong>latest</strong> industryupdates.Advertise with TDA today! Email us atadvertising@traveldailymedia.comManaging Editor: Gary Marshall | Editor-in-Chief: Mark Elliott 101A Upper Cross Street, #11-16 People’s Park Centre, Singapore, 058358
TRAVEL DAILY INDIA TRAVEL DAILY UK TRAVEL DAILY ME CRUISE NEWS UKwww.traveldailymedia.com/asia 4 Sep 2013 ▶ P 4Your guide to <strong>the</strong><strong>latest</strong> technologiesmaking businesstravel betterCLICK HEREto read <strong>the</strong> guideTune Hotels opens in IndonesiaFast growing budgethotel operator TuneHotels has opened its<strong>latest</strong> property in Solo,a region of CentralJava.The 159-room hotelis <strong>the</strong> brand’s fi fthproperty in Indonesiaafter openings inLegian, Bali, PasarBaru and Pekanbaru.Tune Hotels GroupCEO Mark Lankestersaid: “Tune Hotel Solorepresents <strong>the</strong> fi rsthotel in Central Java, acity steeped in historywith a fast growingtourism industry aswell as a boomingmiddle class offeringa huge potential forrapid growth. The hotelwill offer internationalstandards of serviceexcellence to <strong>the</strong> citywith <strong>the</strong> intention toserve both tourists andbusiness travellers.With four hotelscurrently operatingin Indonesia, <strong>the</strong>re will be anaggressive expansion of six moreTune Hotels in development whichare scheduled to open over <strong>the</strong> next18 months including Makassar,Bekasi, Surabaya, Bandung,Jakarta and Palembang.”The fi rm, which owned by TonyFernandes and Kamarudin Meranun– <strong>the</strong> group CEO and deputy groupCEO of Air<strong>Asia</strong> now has fi ve hotelsin <strong>the</strong> UK, 11 in Malaysia, four inThailand, fi ve in <strong>the</strong> Philippines, onein India and one in Japan.The company currently has plansto open hotels in Australia, <strong>the</strong>Middle East, Europe and Africa.“This rapid development ofTune Hotels in Indonesia refl ects<strong>the</strong> growing demand for valuestay accommodation for bothleisure and business travel. Theconcept of Tune Hotels catersto <strong>the</strong> demand of providing topquality accommodation and basicnecessities of comfort, cleanliness,safety and convenience with anaffordable price.”“In <strong>the</strong> coming months, <strong>the</strong>aggressive expansion plans of TuneHotels into o<strong>the</strong>r top destinations inIndonesia will refl ect a milestone for<strong>the</strong> hotel brand and we hope thatTune Hotels will become a householdname across <strong>the</strong> archipelago,”added Lankester.<strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Daily</strong> <strong>Media</strong> is growing!<strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Daily</strong> <strong>Media</strong>, <strong>the</strong> travel industry’s favourite e-magazine,needs talented sales professionals to join our fast-expandingteam. We are seeking young, motivated, sales-driven people todrive our expansion across <strong>Asia</strong>.Vacancies:Regional Sales Director – based in Hong KongSales Managers (x3) – based in Indonesia, China, Singapore/MalaysiaRole:• Advertising sales for online travel trade publications;• Developing key advertising contracts within <strong>the</strong> airline, hotel ando<strong>the</strong>r travel/tourism sectors;• Developing network of contacts within <strong>the</strong> travel & tourism industry;• Representing company at travel trade shows and o<strong>the</strong>r industry events.GREENConsiderate Hoteliers partnersEarthCheckResponsible hoteliers association Considerate Hoteliers (CH) hasannounced a new partnership with <strong>the</strong> EarthCheck accreditationscheme.Under <strong>the</strong> partnership CH’s members will be encouraged tomeasure <strong>the</strong>ir impact on <strong>the</strong> environment using EarthCheckmetrics which will also address risks and customer service.CH members will have access to resources, case studies and factsheets with <strong>the</strong> option to sign up to <strong>the</strong> EarthCheck software.“CH has a long history of working with hotel operators in <strong>the</strong>United Kingdom to support <strong>the</strong>m with business developmentand advice on operational systems and processes includingsustainability and CSR. This alliance is between two marketleaders, who both recognise <strong>the</strong> need for performance basedoutcomes which can be underpinned by practical, scientifi cmetrics,” said Stewart Moore, CEO of EC3 Global and <strong>the</strong>EarthCheck programme.More than 1,300 hotel groups currently use EarthCheck worldwide,with its international reach an appeal for CH as it looks to increasemembership outside <strong>the</strong> UK.Fairmont starts communityprogrammeLuxury hotel brand Fairmont has started a worldwidecommunity programme across its entire suite of properties.The Community Connections Month initiative will get staff tosupport local causes from bee conservation in Vancouver tohelping <strong>the</strong> homeless in Boston.“At Fairmont, we are continually seeking out innovative ways tosupport and give back to our local communities; a pledge thatour hotel colleagues value and actively play a part in,” said <strong>the</strong>brand’s president Jennifer Fox. “It's simply part of our ongoingcommitment to good corporate citizenship.”There will also be programmes to help street children in Manila,dinners for <strong>the</strong> elderly in Singapore and a beach clean-up inBermuda.InterContinental Hong Kong setsup roof top beehivehelping <strong>the</strong> plight of <strong>the</strong> struggling bee.The InterContinentalHong Kong hasinstalled a beehiveas part of its ongoingenvironmentalinitiatives, it hasconfi rmed.The hotel will now startproducing its ownhoney while <strong>the</strong> hotelhopes it will lessen itscarbon footprint whileThe hotel’s executive assistant manager Bryan Chiu explained: “Weare adding more rooftop beehives this fall and hope to <strong>the</strong>reforeincrease <strong>the</strong> bee population and our honey production. In a smallway, we want to contribute to <strong>the</strong> overall environment in HongKong.”Guests will be able to sample <strong>the</strong> homegrown honey in cocktails thisAutumn.Requirements:• Excellent English speaker;• Minimum 12 months experience in a media sales environment• Proven sales record and a genuine passion for sales;• Must possess excellent communication skills and have <strong>the</strong> ability tobuild client relationships;• Ability to self-manage;• Ability and willingness to travel.Reward:Home based. Salary dependent on experience + generous commissionstructureSend your resume to ian@traveldailymedia.comAlitalia hires debt advisorItalian airline Alitalia has hiredGruppo Banca Leonardo to helpraise funds before <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong>year and close down its operatinglosses in 2014.The airline, which confi rmed<strong>the</strong> move yesterday, also said thatLeonardo was due to report back onits preliminary meetings with banksat a board meeting scheduled laterthis month, reported Bloomberg.The struggling airline hasidentifi ed a need to raise morecapital and aims to have US$395before <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> year. Thisamount will be supplemented byconvertible loans from investors.The company’s new strategyfocuses on long-haul routes afterits regional operator, Air One,absorbed assets after <strong>the</strong> old AirItalia went into bankruptcy in 2008.Advertise with TDA today! Email us atManaging Editor: Gary Marshall * | Editor-in-Chief: Mark Elliott *advertising@traveldailymedia.com 101A Upper Cross Street, #11-16 People’s Park Centre, Singapore, 058358
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