With tourism in general on the road to recovery, Jeju Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is eyeing Asian markets that showed strong interest before the pandemic struck in 2020, as well as keeping a close watch on new sources.

“While China was the largest producer before Covid-19, South-east Asia was already seen as a new growth market. We engaged in bidding and promoting to countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Post-Covid, Singapore has emerged as a new market, while Taiwan is also a major contributor, Byeon Deok-Seung, chairman of Jeju CVB, told TTGmice.

In addition to incentive trips, Jeju CVB is also seeing demand for more corporate meetings. He added: “There is special support for organisers who choose our Unique Venues and Unique Activities. In addition, the Green MICE Support Program is the first project in Jeju to provide subsidies for sustainable, eco-friendly events.”

Efforts seem to be paying off. So far this year, Jeju has secured two groups from Taiwan, two from Singapore and five from Malaysia, with more enquiries coming in as air travel capacity increases.

Besides advertising and public relations, Jeju CVB will be participating in major tradeshows such as IMEX Frankfurt, IT&CM Asia in Bangkok, and ITB Asia in Singapore. These overseas promotions help Jeju CVB relay the range of support available from bidding, promotion and hosting to using Unique Venues and MICE-linked tourism products or Unique Activities.

Under the Unique Venues initiative, Jeju has identified 13 parks and gardens, cultural complexes, active sports venues and luxury hotels. In addition, there are 15 Unique Activities comprising experiential programmes featuring Jeju’s nature and culture, such as the Haenyeo women divers; female divers who dive into the sea without any equipment to harvest seafood.

The scale and amount of financial assistance vary across international conventions/conferences, corporate meetings and incentive tours. Events that meet sustainability guidelines may also receive additional funding.

International Convention Center (ICC) Jeju is South Korea’s only resort-style convention centre, located in Jungmun Tourist Complex.

Recent events include the 59th Orient and Southeast Asian Lions Forum in November 2022 which drew 8,500 delegates, including 1,500 from overseas. Another three global and Asian congresses this year are set to draw thousands of delegates.

“ICC Jeju provides one-stop service for MICE events. We operate convention facilities, PCO/PEO service for conferences and events, and F&B service directly. So it is possible to accommodate organisers/planners’ various requirements,” explained Sungmi Jang, marketing manager, ICC Jeju.

On the sustainable front, ICC Jeju has installed multiple 751kw solar power generation facilities – the largest in scale on the island. The panels produce approximately 790,590kwh of electricity per year, saving approximately 100 million won (US$77,170) in electricity bills annually.

ICC Jeju also has plans to construct a new building with exhibition space and small meeting rooms, with completion expected in 2025.

Major hotel brands like Shilla and Lotte – the 500-key Lotte Hotel Jeju is a Unique Venue – are located in the south, providing planners with a range of five-star accommodation and meeting facilities.

Further west, Jeju Shinhwa World (JSW) – Jeju’s largest integrated resort – is also riding on the business events revival. JSW comprises four five-star hotels, more than 40 dining outlets, premium shopping centre, meeting facilities, theme park, water park and casino.

“While the majority of MICE bookings are still from domestic event planners, we are seeing significant growth in interest as well as actual bookings from Asia-Pacific, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong in particular,” shared Shinae Lee, JSW’s senior director, sales & marketing.

This is partly attributed to how Jeju’s profile on the world stage has been elevated, thanks to K-dramas and K-films that were broadcasted during the pandemic, noted Lee.

“JSW is looking forward to working more closely with Jeju CVB to promote Jeju among global MICE event planners. With improved infrastructure and two integrated resorts, the other being Dream Tower, it is a good time for the industry to work together to promote Jeju as the perfect bleisure MICE destination,” Lee concluded.

Tailor-making international events and adding a personal touch with a dose of local flavour are winning ingredients to lure business travellers to the shores of Phu Quoc in Vietnam.

The opening of a raft of major international hotel brands in the last few years, coupled with a rise in the bleisure trend, have positioned Phu Quoc and its bounty of white beaches and growing attractions as a leader in Vietnam’s business travel landscape.

One of the island’s most recent players, Regent Phu Quoc, opened its doors in April 2022 and has noted an uptick in demand for small international groups seeking to host luxury events. In response, the property has curated a series of packages that can be tailored to groups’ individual needs.

These include sailing out to the hidden bays and untouched islands of Phu Quoc on Serenity, Regent Phu Quoc’s private catamaran, and visiting the Regent Taste Studio, an interactive dining experience featuring talent from the fields of art, fashion and food.

This trend sits in line with the predictions included in Amex’s 2023 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, which saw small meetings and events increase by 25 per cent, with an increased desire for unique experiences.

In addition, the report noted an increase in industry demand regarding sustainability, with more organisations seeking destinations that promote sustainability and sustainably certified venues.

This is an element the luxury InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort is incorporating into activities, and sees as a key component when it comes to attracting international events, whether large or small.

Bastien Pucheu, cluster director of sales and marketing at both properties, told TTGmice that the InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort offers CSR activities that can be incorporated meaningfully into any event.

He added that “traditional teambuilding activities and the implementation of sustainability actions, such as reduction of electricity consumption and single usage plastic”, were also created.

Regardless of the size of the event, Pucheu pointed out that “personalisation is key, and is our main motto at both properties”.

The continued development of the island is also throwing it at the forefront of Vietnam’s business travel offerings. In addition to hotels well-equipped with conference and meeting facilities, other attractions are opening.

For example in April 2021, Vingroup opened the Phu Quoc United Centre Entertainment and Resort Complex.

The integrated resort offers a range of accommodations ranging from the Vinpearl Resort & Spa Phu Quoc to the Sheraton Phu Quoc Resort; Vietnam’s largest theme park VinWonders Phu Quoc; 18-hole Vinpearl Golf; and Grand World Shopping Town; and five-star business events facilities at Vinpearl Convention Centre.

It is also extremely easy to visit. As part of the Vietnamese government incentives to draw more international business to the island, visitors of all nationalities can enter on a 30-day free visa.

Winston Gong, general manager of Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay, said the property is also tapping into the personalisation trend, offering tailored events and a series of curated incentive packages.

In addition, it is making itself and its services more accessible to key markets by strengthening marketing and promotional activities.

“We are increasing visibility and brand recognition by intensifying promotional activities on prominent digital platforms that are popular in target markets,” said Gong.

“Our team does extensive research and identifies potential target markets to learn about their needs, insights, and expectations when looking for event venues.”

He added that incorporating popular elements of local culture into meetings and events helps make packages more attractive to international markets.

Gong noted: “Local cuisine, for example, is a great attraction. Authentic Vietnamese dishes, complemented with traditional dishes from delegates’ home countries, help ease them into their activities.”

Armed with new and enhanced tourist infrastructure as well as improved accessibility, Lantau Island is now recognised as an attractive “double gateway” that connects Hong Kong with Greater Bay Area (GBA) and other parts of the world via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai Macao Bridge and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

HKIA commenced aircraft take-off and landing operations on its third runway in July 2022, while remaining enhancement works on the aviation facility is pressing ahead. HKIA is due to get a reconfigured central runway, expanded Terminal 2 and a new concourse, updated automated people-mover system, and high-speed baggage handling system.

The ultimate goal is to complete HKIA’s three-runway system by 2024, since work first started in August 2016.

The airport opened its Sky Bridge – a 200m-long and 20m-width footbridge equipped with escalators and automated walkway – last November, enabling airport users to cover Terminal 1 (T1) to T1 Satellite Concourse on foot.

The Sky Bridge is also an architectural magnet – it is the world’s longest airside bridge that allows the largest passenger aircraft, like the A380, to pass under. Featuring panoramic views, the Sky Bridge has become a prime viewing spot for passengers. An observation deck, catering outlet and shop will soon open in phases.

The vicinity of HKIA has also been enhanced with the progressive opening of 11 SKIES next door. This landmark, when completed in 2025, will be home to over 800 shops, including more than 120 dining concepts, and Hong Kong’s largest indoor entertainment hub that will host world-class entertainment attractions never seen before in the region.

11 SKIES is also meant to integrate workplaces for GBA enterprises, with a focus on wealth management, wellness and medical services.

There is development on the hotel front too. After welcoming the 206-room Silveri Hong Kong-MGallery last summer, Tung Chung, on the north-western coast of Lantau Island, has its hotel inventory expanded further with the opening of the 1,208-key Regala Skycity Hotel early this year.

Owned and operated by Regal Hotels International, this new hotel is directly connected to AsiaWorld-Expo and 11 SKIES via an enclosed footbridge, making it an ideal accommodation option for both leisure and business travellers.

Regala Skycity Hotel packs in five game rooms, cabana rooms with patios available for private hiring, and a landscaped rooftop Sky Deck that offers panoramic views of Lantau Island. For fitness buffs, the hotel charms with a jogging track and organic farm.

Hong Kong’s largest island has also raised its fun quotient, with its most notable attraction – Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) – launching fresh draws.

HKDL has unveiled a reimagined Castle of Magical Dreams, home to a fully-refreshed Follow Your Dreams daytime musical stage show and the all-new night-time spectacular, Momentous. Its activity calendar for 2023 is packed with immersive experiences, such as StellaLou’s Wonderful Wishes Ballet in April; a series of Heroic Encounters with Marvel Super Heroes in May; Disney Halloween Time with Disney Villains November to December; and A Disney Christmas special to round up the year.

Furthermore, a number of world’s firsts will come to HKDL – The World of Frozen will open in 2H2023 and Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse Statue-Dream Makers in October 2023.

Commenting on Lantau Island’s various developments, HKDL director of sales for Hong Kong and international, Eva Lau, told TTG Asia that travellers would be encouraged to stay on longer in the destination. More travellers from around the world would also have a reason to explore Hong Kong.

“In the long run, these (developments) will definitely enhance the overall appeal of Hong Kong as a tourist destination, attracting more tourists to Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau and Hong Kong,” Lau added.

Renee Kim, general manager of Regal Hotels International, said the developments play a crucial role in contributing to the success of Lantau Island as a tourism central, especially with the opening of 11 SKIES, which she expects will attract more travellers from the GBA.

She said: “(Lantau Island) has changed a lot in the past decade. With all the natural scenery, history and culture, plenty of famous attractions as well as new developments coming on line in the near future, I believe that this area will become one of the most popular destinations for tourists who visit Hong Kong.”