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Jul-Aug 2017 15 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS • MCMAG-ASIA.COM Southeast Asia, with the Thailand and Vietnam branches the rst to be established. Last year, its Malaysia oce launched a new PCO division, while the head oce was shifted to Bangkok. Its clients include incentive houses, cruise lines, convention, exhibition and conference organisers, tour wholesalers and tour operators, associations and business travel organisers. CASE STUDY: It catered to a construction business incentive group of 200 with unique venues such as the Happo-en gardens in Tokyo, and a complete rent-out of the Toji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyoto. Entertainment included high-class geisha, professional taiko drumming, and a rent-out of a sports bar for an All Blacks rugby match. YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1996 MARKET PRESENCE: Bangkok (HQ); 11 oces in Asia. EMAIL: singapore@destination-asia. com WEBSITE: www.destination-asia.com 12. EXO Travel PROFILE: Formerly known as Exotissimo, EXO Travel was rebranded in 2015. The company started out operating inbound tours in Vietnam and was the rst foreign-owned company to be granted a tourism operating license there. Today, it is still privately owned and operated by founders, Olivier Colomes and Hamish Keith, together with the Apple Tree Group. The company oers a wide range of solutions such as MICE, adventure and responsible travel, with specialisation in tailored "Experience Our Asia" tours. This March, it commenced operations in Singapore. PHILIPPINES 13. Intas Destination PROFILE: A multi-disciplined DMC and tour operator in the Philippines, Intas provides tour operators and MICE organisers with professional ground-handling services. Its inbound operations cater mainly to the European, Americans, Australian and Asian markets concentrating on: tour programmes for wholesalers, special interest tours; incentive tours; meetings and conferences; and group activities. CASE STUDY: In 2015, Intas organised a "Survival El Nido" themed incentive trip for a Spanish nance company. "In the last two years, we've had the most exciting and challenging projects, which required a lot of muscle, agility and wit from the team. They not only worked as service providers, but also craftsmen of experiences. This nuanced understanding of their roles resulted in client satisfaction that has contributed to our growth." SONIA LAZO, MANAGING DIRECTOR, INTAS DESTINATION. To oer an exclusive experience, the organisers wrote to the government requesting for the islands to be closed o for a few hours. In addition, the programme had a CSR element, which saw the client giving back to the community in the form of school supplies for the local children. YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1981 MARKET PRESENCE: Metro Manila (HQ); Oces in Philippines, Maldives and Sri Lanka EMAIL: mice@intasdestinations.ph WEBSITE: www.intasdestinations.ph (currently undergoing revamp; relaunch is targeted for end-August). CASE STUDY: For a 180-pax insurance company's incentive, EXO planned an active, rugged experience in Myanmar. Guests went on a guided trek through traditional Burmese villages and spent a night in a monastery. They also played football with locals, visited a Pa'O home, and participated in a bonre gathering with traditional entertainment provided by the villagers. YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1993 MARKET PRESENCE: Bangkok (HQ); 25 oces in 10 countries throughout Asia. EMAIL: inquire@exotravel.com WEBSITE: www.exotravel.com