We’re all being flooded by news and communications about COVID-19. Below we summarise information about how destinations are responding, which we hope will help you in planning your own mitigation and recovery strategies.
REGION WATCH
ASIA
Malaysia’s COVID-19 Free Destination Programme
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES and Conference and Meetings World
Date: 19 July 2021
Malaysia is implementing the Covid-19 Free Destination Programme which would enable main tourism and business events cities to reopen once the targeted herd immunity of 80% is achieved, thus accelerating recovery. So far, more than 2,000 industry frontline workers have been vaccinated. Sarawak’s business events and tourism industry became the first industry in Malaysia to initiate the Industrial Covid-19 Vaccination Centre, led by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak (MTAC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF), Ministry of Health of Malaysia (Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia) and Timberland Medical Centre.
Singapore Tourism Board, PCMA and UFI’s ‘Reimagining Business Events – Through COVID-19 and Beyond’ White Paper
Source: Edited excerpt from Conference and Meetings World and STB
Date: 29 June 2021
Singapore Tourism Board (STB), in partnership with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) launched a white paper that outlines how the sector can reimagine its offerings and better future-proof itself through innovation. The white paper provides an overview of global industry insights and provides ideas for business events organisations to transform across three pillars: Business Models, Delegate Experience, and Talent and Capabilities.
Read the White Paper here.
Korea ramps up its Unique Venue Program
Source: Edited excerpt from Travel Daily News and TTGMICE
Date: 26 July 2021
Korea MICE Bureau has turned to digital outlets to promote the updated Korea Unique Venue program virtually with a brand-new marketing campaign. The new campaign features a set of promotional videos along with SNS and media content. The new promotional video combines the unique charms of the venues in collaboration with dancers to highlight a specific mood and feel for each venue.
Seoul goes local
Source: Edited excerpt from Mix Meetings
Date: 27 July 2021
With no international market at present to trade their goods and services, Seoul’s business event suppliers are going local by inviting “Seoulites” to sample what visiting business event groups would otherwise be experiencing if not for the pandemic. Seoul Convention Bureau teamed up with Seoul MICE Alliance to organise a week-long online shopping promotion offering luxury products, access to unique venues, hotel stays and city travel experiences.
AUSTRALIA
Extension of the “Event Here Now” fund
Source: Edited excerpt from Conference and Meetings World
Date: 21 July 2021
Western Australian business events will get a further boost, with Business Events Perth announcing a six-month extension of its Event Here Now fund. Through the fund, business event organisers planning a new business event for Western Australia can apply for sponsorship of up to AUD 15 (USD 10.97) a delegate, to a maximum of AUD 10,000 (USD 7,366), for new in-person events.
Tasmania’s support package
Source: Edited excerpt from CIM
Date: 12 July 2021
Tasmanian regional events can now apply for up to AUD 100,000 (approximately USD 73,600) in funding as part of the Tasmanian Government’s AUD 1.5 million (USD 1.1 million) Regional Event Recovery Fund. Start-up and existing events held in regions across the state are able to use the funds to resource the measures required to overcome a challenge or support their organisation.
Dubbo Region support package
Source: Edited excerpt from CIM
Date: 6 July 2021
Event organisers who are new to hosting events in the Dubbo Region (New South Wales) are invited to apply for the first round of the Event Assistance Program for this financial year. There are multiple channels of support available including: Emerging Events Fund, Community Events Fund and the Event Support Program all depending on the scope of the event and the benefits that the activity brings to the Region.
Adelaide’s Growth State plan to convene, connect and collaborate
Source: Edited excerpt from MICENET
Date: 8 July 2021
While COVID-19 put a pause on life as we know it, it didn’t completely stall momentum in Adelaide, South Australia – a city that continues to grow from strength to strength as a business events destination. The South Australian capital’s recovery phase has included the opening of a raft of new hotels, along with the expansion of the city’s world-class innovation districts.
EUROPE
“Not in Milano” Campaign
Source: Edited excerpt from Conference and Meetings World
Date: 26 July 2021
Milan has launched a new international communication campaign with the slogan “Not in Milano” based on the refutation of the negative stereotypes and clichés usually attached to business trips, while portraying the city, instead, as a destination with an effective professional environment and a high quality of life. The campaign will involve testimonials from local professionals and influencers from the fields of art, business, design, sport, and fashion, who are actively connected with the city and are willing to let the world know Milano is buzzing with fun and activity anew.
Destinations encouraged to embrace citizen-first approach for business events recovery
Source: Edited excerpt from Conference and Meetings World
Date: 2 July 2021
Professor Greg Clark CBE highlighted during the Virtual Advocacy Discussion by the IMEX Group that many parts of the business events industry need to embrace the citizen-centred approach now adopted by many destinations in the wake of the pandemic. He argued that it’s more vital than ever for business events to align with this citizen-first concept by better serving local communities. Professor Clark’s suggestions included prioritising local suppliers in the procurement process and reflecting local priorities in event content.
Gothenburg’s recovery strategy
Source: Edited excerpt from Conference and Meetings World
Date: 7 July 2021
Gothenburg is preparing for the future and recently launched a hybrid experience project to facilitate post-pandemic recovery. A continued focus on sustainable development, collaboration and strategically important meetings and events, is Gothenburg’s strategy for emerging strong again in the business events sector.
Frankfurt’s safe new journey path to meetings and events
Source: Edited excerpt from Conference and Meetings World
Date: 2 July 2021
Frankfurt Convention Bureau (FCB) a division of the Frankfurt Tourist+Congress Board (TCF), is publicising the comprehensive hygiene concepts now in effect at all major touch-points throughout Frankfurt to ensure the health and safety of guests during their stay. This is backed up with a short video as well as full information available on the FCB website.
