Discover the highlights from the Asian exhibitors at the Business Travel Show in London. Gain insights into Penang’s growing participation, Thailand’s diverse destinations, Singapore’s business ecosystem, Malaysia’s incentives, and Japan’s appeal as a business event destination.
During the Business Travel Show Europe in London, UK, representatives from various Asian exhibitors shared their insights and experiences.
Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO of the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau, expressed their long-standing participation in the show, witnessing its growth over the years. He highlighted the increased participation from Penang, attributing it to the prominence of the UK market and the positive impact of the show. Penang showcased not only their partners but also cultural activities and culinary delights to provide a holistic experience for attendees. Gunasekeran emphasized the growing business from the UK market, which has surpassed their initial expectations, allowing them to plan for the future years, including corporate incentives.
Maddie Clark, Senior Account Manager of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), discussed the wide range of destinations and services that Thailand offers event planners. TCEB provides free services, funded by the government, which include marketing information, site visits, support, and introductions to relevant suppliers. Clark highlighted the significant increase in international flights to various airports in Thailand, making it a desirable destination for conferences, events, incentives, and association businesses.
Michael Rodriguez, Area Director UK for Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, showcased Singapore as an ideal business destination. Rodriguez highlighted Singapore’s accessibility, English-speaking population, and strong business ecosystem, making it an attractive location for conducting remarkable events. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Rodriguez expressed cautious optimism and the desire to regain pre-pandemic levels of business events in Singapore.
Muhammad Isa Abdul Halim, Director of Experiential Events at the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau, emphasized Malaysia’s focus on promoting itself as a business events destination. He highlighted the potential of the UK market and the agency’s efforts to attract corporate incentives and convention attendees. Halim also mentioned the “my Triple E” packages, which offer incentives to organizers to choose Malaysia as their destination.
Noran Ujang, Director of the Tourism Malaysia London office, mentioned their participation in the event to promote Malaysia to the British market. They aimed to attract more visitors from the UK, especially in conjunction with upcoming events in Malaysia.
Tatsunori Naoi, Deputy Director of the Japan National Tourism Organization, represented Japan as a business event destination for the UK market. They aimed to provide information and attract more incentives and corporate meetings to Japan, emphasizing their anticipation for increased visitation from the UK market in the post-COVID era.
Overall, the representatives from the Asian exhibitors showcased their destinations and highlighted the potential for business events, incentives, and conventions, aiming to attract visitors from the UK market and create fruitful collaborations.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.