As the pendulum of international business is headed to the East, Jakarta has emerged as one of the primary choices for Asia Pacific or even global Meetings, Incentives, Convention and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.
Businesses in Jakarta get stronger recognition in the market where East meets West – such a melting pot that provides a strategic getaway to major Asian markets.
Corporate travelers and entrepreneurs coming to Jakarta to secure big transactions, as well as the presence of more locals with their growing businesses and increasing purchasing power, have paved the way for the rising number of MICE activities in the capital city.
The city itself has what it takes to be a world-class business event destination. Favored by factors like strategic geographic location, convenient flight connectivity, world-class convention facilities and comfortable hotel accommodation, the city has turned into one of Asia’s favorite MICE destinations.
The Indonesia’s MICE industry itself will have a boost with the establishment of a Directorate of Special Interest Tours, Convention, Incentive and Events Development.
When it comes to hosting international scale events, from big conferences and banquets to more discreet meetings and seminars, luxury hotels now are becoming the choice of the discerning venues.
Quality is the trademark – be it with Food & Beverages operations, the handy and updated technology, the flawless service or grand venues from meeting rooms to grand ballrooms.
For delegates attending major conferences and exhibitions, staying at a well-known and reputable brand hotel with superb facilities on hand and personalized services, from dining to rejuvenation facilities is indeed essential. No need for unnecessary headache owing to bad services nor missing your flight because the hotel forgets to give you a morning call.
The increase in supply of luxury hotel rooms in Jakarta will be essential to accommodate the anticipated growth in business guests coming to town. While most of the hospitality businesses are focusing their operation in the city center, some operators are targeting the southern and western part of the “Big Durian”.
Since MICE plays a big role in generating revenue, luxury hotel operators are outdoing each other offering prospective and repeating customers with value added services that facilitate more benefits.
The Ritz-Carlton is one example of an internationally leading premium operator that has successfully provided the top-notch services to their high-end customers. The hotel also features The Ritz-Carlton rewards, providing rewards and recognitions for its guests. In addition, the guests can also be facilitated with meeting planners. It’s a realization of how Starwood Group has built a strong bond with their customers using Starwood Preferred Planner.
Needless to say, the growing number of MICE in Jakarta generates beneficial spin-offs for the related industries such as hotels, airlines, tour operators, shopping malls, to name a few.
It’s a propitious condition that has created numerous jobs and business opportunities, including those of small and medium enterprises; and it’s also a positive indication of sustainable growth of the country’s economy.
Published in HighEnd Magazine, April 2012. By Hanny Wahyuni, director of Public Relations at The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan and Pacific Place — Photos by Aulia R. Sungkar & Shutterstock
