For MICE professionals, a great deal goes into the planning and execution of a successful event, and the team behind Singapore MICE Forum 2025 certainly pulled it off.

But what is unique to the event’s third live run in the post-COVID period is that this was no longer just a MICE event, but a business event geared towards MICE professionals, one that would help broaden their perspectives and, in turn, lead to the evolution of the way events are done in Singapore and beyond.

SMF 2025 co-chair Adeline Lim shared: “Bringing in professionals from fields outside of the MICE experience was intentional. We’d like people to come and hear the insights shared from the outside. What they do next with the information they received during the forum is entirely up to them.”

Indeed, there is a great deal that MICE professionals could pick up from fields as diverse as sport and sports coverage, even heading straight to food and beverage and hospitality, many of which have interacted with or required the services of events experts.

As the event has drawn to a close, we at Travel Daily Media share with you, our readers, the various key concepts presented throughout the course of SMF 2025.

Lessons from the field

Broaden your horizons and keep an open mind

The beauty of this year’s SMF was how the majority of panellists weren’t from the MICE sector, but came instead from fields as far off as haute couture and comedy productions in order to show professionals a different way of doing things.

Keeping an open mind also means becoming flexible, thus becoming more capable of dealing with evolving situations, especially given the uncertainty of today’s world.

Flexible thinking also trains individuals and organisations to think fast on their feet, especially necessary in the event that they encounter situations wherein they need to come up with solutions on the fly.

While the brand is important, the people behind the brand are more important

When it comes to events, building a recognisable brand that works is the key to ensure audience recall, as well as longevity.

Think about it: the Oscars are one, the Olympics are another; in the contemporary context, we also have the likes of Paris Fashion Week and San Diego Comic-Con.

But people tend to forget that these events weren’t exactly a flash in the pan: they were built up over time by people who dedicated themselves to make them work.

So, why not humanise a brand to make it more approachable, relatable, and memorable?

MICE professionals can make this possible by sharing behind-the-scenes looks at their events on social media or build excitement up prior to an event with talking heads teasing the insights they intend to share onstage.

This enables core audiences to appreciate the amount of effort that goes into bringing an event to life on top of building brand image and recall.

Leverage the power of technology

Love it or hate it, artificial intelligence (AI) is most probably here to stay; so why not get some good use out of it in the context of MICE?

AI’s applications for events are manifold: while admittedly imperfect, the technology can be used to transcribe oral interviews and panel discussions which, at the end of the event, may be condensed into an official summary for dissemination to participants via the official event website or social media accounts.

At major international events like the Macau International Travel Expo and ITB China earlier this year, AI was also put to work for automatic translation: an especially useful addition given the global audience in attendance, many of whom had little to no understanding of the local lingua franca.

Likewise, we are already seeing the extensive use of QR codes for fielding questions for speakers, holding polls throughout the duration of a session and revealing results as they come in, and getting post-event feedback from participants.

Hardware matters when it comes to connectivity

The necessary equipment for staging events now goes beyond microphones, projectors, sound systems, and lighting.

Aside from projection screens on which to flash a speaker’s presentation, today’s events go the extra mile and offer live broadcast studios for podcasters and content creators, enabling them to share their experiences from the floor to their followers in real time.

This aspect was an offshoot of the pandemic and led to the development of hybrid events, further expanding the scope of MICE in the post-pandemic era as they bring events to those who may not be able to attend in person.

On a more mundane level, placing tablets with pre-installed applications or relevant content for the use of event participants also helps in boosting onsite interactivity.

Make the most of your online presence

I have personally noticed, particularly among corporate events in Asia, that related social media accounts tend to seem underutilised.

Most of the time, social media tends to be used for pre-event marketing; hype-building, so to speak.

However, MICE professionals should not discount the ability of their socials to amplify the total impact of their event.

Thanks to app functions like Instagram Live and Facebook Live, organisers have the ability to bring a wider audience base to where the action is currently happening.

At the same time, recordings posted after an event (even immediately after a session) can boost follower engagement on so many different levels, depending on whether these are full-length video footage or more easily digestible snippets or reels.

Also, while they may be temporary, short-form stories posted on social media also give viewers the opportunity to be at an event if only for a fleeting moment; add a poll related to the content, and the event’s engagement stands to grow at a significant rate.

On to the next one…

The post-mortem of any event is the time when both organisers and suppliers can look back and see the minutiae, so to speak, of what just came to pass.

This part of the event brings up participant feedback, and this should always be interpreted in a positive light; a challenge, to be exact, to make the next event better.

Indeed, as the organisers of SMF 2025 put it: the feedback, the notes, and the learnings are all there; what you as organisers, suppliers, or even participants do with all that is entirely up to you.

The 2025 edition of the Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is slated to run from 15th to 17th December in China’s Heilongjiang Province.

GTEF serves as an international platform dedicated to promoting the sustainable development of the global tourism economy.

Centred on the theme New Quality Productive Forces: Powering the Global Tourism Economy, the 2025 GTEF is set to welcome more than 1,000 guests representing over 30 nations across the globe, including UN Tourism secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.

Participants will share insights and innovations to set the stage for open cooperation in order to jointly chart a future blueprint for the global tourism economy.

High-calibre discussions

GTEF 2025 features four key pillars: “Ice-Snow Economy & Industrial Innovation”, “Cultural Empowerment & Brand Building”, “Investment Leadership & Project Development”, and “Cross-Border Collaboration & Cooperation Opportunities”, with the goal of connecting Heilongjiang with high-quality resources and innovative impetus from across the globe. 

The agenda will include opening and closing ceremonies, keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, cultural tourism showcases, and a Heilongjiang Province Investment Promotion Session. 

These sessions are designed to establish a high-caliber international platform for domestic and international participants and enterprises, facilitate the business matching of premium projects, and promote the organic integration of the global tourism economy’s innovation and industrial chains.

A landmark event makes its way to Heilongjiang

Launched in 2012 in the Macao Special Administrative Region, GTEF is an annual summit that has successfully held ten editions to date, attracting over 14,000 participants from more than 90 countries and regions. It has partnered with 44 countries and 13 Chinese provinces and cities to promote cultural and tourism brands, serving as a vital bridge linking China with the world. 

This year, the Forum is venturing beyond Macao for the first time to the “Ice City” of Heilongjiang, a milestone that reflects the province’s growing influence in the cultural tourism sector, and the steady expansion of its international cooperation network.

In recent years, Heilongjiang has championed the development of its unique cultural tourism sector, capitalizing on emerging opportunities. 

The province has successfully harnessed its ice and snow appeal and innovative spirit to establish a diverse industry ecosystem which encompasses the ice-snow economy, winter sports, eco-tourism, and wellness retreats, all of which are strategically tailored to local strengths and powered by new quality productive forces. 

Through its two “100-day tourism promotion campaigns”, which promoted the province as a cool haven for summer, and as classic ice-snow destination during winter; it has since expanded its cultural and tourism offerings from seasonal popularity to year-round vibrancy and achieved remarkable results. 

In 2024, Heilongjiang welcomed a cumulative of 282 million tourist visits, a year-on-year increase of 29.1%; with its total tourism spending reaching 370.12 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 67.1%. International visitor arrivals surged to 1.2 million, a year-on-year increase of 95.4%, while inbound tourism spending reached 13.44 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 101.5%. 

These figures indicate strong and continuous momentum across both scale and quality in the cultural tourism market, demonstrating the dynamism of China’s high-quality tourism development to the world.

Philippine flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced its plans to augment its fleet for domestic operations on Wednesday, 3rd December.

PAL recently accepted the delivery of five Airbus A320 aircraft, with one more unit slated for delivery before the end of the year, and an additional six coming next year.

In a statement released to the media, PAL Express president Rabbi Vincent Ang said: “By expanding our A320 fleet, we are providing travelers with more reliable, convenient, and comfortable options.”

New aircraft for increased capacity

Each of the additional units is configured to carry 180 passengers, enabling PAL to increase flight frequency.

Ang explained: “Right-sizing our fleet enables PAL to maintain and improve our on-time performance scores, ensuring we continue to operate with the highest standards of reliability, safety, and efficiency.”

The additional planes are part of PAL’s broader fleet enhancement initiatives, which also include the modernization of long-haul routes with Airbus A350-1000s, upgrades to existing narrow-body aircraft, and plans to acquire new A321neo jets.

These investments, PAL said, are designed to improve operational reliability and elevate the in-flight experience for every passenger.

The latest fleet augmentation will also increase PAL’s total fleet to 80 aircraft, including 16 A320s deployed across key domestic routes.

Meanwhile, in time for the peak season, PAL has increased flight frequencies on key routes such as Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Legazpi (Daraga), Dumaguete, and Tacloban.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hailed the recent launch of three inaugural Japan–Bangkok services operated by Thai AirAsia X and Thai Lion Air as a milestone in regional connectivity. 

The new routes from Sendai, Hokkaido and Osaka significantly expand short-haul access into Thailand and are expected to stimulate year-end travel demand from one of the country’s most valuable international markets.

TAT deputy governor for international marketing in Asia and the South Pacific Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai declared: “These new connections from Sendai, Hokkaido and Osaka reflect the strong confidence of our airline partners in Thailand’s tourism prospects. Expanded air access is essential to sustaining travel flows from Japan, and TAT will continue working with carriers to support sustainable growth. With rising interest among younger Japanese travellers, Thailand is well placed to deliver high-quality experiences that resonate with today’s evolving travel preferences.”

Significant new routes

Thai AirAsia X commenced its four-times-weekly Sendai–Bangkok service on Monday, 1st December.

The inaugural flight also carried more than 100 youth football players from the Tohoku region who travelled to Bangkok for matches and training. 

Their arrival coincided with TAT’s launch of the Enjoy Training in Thailand initiative, which promotes Thailand as a warm-weather, year-round training destination for youth athletes and coaches from Japan. 

The programme includes planned joint promotions with partner sports clubs to bring recurring training camps to Thailand and elevate the country’s profile as a world-class sports training base.

Thai Lion Air, on the other hand, also launched its three-time-weekly Hokkaido–Bangkok service on 1st December. 

The airline likewise launched its four-times-weekly Osaka–Bangkok service on the following day, 2nd December, further strengthening connectivity between Japan’s major cities and Thailand.

Inroads to a key market

Japan is a leading source of inbound tourism for Thailand, generating strong, stable revenue and maintaining consistent travel throughout the year. 

TAT is advancing a dual-track approach to the market by preserving established segments while expanding influence among new audiences, particularly Millennial and Gen Z travellers who are visiting Thailand for the first time. 

Strengthened airline partnerships and greater seat capacity are central to this strategy, supporting Thailand’s position as a preferred destination for Japanese visitors.

From 1st January to 30th November of this year, Thailand recorded 985,612 Japanese visitors, a year-on-year increase of 4.16 per cent. 

Most travellers arrive as FIT visitors with an average spend of 39,000 Baht per trip and an average stay of 6.04 days. 

Popular destinations include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phuket, Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai. 

Growing demand provides strong momentum as Thailand advances toward its target of welcoming more than one million Japanese arrivals by the end of 2025.

Pioneering Balinese women’s only wellness destination Goddess Retreats announced the introduction of a new healing experience from April of next year.

The Eat, Pray, Self-Love Goddess Retreat is a healing experience designed for women who seek space, freedom, and time to retreat entirely at their own pace.

Hosted at the soon-to-open Temple of Transformation in Ubud, the Eat, Pray, Self-Love Retreat offers an intimate riverside setting surrounded by tropical gardens. 

Each of the five private villas features open-air living spaces and a plunge pool overlooking the sacred river, creating a serene environment for reflection, renewal, and reconnection.

This new offering is a response to the growing desire for more individualised experiences and flexible booking dates: a retreat format that allows women to choose when, how long, and how deeply they wish to immerse in their transformation.

According to Goddess Retreats founder Chelsea Ross: “Women love our curated group retreats, which have been the heart of Goddess for more than two decades. But we also know there are those who can’t always align with set dates or who feel called to spend more time in solitude. This new retreat is for the woman who wants to create her own journey, whether she stays for a few days of restoration or several weeks of deep healing, while still being cared for with the same heart and attention that defines the Goddess experience.”

Likewise, this new retreat complements the Goddess Retreats portfolio of immersive seven-day programs in Seminyak and Ubud, spanning surf, fitness, pilates, padel, wellness, and healing experiences.

What attendees can expect

With flexible arrival dates and a minimum three-night stay, the retreat offers guests the freedom to design each day as they desire. 

Upon arrival, each guest is welcomed by a retreat host who helps her shape the flow of her retreat experience with care and attention to her personal goals. 

Guests can choose from a thoughtfully curated schedule of daily healing, wellness, and cultural activities, or simply join a sunrise yoga session and soak up restful hours by their private pool.

Package inclusions are as follows:

• Luxury Accommodation: Spacious, air-conditioned private riverside villas, featuring open-air living spaces and a private plunge pool.
• Healing & Spa Rituals: Daily 90-minute massage treatment (chosen from a signature menu) and a Divine Flower Bath Ritual.
• Spiritual & Cultural Immersion: Access to guided spiritual healing and cultural experiences, including sound bath healing, spiritual treks, a holy spring temple purification ceremony, and a unique Balinese silver jewelry workshop.
• Movement & Mindfulness: Daily yoga sessions in an open-air shala, complemented by guided meditation and pranayama (breathwork) sessions.
• Nourishment: Three wholesome meals daily, from an ever-changing menu that celebrates seasonal Balinese and international cuisine, tailored to all dietary needs. Complimentary smoothies, fresh juices, and traditional tonics available all day.

That said, this experience is perfect for solo travelers or women seeking emotional healing, the retreat pays tribute to the iconic Eat, Pray, Love memoir, offering a safe space for women to rest, reflect, and truly unplug.

As Ross explains: “Today’s women are intentional with their time. They’re balancing careers, families, and personal growth. This retreat gives them the freedom to unravel in their own way, to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with what truly matters, without any distractions.”

The inaugural FACTS Summit & Expo recently at ICC Sydney brought together 1,500 delegates, over 160 speakers, and more than 100 exhibitors from across the global corporate travel, business events, travel payments and aviation ecosystem.

Designed as a platform for groundbreaking ideas and cross-sector collaboration, FACTS launched at a pivotal time for an industry navigating rapid technological change, shifting traveller expectations and increasing sustainability pressures.

According to event co-founder Derek Sadubin: “FACTS was created to give the corporate travel and business events sector a strategic forum equal to the scale of its transformation. The pace of change is now exponential. Whether it’s AI, digital identity, airline retailing, traveller wellness or the decarbonisation challenge, the entire ecosystem is being reshaped. FACTS is about bringing leaders together to share insight, confront the hard questions, and shape what the next decade of travel looks like.”

A timely event

Likewise, Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) chief executive Suzanne Neufang remarked: “Australia is a global leader for business travel, with GBTA’s latest Business Travel Index projecting an annual spend for the market of AU$42.7 billion in 2025. As well as being a trailblazer in its own right, Australia is fuelling the sector’s growth across wider Asia Pacific, currently the world’s top business travel region.”

However, Neufang also pointed out that the global travel sector is currently facing headwinds that are impacting Australia as much as any other country. 

She said: “These include ongoing uncertainty around trade policies, inflationary pressures and shifts in global supply chains. Against this backdrop, FACTS 2025, of which GBTA is delighted to be a partner, provides a vitally important and very timely opportunity for business travel professionals and wider stakeholders to come together, share knowledge and insights and innovate, so we can navigate the current uncertainty and ensure the long-term resilience of our sector.”

Association of Travel Management Companies (ATMC) chair Penny Spencer added: “FACTS brings our industry together to share ideas, challenge thinking and shape the future of corporate travel. ATMC is proud to support a forum that sparks meaningful conversations and strengthens our sector for the years ahead.”

Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) announced today, 5th December, that it has been named the official hospitality partner for the Singapore run of Beetlejuice The Musical.

The show will have a limited-season run at Esplanade Theatres from 15th January to 15th February 2026, marking the only Asian stop on its international tour.

This partnership highlights PPHG’s continued commitment to supporting world-class cultural and entertainment experiences in Singapore.

That said, the hospitality group is set to bring Broadway magic to Singapore with an exclusive themed stay experience, special ticket savings, and backstage access for theatre lovers.

According to PPHG chief commercial and marketing officer Celine Du: “Beetlejuice The Musical is one of Broadway’s most inventive shows, and PPHG is proud to be its Official Hotel Partner. We are delighted to bring the imaginative world of Beetlejuice to life both onstage and in our spaces, creating whimsical, memorable and differentiated experiences.”

Stay awhile…it’s showtime!

To elevate the theatre-going experience, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore has curated a fully immersive hotel escape inspired by the musical’s quirky charm and offbeat spirit.

Guests who book the package will enjoy:

• SG$15 savings on premium category tickets to Beetlejuice The Musical;
• Exclusive backstage tour access (on select performance days); and
• Beetlejuice Afternoon Tea for two at Portman’s Bar, featuring whimsical creations such as:
  • Creepy Crawlers: crispy soft-shell crab with tarragon tartar
  • Beetlejuice Macaron: salted caramel crème
  • Tropical Bloom Verrine: mango passion and blue pea coconut

With each room boasting a private balcony overlooking the city skyline or Marina Bay, and the Esplanade Theatres only minutes away, the Stay & Dine package invites guests to enjoy a complete Beetlejuice-themed journey from afternoon indulgence to an unforgettable Broadway night out.

Bookings are open now to 14th February 2026, for stays from 15th January to 15th February 2026.

Flight Centre Travel Group’s specialist SME division of Corporate Traveller has announced the launch of ‘Trip Proposals’ in Melon, a revolutionary feature set to transform how corporate travel arrangers manage trip options for business travellers.

Trip Proposals in Melon streamlines the process for Travel Arrangers, such as executive assistants and office managers, to build and share comprehensive travel plans.

Arrangers can easily select preferred flights and accommodations, creating a detailed travel plan that is directly emailed to the traveller. This personalised summary includes visual elements and all key details, allowing travellers to view options without logging in.

Once confirmation is provided, arrangers can then book directly from the saved plan with ease.

“Every step we take in the technology world leads to an even better experience for our customers across the Northern Hemisphere on the Melon platform – Trip Proposals is no different to this,” said Tom Walley, Global Managing Director, Corporate Traveller.

“We aim to automate the ordinary so that we can deliver the extraordinary in a refreshed way, and with Trip Proposals, businesses can expect enhanced productivity and smoother travel planning.

“The innovative feature reduces time spent on planning and minimises duplication with its direct planning-to-confirmation booking processes.

“It also delivers a polished and professional view of travel options to travellers, ensuring all necessary details are shown in a single, accessible communication format, enhancing convenience and clarity.”

The introduction of Trip Proposals marks a significant advancement in corporate travel, improving both the arranger and traveller experience by offering autonomy and streamlined processes.

“It also represents a meaningful step forward in corporate travel, improving both the arranger and traveller experience through greater autonomy and streamlined processes,” Walley said.

“It showcases our innovative approach to travel management technologies, gently influencing industry standards for trip coordination and execution.

“Businesses aiming to refine their travel management practices will find Trip Proposals in Melon a valuable asset, offering enhanced interactivity that creates a smooth and efficient experience for both arrangers and travellers.”

An Executive Assistant praised the new feature.

“You can book flights for multiple people just by adding them to the proposal and then clicking on their names to complete the booking, which makes (arranging groups) so much easier.

“If booking for multiple travellers, it saves that amount of time for every traveller because… You are not re-inputting information. Often when colleagues are booking for more than, say, three people, they would go via our agent, but now there is no need to do that. It saves us money as well as time.”

Blacklane, the global chauffeur service, has officially activated Discover and Diners Club International card acceptance across its platform, offering greater payment flexibility to millions of cardholders within the Discover Network.

Cardholders can now seamlessly book Blacklane rides in 50+ countries, via the app, website, or integrated B2B platforms – expanding access for frequent flyers, corporate travelers, and premium leisure guests who rely on Discover and Diners Club cards globally.

This integration enhances Blacklane’s payment flexibility for millions of global travelers while reinforcing both brands’ commitment to frictionless, secure travel experiences. It also adds meaningful convenience for corporate travelers, where Diners Club has long held a strong presence, and further extends the Discover Global Network’s footprint across a key premium mobility category, connecting cardholders to Blacklane’s trusted, elevated chauffeur service worldwide.

“This collaboration expands Blacklane’s reach to millions of global travelers who prioritize seamless service, trust, and convenience,” said Kasra Moshkani, CEO Americas at Blacklane. “With Discover and Diners Club now fully integrated into our payment options, we’re unlocking new value for our mutual customers. This is especially exciting for our business travel guests, where Diners has a long-standing presence.”

“We’re excited to provide Discover cardholders with more value and convenience through our partnership with Blacklane,” said Jennifer Cruz, senior vice president at Discover Network. “By combining our trusted payment network with Blacklane’s premium global chauffeur service, we’re making it easier for travelers to enjoy a seamless and elevated experience from their booking to their destination.”