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13 JUL-AUG 2019 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM Industry Report Auckland squeezes into top three busiest MICE cities in Australasia I nternational Congress and Convention Association's (ICCA) ranking for the busiest MICE cities in Australasia is out, and New Zealand's Auckland made it into the top three, replacing Australia's Brisbane. Auckland, which is New Zealand's largest city, hosted 39 international association events in 2018 that meet ICCA's criteria. This puts Auckland now in the third position, just behind Australia's Sydney and Melbourne, which are in the first and second places respectively. When considering all cities in the Asia-Pacific region, however, Auckland comes in at 17th. Adding to the business events offering this year is the opening of the Domes at Auckland Zoo, a unique event venue that caters for up to 350 delegates. Then there is the refurbished Aotea Centre, Auckland's leading performing arts and events hub. The highlight, however, is going to be the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), dubbed by Hayward as a 'game-changer'. The Centre will have a capacity of 4,000 people for one-off events, or 3,000 people for conferences, exhibitions or dinners. Its 32,500sqm of floor space will be New Zealand's largest purpose-built convention centre when it opens in 2020. UPDATE The picture is also encouraging at a city level. Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya rank 2nd, 25th and 60 respectively in Asia for international conventions. Considering foreign MICE markets, TCEB found that corporate meeting business has experienced the highest growth in terms of visitor numbers and revenue. The number of travellers rose by 11%, contributing to revenue growth of 7%. The top !ve countries for MICE visitors entering Thailand are China (122,426), India (40,492), Japan (30,038), Hong Kong (26,021) and Indonesia (21,202). begins now and will end on December 31, 2019. Participating service providers include Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA), Siam Synergy Trade Association, ICONSIAM, King Power Mahanakhon, Siam Takashimaya, Mega Bangna, Avani Riverside Bangkok, Anantara Riverside Bangkok, Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok & Hotel, Oasis Spa, Divana Spa, Harnn, Karmakamet Diner, PAUL depuis 1889, ABC Cooking Studio, as well as Siam Niramit. Sustainability Singapore's Resorts World Sentosa's war on plastic continues Following its 2018 e"orts to go 'straw-less' at all themed attractions and dining establishments, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) announced that it will also phase out all single-use plastic bottles at its !ve themed attractions, including Universal Studios Singapore and S.E.A. Aquarium, dining establishments, MICE events, as well as across its six hotels. The move will ultimately save RWS over 6.7 million plastic bottles each year. As alternatives, RWS will use more eco-friendly options, such as boxed alkaline water and aluminium canned drinks. RWS' six hotels, too, will now o"er more sustainable options for drinking water, such as re!llable glass carafes in each room, as well as newly installed water stations on every #oor for guests. Attendees at MICE events will also be served fresh fruit- infused water dispensed from !ltered pitchers instead. Exhibition Bureau TCEB introduces 'MICE Thailand Signature' campaign Thailand has launched a new MICE campaign to entice more MICE travellers to the country with exclusive privileges and special discounts. With these incentives, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) — Business hopes that participants will maximise their spending, extend their stay or combine their business with selected leisure activities and experiences at 262 establishments. The campaign