Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com 8 | ITB ASIA OFFICIAL DAILIES destination ///Singapore ITB Asia enters its 9th year with a dedicated MICE Day. We find out more from Katrina Leung, executive director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), organiser of ITB Asia. Why the decision to include a dedicated MICE Day for this year's ITB Asia? Asia's strong economic growth has paved the way for a thriving MICE industry: today, we see many countries building their MICE sector, complemented by travel companies specialising in delivering MICE services and offerings. As such, our MICE sessions last year were very well received, spurring us to extend this year's programme to a full day, bringing to our delegates in-depth and useful insights into the future of the industry. ITB Asia is now in its 9th edition in Singapore. What are some key factors that have contributed to the show's continual success here? One of the key factors includes our ability to always add value for our delegates. Regardless of whether they are attending as exhibitors or buyers, we always strive to ensure they leave with that additional insight or connection, which will go towards helping them make better business decisions. Our increasing prominence in the region has also allowed us to attract a diverse range of quality buyers across the MICE, leisure and corporate sectors, and we help to facilitate face-to-face interactions with exhibitors from all spectrums of the travel industry on the show floor. Through consistent engagement with exhibitors and buyers, we also obtain feedback on areas for improvements, ensuring that we continue creating a great experience for everyone. Based on your experience, can you share some interesting insights on organising top conferences in the region? It is imperative for an organiser to understand the relationship between the buyers and sellers, identify challenges faced by both sides and find solutions. It is also about creating a marketplace, in addition to a learning platform, for delegates to meet and form partnerships to address their business needs. What's hot: New outdoor event venue Gardens by the Bay has added a stunning new events venue to its list - Secret Life of Trees. Overlooking the majestic Supertree Grove, the 475-sqm garden takes up to 120 standing guests and is perfect for intimate events. To end the function on a beautiful note, event planners can arrange a Garden Rhapsody light and sound show as a treat for attendees. Where to stay: 2016 hotel openings OASIA HOTEL DOWNTOWN: You can't miss the hotel's iconic red façade in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD). With its ample open- air relaxation and meeting spaces and natural elements, the 27-storey business hotel evokes a sense of holiday for its guests. HOTEL INDIGO SINGAPORE KATONG: InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG)'s boutique brand located in eastern Singapore, the hotel is a great base for exploring the colourful enclave of Joo Chiat/Katong known for its Peranakan roots. FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON: The hotel combines work and play with its convenient location – it is located just minutes away from the vibrant nightlife precinct Robertson Quay and the CBD. Tip: Grab a cold beer from the hotel's lobby bar, Best Brews, and enjoy the sunset by the Singapore River. How to get here: New flight connections • In June, both United Airlines and Singapore Airlines launched direct connections between the city and San Francisco. To address this, ITB Asia has partnered with heavyweights like Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) to tap onto their network to attract a diverse range of MICE and corporate buyers to the show. Lastly, it is also crucial to always be in touch with industry trends that we can leverage on to create relevant content. What can we expect for ITB Asia's 10th edition and beyond? We will continue to work hard to bring together the leisure, MICE and corporate segments by strengthening our buyers' programme, creating stronger content for our conference sections and working closer with our exhibitors to better understand their business needs. We are also planning to build up our existing Travel & Technology Showcase, and planning an in-depth focus on the hotel segment in both the exhibition and conference space. Katrina Leung, executive director, Messe Berlin (Singapore), organiser of ITB Asia. PHOT0 CREDIT: COFOTOISME • SilkAir will fly 12 charter direct flights to Naha, the capital of Okinawa in Japan, between November 2016 and January 2017. • In September, Singapore Airlines unveiled its first long-haul connection to Wellington via Canberra, and will operate four times a week. • Low-cost carrier Scoot announced its inaugural flight to Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido, on October 1. The route will be operated thrice weekly through Taipei. Clockwise from top left: Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong; Oasia Hotel Downtown, Singapore; Singapore's connectivity continues to improve with new flights added; Four Points Sheraton.

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