Northstar

JAN-FEB 2018 35 meetings & conventions • mcmag-asia.com Hot in hospitality A recent increase in three- and four-star properties has increased the hotel audit to approximately 640 hotels offering over 17,000 rooms. There are 19 five- star properties, with recently added Sherwood Suites in District 3 combining residences and hotel, while coming up for 2018 is the 350-room Holiday Inn & Suites, and local management company Q-Mama's five-star property in District 5, while The Okura Prestige Saigon is slated to open in 2020. North Asia is currently the most important market for the Sheraton Saigon, and with the main tower's recent renovation and their 'Innovation Meets Ideation' intiatives, MICE business is strong. Guests also benefit from Marriott International's 'Double Up' promotion, awarding double points on various Gallery Villas on The Bluffs golf course, and even its own private international airport, shows the complex is in intense growth. Last year the property launched Vietnam's tallest waterslide and a water fountain with a show nightly featuring lights, music and a concert series. State- of-the-art meetings, conference and ballroom spaces can accommodate up to 2,000 guests in a variety of layouts, while outside, golf packages are popular. catered events, client meetings, product launches and team celebrations. A gratifying 30% increase in occupancy in 2017 at the Caravelle Saigon is in part thanks to their MICE promotions, capitalising on shorter lead times from Asian markets, where South Korea and Japan are their strongest sources. Singapore remains strong, and they report increased interest from the USA. New events space 'Events on 26' has attracted groups for dinners, cocktails Bottom left: Sheraton The Reverie Saigon's La Scala Ballroom; Right: The 485- room Sheraton Saigon in the heart of the city; Below: The Reverie Saigon's Grand Deluxe Twin Room and shows. However, 2018 will see a comprehensive rooms and meeting space renovation, with the relaunch in 2019. At The Reverie Saigon, the 812sqm La Scala Ballroom with high ceilings and Swarovski chandeliers, and lofty 7th floor lobby with views of the pool deck are the property's most attractive venues. Speth reports that growth has been excellent, driven by MICE business and high-end leisure. "We were taken a little bit by surprise by the level of interest and demand from regional MICE markets, namely Thailand, Malaysia, China, Korea and Japan," he reports. Just 90 minutes from HCMC, the Ba Ria Vung Tau province has seen a 12-15% year-on-year increase in domestic and international visitors according to Lam at The Grand Ho Tram. As Vietnam's biggest integrated resort, the current 541-room inventory will increase by 559 in 2018 with the opening of The Beach Club. Plans for Kahuna Condotel and the

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