TTGmice Publications February/March 2019 | Page 9

TTGmice February/March 2019 • 7 - Advertorial - Travel safely with GeoSure app A personalised travel safety app is aiming to encourage informed and engaged travel for corporate travellers. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time, crowd-sourced data from a range of organisa- tions, including the United Nations, World Health Organisation, Interpol and crime statistics, individual neighbourhoods are ranked from one to 100, with one being the safest. Its CEO Michael Becker shared that the app’s ultimate aim is to enrich travel experiences by providing detailed information on localised safety levels, which vary from neighbourhood to neigh- bourhood. Travel warnings are an example, where they are often unnecessarily placed on entire countries or regions, with detrimental effects. He said: “If you put a travel ban or warning on an entire destination, it can have devastating impacts on the tourism economy when there may only be small parts of the country affected, while the rest is fine to visit.” Operating on a B2C and B2B level, GeoSure is working with OTAs, TMCs, DMOs, tourism boards and other organisations to offer customers, employees and members hyper-local safety information. While the app is free to download, GeoSure has also developed a premium, paid-for duty of care product for corporates and multinationals. Under this, travel brands and organisations will be able to receive safety solutions and awareness and planning content. In the pipeline Howard Smith Wharves is now ready to roll Several new venues and lifestyle facilities are now open at the heritage-listed Howard Smith Wharves on the Brisbane River, which is un- dergoing a three-year-long restoration project. The first phase of venue openings includes the Rivershed event space, Howard’s Hall, Fel- ons Brewing Co., Mr Percival’s, the Main and East Lawns and single lift from Bowen Terrace near Wilson’s Outlook. The eventual completion of Howard Smith Wharves will see it transformed into a vibrant entertainment precinct. Ocean Park gets a Marriott Located at Ocean Park Hong Kong and just minutes from the city, Marriott’s first city resort hotel has opened with 471 keys. Event planners can avail Hong Kong is- land’s largest pillar-less ballroom – at 1,200m 2 – and five other meeting spaces. There are four restaurants on-site: The Pier Lounge and Bar for modern dining and cock- tails; Marina Kitchen, an all-day dining and international buffet featuring live cooking sta- tions; Canton Bistro for Cantonese specialties; and the Prohibition Grill House & Cocktail Bar for an American steakhouse concept. Recreational amenities on-site include a large lagoon pool, gym, and Harnn Heritage Spa. Centara Hotels & Resorts Centara has struck a deal for three hotels in Laos, which will add 216 keys to the destination over the next five years. The three upcoming properties are an upper upscale Centara Grand Luang Prabang and a midscale Centra by Centara property, both near the town centre, and one under Centara’s new lifestyle brand, COSI, catering to independent travellers. NE MINUTE with IT&CM Events Exciting NEW Highlights 19 - 21 March 2019 | Shanghai | www.itcmchina.com BRINGING CORPORATES CLOSER TO IT&CM CHINA Say Hi to Everyone! A first reveal of 2019’s attendees during this interactive ice-breaker. Get to know who’s who before exhibition days begin and be on the look-out for delegate profiles you want to meet. Open to all delegates from IT&CM China and CTW China. IT&CM China Meets CTW China Under One Roof IT&CM China MICE and Association professionals and CTW China Corporate Travel executives have even more opportunities to interact as both events are now housed in the same hall. IT&CM China exhibitors and buyers can also pre-schedule business appointments with CTW China delegates. MORE IN-HALL ACTIVITIES Brand Showcase Presentations Latest developments and updates by the top MICE brands revealed! Open to MICE & Association Buyers and Media. Exhibition Walk-About A guided tour of featured booths and pavilions in this “meet-and-greet” activity. For Association buyers only. Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts AccorHotels will continue to expand the newly-acquired Mövenpick brand, with two new signings in Vietnam – one in Van Phong and one in Halong Bay, both slated to open in 4Q2021. Mövenpick Resort Van Phong will feature 200 rooms and suites plus 100 villas, while Möven- pick Resort & Spa Halong Bay will have 325 keys. With these additions, AccorHo- tels will have a total pipeline of nine Mövenpick properties in the country. Meet The Corporates The most efficient platform for IT&CM China exhibitors to meet CTW China’s corporate buyers. Conducted in a speed-dating format with opportunities for introductions and exchanges concluded within the hour. MICE Innovation Hub Drop in to meet China’s brightest start-ups and explore the fresh solutions created to solve today and perhaps tomorrow’s industry challenges. Power Hackathon Luncheon Amari Vientiane Amari Vientiane is scheduled to open along the Mekong river in 2021, at the intersection of Quai Fa Ngum and Khun Bu Lom roads, a short walk to the city’s night market and the Chao Anouvong Park. It will have 250 rooms and suites, alongside meetings facilities, a speciality restaurant, an outdoor pool and a fitness centre. Enrich both mind and body by learning trending innovative solutions that are making a major impact on the industry as you lunch. Limited complimentary lunch vouchers available. All delegates invited to attend. FOLLOW US ON WECHAT TODAY! Stay up-to-date on the latest event updates, and look-out for games and prizes to be won from now till IT&CM China 2019.