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
Busan’s business events recovery strategy
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 18 May 2020
The Busan Tourism Organization has developed a three-step plan to be implemented in 2020:
- Increase promotions and build trust
- Business events industry benefits
- Global Campaigns
Singapore focused on virtual meetings development
Source: Edited excerpt from TTGMICE
Date: 25 May 2020
The Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau has provided a subsidy of up to 90 per cent for training programmes in virtual meetings development.
Hong Kong’s business events recovery plans
Source: Edited excerpt from Meetings & Conventions Asia
Date: 26 May 2020
Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has announced recovery plans including:
- An online business matching platform to match Hong Kong’s business events stakeholders with potential buyers.
- Using funds to bid for major exhibitions and conventions
- Incentives for trade partners joining HKTB delegations to overseas trade shows
- Image rebuilding
- The Meet On @ Hong Kong Campaign
Korea to provide increased subsidies for rescheduled conventions
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 26 May 2020
The Korea MICE Bureau (KMB) will provide increased subsidies for international conventions originally scheduled to be held in Korea in 2020 but have had to reschedule due to COVID-19 (if a new hosting date is confirmed to fall before June 2021). KMB will also provide COVID-19 safety equipment at no extra cost for international conventions held in Korea through the end of 2020.
AUSTRALIA
Australia’s lost business report
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 27 May 2020
To measure business confidence in recovering from the crisis and rebuilding, the Business Events Council of Australia conducted a lost business report, measuring the impact of the pandemic on the Australian meetings industry in terms of lost revenue.
EUROPE
Poland online site inspection
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 14 May 2020
The Poland Convention Bureau has launched the first edition of a comprehensive online guide for meeting planners which allows event organisers to interactively and individually explore the many congress, conference and event facilities Poland has to offer.
Britain to showcase business events virtually
Source: Edited excerpt from Business Events News
Date: 19 May 2020
Visit Britain, in partnership with MeetEngland, VisitScotland Business Events, Meet in Wales, Tourism Northern Ireland and London Convention Bureau has organized MeetGB Virtual. Happening in June, the two-day virtual exhibition in June that will feature more than 60 suppliers, with buyers invited to attend 10 pre-scheduled online meetings.
#EstoniaIsOpen campaign
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 20 May 2020
The Estonia Convention Bureau (ECB) has launched an online social media campaign featuring creative photos and videos of ECB’s 36 members. The campaign will showcase new ideas and innovative solutions for maintaining safe hosting practices, as well as encourage bookings for later periods when more travel possibilities return.
TOURISM RECOVERY EFFORTS
Japan’s US$12.5 billion stimulus package
Source: Edited excerpt from TTGAsia
Date: 26 May 2020
The Japanese government has unfolded a plan to stimulate domestic tourism by offering financial aid of 1.35 trillion yen (US$12.5 billion) for residents to travel when the coronavirus subsides. This will be run through the Japan Tourism Agency.