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
Sarawak’s new incentives for the industry
Source: Edited excerpt from M&C Asia
Date: 14 July 2020
Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) has unveiled the Tribe Legacy campaign which includes a trio of new initiatives to kickstart the business events industry. Event organizers can tap into incentives such as the BESLegacy Reward program and BESTribe Reward program. Tribe Legacy will aid in training and upskilling local industry players.
BESarawak will also launch Tribe Digital Xchange, a virtual roadshow and B2B platform for industry partners to present their latest products and services.
Thailand’s DMCs team up
Source: Edited excerpt from TTGMICE and Mix Meetings
Date: 16 July 2020
The DMC community in Thailand has come together to formulate and implement a set of standards entitled Thailand Hygiene Plus Initiative (THPI), to get the message that Thailand is safe to visit. The standards cover six areas and include, but are not limited to, those to be certified by the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA).
Collaboration from Tokyo’s industry stakeholders
Source: Edited excerpt from Mix Meetings
Date: 7 July 2020
TOKYO Convention Bureau has united the Japanese capital’s business events stakeholders in establishing “new normal” guidelines and assuring overseas clients that the city is safe for international conferences and corporate events. The stakeholders have also created initiatives to show that Tokyo is a “flexible” city for business events. Strong restrictions on entering Japan from abroad are still in effect, but travellers from Vietnam were permitted to enter from the beginning of July. Talks are underway to extend entry to travellers from Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand’s $10 million domestic events support package
Source: Edited excerpt from MICENET
Date: 3 July 2020
New Zealand’s government has allocated a $10 million fund for the domestic sector after dialogue with the local events sector. The Domestic Events Fund is designed to support events that provide the greatest flow-on benefit to regional economies and to stave off the loss of such critical events.
Queensland’s “Good to Go” safety mark
Source: Edited excerpt from CIM
Date: 10 July 2020
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) has specified criteria for businesses on how to be COVID-Safe. Businesses that meet the requirements can display a Good to Go ‘stamp’ in their marketing. Developed by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) and approved by the state’s Chief Health Officer, the Queensland Industry Plan for Tourism and Accommodation and the Queensland Industry Framework for Events outline COVID-Safe practices and recommendations that allow tourism businesses and event organisers to maintain safety and operate viably.
EUROPE
European convention bureaux launch a joint website
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRESS
Date: 30 June 2020
The Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe launched its new website to provide customers, suppliers and partners with useful resources as well as direct channels of communication to its 28 members from all over Europe.
Germany’s new marketing strategy
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRESS
Date: 10 July 2020
During their first ever hybrid AGM, the German Convention Bureau presented its post-corona recovery concept and new marketing strategy “At the heart of future events – meetings made in Germany 2021+”. The strategy outlines the recovery phases as:
Phase 1: Exchange of information, analysing the situation and the current organization of face-to-face and hybrid events in compliance with hygiene and security measures with a focus on the domestic market.
Phase 2: Increase in personal meetings, growth in attendee figures at face-to-face events and the gradual expansion of activities in European and overseas markets.
Phase 3: Combination of analogue, hybrid and virtual formats.
GLOBAL RECOVERY
PATA’s recovery planner
Source: Edited excerpt from TTG Asia
Date: 29 June 2020
As part of their Crisis Resource Center (CRC), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has launched a recovery planner, which is a digital resource that destinations can use to create personalised, five-phased COVID-19 tourism recovery plans.
Global trade shows collaborate
Source: Edited excerpt from Boardroom
Date: 2 July 2020
JMIC, together with AIME, IBTM, IMEX and Meetings Africa, have released a 2-part webinar showcasing the industry speaking with one voice. All the major trade shows for our industry, leaders of associations and leading experts in the sector united to put together a joint message – to governments, decision makers, stakeholders – about the role business events have to play in the economic recovery post COVID-19.
IACC recovery protocols for venues
Source: Edited excerpt from Meetings Net
Date: 15 July 2020
IACC (formerly known by its full name the International Association of Conference Centers) has released the “Critical Pathway for Reopening Meeting, Conference, and Training Spaces” report, a detailed blueprint of protocols and tactics that meeting venues can use to ensure cleanliness and social distancing. This 52-page report is free for IACC members.