Northstar

Jul-Aug 2017 23 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS • MCMAG-ASIA.COM "Indonesia's economy shows GDP growth and it has always been one of the top potential markets in Asia, especially for consumer goods business, telecommunication and manufacturing such as electronics and automotive, and the nancial sector. On top of that, the country has signicant natural resources and tourism is growing," says a spokesperson from Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta. "Indonesia's rapid growth is reected in Jakarta, with its enormous tourism and business travel potential." Business travellers have long been the bread and butter of Jakarta's hospitality industry. "There are a lot of multinational corporations that have oces in the city, and therefore we never run short of business travellers," says Karen Choo, director of sales & marketing, The Westin Jakarta. "Despite mining, oil and gas business declining, plantations and insurance are still strong, therefore opportunities to invest are always present." It is no secret that corporations are increasingly concerned about the wellbeing of their employees as well as their productivity, a point that the city is proactively responding to. "The quality of life in Jakarta is improving due to the developments that have occurred in the past 10 years, such as new highways and more public transportation options to alleviate the trac problem the city has been facing," says Choo. "It is getting more convenient to shop, travel, and do business in the city." The government has worked with stakeholders to improve the situation over the last ve years, said Fandy Lo, assistant director of marketing, Pullman Jakarta Indonesia. Lo cited the Bus Rapid Transit system, commuter lines from outskirts of Jakarta and especially the upcoming MRT as "good signs of brighter business conditions." Newer hubs are popping up around town too like at BSD where the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) is oering a new expo centre. "The BSD City is one of the most progressive satellite cities around Jakarta," said Aage Hansen, director of ICE. "It has all the facilities for a modern city such as hotels, malls, international hospitals, universities and recreational sites." MICE in town MICE guests create a signicant income stream for the business hotels in town. At the Pullman, 24 meeting spaces and a ballroom "Indonesia's rapid growth is reflected in Jakarta, with its enormous tourism and business travel potential." HOTEL MULIA SENAYAN, JAKARTA The Grand Ballroom, Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta

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