Saturday, January 30, 2010

World Heritage Travel Expo

A people's soul is best seen through its culture.  We recently visited the World Hertiage Travel Expo in Macau and got a taste of this concept.  This is a good event as it promotes tourism and greater understanding among countries and peoples.



Cosmoprof Asia 2010

Cosmoprof is probably the world's biggest beauty show.  Even in a year where economies and marketing budgets are supposed to be down, Cosmoprof still occupied thousands and thousands of square footage in Hong Kong Convention Center.  Going around the expo was a 2 day tiring event.  Beauty is definitely big business!

Cosmoprof has several annual editions in different major cities in the world.  In Asia,
its Hong Kong edition is often the biggest and the most visited.
It boasts of the most comprehensive line up of hair, make-up and wellness
products participated in by companies from all over the globe.
Booths are mostly big and beautiful, consistent with the industry they represent.
Clearly, the exhibitors spent millions in their special setups.
Make-overs, sales meetings, on-site order taking ... these are just some of the
important business aspects that make Cosmoprof so effective.
On-site services effectively demonstrate how the products and services work.
Some brave visitors willingly strip down and are not bothered by on lookers.
Hair and hair products for salons take up a huge part of the expo floor.
After all, it is always said that hair is a person's crowning glory.
International representation is so visible with countries such as Thailand, US,
several European countries, China, Australia are among the biggest pavilions.
In the beauty industry, great things really do come in small packages.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Common Hong Kong Sightings

Hong Kong, being the closest to the Philippines, is a favorite place to travel.  But having been there so many times, nothing much has changed so decided to take pictures of things that we often see but may not pay much attention to ... try to guess where these are.



Hotel Expo : An Infant In The Expo Biz

A Hotel Expo in Macau makes a lot of sense.  Given the many hotels, entertainment complexes and huge tourism that it attracts, an exhibition like this is much appropriate.  However, in as much as their facilities are in place, they have much to learn about organizing a good trade fair.


Hotel Expo was situated in the luxurious and spacious Venetian Hotel.  They had so
many trade halls and function rooms that made Philippine venues look so insignificant
The exhibitors were few and far between that you feel a little sorry for the
participating companies ... Macau businessmen probably not yet used to trade shows.
ipod docks, hotel uniforms, linens, beds, chairs, room accessories and other
amenities were represented on the floor.
Of course, food and beverage are vital components of the hotel industry and
there were a small sprinkling of chinese firms selling them.
We felt sorry for the seminar speakers in the 3 adjacent rooms as there were
only about 2 to 3  people in attendance, and some were even asleep. What a pity! 

Macau Soon A Major Events Place

Macao is certainly poised to be a major force to reckon with in Asia's events industry.  A construction boom that seems oblivious to the worldwide economic crisis is making this small country an exciting destination for both business and pleasure.



The ruins of Saint Peter, being Macao's most famous historic landmark,
is undergoing a huge facelift but still attracts thousands of tourists.

Casinos are being built left and right but just like Las Vegas, it is now
repackaging itself to be more family oriented instead of just gambling.

The Fisherman's Wharf entertainment complex, however, is less
visited as more and more visitors go to the huge themed casino complexes

The major player is the Venetian.  This huge facility is like a whole
city to its own - providing something for every member of the family

Restaurants, Cirque de Soleil, shopping, movie houses, Venetian boat
rides, casino, exhibits, rides - definitely built to impress

A little taste of culture.