Quick takes

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Japan to slightly ease COVID restrictions

Japan is competing with Hong Kong and China in the contest to remain as cautious as possible about letting in foreigners. Tour packages will be available to citizens of 98 countries, but no independent travel is permitted yet.

 

Thailand to end “sandboxes”

Meanwhile at the other end of the spectrum, Thailand, much like Singapore has essentially re-opened for business now.

 

MACEOS launches nine-year roadmap

In Malaysia, MACEOS launches a nine-year roadmap. Perhaps ten years was a bit to ambitious. The strategic roadmap (2022-2030) emphasises innovation, development, education and advocacy – and includes key performance indicators for industry players to uphold and implement.

 

Constellar gears up for a dynamic event calendar

We have “dynamic COVID-Zero” strategies in mainland China and Hong Kong. Now, Singapore-based organiser, Constellar unveils its dynamic event calendar for the rest of 2022.

Macau hosts 97 MICE events in Q1

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Macau, 26th May: Recently, Macau’s Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released its MICE statistics for the first quarter of 2022. A total of 97 MICE events were held in Macau in the quarter, up 29 events from the first quarter of 2021. The total number of participants and attendees grew 20%, reaching just over 165,000.

A total of 14 exhibitions were held during the quarter, seven exhibitions more than the previous year. The number of attendees increased by 20%, amounting to 158,000. The total gross area occupied by these exhibitions jumped 147% year-on-year, covering a total area of 33,200 m2.

Baidu records loss in Q1

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Beijing, 26th May: Also announced last week, Baidu, the leading Chinese language Internet search company, reported revenues of US$4.5 billion for the quarter ended 31st March 2022, which is similar to the figure posted in the first quarter of 2021. The company recorded a net loss of US$140 million in the reported period, compared with a huge profit of US$3.9 billion in the previous year.

About 60% of Baidu’s revenues were generated from its online marketing services, amounting to US$2.7 billion. That figure fell 6.4% year-on-year. While the rest of its revenues, categorised as “other” increased by 14%, to US$1.8 billion. According to the company, the increase in “other” revenues was mainly driven by its cloud and AI-powered businesses.

 

Alibaba’s revenues up 19% in FY2022

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Hangzhou, 26th May: Last week, China’s largest e-commerce company, the Alibaba Group, announced its financial results for the year ended 31st March 2022. Revenues in the year were US$135 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 19%. However, the company posted a 59% drop in net income, down to US$9.8 billion. Diluted earnings per share in the year were RMB 22.74 (US$3.59).

Just 4.1% of total revenues were generated from its B2B businesses, amounting at US$5.5 billion. Revenues from Alibaba’s B2B business in China, mainly through its 1688.com platform, increased by 17% year-on-year, reaching US$2.6 billion. Meanwhile, the international B2B business, Alibaba.com, generated revenues of US$2.9 billion, up 28% year-on-year.

Freeman splits and sells Info Salons

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Middle East, 30th May: Freeman announced the sale of Info Salons after it acquired the business in 2018. Freeman sold Info Salons Middle East to GRS Research & Strategy. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Info Salons was launched in the early 1990’s in Australia by Jo-Anne Kelleway and it was acquired by Freeman in 2018. After the acquisition, Info Salons Group will split into Info Salons Middle East and Info Salons Greater China + Southeast Asia. Both companies will maintain their co-operation in supporting their regional clients. The buyer of Info Salons Greater China + Southeast Asia was not disclosed, but both deals seem to include Info Salons managers as new shareholders.

 

Quick takes

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Hong Kong tries to make lemonade

“Hong Kong flaunts new developments, experiences for tourism revival.” Hong Kong remains one of the few places in the world with a mandatory hotel quarantine for all arrivals. The city’s tourism revival, although much needed, is a long way off in the future.

 

Japan is another COVID-restricted holdout

Along with Hong Kong and mainland China, Japan’s government is also holding onto highly restrictive entry rules. Each day only 10,000 foreign visitors are allowed to enter the country. The Japanese travel industry is lobbying to end that.

 

Bangkok effectively works to win bids

Gary Grimmer’s consultancy, Gaining Edge, has released some interesting research highlighting the fact that Bangkok’s government is one of the most effective in Asia at working with associations to win bids. Not really surprising about Bangkok, but an interesting read.

 

Automechanika to hold nine editions in 2022

Global pandemic aside, in general, automotive shows have not been doing well in recent years. However, Exhibition World reports that Automechanika will be holding nine editions in 2022.

BCEC to host 100 events in May

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Brisbane, 18th May: More good news from Australia. The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) will host a total of 100 events this month, including 16 conventions which are expected to feature more than 43,000 delegates.

The 16 conventions to be held at BCEC includes two largely international events, while the others are national or state level events. The conventions are mostly focused on the scientific, medical and healthcare sectors - including leukaemia research, critical care, cardiovascular genetics and nuclear medicine. In June, the venue will host an additional 14 conferences and five exhibitions, as well as a number of corporate meetings and functions.

Bangkok to host 2023 ICCA Congress

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 Bangkok, 18th May: Bangkok has been selected to host the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress 2023. This is a big win for Thailand as the ICCA Congress is a large, flagship annual meeting for global conference organisers.

Now in its 62nd edition, the ICCA Congress is expected to attract more than a thousand private and public organisations from over 100 countries and regions. The event will run from 12th to 15th November 2023. It will be strongly supported by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

CEIR Index shows recovery in U.S.

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Dallas, 23rd May: The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) has released its latest index tracking the U.S. B2B exhibition industry in the first quarter of 2022, showing that the industry improved significantly compared with the previous eight quarters.

Cancellation rates for physical events dropped to 9.2% in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the rate of 91.3% in the first quarter of 2021, 66.2% in the second quarter, 20.6% in the third quarter and 12.5% in the fourth quarter. In the second half of 2020, an incredible 98% of exhibitions were cancelled.

Hyve’s revenues US$77m in first half

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London, 24th May: Earlier this week, Hyve Group plc (formerly ITE Group) released its financial results for the six months ended 31st March 2022. Revenues in the period were £58.6 million (US$77 million), compared with £5.0 million (US$6.5 million) in the same period in 2021. Management attributed the performance to the return to its pre-pandemic schedule of events - with a few important exceptions including China.

Profits before tax in the six-month period were £9.5 million (US$12 million), compared with profits of £29.4 million (US$38 million) in the same period last year. However, excluding the impact of insurance proceeds received, profits would have increased by £18.5 million (US$24 million) due to the recovery of the company’s events.

Quick takes

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Events industry receives multi-million dollar boost in Western Australia

The government of Western Australia has allocated A$20 million (US$14 million) for a new Major Events Fund, of which A$5 million (US$3.5 million) has been allocated for hosting business events. The funding boost comes at a pivotal time for the industry, which is poised for recovery following the reopening of borders and increased appetite for business travel.

 

Mala Dorasamy appointed CEO of Mitec

Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) has appointed Mala Dorasamy as its new CEO. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she has served as Mitec’s director of marketing and sales since 2017 and took on the acting CEO role in 2021.

 

Thailand sees growing international arrivals

New data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand indicates the country is on target to welcome 20 million arrivals in 2023, following the relaxation of entry rules in April. In an encouraging sign, international visitor arrivals increased by 139,982 from 25th April to 3rd May.

 

Geoff Dickinson elected UFI President for 2023-24

The UFI Board of Directors has elected Geoff Dickinson as UFI President for the 2023-24 period. As Incoming President, Dickinson joins President Michael Duck and Outgoing President Monica Lee-Müller to form the UFI Presidential Trio for the 2022-23 term.

 

BOL’s profits up 17% in Q1

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Bangkok, 13th May: Business Online (BOL), a leading online information service provider in Thailand, announced that it recorded revenues of US$5.01 million for the quarter ended 31st March 2022, representing a 5.3% year-on-year increase. BOL’s net profit for the year grew 17%, reaching US$1.8 million. Diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2022 were THB 0.075 (US$0.0022).

Most of BOL’s revenues were generated from its service business, amounting to US$4.9 million. This business increased by 7.2% year-on-year. The remaining revenues were generated from “other income” (US$87,000).

Sino Splendid’s revenues up 29% in Q1

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Hong Kong, 13th May: Last week, Hong Kong-listed Sino Splendid (formerly China.com) reported its results for the quarter ended 31st March 2022. Sino Splendid is the owner and operator of the travel media group, TTG.

The company’s total revenues increased by 29% year-on-year, amounting to US$2.3 million during the quarter. However, the company posted a net loss of US$2.7 million, compared with a loss of US$884,000 in the first quarter of 2021.

Messe Frankfurt and VNU Group to launch a new meat and food processing show

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Bangkok, 15th May: Two international exhibition organisers, Messe Frankfurt and VNU Group, announced a partnership to jointly organise a new trade show serving the Asian meat and food processing and catering market, Meat Pro Asia.

The new show will be organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and VNU Group, running from 8th to 10th March 2023, at IMPACT in Bangkok, Thailand. Merat Pro Asia will focus on solutions that deliver meat from farm to table, including slaughtering, the full processing chain, packaging, labelling, cold chain logistics, quality control, hygiene, IoT and automation, waste water treatment, etc.

 

Operator of MCEC to take on additional new venue

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Australia, 11th May: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust, the operator of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), will operate a new venue, Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC), which will open in 2026.

GCEC will be located on the Geelong Waterfront precinct as part of the Geelong City Deal, a partnership between the Australian and Victorian Governments together with the City of Greater Geelong. The new venue will cost A$294 million (US$205 million), including the construction of a purpose-built convention and exhibition centre, incorporating a 1,000-seat plenary venue and at least 3,700 m2 of flexible event space, allowing large and small events to run concurrently.

New subway station serving HKCEC

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Hong Kong, 5th May: There is a bit of much needed good news from Hong Kong. Finally, a new train station serving the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), named Exhibition Centre MTR station, will open on 15th May.

After the official opening of the Exhibition Centre MTR station this weekend, HKCEC will be more easily accessible for delegates staying at hotels in Kowloon and the New Territories. The new station is located at the East Rail Line Cross-Harbour Extension, providing a third rail link across Victoria Harbour and connecting HKCEC to Hung Hom on the Kowloon side of the harbour.

Seoul reveals MICE support plans

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Seoul, 9th May: The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Organization have recently revealed its plans to support the recovery of the business events industry in Korea in 2022.

Under the new plan, international conferences with more than 20% of the delegates attending on-site will receive up to a maximum of US$157,000. The support for the international conference delegate and speaker invitations has also been increased to a maximum of US$47,000. In terms of exhibition support, a total of more than 30 selected exhibitions will receive up to a maximum of US$63,000. The support will be used to help support online marketing, live streaming and other tech platforms during the exhibitions.