Are you a business traveller who’s always on the run for errands and meetings? While half of our readers said that in order to relax they added a vacation onto their business trip more than three times a year, have you ever thought of adding leisure activities organised by your hotel, such as wine tasting, visiting local markets, seeing kangaroos, having a gourmet meal or sailing on the Sydney River, in between or after your meetings?
Many hotels now offer a range of activities for individuals and meeting participants and some of the programmes may even be suitable for interesting client entertainment as well. There are activities for everyone – art-lovers, sporty types, culture buffs and more.
“With so many conferences, endless exhibitions, countless workshops, various roundtables and numerous seminars offered, participating delegates are no longer asking what’s in it for them, but what else can they get from an event,” said Michael Borostyan, general manager of Hotel Nikko, Kuala Lumpur. “Thus, we see the introduction of onsite and offsite events in order to ‘refresh’ the minds of the delegates and to make the events more interesting and participative. It is also a way to encourage these delegates to return to the city with their families and friends in the future – they have something else which they can relate to and share with [families and friends].”
Cultural Shock
Ever fancied getting a tattoo but never had the guts to get one? Here’s your chance: Hotel Nikko of Kuala Lumpur organises henna art painting for meeting delegates during their tea breaks. Guests can painlessly get temporary tattoos drawn with henna – in intricate ethnic designs traditionally believed to bring good luck in places such as India, the Middle East and North Africa – on your arms and feet.
Hotel Nikko also has teh tarik – a presentation of the art of tea pulling. Malaysia’s famous teh tarik masters perform tea pulling while dancing to the beat of music and songs. This is no easy task, but you can take up the challenge and dabble in this fun-loving art form.
Besides tea and tattoos, Hotel Nikko offers guests excitement and adventure via its offsite activities, such as diving with the sharks at Aquaria, camping and having an expedition in the wilderness of the Malaysian jungle, learning how to make your own pewter souvenir at Royal Selangor Visitor Center, creating your very own dim sum lunch and relaxing at thematic dinners at Lake Gardens.
“It’s a lot of work and definitely very tiring to learn how to make these pieces of dim sum,” said Tan Bee Hong of New Straits Times.
“But what a great way to de-stress and to interact with other participants – a really fantastic way to ‘break the ice’ and to get to know the other participants.”
Out to the sea
Cruising in a yacht floating on pristine waters, the Crystal Yacht experience offered at the Berjaya Langkawi, Malaysia is another alternative. You can sail past Langkawi’s 99 islands on a sunset cocktail cruise, sunset dinner cruise or day cruise.
“While we provide many very popular island recreation options for our guests, one of the most popular ones has to be the sunset cruise on the Crystal Yacht,” said Enzo Rulli, general manager of the Berjaya Langkawi Resort.
“The cruise takes guests through some of the most beautiful islands in Langkawi. It includes a wonderful buffet dinner spread, free running beverages and culminates by sailing directly into the glorious sunset over the Andaman Sea. It is a wonderful experience which always leaves our guests with romantic memories of our little bit of Paradise.”
City Life
You can take a gourmet tour and learn about the vibrant blend of modern Australian and European culinary delights at InterContinental Sydney. Your private guide will share insider “foodie” tips as you travel around a variety of hidden but much loved Aussie food gems. You can receive a crash course in how to make the perfect coffee, improve your knowledge of divine European cheese, olive oil, bread and pastries and discover how the right choice of herbs and spices can transform an everyday snack into a taste sensation. Top it all off with a selection of handmade chocolates and delicious wine.
“InterContinental Sydney’s collection of Insider Experiences has been introduced to provide a local and authentic flavour to meetings and events,” said Robert Miletic, director of sales and marketing of InterContinental Sydney. “They have been designed to help planners take best advantage of our world class city and ensure an enriching and rewarding delegate experience.”
The ultimate Sydney Harbour experience, a Sailing Regatta, is the perfect way to bond as a team whilst exploring the best of Sydney’s waters. Your group will be sailing aboard a fleet of performance yachts under the guidance of skilled instructors. Teamwork, communication and commitment will be put to the test at this regatta to decide the winners on the stunning Sydney harbour. InterContinental Sydney also has activities such as discovering the story behind aboriginal art, taking part in an amazing race around Sydney and spending part of your meeting at the Museum of Sydney.
www.sydney.intercontinental.com
All Wined Up
The breakfast with the Kangaroos package offered by The Louise of Barossa Valley in South Australia gives guests a uniquely Australian experience. You can take in the region’s beautiful landscape and enjoy a gourmet breakfast with minimal impact upon the families of grazing kangaroos.
It is no secret that most visitors to South Australia’s Barossa Valley come for a world-class food and wine experience. With over 60 cellar doors, The Louise offers guests an amazing range of wines to taste everyday. You can spend days exploring the region and make personal wine discoveries.
“The exclusive wine tasting experiences are wonderful for guests who are looking to discover wine and wine producers who are off the beaten track, winemakers who are the ‘up and coming’ of the Barossa,” said Ruby Stobart, marketing manager of The Louise. “When guests return from one of these experiences, they remark on the connection they have made with the people of Barossa. Many of the experiences are a real connect with the winemakers in their homes, often at their kitchen table.”
Animal Kingdom
We know that lambs go “baaah, baaah”, but have you ever thought of mustering them? Wharekauhau Country Estate has an adventure for nature lovers.
After a big country breakfast, you can explore stables, choose your steed and tack and enjoy an easy two-hour ride amidst the breathtaking country and coastal scenery of New Zealand. Then the roundup begins, herding sheep or cattle (depending on the time of year) on horseback over verdant hills and wild coastline.
Music and Design
Filipinos are known to be musical. Want to know why? Learn about Filipino culture and history through a cultural tour of Bahay na Bato in Cavite, a 19th-century Filipino house, organised by The Peninsula Manila. Or visit the atelier of designer Patis Tesoro and learn the intricacies of making a terno (Philippine national dress for ladies) and barong Tagalog (a native shirt woven from banana or pineapple fibre, worn by Filipino men). Their intricately embellished, embroidered and hand-painted style is symbolic of the art, culture and history of the Philippines.
Raw Deals
The Japanese are famous for their seafood – especially their fresh fish. Being super-busy on your business trip won’t leave you time to learn more about Japanese cuisine. But staying in hotel Seiyo Ginza not only allows you to eat unique, made-to-order seafood, but also lets you see how these delicacies are chosen and made. The Tsukiji Fish Market is a cornerstone of Ginza and Chuo-ku and has 1,700 or so booths of fishmongers and auctioneers.
You can join chef Hirota’s on a visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market in search of that special crustacean, scaled or octopod delicacy.
Smell the Spices
Vietnam’s colourful history and the people’s fierce individuality have created a delicate cuisine loved around the world. Guests staying in the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi can learn to cook exquisite cuisine in the hotel’s very own cooking school.
The whole experience starts with a walk to the local market, accompanied by the chef of the Spices Garden Restaurant. There, participants get the chance to learn all about Vietnamese ingredients. This is followed by a cookery demonstration, which takes place in the kitchen and where everyone can take part in the action. After classes, lunch is served in the Spices Garden Vietnamese Restaurant to sample all the different dishes that have been prepared during the demonstration.
Artistic Inspiration
Le Méridien Bangkok has a “Unlock Art Programme” for all of its guests. When you arrive in Le Méridien Bangkok, you will receive a room keycard that is designed not only for your room, but also to give you access to an art library and exhibits.
The key gives you access to the Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC), one of the largest design resource centres in Asia, and the arts library within the centre. You can spend days and nights getting lost in art.
