MICEtalk February 14

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Volume V Issue 2 February 2014 60 pagesA DDP Publication

Defining EXECUTIVE PRESENCE

BOUTIQUE HOTELS Attracting MICE

Visa Tips for BUSINESS GROUPS

Ramada Ascot Royal Berkshire Hotel, England

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Editor-in-Chief

Desk Editor

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Deepa Sethi

Neelam Singh

Neha Oberoi

Simran Kaur

Pooja Kalra

Gunjan Sabikhi Geetika Pathak Paramjeet Kaur Udit Pandey

Vikas Mandotia Nitin Kumar Aarushi Agrawal

Anil Kharbanda

Ashok Rana

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6 MICEtalk February 2014

Dear Reader,

Technology seems to be taking over the MICE industry, for the sake of convenience, speed and cost savings. But, our experts say it is still better for business to have face-to-face meetings for many reasons. We realise that this is why the MICE industry is booming - shaking hands, making eye contact and just creating relationships with small talk in addition to business transactions.

In this issue of MICEtalk read about some smartphone apps that give support for meetings and travel, even helping with packing lists. At the same time we talked to some experts about best ways for marketing your product and body language at meetings. Read about the 3Ms of marketing.

Kuala Lumpur continues to be a very popular destination for MICE, we bring you different venue options and things to do after a hectic day of meetings… a dream city for compulsive shoppers! Spain on the other hand is one of the most affordable cities in Europe currently, so we got information on Palacio de Congresos in Madrid. It’s an exciting city offering many options, especially for art lovers and foodies. And our neighbour, Sri Lanka, maintains its place on the popular list for MICE organisers, due to its proximity, professionalism, excellent hotels and convention spaces, beauty and the warmth of its people.

MICEtalk spoke to tour operators and travel agents dealing majorly in MICE to understand the trends they expect in this sector in 2014. Read our cover story for this. What we found interesting is that their clients are becoming more demanding for facilities available at their hotels and the service provided. Since meeting groups are smaller generally today and the devaluation of the rupee is encouraging domestic travel, boutique hotels are more popular for that personal touch, so we went out and got information for our readers from some of the more popular ones.

Read all this and more in this edition of MICEtalk.

Deepa Sethi

reader’s page 22

28

40

54 TechnologyYour Phone- Your travel buddy

56 Movements

58 Events

Boutique Hotels attracting MICE 8

36

12contents

8 Facts

22 Country TalkSri Lanka

28 City TalkKuala Lumpur

32 Let’s TalkMICE Trends & Expectations in 2014

35 MICE Initiative Cyprus lures India

36 Venue Talk Palecio De Congresos, Madrid

40 Sample ThisClarks Shiraz, Agra

44 Expert TalkMarket your product effectively

46 Visa TalkVisa tips for Business Groups

48 Survey ReportFace-to-face meetings

52 Etiquette TalkDefining executive presence

Cover Story


Inspiring Coffee Breaks for event organisersThe Mira Hong Kong launched a playful motto ‘Take a Break, Get Inspired’ with seven all-new and avant-garde thematic coffee breaks for event organisers, where delegates prepare the legendary Hong Kong street snacks themselves, there are stimulating desserts hang from the trees and energising cocktails are served in ‘light bulbs’. In order to take a break from the day-to-day business routine by offering informal setting for sparking up new ideas, it is an innovative concept for event planners and corporate clients.

New Japan website for Meetings and Event PlannersThe Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) and its convention division, the Japan Convention Bureau (JCB), have launched a new website for international MICE planners. The site is a handy tool for those planning conferences, corporate meetings and incentive trips. The website provides information on what Japan can offer for international events; testimonials & case studies; a list of unique venues and activities that are only available in Japan; a useful search function that allows event planners to find cities and venues that best suit their events’ needs and much more.

MyCEB targetting corporate meeting and incentive groupsThe Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) added two more hotels for its Malaysia Twin Deal++ Programme (MTD ++). The campaign entitles groups of 50 pax and above to enjoy various exciting value-added support. Tailored to enhance the corporate meetings & incentive groups experience in Malaysia, the privileges included in Deal 1 ranges from limited edition welcome gifts, cultural showcase to a complimentary dinner for the groups. Deal 2 offers various exciting rewards for meeting & event planners.f

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Jet Airways plans daily Mumbai to Paris flightsJet Airways will start daily operations on Mumbai - Paris route from May 14, 2014 and will be deploying Airbus A330 aircraft on the same. Providing a seamless connection to the airline’s entire network within India, the return flight from Paris to Mumbai will make it the only evening departure from continental Europe to Mumbai.

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Distinctive MICE offerings by Puerto RicoWith more than 1.3 million sq ft. of meeting space and over 14,000 guest rooms throughout the Island, a world-class convention centre and an increasing range of accommodation options, Puerto Rico is expanding its MICE offerings to attract and better serve meeting and convention groups. With recent additions to air service, renovated hotel and resort properties, the opening of new properties and others in the pipeline, it has become one of the most sought-after meeting destinations offering delegates a distinctive and memorable experience.

Jakarta Hotel offers Signature Meeting PackageMandarin Oriental, Jakarta offers a new signature meeting package with all-inclusive benefits to create a successful and impeccable meeting or conference. It includes:•Welcome refreshment •Use of the meeting room for eight hours•A meeting concierge to assist clients’ needs•High-speed Internet access up to 100 Mbps

(Wi-Fi)•Two refreshments during meetings•Lunch or dinner with free flowing ice water•Meeting amenities such as A/V system, LCD,

overhead projector and microphone

IT&CM China witnessing growing interest in new destinations IT&CM China is experiencing its largest record of buyer registrations. Also, buyers are showing continued interest in already popular cities within China and the Greater China region including: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Sanya, Shanghai and Shenzhen. While up-and-coming destinations among European and American buyers such as Dalian, Fujian, Guilin, Guizhou, Hunan, Tianjin, Tibet, Xian and Yunnan are already on the radar for some of the attending IT&CM China buyers.

facts


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snew service from India to New York via Abu Dhabi Etihad Airways plans to double its flights between Abu Dhabi and New York City, by introducing a second daily service from March 2014. Initially, the new flights will be operated by Etihad Airways. From May 2014, Jet Airways will operate these flights. The new flights will connect services of both Etihad and Jet from Indian cities of Mumbai and Delhi to New York.

Chennai to host IBTM 2014 ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, will be holding the 2014 edition of IBTM India from September 3-5, 2014. Limited to 100 international and Indian suppliers of product and services to the MICE industry, IBTM is designed to facilitate pre-arranged meetings between international and Indian buyers with suppliers over a table-top environment at a 1:1 ratio.

New Thai website for event plannersThailand-based DMC Destination Asia launched www.destination-asia-events.com, a new website for event planners. Developed as a ‘one-stop resource tool’ for events planners, the website features 360º views of key venues, downloadable content, fact sheets, essential technical support information and high-resolution images for presentations. Clients are required to sign in with a password, and a qualifying process is required for new sign-ups.

Malaysia introduces Visa-on-arrival for IndiansIndian tourists travelling to Malaysia from a third country, namely Singapore and Thailand, can now avail of visa-on-arrival at all major airports of Malaysia. Passengers need to hold valid visas for the respective countries and have confirmed return tickets to India. The facility introduced from January 2014 onwards coincides with the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 and the Year of Festivals 2015.

Etihad-Jet to start

Neha Oberoi

cover story

Attracting MICE Boutique Hotels

With rising expectations of business travellers, the market for MICE is witnessing growth in the luxury segment. Niche boutique hotels are entering the foray and enhancing their facilities. Besides offering just high-end amenities, they are focussing more on providing a unique lodging experience for business travellers. In line with the upward trend and strong potential for a niche market, boutique hotels are increasingly becoming popular in the MICE industry. MICEtalk delves further to explore this emerging segment...

cover story

Not completely out of the recession and devaluation of the Rupee, domestic travel is touching new

highs, especially in the MICE sector which is stronger than ever this year. Though companies are not splurging, luxury venues are not being ruled out either. Some trends that came into play last year are now drifting towards the MICE segment. Let us have a look at how boutique hotels are gearing up for the same:

Lobby of Sarovar Hotel, Hyderabad

cover story

More Meetings in Exotic Locations There is a growing demand across all sectors for conducting meetings in attractive destinations be it telecommunications, IT, insurance, automotive, healthcare and others. Destinations which offer great value and a relaxed atmosphere are preferred along with good meeting facilities. Destinations which offer recreational opportunities and learning in relaxed settings are becoming more popular.

Pradeep Kalra, Sr. Vice President, Sarovar Hotels Pvt Ltd affirms, “Market for luxury MICE is growing phenomenally. India, which has been getting an insignificant share of the global market, is now trying to address the segment. The Destination Management Companies (DMC) and Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) are helping to increase the size of the existing business. We have multiple options for MICE such as the backwaters, beach destinations, mountains, city getaways that are well connected with excellent sightseeing options at attractive prices and are being marketed aggressively. A weaker rupee and aggressive marketing initiative will enhance our share of MICE business.”


Lobby of The Heron Portico, Nairobi

With good facilities for meetings, destinations which offer recreational opportunities and learning in

relaxed settings are becoming more popular

cover story

Amarendra Kumar, Assistant Director, Sales, Alila Diwa Goa, opines, “The MICE industry is one of the fastest growing segments within the tourism industry generating millions in revenue. Industry predictions indicate that the MICE sector is poised for vigorous growth, especially in the Indian market. Luxury MICE is a segment

that has still not truly realised its true potential. Goa is a seasonal destination with international travellers patronising the destination between November to March but

popular with domestic travellers throughout the year. In recent years, arrivals to the destination have increased and with opening of the new airport terminal, the numbers are expected to grow further.”

Himmat Anand, Founder, Tree of Life Resorts, states, “The dollar has had a definite impact on outbound travel and this has resulted in a growth in the domestic business. This is more true for hotels and resorts operating in the luxury segment and we have certainly seen our domestic business share increased by about 15 per cent as compared to projections. Moreover, Society of Incentive and Travel Executives (SITE) India Chapter has taken some positive steps in not only promoting India as a MICE destination, but also creating an awareness of this important but ignored segment in the country. They continue to organise workshops to educate the travel trade and are trying to get one of the international meets of the Association held in India in the near future. These steps should hopefully show some positive results in the future.”

Hoping for better future prospects


Above: Alila Diwa, Goa

Poolside view at Tree of Life Resort & Spa

Focus on Compact Meetings With companies becoming more concious of budgets and reigning in their expenses, there is a growing tendency to ensure that only top executives travel for meetings. Hence, with smaller numbers, stand-alone properties are more in demand.

cover story

Saeed Shervani, Managing Director, Shervani Hospitalities Ltd, comments, “MICE – has now become an integral part of the corporate structure. Our hotel in Nainital has been a family getaway till date. But it is now catching up with the corporate world, because of its easy access from Delhi and other parts of North India. The hotel, which now caters to MICE, has facilities for meetings of up to 75 pax. With meeting sizes becoming more compact, we are targeting the MICE agents and corporate companies and introducing our hotels to them. The focus is to inform them about our facilities and the activities in the hotel, in and around the city and to create awareness in the market.”

With companies becoming more concious of budgets, only top executives are travelling for meetings. Hence, with smaller numbers, stand-alone properties are more in demand

MICEtalk February 2014 17

Above: Boardroom of Beach Rotana Hotel Abu Dhabi

cover story

Moving out of the Boardroom The traditional ‘boardroom-style’ space is being replaced by an innovative approach of huge outdoor meeting spaces and smaller cosy nooks for limited gatherings. The spotlight is on achieving the conference goals with an enviable ambience and it is no more a surprising sight to see delegates surrounding a campfire for team-building activities or brainstorming at a bar.


Aman Nath and Francis Wacziarg, Co-Chairmen, Neemrana Hotels, add to this view, “Our clients are so delighted that they find work excuses to return! Many of the conferences are booked like this. We provide unique conference experiences, such as: rooftop, baithak-style – not at all about luxuriating and not working – with packages that are competitive and certainly unique. Conferences which do not seek a run-of-the-mill experience come to us. The ‘Alice in Wonderland’ venues bring out the child in the

adult. Seven centuries of history in the walls, twelve tiers of experience, guests getting lost in the labyrinths – all these are a plus for our MICE segment guests.Neemrana has been the favourite for some high profile international conferences, such as the annual ‘Indo-American Economist Meet’, which is taking place here for the last 14 years. They call it The Indian Davos. However, majority of our MICE business still comes from the Indian corporate, MNCs and various institutions in India.”

cover story


Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa, China

cover story

Offering Attractive MICE PackagesThe last couple of years saw a small decline in meeting packages, but it has made a strong comeback again this year. Planners are once again embracing the product for the value it offers within the meeting budget and are requesting for customised packages.

The Chalets, Naldehra

cover story

Amish Sud, Director, The Chalets, Naldehra, reiterates, “We have seen a big leap in the volume of luxury MICE in India as well as at Chalets during the last 18-20 months. A lot of companies are looking at offsite luxury accommodation and conference venues for their teams. People have become more adventurous and have started to try out offbeat boutique properties rather than sticking with traditional conference facilities. Chalets has benefited from

this change in the mindset. We give incentives to travel agents and travel companies dealing with MICE. We offer special rates as well as complimentary add-ons for conferences and are extremely flexible to the special demands and needs of MICE travellers.”

The future of the MICE industry is shining bright. The change in trends is clearly showing a shift in the demand for MICE and boutique hotels are attracting more clientele. There is a renewed demand for exhibitions, meetings and events. Travel companies are offering new and specialised services and packages with which boutique hotels will definitely see more activity this year.

Offering Affordable MICE Opportunities

Sri LankaSri Lanka, with its central location in the Indian Ocean, easy access from all parts of the world, and excellent beaches, climate and attractions, is fast emerging as a sought after, exotic and affordable destination for MICE. Leading airlines and luxury cruises include Colombo as part of their regular schedule, while international and local hotels offer star-class accommodation, modern conference facilities and special packages for the MICE sector. English is the language of commerce and is widely spoken and understood which is another reason that has made Sri Lanka a prime destination for MICE.

Cinnamon Bey Beruwala

country talk

country talk

Vipula Wanigasekera, General Manager, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, says that they work on incentivising MICE groups,

“That depends on the profile of the group with the size, status, future travel, spending power, etc. So we take case by case when it comes to incentives by the Convention Bureau. Mostly

the Indian Groups want to see Sri Lankan cultural dance as these traditional dances are not found anywhere in the world”.

country talk

Indian passport holders travelling to Sri Lanka for transit, tourist or business purposes require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) which can be obtained online. Upon arrival, you need to produce your passport along with a copy of the ETA approval notice.

visa

Sri Lanka’s national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines operates to over 25 countries covering over 45 cities, using modern Airbus fleet. Other airlines include Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Thai Airways, Royal Jordanian, Gulf Air, Austrian Air, Czech Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Air India, Kuwait Airways, LTU, Qatar Airways and Cathey Pacific.

accessibility

MICE Facilities in Sri LankaSri Lanka has two modern conference and exhibition centres in Colombo which cater to both large conferences (up to 2000 pax) and exhibitions.

Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)Situated away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet within close proximity to the five star and other quality hotels in Colombo, the BMICH is a large building surrounded by gardens. The first purpose-built conference centre in Asia, it has established a tradition of being the venue for many prestigious international conventions, trade shows, exhibitions, seminars and beauty pageants as well as musical and dramatic presentations. It comprises high-tech facilities, modern convention halls & rooms and also offers a spacious delegation room of 16,000 sq ft.

Magam Ruhunupura International Conference Hall (MRICH) Situated in 28 acres, in Siribopura, Hambantota, is Sri Lanka’s second international conference hall. The main hall has 1,500 seats and there are three additional halls with a seating capacity of 250 each. The conference hall is fully equipped with modern technical facilities and parking for 400 vehicles has along with a helipad for helicopter landing.


Below: Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall

country talk

Incentive/Post-conference activitiesSri Lanka offers different and exciting experiences be they plucking and production of tea or a day in a Sri Lanka village enjoying eco-based environment. They can almost guarantee spotting of leopards within a day in wild life parks. There are 8 world heritage sites that are visited by tourists and incentive groups. All this is within a few hours of drive from Colombo. For beach lovers, Beruwala (near Colombo) is a lovely place to relax and whale watching has become the newest attraction.

Sri Lanka offers different and exciting experiences

be they plucking and production of tea or a day in a Sri Lanka village enjoying

eco-based environment


Below: Tea Trail in Sri Lanka

Below: Water sports are popular in Sri Lanka

country talk

Sri Lanka boasts of several world-class hotels and several new brands are making their presence felt in the country. Among the popular ones that already exist in the country are Taj Hotels and Resorts, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, Amaya Resorts and Spas and the Hilton.

accommodation

Shopping and NightlifeThe best part about shopping in Sri Lanka is that the Indian Rupee is stronger than the Lankan Rupee. Thus, any purchase in Sri Lanka costs half its value in Indian Rupees. If you are looking for cheap yet value–for-money shopping, then ‘House of Fashion’ is the place to visit in Colombo. For the more affluent traveller, Odel Unlimited is the mall to raid. And if you want to take home some authentic Sri Lankan souvenirs and handicrafts, then Laksala should not be given a miss.

The nightlife of Sri Lanka is restricted to big cities like Colombo, with numerous places to visit and the city is relatively safe at night.

Do not forget to pick up some of the batik clothes available in Laksala along with the authentic Sri Lankan artefacts.


Left: Ceylon Continental Hotel, Colombo

The international airport is located 55km south of Kuala Lumpur. The KLIA Express train has a 28-minute non-stop service to the city. Express coaches and car rentals are also available from the airport.

connectivity

Kuala LumpurThe heart of MICE!

Situated in the midst of the Asia Pacific region, Kuala Lumpur enjoys a strategic location and a year round tropical climate. It has long been the top MICE destination for the Indian sub-continent, with excellent MICE facilities catering to functions ranging from small meetings to international conventions. Its transportation and communication infrastructures ensure that events run smoothly, and the numerous recreational and social amenities are additional attractions for visiting delegates.

Kuala Lumpur has long been the top MICE

destination for the Indian sub-continent

city talk

• There is a 3,000 seat Plenary Hall, 500 seats Plenary Theatre, both with simultaneous interpretation, fold away chair & tables, full conference and voting system with fixed stage.

• KLCC has wireless connectivity, the latest technology in telecommunications, digital audio visual and lighting facilities. Moreover, the Centre can arrange for specialised AV equipment, if required by organisers.

• KLCC has an in-house catering with 51 chefs and banqueting service offering high quality cuisine for the events.

MICE Facilities in Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is a blend of work and pleasure. The city is a fertile ground for endless discoveries, with it being a melting pot of food, culture and lifestyles.

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC)Considered as the best convention centre in Asia, it is 75 km from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the light rail facility is one kilometre from KLCC. What KLCC offers

• 1,500 rooms in 5-star properties on site, and a further 12,000 rooms in 4 and 5-star properties are available within 10 minutes’ distance.

• Recreational amenities include a six story Suria KLCC shopping centre, Petrosains (interactive science discovery centre), Dewan Filharmonik, home of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and Aquaria KLCC, an aquarium with marine and land bound animals.

• The meeting room facilities cover 5 levels with natural daylight and park view from the circulation space. Exhibition halls are on the ground level, the main conference and banqueting halls are on level 3 and the support areas are on levels 3 and 4.


city talk

Below: Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is decked with spots worth visiting post the MICE event. The Kuala Lumpur Tower, the Batu Caves and the Merdeka Square all are must visits. Central Market, China Town and Little India provide a refreshing shopping break between heavy meeting schedules.

post-event activities

From world-class, 5-star hotels to backpackers’s inns, major city areas such as Jalan Tun Ismail, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Ampang and Jalan Bukit Bintang offer plenty of options.

accommodationSeri Pacific Hotel Kuala LumpurSeri Pacific Hotel is a prime choice for the organisers because of its convenient and strategic location. It is adjacent to the wonderful Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).Facilities

• 129,166 sq ft of state-of-the-art overall meeting and exhibition space

• 560 rooms• 14 function rooms

Berjaya Times Square Hotel & Convention CentreEasily accessible by monorail and the KL Putrajaya Highway, the hotel is another convenient MICE venue for many MICE organisers.Facilities

• A pillar-less ball room with 2000 pax capacity,

• 650 rooms,• 14 function rooms including seven with

natural daylight

Adding to the funJust 45 minutes outside the metropolis of KL is Resorts World Genting. The resort features 6 hotels with over 10,000 guest rooms, over 100 dining outlets, a shopping centre, indoor and outdoor theme parks, a casino and an international convention centre. The Genting International Convention Centre harbours the largest column-free Grand Ballroom (181,467 sq ft) in Malaysia, capable of accommodating 2000 pax in banquet style and 3500 in theatre style.

Left: View of Twin Towers and Park from Level 3 Pre-function Area Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre


let’s talk

The MICE graph for the year 2014 is deemed to be on the upswing; at least that’s what the mood of the industry seems to be. MICEtalk, in conversation with three different parties affected by the market trends of the industry, analyse the MICE focus in 2014.

Rupee fluctuation to increase domestic MICETaranviir KaurCountry Head, Imperial Servcorp

The MICE segment seems very bullish and has matured a lot in the last decade. The rate of such trips have increased tremendously globally. 2013 was a mixed bag for the travel industry in India, with the weakening of conversion rates to the US dollar and taxation issues.MICE movement will continue to the US, Australia, Scotland and South Africa. Abu Dhabi will be the new Middle East destination in 2014. These countries have excellent MICE products and the ‘wow’ value never diminishes. For India, 2014 being the year for the General Elections, we may witness a slowdown in MICE travel, especially in the first quarter of the year. However, the Ministry of Tourism has turned its attention to it and we are expecting movement in the third and fourth quarters. Alternatively, demand for domestic MICE is expected to increase due to rupee fluctuation, and companies are looking forward to exploring domestic destinations to make the most of their restricted budgets.

Demand for domestic MICE is expected to increase due to rupee fluctuation, and companies are

looking forward to exploring domestic destinations to make the most of their

restricted budgets

Expectations in 2014MICE Trends&


let’s talk

Elections might impact marketMonisha DewanGeneral Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon

Indian MICE market continues to show great growth potential in the domestic and the international market. This trend will continue in the next couple of years. This segment is very important for most hotels that are seriously focussing on their MICE facilities. In 2014, it will be important to see the political climate with the upcoming general elections in April. This could have a temporary impact on the international MICE business. Considering the Indian business resilience, we hope that domestic MICE business will remain uninterrupted. However, the larger impact will be from the country’s volatile economic scenario which is influenced by the global market and our political situation.

MICE is a key segment for hotel revenueSaurabh BhararaDirector of Sales & Marketing, Pullman Gurgaon Central Park

MICE trends are showing an upward curve. Pullman Co-Meeting concept is the ideal meetings program for all business meetings & conference needs. We are focussing on both domestic and international clients (including leads via event management platforms) that are evincing interest in MICE. Going forward MICE will be the key segment of hotel revenue.

Pullman Gurgaon Central Park


In the international market also, we expect an increased movement in the third and fourth quarters post

the General Elections, hopefully with political, economic stability and

stronger rupee

New airlines will help the domestic marketNaveen RizviSr. Vice President- India & HeadTUI - Meetings & Incentives & ICE- Integrated Conference & Event Management

The year 2014 will see an increase in demand for both domestic and international travel as both are different markets altogether. However, domestic MICE is comparatively expected to increase more due to the rupee fluctuation and with companies looking forward to exploring domestic destinations to make the most of their restricted budgets. Also, considering new airlines, such as Air Asia and Singapore Airlines, getting into the domestic market with divergent products - the former a champion in breaking down pricing and the latter a pioneer in luxury service on board, we can expect a considerable increase in domestic travel.

Focus on outbound MICE activities Radhika KanijioManaging Director, Welgrow Travels

We think the focus will be on international MICE. As people are now used to foreign exchange fluctuations, our clients are still planning outbound MICE activities. Apart from Asian countries, America, South Africa, Russia and Australia are promoting their MICE activities aggressively in India.

let’s talk

Cyprus lures IndiaPeople of Cyprus, their hospitality, geographical, historical and cultural variety and of course superb hotels and DMCs are second to none when it comes to delivering successful events. It’s moving at a furious pace to attract the world as a MICE destination.

Benefits for MICE GroupsCATEGORY 1 Groups up to 50 participants from abroad • Each participant will receive a small giveaway

with the compliments of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) (subject to terms and conditions)

• Upon arrival at the airport, the group will be offered meet and assist services by the CTO Airport Office

• Each participant will receive information brochures for Cyprus published by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.

CATEGORY 2 Groups with more than 50 participants from abroad • Each participant will receive a small giveaway with

the compliments of the CTO (subject to terms and conditions)

• Upon arrival at the airport, the group will be offered meet and assist services by the CTO Airport Office

• Each participant will receive information brochures for Cyprus published by the CTO

• The CTO will offer the beneficiary, hospitality of up to €25 for each participant for one meal (food and drink) daily.

Wooing the Indian market, Cyprus has come up with a MICE initiative to incite corporate travellers:

Limassol, the second largest city in Cyprus


MICE initiative

Well equipped for Meetings

Palacio de Congresos, Madrid

Madrid, being one of Europe’s most attractive business centres, is exceptionally well equipped for trade fairs, conferences, and exhibitions, with two convention centres, a modern Campo de las Naciones exhibition centre and a capacity to hold more than 80,000 people in other varied conference and meeting facilities.

The VenueSpain´s first conference venue, the building has stood on the Paseo de la Castellana, opposite the Real Madrid football stadium. With its famous mural by Joan Miró decorating the main façade, it has been organising conferences and conventions for over 30 years.

LocationLocated in the financial heart of Madrid and near some of the city’s best hotels, it offers numerous options for organising conventions of up to 2,000 people. At the same time, it can provide facilities for small group events.

ConnectivityThe centre has excellent communications through public transport, whether in metro, bus or commuter train. Being in the vicinity of the Nuevos Ministerios metro station gives it a special link to the Barajas airport, which is roughly a quarter hour away. The metro station even has baggage check-in as well.

venue talk

Arturo Ortiz Arduán, Tourism Counselor and Director, Tourism Office of Spain – Mumbai (India), opines, “Madrid has captured

the advantage of globalisation by becoming a metropolitan region of 6 million people, which attracts foreign workers and

firms. The capital region has experienced impressive dynamic economic growth in recent years, making the

best of the positive business cycles.

Lavish palaces and castles mingle with modern buildings in Madrid, giving rise to a varied

selection of venues for holding conferences, meetings, and all kinds of receptions. Here,

each event will find a suitable venue, depending on the particular atmosphere it requires. All this make Madrid

a rising travel destination, one of the world’s favourites for holding business conferences and conventions.”

Madrid Square at dawn


venue talk

Meeting Space The centre features a variety of spaces, conference halls, exhibition halls, auxiliary halls, auditoriums, summary tables and floor plans. It can also meet the most demanding of event hosting requirements, with music performances by international stars. Many basic services are included in the hiring fee for the various venue options available.• An auditorium which can hold up to 995 people and

an amphitheatre for 914 people.• UNESCO Hall, with a capacity of up to 400 people.• Six offices with 11 break-out rooms for 1 to 30 people.

Right: Palacio de Congresos Exhibition spaceBelow: Palacio Real Madrid

Exhibition area• Exhibition Hall I (580 m²)• Exhibition Hall II (1,228 m² on 3 levels)• Banqueting Hall (1,150 m²)• Main Foyer (1,385 m²)• First Floor Foyer (572 m²)• Second Floor Balcony Area (246 m²)• Miró Square (1,000 m² outdoor area)

Located in the financial heart of Madrid and near

some of the city’s best hotels, the centre offers numerous options for

organising conventions of up to 2,000 people

All the rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art interpreting and communications facilities and offer the latest security services.

USP

sample this

MICE MapClarks Shiraz

Clarks Shiraz, a five-star hotel in Agra, combines business with pleasure, style with substance, form with function. Located 2 km from the Taj Mahal, in the heart of Agra, and yet free from its din and bustle, The Clarks Shiraz is just 7 km from the Airport and 3 km from the Railway Station.

Agraon the

sample this

Rupak Gupta, Joint Managing Director, Clarks Group of Hotels, shares his views on increasing MICE opportunities in Agra, “MICE is an integral part of our business. We want to increase this segment and are gearing up the hotel to attract more of this traffic. We’re working towards increasing meeting space with a new convention hall large enough to host 1500 people, divisible into three parts. We’re going to have it ready for use by the summer. I am also confident about Agra emerging as a popular MICE venue since the dollar effect has caused MICE planners to focus on domestic destinations to save their budgets. Going to Agra now, takes as much time as it takes to reach Manesar, with the new Yamuna Xpress way . It’s a

clean, quick and refreshing experience with short travel times and more flexibility.”Throwing light on their strategy to invite more MICE, he adds, “MICE planners need to work in advance. We’re looking forward to reversing the trend of just booking for peak season well in time. If a corporate books both for the season of summer and winter we offer very attractive rates. Moreover, with events like the literary fest, an art cinema fest, Zakir Hussain playing in the hotel, we have so much to attract tourists to the hotel. It’s now Agra’s time to be in the limelight.”

Hotel Clarks Shiraz in Agra features 237 centrally air-conditioned rooms and suites including 80 Deluxe Rooms (23 Taj facing), 155 Superior Rooms and 2 Suites.

accommodation

Meeting FacilitiesThe Clarks Group of Hotels offers more than just a venue for holding conferences, business meetings, seminars, training work-shops and symposiums in India. It also provides specialised conferencing amenities, a distinctive feature of the group’s hotels is their well-trained staff. The hotel also helps organise special theme evenings and group activities.

Shehnaz HallOverlooking green lawns and water bodies, the hall provides an ideal setting for any major event. Special conference packages are tailor-made for companies

Visit Fatehpur Sikri, Taj Mahal and many other monuments. Tours can also be arranged by the hotel for its guests.

leisure time

Type of placeDimensions

in sq. fT./area

TheaTre sTyle

class room sTyle

U shape recTangUlar shape

BoarD room sTyle

Theme

Akbar Hall (Two Sections)

84 x 35 2940

250 100 80 100 100 250

Akbar Hall (Each Section)

42 x 35 1470

100 60 50 60 60 100

Shehnaz Hall140 x 39 5460

500 180 150 175 180 500

Pool Side Lawn

168 x 90 15120

2000 - - - - 2000

Akbar Hall Lawn

120 x 70 8400

300 - - - - 300

Pool Side Bar-b-que

42 x 35 1470

- - - - - 110

Tower Hall (4 pillars)

59 x 39 100 50 35 35 35 100

which would like to opt for theme evenings such as Mughal, Brij, Hyderabadi, Avadhi or Jungle.

Tower HallA relatively small hall with 4 pillars, the Tower Hall is situated at the lobby level, ideal for those in search of a private intimate venue.

Entertainment Centre, located at the mezzanine floor adjacent to the Business Centre, offers an indoor pool, table tennis, air hockey, etc. The Ayurvedic Kerala Massage Centre offers traditional Kerala Massage with Ayurvedic oils.


expert talk

EFFECTIVELYMost people know the ‘Three Ms of Marketing’ – Right Message, Right Medium and Right Market (target audience). However, while interacting with sales and marketing executives and even small business owners over the last decade, I have found that most of them get it all mixed up. Here I share some tips about how to sell your product effectively to the client:

Build the right connectWhile meeting with clients, talk about their problems and not about your product or service. Talk less, listen more. Don’t ask abruptly but enquire candidly about their interests – things they like and don’t like -You will get the clue.

1

Focus on Trust-Need-ValueIs what you are saying believable to the client? Will your client feel confident using your product or service? Will it address real issues consistently? Does it have real value for money as perceived by the client? If you miss any one of these aspects you will lose the customer.

2

Be specific about your USPIt should answer the question, “why should I do business with you when there are others?” Pre-empt all the objections and answer before the client asks them while presenting your proposal/solutions that will help solve the problem.

3

Ajay GomesFounder

E & M Evangelic Training

your product


Talk less, listen more. Don’t ask abruptly but enquire candidly about the client’s interest and

you will get the clue

TaLK LeSS LISTeN MORe

expert talk

For more details contact: [email protected]

Use proper mediumThere are several channels of communication to reach your target audience. Use as many as possible. Don’t just rely on one or two magazines, emails or phone calls.

4

Invest to attract ideal clientThe sharper you are in selecting your target audience, the easier it is to market/sell your product to them. If you want a positive response from your clients, you first need to spend on them. Give them something of real value they can use such as valuable information, tips, steps to use, an e-book related to their areas of interest, etc.

6

Learn about money and financeTry to learn the dynamics of money and finance. Remember money is not real, it doesn’t exist. It’s currency that’s real. Spend a lot of time and money acquiring new knowledge.

7

Customise your messageYour message needs to be customised according to the profile of your client - human beings try to act rationally but when it comes to buying they become very emotional. Try to use the emotional quotient in your message (address the ‘Why’).

5


Give your client something of real value

they can use such as valuable information, tips, steps to use, an

e-book related to their areas of interest, etc.

visa talk

Visa Tips for Business GroupsWith big MICE groups travelling abroad frequently, one of the most commonly felt problem is getting the visa for a large number of delegates. MICEtalk speaks to experts in the industry to know more about the visa processing for big MICE groups and how they ensure that the entire group gets their visas issued in time for the event.

Working meticulously on Visas

The way the MICE segment has grown, there are a few key points that should be kept in mind regarding group visa:

APPLY IN ADVANCEVisa applications for MICE groups should be applied well in advance to the Embassy/Consulate through a presentation or a mail sharing the detailed itinerary and the reason of choosing the respective country as a MICE destination.

In certain countries, such as Switzerland and Netherlands, a presentation by the Sponsor, Visa Facilitator and Tour Operator is mandatory. PRIOR INFORMATION VIA PRESENTATIONProviding prior information of the MICE group to the Embassy/Consulate through a presentation or an email is imperative:

•It helps them to plan things accordingly. •As these are company-sponsored trips, most of the Embassies/Consulates give a waiver for

individual financial documents. •You get a separate slot for submission of MICE visa applications. •Sometimes the Embassy/Consulate gives approval to submit all applications at one location.

UAE Visas can be applied through Tour Operators/DMCs in Dubai. If you are flying through Emirates, then you apply through Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) and if flying through any other airline then you can apply through Dubai Visa & Marhaba Services (DVMS).

for UAE visas

Rajan DuaCEO, Udaan India Pvt Ltd


visa talk

Ensuring Smooth Travel for Delegates

Shad SiddiquiManaging Director, La Vacanza

Processing of Visas, especially for a large group, is the biggest challenge. Guiding every participant

about the right documentation is another challenge as delegates come from diverse educational and geographical backgrounds and many of them are first-time travellers. DUBAIFor Dubai, an eVisa is issued and a Hotel/DMC takes responsibility to update the airline with the PNR of the respective delegate to put an ‘ok to board’ message which allows them to take the flight from India for Dubai. It is necessary to carry a print of the visa. THAILANDFor Thailand, Indian travellers can either apply and get the visa before their travel or simply fly to Thailand and secure the visa-on arrival at the airport. Delegates need to ensure they have valid passports, and abide by the immigration rule of carrying enough money in cash. Visa application and processing takes about 15 minutes but saves the organisers from logistical problems. CANADAFor Canada, delegates must ensure that they carry right documents as specified from the embassy, which gives enough time to the agency to coordinate with the embassy for their decision.

For Thailand, Indian delegates can either get the visa before their travel or fly to Thailand and secure the visa-on arrival

at the airport


survey report

A research conducted by Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, reveals the possible economic benefits of meeting face-to-face. The survey was conducted among 2,000 business men and women from five major markets around the world - USA, UK, United Arab Emirates (UAE), India and China.

“Skin to skin contact, such as a handshake, releases Oxytocin which can create a feeling of contentment and security. It also generates trust, which research has shown to be behind many profitable companies.”

Hazel Carter-ShowellBusiness Psychologist and Body Language Expert

EXPERT OPINES

Face-to-Face Meetings

Why Face-to-face Meetings are more in Demand?

Face-to-face meetings are considered better than virtual meetings (81 per cent). The ability to be able to ‘read the room’ through non-verbal cues such as body language and eye contact was considered key by 50 per cent of respondents.

Face-to-face meetings encourage greater involvement from attendees, with less chance of misinterpretation (64 per cent) and a greater opportunity to build trust (63 per cent).

Small talk is a good business meeting tool; the average meeting starts with approximately 7.5 minutes of light-hearted conversation (UK & USA average 6 minutes, India 9 minutes, China 7.5 minutes and the UAE 9.5 minutes). News and current affairs are the

Help build good business relations

main topic of conversation in China (64 per cent), India (59 per cent) and the UAE (49 per cent).

Using humour to build a relationship is also considered important in the UK (61 per cent), India (54 per cent), China (50 per cent) and the UAE (50 per cent), but less so in USA (40 per cent).


Do you believe face-to-face or virtual meetings are better for building long-term trust and ensuring strong client relationships?

Virtual

Face-to-face81%

19%

Important elements of face-to-face meetings for building trust

Opportunity to read non verbal cues 60%

Greater sense of control over the direction of the meeting 57%

Ability to bond over more personal conversation 55%

Relaxed atmosphere 49%

Greater sense of personal connection from being able to ‘put a name to a face’ 42%

Small talk 33%

Eye contact 65%

Source: Crowne Plaza in collaboration with TNS Global


survey report

Away from the chaos of the city, the luxurious Rajasthali Resort and Spa is situated at Jaipur-Delhi Highway at the

foothills of the imposing Aravallis with grand banquet spaces, indoor as well as outdoor, equipped with bespoke settings.

Accommodation and event spaceRajasthali offers 53 exquisitely crafted luxury guest rooms, tents, suites, banquet hall, swimming pool, spa, a 24-hour café & lounge and a multi cuisine restaurant. The Maurya Lawns, spreading across 36,000 sq ft and the Aravalli Courtyard sprawling over 125,000 sq ft, are perfect outdoor venues.

An abode for aromas and tranquility at Rajasthali, the Spa, Pavitra, offers traditional rituals and modern healing therapies

In Rajasthali, guests can enjoy the regal grandeur of Maharajas in the 472 sq ft Royal Tents. Each tent is equipped with a mini bar and a private Jacuzzi inside the tent. Every room at Rajasthali Resort & Spa embraces the commitment to provide unmatched luxury and hospitality. Each room bestows traditional décor and modern amenities.

at Rajasthali Resort & SpaEnjoyLuxury

hotel talk



Listening skillsLeaders know that displaying good listening skills shows genuine interest, humility and help to make an emotional connect with people. Also, it shows their ability to hear conflicting views and listen to related feedback.

5 VoiceConveying your message with conviction and clarity is found in abundance in both business and political leaders. Varying the tone, volume and pace to captivate their audience, effective use of pause and emphasising important words all help maintain audience interest.

6

DEFINING

EXECUTIVE PRESENCE

AppearanceAt work, your physical presence conveys both professionalism and confidence. Besides clothes, neat work habits add to your visual appeal.

1 Body languageDirect eye contact, firm handshake and swift body movements enhance visual impact. Posture too helps as walking and sitting upright conveys authority with a dash of dignity.

2

Executive presence is easy to spot yet tough to define. Clearly, leaders seem to have this quality in abundance. Interestingly, having a better executive presence is closely linked to rapid promotions, attracts positive attention and inspires others around you. While it may seem hard to acquire, focussing on the following will help enhance your executive presence:

Maintaining CalmLeaders know that remaining calm in the eye of a storm highlights their ability to manage interruptions and work-related stress with ease.

3 CommunicationAs words add weight, good communication skills are extremely important. Leaders have this ability to connect with their listeners at a personal level and command respect.

4

Shital Kakkar MehraPractitioner of Corporate Etiquette and International Protocol in India

Hritvick Sen

Your Travel Buddy!Confused over multiple flight timings? Have the time, but no idea for where to go? Gone, but no idea what to do?Rest my friend! MICEtalk presents some of the best travel apps you will lay your eyes upon. Right from planning your itinerary, to getting the best fares, what to do once you get there, and thereon there’s an app for everything.

Your PhoneA

MEN

ITIES

GateGuru (Android, iOS, Windows)Imagine a personal assistant who coordinates all your flights, cabs, what to do between flights and more. The name is GateGuru. A TripAdvisor app, it covers over 125 top US airports, 17 Canadian, 31 European, 29 Asian and 2 Australian airports. It also covers car rentals and what to do when you’re waiting for your connecting flights.

Packing Pro (iOS, ~Rs 200)Just tell it where you’re going, how long for and with whom and it creates lists of what you might need to pack. The lists are split up into essentials (passport, foreign currency and the like), gadgets, clothes and more.

SkyScanner (Android, iOS, Windows, BlackBerry) Want a cheap flight? Look no further than SkyScanner. Besides having a smashing interface for dirt-cheap flights, it has a super cool graph where you can track flight fares from anywhere to everywhere.

Skyscanner searches more than 1,000 airlines and 1 million routes to find the cheapest flights possible. There are no handling fees and the app allows you to book directly.FL

IGH

T SE

AR

CH

Expedia (Android/iOS)Expedia’s mobile app also gives its users mobile-exclusive discounts and last-minute deals. The travel giant also backs up its mobile services with its gargantuan web inventory of flight and hotel searches.

technology


AroundME (Android, iOS, Windows)Lost in a new city? Need to find an ATM? ‘AroundME’ quickly identifies your position and allows you to choose the nearest bank, bar, gas station, hospital, hotel, movie theatre, restaurant, supermarket and taxi. It shows you a complete list along with the distance from where you are. Fast, easy, accurate and FREE.

AR

OU

ND

TH

E C

ITY

Foodspotting (Android, iOS, Windows, BlackBerry) This app gives you over 2.5 million user-generated recommendations for whichever city you touchdown in.

EverNote (Android, iOS, Windows, Blackberry) Used to keeping a pad of Post-Its near you? Welcome to EverNote. Use it, and get addicted to this neat little note taking app. You can even take photos, or a voice memo and tag it for the future. It also has an option for check boxes.

What’s its USP?Search by dish and it will rate restaurants accordingly. It will pop up photos, too.

technology


Movements

ibis and Novotel Bengaluru Techpark welcome

Hotel Manageribis and Novotel Bengaluru Techpark, the first combo property of Accor in India has announced the appointment of Ajay Sampige as the new Hotel Manager. Prior to this, he was responsible for the hotel operation at ibis Bengaluru Hosur Road as the General Manager. Sampige is an accomplished hotelier and brings with him a wealth of experience from over 15 years in the hospitality sector.

The Taj West End, Bangalore appoints GMSomnath Mukherjee has joined The Taj West End as General Manager. He has been with The Taj Group of Hotels since 1992 and brings with him the expertise and experience in hospitality industry spanning 20 years.

Novotel Hyderabad Airport receives new Director of Sales Javed Parvez has been appointed as the Director of Sales at Novotel Hyderabad Airport. He has also been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Marketing Department of the hotel. He has over 13 years experience in sales and marketing.

ITC Maratha, Mumbai appoints Vice – President (West) & GM Philip Charraudeau has been appointed as the Vice-President (Western region) & General Manager for ITC Maratha. Charraudeau brings with him 40 years of global experience in hospitality. More recently, he headed ITC Hotel’s premier property, ITC Grand Chola as VP & GM. Charraudeau has worked in multiple functional areas of hotels, specifically in organisational growth and development.

Novotel Goa Shrem Resort, Goa announces new GM Manish Dayya has joined as the General Manager of the newly-launched Novotel Goa Shrem Resort. Manish comes with 16 years of experience in hospitality industry. Prior to joining Accor in February 2013, Dayya was the General Manager at the Raintree Hotel, Chennai.

SIX SENSES appoints

corporate director of HR Neil Shorthouse has been appointed to the position of corporate director of human resource at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. He will be based at the Six Senses Home Office in Bangkok.

Neil comes from a varied background focussed on operations, as well as human resources and training. He previously worked at Soneva Fushi, where he was director of human resources and assumed additional corporate responsibilities for Soneva.


eventscalendar

events

EVENT VENUE/PLACE CITY/COUNTRY DATE

Mountain Travel Symposium Colorado Brazil April 09 - 16, 2014

China Hotel Investment Conference Grand Hyatt Shanghai Shanghai, China April 23 - 25, 2014

WTTC Global SummitRenaissance Sanya Resort & Spa

Haian, China April 24 - 25, 2014

The Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference

Rio Bonito Brazil April 27 - 30, 2014

Arabian Travel MarketDubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre

Dubai, UAE May 05 - 08, 2014

International Travel and Health Insurance Conference

Marriott Royal Hotel Bristol, UK May 07 - 09, 2014

International Conference on Business Tourism and Applied Sciences

Ryerson University Toronto, Canada May 07 - 09, 2014

International Conference of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation

Novotel Poznan Centrum Poznan, Poland May 19 - 21, 2014

Travel Distribution Summit Europe Novotel London West London, UK May 23 - 24, 2014

Tourism And Travel Studies Conference Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center Istanbul, Turkey June 02 - 04, 2014

The Business Travel Conference Novotel London West London, UK June 03 - 04, 2014

International Symposium on Tourism, Hospitality and Social Sciences

Istanbul Turkey June 03 - 04, 2014

British Hospitality and Tourism Summit Novotel London West London, UK June 05, 2014

International Conference on Tourism Athens Greece June 9 - 12, 2014


Postal Reg. No. :DL(ND)-11/6150/2014-15-16WPP No.:U(C)-305/2014-2016, Posting on 29th-30th of Advance Month

PSO, Market Road PO, New Delhi-110001, Date of Publication:22/01/2014RNI No.:DELENG/2010/34144

MICEtalk February 14

Documents

Transcript of MICEtalk February 14