Ulsan aims to become business events destination

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Ulsan, 5th December: Ulsan, a southern city in South Korea, is an industrial powerhouse in the past. Now, the city is aiming to rein vent itself as a MICE destination by leveraging its whaling and engineering heritage with an eco-friendly outlook.

In 2020, a MICE Alliance was launched in Ulsan, covering 61 member companies across five business categories – ranging from hotels and tour organisers to international event planners. The alliance targets to make the best of the region’s local heritage and eco-friendly initiatives, and tourism authorities are helping to drive joint-marketing effects and host local events.

Pico Thailand’s revenues down, but profit up in FY2022-23

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Bangkok, 6th December: Earlier this week, Pico Thailand, the Thai-listed subsidiary of Pico Far East Holdings, announced its full-year financial results for the year ended 31st October 2023. Revenues in the financial year were US$29 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of 6.2%.

However, the company’s net profit posted 12% growth over the previous year, reaching US$634,000. Earnings per share were Baht 0.10 (US$0.0028).

ICCA draws record attendance in Bangkok

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Bangkok, 6th December: The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) concluded its 62nd congress in Bangkok, with a total of 1,123 participants from 80 countries and regions. This is the largest ICCA event in the Asia Pacific region, and the third largest in the history of ICCA.

The congress was held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), from 12th to 15th November.

Cosmoprof Asia 2023 returns to Hong Kong

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Hong Kong, 24th November: Cosmoprof Asia and Cosmopack Asia returned to Hong Kong in 2023, held at the city’s two main exhibition venues.

The two shows were organised by Cosmoprof Asia Ltd, a joint-venture company between BolognaFiere Group and Informa Markets Asia Ltd. This year, the shows featured more than 2,400 exhibitors from 44 countries and regions, with 90% from outside Hong Kong, occupying an exhibition are of 118,900 m2. A total of 65,582 visitors from 119 countries and regions attended the show, which is a 64% increase over the previous edition held in Hong Kong in 2019, and close to the levels achieved in 2018. Significant increases were recorded from Asian markets, and European attendance remained steady.

Quick takes

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China and Singapore propose mutual 30-day visa-free travel

A 30-day mutual visa exemption agreement has been proposed between China and Singapore, aimed for implementation early next year. Chinese citizens currently require a visa to enter Singapore, while Singaporeans can enter China without a visa for up to 15 days for business, sightseeing, visiting friends and family, and in transit.

Hong Kong and Macau confident in Christmas travellers

Despite a surge of respiratory illnesses impacting China, operators in Macau and Hong Kong have played down the impact on inbound travel during the peak year-end Christmas season. Respective health organisations in Hong Kong and Macau advised the public to remain vigilant during the traditional peak flu season.