Resorts, attractions and destination managers speaking at the Southeast Asia Business Events Forum on July 29 agreed that the right blend of entertainment and public events can improve quality tourism outcomes.
Vivien Oh, director of international MICE, Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, shared that the integrated resort presents an annual line-up of sports and lifestyle events that “enlivens” the guest experience and encourages repeat visits.
Events in 2025 included Clash of the Giants, which featured a futsal match between the Manchester Reds and Liverpool Reds Legends, and the Asia-Pacific premiere of Universal Pictures’ Wicked: For Good.
These events also demonstrate the versatility of Resorts World Sentosa’s event spaces. Its 6,000m² column-free ballroom can host a conference one day and turn into a concert hall the next.
At Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko, which manages three heritage attractions in Indonesia, a mix of cultural, spiritual and music <a href="https://comicvibe.com/pachinko-star-kim-minha-to-open-busan-film-festival/” title=”'Pachinko' star Kim Minha to open Busan film festival”>festivals has helped to attract higher-yielding visitors.
Gistang Richard Panutur, commercial director of Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko, shared that events such as the Borobudur Jazz Festival in July attracted 80,000 people, while the Borobudur Marathon typically draws 13,000 runners.
Gistang noted that these heritage attractions cannot simply bring “millions and millions of people” onsite due to conservation and preservation priorities. Hence, meaningful events are necessary to attract quality tourists who will positively impact the “society and communities surrounding our sites”.
One positive outcome of hosting events at the 1,200-year-old Borobudur Buddhist temple is income contribution to the surrounding Magelang Regency in Central Java.
Ahmad Fajar, acting president director of InJourney Tourism Development Corporation – which develops and manages integrated tourism areas in Indonesia, including Nusa Dua, Golo Mori and Mandalika – shared that events can enable destinations to expand their
Through sporting events such as MotoGP Indonesia and the Mandalika Racing Series, Mandalika has been able to develop a sports tourism niche alongside corporate hospitality and wellness tourism. These events have also led to the development of hotels, homestays, restaurants and local shops, as well as the creation of local employment.
