MELBOURNE — An expansive conference and events centre will open for business in late 2021 in the heart of the city’s sports precinct, Melbourne and Olympic Parks.

KUALA LUMPUR —  The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) has officially launched its ‘Meet in Malaysia' campaign in an effort to support the reopening of business events.

The Meetings Show 2020, which has been rescheduled to October due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, is set to run both a live and virtual event alongside one another.

Penang – The Malaysian State has waived hotel fees until 31 December 2020, following earlier industry support measures that included waiving the 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST), and exemptions on Tourism Tax for non-Malaysians until 30 June 2021, as well as Local Council Tax exemption of RM3 (US$0.71) until 31 December 2020.

SINGAPORE — Adopt the brace position, the airport experience — from arrival to departure — is about to enter a new era.

NARA – JW Marriott Nara opened its doors on 22 July, making it not only a brand first in Japan, but also the 800th property to debut in Asia Pacific by Marriott International — signalling the hotel’s continued strength in the region.

MELBOURNE — The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has launched a VenueSafe Plan to ensure event planners that the venue will be ready when it is safe to reopen.

EU — From 2022 onwards, citizens from 62 visa waiver countries, including Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Australia and Hong Kong S.A.R, will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation, prior to travels to the European Union.

BALI – Katya Herting has been appointed as general manager for Raffles Bali. She joins the hotel after her most recent stint as hotel manager for Swissôtel The Stamford and Fairmont Singapore.

SINGAPORE — The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has developed a risk management framework for business events of up to 50 attendees, which will be piloted at two hybrid events set to take place in August and September.

HONG KONG — Hong Kong-based Dorsett Hospitality has partnered with genetic testing and digital health company Prenetics to offer DIY Covid-19 test kits to the local community, staff and guests in Hong Kong.

BALI – Restarting the economy in phases, the resort island will open to international travellers on September 11 and already, hotels are receiving event enquiries for 2021.

SINGAPORE — Beyond targeting locals for staycations in phase two of Singapore’s reopening, hotels are also setting their sights on the corporate crowd.

GLOBAL — Corporate meetings and conferences will likely recover sooner than trade shows and incentives, with APAC leads the charge, according to the latest research by PCMA.