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IT&CM China was held in Shanghai, China from 14-17 April 2014 with great success attracting more than 470 Chinese hosted buyers and 150 international. In China, the last few years the number of corporate meetings is on the rise accounting for 59.7%. The government meetings are still the biggest market for the China's MICE industry althought they seems to decline. On the other hand, China is getting more and more attractive as an incentive destination for global companies as its infrustructure seems to develop. But now, the issue of "experiences" to the delegates rise so, the MICE industry of China needs to offer cultural and themed properties such as spa hotels, theme hotels, and traditional events. Furthermore, there is a need for training of the staff working in the MICE industry of China as there are main cultural differences between the Western delegates and the local organisers.
The stand of Xiamen
Xiamen is one of China’s special economic zones, as a result many corporate meetings, incentives, and product launches take place in the area. Recently, Langham Hospitality Group opened a new hotel near the Xiamen Gaoqi International airport. Xiamen is among the top MICE destinations as it boasts very well air connectivity with the major cities of Asia. Also, Xiamen was awarded as one of the top ten Conference and Exhibitions in China, top ten charming Conference Destinations in China, China’s best Green Conference city. The Xiamen International Conference Center boasts over 20 meeting halls, many luxurious banquet halls with a capacity of 2,000 people, a luxury symphonic musical hall with 800 pax capacity.
The stand of Shanghai
Shanghai is one of the major MICE destinations not only for China but also for Asia with more than 25 million international and more than 220 million domestic arrivals per year. The inventory of luxury five star hotels has increased 32% since 2010, a number that will continue to increase. This year among others a new Pullman hotel and a another Marriott was added in the long list of luxury hotels in Shanghai. The opening of Shanghai Disneyland in 2015 will generate more interest and demand for MICE business.
Snapshot from the Press Conference of Hong Kong
The growth of the Chinese MICE to Hong Kong have slowed down to 2.6% 2013, while in 2012 the growth recorded 8.4%. The MICE from Chine in 2013 was not so good as 2012 due to the decision of the Chinese government to tighten the travel budgets. As China is one of the top three priority market for Hong Kong, Hong Kong tourism board will continue to participate in exhibitions and events in China in order to promote Hong Kong as a MICE destination.
The stand of Malaysia
Malaysia saw strong growth in corporate events from China last year, with the average group size expanding from 190 delegates in 2011 to 340 in 2013 according to Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau. Hotels in Malaysia and especially in Kuala Lumpur have reported good performance in corporate events and incentive trips from China last year. Their expectations for 2014 seem to be the same.
The stand of Thailand
Asia is largest MICE market for Thailand representing 75.3% of all MICE following by Europe 10.1% and the USA 4.7% according to the data of TCEB. Thailand last year welcomed more than 1 million international MICE arrivals with a revenue of 2.7 billion US$ representing a year on year growth of 13.2% in arrivals and 10.9% in revenue. Bangkok is the top choice for Chinese delegates with Chiang Mai after the completion of its International Convention and Exhibition Center. It boasts 60,000 sqm of usable space, including 10,000 sqm of exhibition area and room for more than 470 booths in the main exhibition hall. It can accommodate up to 10,000 delegates.
The stand of Signapore
According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) MICE travellers from China spent less in 2013, with a decline of 6% between January and September last year, compared to the same period in 2012. MICE sector and business travel are very importand for Singapore. In 2012, the number of international business arrivals rose to 3.4 million from 3.2 million in 2011. Expenditure by these visitors grew 2.3% to an estimated US$ 4.5 billion.
Mr. Dimitris Dimitriou, Sales and Marketing Manager, Synthesis Group
Mr. Dimitris Dimitriou, a Hosted Buyer from Greece nominated by Travel Daily News Network, said that “It is my fist time at IT&CM China Exhibition and I believe my trip was very fruitful. China is an attractive destinations for MICE. I had the opportunity to meet some good suppliers from all Asia not only China. But still there is a communication problem as some of the exhibitors could not speak english. Overall, I enjoyed the trip.”
The stand of Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Convention and Visitor Bureau (SLCB) was exhibiting at IT&CM for the fist time this year. The interest of the Chinese market for Conference and incetive trips to Sri Lanka is very strong. For 2014 Sri Lanka is expecting 100,000 Chinese travellers resulting to a 50% increase compare to 2013.
The stand of Tangla Hotels
Tangla Hotels presented at IT&CM their 18 hotels, including ten new ones that singed during 2013. In 2014, development forcast is for an additional 12 Tangla branded hotels. At the end of 2014, target is 30 Tangla branded hotels opened, in pre-opening, or signed. Also, Tangla brand is aiming to expand in airports hotels. In the near future, the brand will launch a new customer loyalty programme called “The Tangla Club“.
Mr. Stratis Voursoukis, Director Asia Pacific of Travel Media Applications and Argo Travel Group
“The purpose of my participation in IT&CM China was to identify the potential of obtaining contracts in China and the rest neighboring destinations as well as to collect further information about MICE opportunities within these markets. It was indeed a remarkable opportunity for me to learn about these countries and meet people in a bespoke context, difficult to create otherwise. Within only a couple of days we gathered valuable and influential information to support the Company’s knowledge on local MICE opportunities. Both the material delivered as well as the b2b meetings were very interesting for all buyers, not always in English language though! However, we all identified the great potential of dealing with the local fast-growing market. This latest visit in one more Asian Fair reinforced our strong belief in the great potential of the Chinese and rest Asia-Pacific markets, while it introduced us to some very important contacts from the local market“.
The stand of Indonesia
The year 2013 was the year of MICE for Indonesia as the sector recorded. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is aiming to develop 16 destinations in the country as MICE destinations, expept of the well know ones Jakarta and Bali. Indonesia’s largest convention center, Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), launched last September boasting in total 50,000 sqm.
The stand of Mission Hills Resorts
Mission Hills Resorts lauched during IT&CM green meeting programmes in its properties in Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Haiku. The half and full day programmes include use of a meeting room,audiovisual equipment, stationery, candies, refreshments, healthy lunch buffet and WiFI.
The stand of Macau
Macau seems to be the favor destination for the Chinese MICE sector, as it reports a growth in MICE arrivals in spite of the new law of the government of China about cutting cost in travel expenditure. Macau welcomed 1,030 business events during 2013 with 2 million participants an increase of 8% compare to 2013. For Macau, the chinese market is becoming more demanding and spending a bit more.
Snapshot from the signature of the agreement between TTG Asia Media and Carlson Wagonlit Travel, China
TTG Asia Media’s Corporate Travel Word (CTW) Asia-Pacific launched edition in Shanghai in collaboration with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, China. “Even though CTW China is established on a proven and tested format, the unique valuable proposition of the show will be 100% focused deliberately on the Chinese market,” announced Darren Ng, Managing Director, TTG Asia Media during the signature of the agreement. “Participants will be able to benefit immensely from discussions on salient issues key to Chinese corporations, as well as expert advice from experienced practitioners operating in the same environment and facing the same market forces and challenges.” Ng continued.
Snapshot from the stand of Philippines
The MICE sector seems to be promising for the Philippines especially from China. Chiinese travellers to the Philippines in 2012 were 250,883, while in 2013 were 426,352 a 70% increase between the two years. China is the 4th biggest market for the Philippines with a 9.1% market share last year up from 5,9% market share in 2012. With the Philippine Airlines starting again direct flights from Europe, the country aims at more MICE business from teh European market.
The stand of Oberoi Hotels
Oberoi Hotels, awared as World’s best Hotel Brand, presented during IT&CM their value that “People are our principal asset and key to our success“. Also, the brand presented the new hotel in Dubai tha combines legentary service with quiet efficiency.
The stand of Kempinski Hotels
The hotel Kempinski Hotel Yinchuan was award as the Best Hotel in Northwest China, during IT&CM China 2014, at the 7th Annual TTG China Travel Awards.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
