Zhou Zaifeng Takes A Sea View Of MICE In Xiamen

Zhou Zaifeng is the general manager of Xiamen Southeast Xindu MICE Service Company.

What advantages does your company have with regards to MICE?
The company has an outstanding reception and service team for MICE, in which several members have been awarded titles such as Xiamen Tour Guide Image Ambassador and Cross-Strait Star Tour Guide. With a management team with rich experience in organizing large-scale events, the company is dedicated to providing the best MICE service.

What advantages do you think Xiamen has in the MICE business?

Xiamen is already the central MICE city in the west Strait area, as more and more large enterprises in Fujian are making Xiamen their national or global marketing center or headquarters. For example, apparel and shoe companies like Anta, Septwolves, Qiaodan, ERKE, 361 Degrees, and Xtep, hold trade shows and new product launch conferences each year in Xiamen. Each has several hundred of participants and lasts for a week, or even two weeks. Xiamen is not a large city, but it has very convenient transport facilities, enabling participants in a 10,000-people conference to travel freely round the city. For example, during the International Fair for Investment & Trade and the Strait Travel Fair, there were about 6,000 participants, and Xiamen was still in good order. In 2010, there are more events being held in Xiamen, making MICE one of the major sectors in Xiamen's tertiary industry.

In addition, it is now quite convenient to go between Xiamen and Kinmen by ship, and there are many flights between Xiamen and Taiwan. To have a meeting in Xiamen, have a vacation in Kinmen, and then to visit Taiwan will soon become very easy. Meanwhile guests can board a luxury yacht to visit the Kinmen islands.

What are your requirements If an event or meeting is to be held in a hotel?
There are four major criteria for me when choosing a good hotel venue. First, the hotel's size, facilities, hardware, and services should meet the requirements of the event. Second, the surroundings and supporting facilities should be compatible with the event. Usually sea-view hotels are preferred as Xiamen is a beautiful beach city. Third, the hotel should focus on the business meetings market. Fourth, hotel should effectively and efficiently respond to emergencies.

Please comment on Xiamen's hotels in terms of service and suitability for MICE events.
Generally speaking, Xiamen's hotels have done a good job in terms of service and are suitable for MICE events. Usually there are two large-scale events for enterprises in Xiamen in a year. One is during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Enterprises and institutions will hold Bo Bing (mooncake gambling) and banquets in hotels. Hotels have gained experience in accepting such events.

Please list all the hotels you have used in Xiamen.
Our company has cooperated with Wyndham Xiamen, Crowne Plaza Paragon Xiamen, Sheraton Xiamen Hotel, Xianglu Grand Hotel, Fortune Hotel Xiamen, and dozens of other hotels.

Which hotel's meeting products and services have impressed you the most? And why?
Xianglu Grand Hotel impressed me a lot. As one of China's largest independent hotels, Xianglu Grand Hotel has a large grand ballroom that can accommodate up to almost 2,000 people, and over 20 meeting rooms can meet the demands of meetings of 2,000 to 3,000 participants.

Please share with our readers the details of a creative event that your team has organized.
There are many resources in Xiamen that can be used in MICE. For example there are many islands in Xiamen which are the perfect place for activities like fishing and teambuilding. And Xiamen has the special custom called Bo Bing during Mid-Autumn Festival. This can be used in MICE activities to enhance understanding between guests. Xiamen also has hot springs and beautiful harbors, which are very suitable for holding a small-sized but high-end meeting on a yacht. In Wuyuan Bay there are many yachts for rent to make trips to other waters such as Gulangyu Island. In addition, the special tea culture of Xiamen will impress the guests.

What unique resource advantages does Xiamen have as a MICE destination?
Xiamen is a famous beach city in China with a beautiful environment, pleasant climate, and rich tourism resources, providing good conditions for recreation and MICE. Also it has location advantages for Taiwan as the most important regional logistics center, business operation center, and MICE center. In addition Xiamen has had good long-term economic and trade exchanges for both historical and geopolitical reasons. Good public order, convenient transport, the warm and caring people, and the picturesque landscape, have made Xiamen a place to stay. With continuous support from the local government, Xiamen will certainly be one of China's top MICE destinations.