TTG 14 18 DESTINATIONS associations GUIDE TO South Korea and New and Singapore accessible stays it takes MCI (P) 004/05/2020 MCI a spark April 2020 She wanted an Asian meeting on falls prevention but her passion led to her becoming chairperson to the inaugural World Congress On Falls and Postural Stability YOUR NAME COULD BE ON THIS TICKET TO BANGKOK BOARDING PASS 22 – 24 September 2020 In Partnership with: FROM SINGAPORE NAME TO BANGKOK GATE A09 JOB TITLE SEAT 30A DATE 00/00/00 ORGANISATION FLIGHT A 9773 EMAIL Fill in your details, take a picture and pick your event! Send us the image OR scan your selected event QR code below to indicate your interest. flights, accommodation andHosted more for Buyer qualified Privileges MICE, Association and Corporate Buyers 20% Off Registration Fees Buyer Engagement Applicable to all buyers who Activities Buyer Procurement confirm their participation by Interactive ice breaker, Showcase Specialised Tracks end April. Also stand a chance brand showcase For MICE, Association For Different Buyer to enhance your presence presentations, exhibition and Corporate buyers to Segments through our publicity features walk-abouts, meet-the- share their procurement Featuring freshly curated corporates and more requirements with relevant highlights to meet MICE, SINGAPORE NAME and interested destination Association and Corporate FROM TO and supplier leads objectives BANGKOK JOB TITLE GATE A09 Exhibitors | MICE SEAT 30A Buyers | MICE | Association Media | MICEEMAIL & Associations DATE 00/00/00 Sponsors www.itcma.com Corporate Buyers FLIGHT A 9773 [email protected] Conference Delegates Media | Corporate Travel www.corporatetravelworld.com/apac [email protected] Organised By Host Country and Strategic Partner Supported By Official Airline Official Venue Editorial Karen Yue Group Editor ([email protected]) S Puvaneswary Editor, Malaysia/Brunei ([email protected]) Mimi Hudoyo A test of relevance Editor, Indonesia ([email protected]) Rachel AJ Lee Assistant Editor, TTGmice, TTGassociations ([email protected]) The Covid-19 crisis has upended life as we their dialogues with the Singapore Tourism Therese Tan know it, removing many conveniences we Board. Assistant Editor, TTG Content Labr ([email protected]) have come to take for granted, from things The Thai Hotels Association successfully Pamela Chow as simple as leaving home for a stroll in the lobbied for the government to issue hotel Reporter ([email protected]) Cheryl Ong Sub Editor park to more critical needs like accessing closure orders, without which hospitality ([email protected]) drugs that used to be readily available, such staff would not have been able to access Adelaine Ng Australia ([email protected]) as aspirin and ibuprofen. the country’s social security fund as well Marissa Carruthers For many, their job stability is being threat- as other forms of relief. Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam ([email protected]) ened. The travel and tourism industry has The same was seen in the Philippines, Caroline Boey China & Special Projects been particularly hard hit. People have been where various associations presented fi- ([email protected]) Prudence Lui Hong Kong/Greater China avoiding travel for fear of transmission, and nancial assistance proposals to the Depart- ([email protected]) governments have been discouraging foreign ment of Tourism. Rohit Kaul India ([email protected]) Tiara Maharani, Kurniawan Ulung Indonesia arrivals through tough border controls. While business financing and wage ([email protected]) Several airlines, hotels and tourism compa- support are the most apparent forms of as- ([email protected]) Kathryn Wortley Japan nies have gone into hibernation, forcing staff sistance needed, I hope associations have ([email protected]) to go on furlough or be retrenched. not neglected to provide a guiding light Rosa Ocampo The Philippines ([email protected]) On April 24, the World Travel & Tourism to their members for an often unseen and Feizal Samath Sri Lanka/Maldives ([email protected]) Council (WTTC) estimated that over 100 unspoken problem – mental health. Redmond Sia, Goh Meng Yong million jobs were at risk in the sector world- Isolation due to new remote working Creative Designers Lina Tan Editorial Assistant wide, revising its figures upwards by 30 per arrangements, fear of redundancy, anxiety cent in just four weeks. from reduced income, loss of long-time col- SalES & MarKEting It is often said that leadership is tested leagues to retrenchment, and the tsunami Pierre Quek Publisher and Head Integrated Solutions in crises. For professional associations, these of negative news daily is enough to eat ([email protected]) Chimmy Tsui Publisher and Head brutal times are a real test of their relevance away at anyone’s sanity. Integrated Solutions (China) to the industry they represent. Unfortunately, not all business lead- ([email protected]) Jonathan Yap Senior Business Manager Across Asia – the hardest-hit region, where ers are ready to help their staff cope with ([email protected]) WTTC estimated that 63.4 million travel mental stress. In fact, business leaders, Shirley Tan Senior Business Manager ([email protected]) and tourism jobs are at risk – national asso- who are responsible for the livelihood of Seth Leow Business Manager ciations representing the industry have been many people, may be in need of mental ([email protected]) Cheryl Tan Corporate Marketing Manager working hard to secure government support care themselves. ([email protected]) for affected workers and businesses. Associations can help by highlighting Jade Ye Marketing Executive ([email protected]) In Singapore, these associations have the critical need for mental care within Delia Ng Digital Marketing Strategist been instrumental in the creation of a hefty member organisations and providing ([email protected]) Cheryl Lim government fund to aid the industry, through guidelines on how to get started. Advertisement Administration Manager ([email protected]) Carol Cheng Manager Administration & Marketing (Hong Kong, [email protected]) PubliShing SErvicES Jonathan Wan Head, Operational Support Services Kun Swee Qi Publishing Services Executive Nur Hazirah Web Executive Katherine Leong Circulation Executive TTG Asia MEdia PtE ltd Darren Ng Managing Director officES Singapore TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd, 1 Science Park Road, #04-07 The Capricorn, Singapore Science Park II, Singapore 117528 Tel: +65 6395 7575, fax: +65 6536 0896, email: [email protected] Hong Kong TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd, 8/F, E168, 166-168 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2237 7288, fax: +852 2237 7227 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. MCI (P) 004/05/2020 Karen Yue Printed by Times Printers Pte Ltd 16 Tuas Avenue 5, Singapore 639340 Group Editor PROFILE 13 Tan Maw Pin She wanted an Asian meeting on falls prevention but her passion led to her becoaming chairperson to the inaugural World Congress On Falls and Postural Stability. By S Puvaneswary GUIDE TO 16 New and accessible stays For time-strapped meeting delegates, hotels located within walking distance of the event venue are a dream come true. Here are some of the newest accessible hotels to have opened in the region DESTINATIONS 20 22 South Korea // Seoul plays the right cards Singapore // Gear up in downtime Adelaine Ng finds the city is among the world’s While tightening measures amid Covid-19 mean top Muslim-friendly destinations, but greater downtime for venue providers and operators, awareness of its halal facilities and warm it offers the chance to gear up on offerings. By welcome is needed Pamela Chow DEPARTMENTS 1 To our readers 3 News 7 Talking point 2 Contents 5 On the shelves 24 Case study Lay-offs ordered in tourism and News meetings industry associations By Caroline Boey Some global and regional industry as- sociations have become victims of the Covid-19 pandemic, with lay-offs and suspension of operations being ordered. The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has suspended opera- tions through May 2020. An email to ACTE executive direc- tor, Leigh Bochicchio, to verify if the association is laying off its global staff, received the following automatic reply: “As a result of the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, ACTE has suspended operations through May 2020.” Meanwhile, a source said two posi- tions at regional association, Meetings & Events Australia have been impacted, that of the national events manager and the partnerships manager. Among professional associations to do business in the new environment. At press time TTGassociations could TTGassociations contacted, Noor Ahmad It is also business as usual for the not verify if the Global Business Travel Hamid, regional director Asia Pacific, Corporate Travel Community, according Association (GBTA) had to let go of International Congress and Convention to Benson Tang, executive director. about one-third of its staff. Association, said staff all over the world Tang commented: “We are under Commenting on the unfolding situ- are continuing to work from home. Informa Group and we have the financial ation, Oscar Cerezales, global execu- “We have systems in place and we strength to pass through this turmoil. tive vice president, MCI, said: “A lot of are able to serve our members, provide “We will continue to contribute and associations and all industries will go training and also organise (global and unite the global corporate travel industry through it eventually, especially those regional) webinars,” said Noor. together. On June 17, 2020, our Shanghai that without the right cash positions, On May 12 and 13, ICCA will host a Education Gathering in Waldorf Astoria good reserves, etc.” webinar that guides participants on how will go ahead as planned.” fund supported under the programme. Singapore Furniture association STEER intends to support similar funds set up by the Trade Associations and sets up financial help for members Chambers (TACs) or industry groupings.