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New destination in Borneo


and now a new city it putting up its hand. DESTINATION


Malaysiahas a new and rapidly develop- ing destination in Borneo that has the potential to become a healthy resort city. And while it is finding its feet as a


tourist destination, Miri is already looking at the potential of the MICE market. Attractions include archaeological sites such as Lambir National Park, Niah Caves and Mulu Caves. And Miri seeks to be a healthy desti-


nation, with its city council implement- ing a smokeless industry – no factories within city limits and industry-free zones. And Miri is the first city in Malaysia to introduce a no plastic bag policy, with more than 12 retail outlets participating. An event management company, Out- tabox Event Specialist[1]


, was set up for


years ago by event planner Charles Teo, who has organised meetings and events in Brunei, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. He says Miri currently focuses on government-related events (seminars and workshops), product launches and road shows, but says that as the city’s hotels upgrade their meeting spaces, more associations and corporate organ- isations are running events in Miri. Teo cites unique selling points for events in Miri as including...


1 Tropical safari: Rainforest-themed with Jeeps, Orang Ulu dancers and tuak (traditional rice wine) tasting upon arrival. 1 Marine themes: Sea-based dinners, games and activities. 1 Oil and gas: Miri was the first place in Malaysia where oil was discovered, which is of interest to groups in that industry. 1 Council support: Miri City Council allows events to be held in public spaces.


Meanwhile, the city is gearing up for


business events with an expansion of hotels and event venues, with local talent growing in the service industry. Marriott[2]


,


as the only five-star hotel in Miri, has posi- tioned itself to be a one-stop events centre. Culture is seen as a drawcard for groups, with such activities as beading,


32 ISSUE THREE 2012 | WWW.EXECUTIVEPA.ASIA Borneo is a special destination for MICE groups,


blowpipes and trying on the head dress and costumes. “The advantage of having confer-


ences in Miri is exposing people to a culture that is still very raw – what you see is what you get,” says Marriott director of sales and marketing Pamela Ong. “It is not a manufactured experience. It is unique and honest.” Marriott director of operations Gilbert


Webber says eco-tourism plays a big role in Miri, which exports bird’s nests, drawing interest from China. A four-star business hotel has just


opened in the heart of Miri. Meritz Hotel[3] is set to provide 290 guest rooms over nine floors by the end of this year. So far 88 rooms are open. There is an atrium on every three floors with different design concepts, and this can provide exclusiv- ity for groups. The hotel has the largest ballroom in


Sarawak with nine breakout rooms. The ballroom can cater up to 1500 people ban- quet style. There is a business centre on the same floor with video-conferencing being introduced. On the 198th floor is a revolving restaurant. A hotel is being built next to the Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort[4]


that


will offer 49 rooms over five storeys. Expected to be open next year, the hotel will have two conference rooms (the resort also has two meeting rooms). Meanwhile, the Eastwood Valley Golf has another 18-hole golf


& Country Club[5]


course under construction. The develop- ment includes a second clubhouse and a recreation centre, with space for events for up to 3000 guests. The course is so close to the airport it is possible to play a game and catch a flight on the same day. Meet- ing packages for non-players can include team-building, trekking and golf clinic (taster session). www.outtaboxevent.com www.marriott.com www.meritzhotel.com www.borneorainforestresort.com www.eastwoodvalley.com


E


INFO 5 4 3 2 INFO 1


INFO INFO


INFO An event for an event


When a destination bids for an event such as a congress or conference, it can be an event in itself. This is especially so when a destination is chasing an association conference, and usually involves a presentation at the preceding conference, including cocktail parties, videos, cultural performances and entertainment ... and a lot of initials. A case in point is when the Obstetrical & Gynaeco- logical Society of Malaysia (OGSM) put in a bid for the Asian & Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (AOCOG) 2015, offering Sarawak as the host. Bid committee chairman and Asia & Oceania Feder- ation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (AOFOG) council member Dr Mohamad Farouk Abdullah says his committee believed Sarawak had a clear edge over competitors Hong Kong and New Delhi, and it enlisted the help of Sarawak Convention Bureau[6]


.


OGSM and the bureau put the focus on several key points – Sarawak’s ecotourism potential; a community fellowship program to have obstetrics and gynaecology professionals working alongside healthcare practitioners in rural Sarawak; a conference with a reduced carbon foot- print; and Malaysia and Sarawak’s multi-cultural, multi-eth- nic, multi-religious mix offering strength in diversity. Also in the bid team were OGSM committee mem-


bers, a bureau representative, cultural dancers and a PCO. The Malaysian delegation hosted a cocktail reception at AOCOG 2011 in Taipei, showcasing visuals of Kuching’s attractions, and met with influential congress participants. Over three days, the bid involved lobbying for votes


by the bureau, which had an exhibition booth featuring dancers and musicians, a presentation, a cocktail recep- tion and a multimedia presentation. The effort paid off: the XXIV Asia & Oceania Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology will be held in Kuching in 2015. www.sarawakcb.com


INFO 6


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