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Only time will tell what the long-term effect of the dramatic images of burning buildings and street battles in Bangkok
will be on Asia. With a damaged reputation being so hard to repair there could be a hangover that impacts on the wider region, as clients rethink where to go for an exotic long-haul event.
The Malaysian Convention and Exhibition Bureau (myCEB) and the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) will be hoping their new partnership – signed this year – will be able to ease any concerns. There is an admission within the two bodies that Malaysia has not yet achieved its potential in regard to the lucrative meetings sector. A more coherent, joint approach aims to address this.
Malaysia’s capital offers a mix of cross-cultural influences and traditions. It is an enticing city, with eye-catching architecture and a reputation for the quality of its shopping. Access from
the UK is good, even for event planners keen to put on a cost-effective meeting without losing out on wow factor. AirAsia X – the low-cost Malaysian carrier – operates daily flights from Stansted. And there are 30,000 hotel rooms on offer, including big five-star brands at reasonable prices. The five-star Mandarin Oriental, which has 643 bedrooms, two ballrooms and 16 meeting rooms, has room rates starting from RM650 (£135). While the Crowne Plaza, which has 563 bedrooms and meeting capacity for up to 1,600 delegates, has rates that start as low as RM240 (£49).
And there is more to come with Raffles, Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons and St Regis all due to open properties over the next four years.
Kuala Lumpur’s ability to deliver value for money is recognised by WorldEvents account manager Katie Koziol, who recently took a pharmaceutical meeting to the city.
“Faced with very strict guidelines on hotel spend and F&B costs, we
were able to host our conference in a high-quality hotel and offer delegates first-rate facilities while staying well within compliance guidelines.
“The collection of suitable business hotels in KL is a large advantage, especially when sourcing for a fixed date pattern,” she explains.
“We also wanted a safe environment and have shifted our events away from Bangkok specifically in the last 18 months due to the unrest. Overall KL feels a very safe destination.”
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), centrally located in the Golden Triangle commercial district near the Petronas Twin Towers, remains the dominant force in the city’s meeting offering.
Last year the venue, which has two auditoria seating 3,000 and 500 people, launched its ‘We Have A Deal for You’ campaign to secure bookings despite the global economic crisis. The scheme has helped deliver 28 conventions, which will bring 16,000 delegates to KLCC over the next four years.
Working together
Will Malaysia benefit from business scared off by recent events in Bangkok? Ben Moore believes Kuala Lumpur and Borneo have more than enough to attract events on their own merits
WHOto contact
Sarawak Convention BureauUK representativeJulie Watterston AssociatesTel: 0118 934 5542E-mail: [email protected]
kuChing offiCeTel: +60 82 242 516E-mail: [email protected]
MyCeBTel: + 60 326 158 188E-mail: [email protected]
Bright lights: the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and the KLCC in Kuala Lumpur's city centre
53J u l y /A u g u s t 2 0 1 0www.meetpie.com
ATENSKuAlA lumpur & BorNEo
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Bright lights: the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and the KLCC in Kuala Lumpur's city centre
55J u l y /A u g u s t 2 0 1 0www.meetpie.com
ATENSKuAlA lumpur & BorNEo
Continued from page 53
BorneoCompared to KL, the island of Borneo remains a relatively unexplored destination for UK groups. Often viewed as an add-on to an event in the Malaysian capital, Sabah and Sarawak are now destinations in their own right thanks to increased flight connections (it is only three hours from KL) and impressive new facilities.
“One of the most exciting things about Borneo is its unspoilt beauty, deserted beaches, intriguing culture and beautiful marine life,” says BI project director Katrina Armstrong.
“The Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort with 420 bedrooms, golf course and spa is a great option for groups wanting rest and relaxation. But if it’s culture you’re after then the Chinese Temple and local markets in Kota Kinabalu bring adventure to any itinerary.”
Incentive programmes have plenty of natural alternatives to work with from snorkelling and diving to jungle trekking. But a major draw is getting up close and personal with orangutans.
Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) encourages responsible event programmes and welcomes corporate planners looking to create a lasting legacy from their meetings. Its ‘Heart to Heart Orangutan Encounter’ gives delegates the chance to help save this endangered species. It offers delegates the opportunity to work with the keepers at the Matang Wildlife Centre, helping with the rehabilitation of these mammals as they fight back from the brink of extinction.
The most important man-made development has been in Sarawak, with the opening of the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last year. It has four main halls that can be combined to offer capacity for just
under 4,000 theatre-style. There are also an additional 14 meeting rooms.
Over in Sabah, the International Convention Complex is due to open in 2012, featuring a five-star hotel and the ability to stage events for more than 6,000 delegates.
But it is BCCK that is driving a target of 45 new bid wins in 2010. Supporting this will be overseas marketing – SCB will continue to maintain a UK-based representative – to further strengthen the Borneo brand.
Plus of course there is the financial incentive of a convention sponsorship pot of RM17m (£3.5m) over the next
ASKthe expert
Recommended by Jacqueline Haiu, Diethelm Events Malaysia
Gala dinner for 100KL – Dulang Suite, Malaysian Petroleum Club on the 42nd floor of KL’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers. From RM380 (£80) ppSarawak – Sarawak Cultural Complex is ideal for a colonial themed evening. From RM300 (£62) pp
Team building for 10KL – a customised programme incorporating KL's multicultural heritage.From RM300 (£62) ppSarawak – a heritage trail around Kuching. From RM200 (£42) pp
Conference for 500KL – Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre,half-day delegate packages from RM161 (£34)Sarawak – Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, half-day delegate packages from RM136 (£28)
five years to encourage associations to bid for major international meetings.
Major new hotels have already opened in Kuching to meet this demand. These include the luxury five-star Pullman Kuching (with 389 bedrooms and meeting capacity up to 2,400 theatre-style) as well as the Four Points by Sheraton or the boutique Lime Tree Hotel. And next year the five-star Kuching Tower is due to open on-site at the BCCK.
Malaysia is aiming to become a fully developed nation by 2020 and Borneo’s meeting offering is fully integrated into realising that dream.
Delegates can have an orangutan encounter
A true cultural experience at a Sarawak longhouse
Explore beautiful Borneo by jeep safari
KL-SARAWAK.indd 3 18/06/2010 13:12
