ITB Asia News 2022 - Day 1 Edition

I REGIONAL SPOTLIGHTS I

I REGIONAL SPOTLIGHTS I ASIA / MIDDLE EAST I ADVERTORIAL Gyeonggi-do offers incentive for sustainable MICE events in South Korea Gyeonggi-do is back at ITB Asia 2022 to present its initiatives to attract more green MICE events. Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation thus offers financial benefits and expert advise to transform an event into a sustainable experience. As a part of its efforts toward increased sustainability, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO) has launched its Green MICE initiative, and offers up to 10% additional funding for event organisers who adopt green event practices. This incentive scheme is designed to heighten understanding about the concept of Green MICE among event organisers and get them actively involved in the movement. In this matter, GTO has developed a “Green MICE Checklist” to facilitate event organisers' transition toward Green MICE. The 14 items on the list fall into five categories, such as reducing the use of disposable items, adopting eco-friendly materials, replacing paper with digital alternatives, and opting for public transportation. Each clause, rated on three levels of difficulty in terms of implementation, including easy, intermediate, and difficult, is designed to be easily applicable to any type of event. Guidelines are also provided for organisers who are not familiar with Green MICE. GTO has 17 Gyeonggi Unique Venue partners who recognised its sustainability efforts during an assessment in 2022. Choosing these venues, which can be used for various types of events, is particularly beneficial as GTO offers extra points while it reviews eligibility for the funding support programme. In other words, the events being hosted in any of the 17 Gyeonggi Unique Venues may have a higher possibility of a subsidy from GTO. In a further step towards achieving carbon neutrality, GTO has launched the “G-MICE Welcome Shuttle bus” programme. Last year, it saw a pilot campaign carried out to encourage MICE event participants to use public transportation and provide shuttle buses for some events. Following positive feedback from participants, GTO officially launched the programme this year with new added initiatives such as the introduction of ecofriendly buses. GTO provides a shuttle bus service between major stations, event venues and hotels for organisers who applied for the programme. Green MICE, by Gyeonggi and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, aims to reduce the burden on organisers and develop a more positive perception of sustainability for stakeholders, encouraging them to get involved. In this way, GTO aims to create an 'ECOnomical business events environment' hand in hand with organisers and participants. The South Korean province of Gyeonggi-do is easily accessible to travellers via Incheon International Airport. The region is home to Korea's IT and automobile industry plus a wide range of tourist attractions including UNESCO listed heritage sites, making it the perfect place for MICE events STAND J05 FACTS ABOUT GYEONGGI PROVINCE Gyeonggi Province surrounds Seoul, the capital city of South Korea. The region offers: • Easy access to two major international airports in Korea • Convenient transportation networks connecting the greater Seoul area • Abundant MICE infrastructures including KINTEX, Korea's largest convention centre and Suwon Convention Center, a newly opened state-of-theart MICE complex • International-branded hotels and resorts across 31 cities and counties • Tourist destinations boasting a rich history and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites such as DMZ, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Namhansanseong Fortress. 18 ITB ASIA NEWS • WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER 2022 www.itb-asia-news.com

WHERE TO GO IN SINGAPORE © Mike Enerio - Unsplash Singapore, blending culture and nature ITB Asia host city Singapore is far more than the convention halls at Marina Bay Sands! It is Southeast Asia's cultural capital, with a range of exceptional museums It is also home to the historical Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015... Once business at ITB Asia finishes, why not explore Singapore's cultural sites? The city is a heaven for art lovers, with a wide range of museums, among the most impressive in Southeast Asia. In the centre of town, the Civic District is where the city’s historical, architectural and cultural heritage blends together along the Singapore river. ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM (ACM) The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is located in the Empress Building, a classical structure built by the British which in the past hosted Singapore's colonial offices. Fully renovated and rebuilt, the ACM is covers over 2,000 years of regional culture, with its fabulous collections of jewels, sculptures and textiles. Of particular interest are the dedicated rooms showing art linked to faith and religions, as well as to jewellery. Open daily from 10am to 7pm (Friday up to 9pm)- Admission for foreign visitors is S. exhibiting over 9,000 art works and offering a unique panorama of Southeast Asian artists over the past 200 years. In 2020, the Gallery was the only museum in Southeast Asia to receive a ranking in The Art Newspaper's annual global survey of attendance at art museums. The NG roof provides guests with spectacular views of the town, which they can take in while sipping a drink at a bar! Some exhibitions are free to the public. Open daily from 10am to 7pm (Friday up to 9pm)- Admission for foreign visitors is S. The Asian Civilisations Museum reflected in a sculpture at Empress Lawn Inside the Asian Civilisations Museum REFRESH AT SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS Opened in 1859 and modeled on the Royal Kew Gardens in London, Singapore Botanic Gardens joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. It is the first Asian and only tropical botanic garden listed by the organisation. The Gardens stretch over 82 hectares showing 10,000 species of flora, including historical gardens, a Ginger Garden, a rainforest and bonsaïs. A key feature is the National Orchid Garden with over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids. A visit to the Gardens could be the perfect add-on to a busy ITB Asia Day, as it is open from 5 am to midnight, and is free (except for the National Orchid Garden, priced S for non- Singaporeans). NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE The former city hall and the monumental Supreme Court buildings reopened in 2015 as the National Gallery Singapore, Inside the National Gallery Singapore National Orchid Garden in Singapore Botanic Garden ITB ASIA NEWS • WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER 2022 19