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
Enhancements to Singapore’s fortitude budget
Source: Edited excerpt from Meetings & Conventions Asia
Date: 30 May 2020
Singapore Tourist Board (STB) has outlined schemes that business events professionals can tap into during this time including the Job Support Scheme (JSS), income tax deferment, SkillsFuture Study Award, income reliefs and cash grants.
Seoul identifies conference safe zones
Source: Edited excerpt from Mix Meetings
Date: 2 June 2020
Seoul Convention Bureau has announced the PLUS SEOUL Infection-free Zone and Reassuring Package aimed at enabling face-to-face meetings under stricter health precautions. The bureau also seeks to encourage more digital innovations in the business events sector.
Thailand’s hygiene guidelines
Source: Edited excerpt from CIM
Date: 4 June 2020
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched the “Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration: SHA” certification aimed at boosting business confidence and alleviating concern over health and safety matters.
Osaka’s guidelines for the business events industry
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 11 June 2020
Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau has released the “Guidelines for MICE Event Organizers for Infectious Disease Control” meant to mitigate infection risk and provide recommendations on operations management.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Australia’s restart chart
Source: Edited excerpt from The Nibbler
Date: 28 May 2020
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Restart Taskforce have approved a timetable for business events, venues and attractions, and domestic and international travel. The proposed timetable details that the gradual return of business events in Australia will begin in July with events of fewer than 100 patrons, and business events with more than 100 attendees would begin to return in September.
New Zealand’s ‘Voluntary Covid Code’
Source: Edited excerpt from New Zealand Major Events
Date: 9 June 2020
The New Zealand business events industry in consultation with New Zealand Major Events at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, has developed the Events Sector Voluntary Code. The code outlines what the business events sector can do to safely deliver events by following best practice expectations, based on the Ministry of Health’s guidance to reduce COVID-19 related risks.
Collaboration between Australia and New Zealand
Source: Edited excerpt from Conventions and Incentives New Zealand
Date: 10 June 2020
The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) and Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) have announced a joint agreement aimed at:
- Facilitating maximum benefits for both markets
- Unified voice when advocating for change
- Boosting customer and industry confidence in Australia and New Zealand as Safe Markets.
Melbourne launches Delegate Digital Site
Source: Edited excerpt from Mix Meetings
Date: 11 June 2020
Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has unveiled a new destination marketing site to help organisers show the attractions of the city and the surrounding state of Victoria. The Delegate Digital Site includes resources to virtually explore the destination, key travel information, itinerary ideas and special offers from MCB partners.
EUROPE
Study on the impact of COVID-19 on Europe’s convention market
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 29 May 2020
The Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe has released the results of a study on “The Impact of Coronavirus on Europe’s Convention Sector”. The analysis, prepared by Tourism Economics, outlines three scenarios to reflect the possible range of outcomes from this crisis:
- Baseline scenario
- Upside scenario
- Downside scenario
GLOBAL RECOVERY PROTOCOLS
Third guide by G3 Partners AIPC, ICCA and UFI
Source: Edited excerpt from the World Tourism and Travel Council
Date: 29 May 2020
AIPC, the International Association of Convention Centres, ICCA, the International Convention and Congress Association and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry have released the third global guide in a series of COVID-19 related guides.
The “Good Practice Guide: Addressing COVID-19 Requirements for Re-Opening Business Events” identifies and promotes globally emerging standards, protocols, and good practices.
‘Safe Travels’ global safety stamp of approval
Source: Edited excerpt from the AIPC
Date: 29 May 2020
The World Tourism and Travel Council has designed a stamp that will allow travellers to recognise governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’. 80 destinations have embraced the global protocols.