Designed for the purpose of extravagant entertainment, theme parks make popular choices for incentive groups. Increasingly, many of these are also offering their facilities as unique meeting venues, giving delegates the chance to discuss business in the most brilliant and bizarre of settings. Here are five of Asia’s best.
Hong Kong Ocean Park
Having undergone a recent redevelopment, Hong Kong’s Ocean Park is now among one of the world’s best aquarium attractions. Allan Zeman, the park’s chairman, is perhaps better known as the founding father of the city’s nighclub district, Lan Kwai Fong. With his own brand of entertainment expertise the park now has a much more mature edge.
Incentive offerings: Alongside the rides, the park also functions as a zoo. Private groups can be easily catered for with a wide range of activities on offer. Animal handlers will give educational presentations on the many species in their care, while more adventurous groups can scuba dive with sharks in the park’s aquarium which is the largest of it’s kind in the world. Overlooking the tank is Neptune’s restaurant which is also available for private functions.
Additional info: A corporate group deal is available for group of all sizes and, from 8pm, the park can be fully booked out for one-of-a-kind after hours corporate event.
Singapore Universal Studios
Arguably the jewel in the crown of Resorts World Sentosa, the Singapore branch of Universal Studios offers a similar movie-themed experience to its American counterparts. Officially opened in 2011, the 20-hectare park is comprised of seven key zones built around a lagoon.
Incentive offerings: The Studio’s stand out attractions include the world’s tallest pair of duelling roller coasters, rides from some of cinema’s most popular blockbusters, over 30 restaurants and even more retail spaces.
Additional info: For events, the park can be booked out on a venue-by-venue basis, and there are options for taking over specific zones or the entire park itself. With such a wide range of facilities available, every facet of an event can be tailored made, from menus to live entertainment.
Malaysia Legoland
The first Legoland to open in Asia, this theme park is a 51-hectare haven for lovers of Lego. Located around two hours from Kuala Lumpur in Johor Bahru, the park is also Malaysia's first dedicated theme park.
Incentive offerings: The park has 40 different attractions, all of which are interactive and follow a Lego theme. Alongside roller coasters, guests can expect to find mini re-creations of famous Asian landmarks and high-speed water rides. Whilst you don’t have to build your own rollercoaster yet, there is plenty of scope for creative teambuilding.
Additional info: Unlike its British counterpart, Legoland Malaysia doesn’t have a dedicated Lego hotel, however, meeting and event facilities can be found at nearby hotels, such as the Puteri Pacific, and Legoland packages are available.
Tokyo Disneyland
Opened in 1983, the Japanese-based Disney is the only one of its kind not owned by the Walt Disney Company. The resort is also the third most popular theme park in the world boasting over 11 million visitors per year.
Incentive offerings: Like other Disney parks, the Tokyo site offers numerous zones suitable for a range of ages. Adult attractions include the Indiana Jones water ride, Space Mountain, New Orleans themed restaurants and the Cirque du Soliel Theatre, Tokyo – a 2,000 seat entertainment venue. Ikspiari, is unique to the Tokyo park and is a dedicated food and entertainment zone, complete with 16 screen cinema.
Additional info: There are seven hotels within the park’s boundaries and a total of 15,000 sqm of conference and meeting space available. Most meeting packages include park entrance and the opportunity for have a Disney character present during conferences. Incidentally, Goofy is notoriously late for meetings.
China Chimelong Paradise
This Guangzhou based resort incorporates six-different theme parks, including Xiangjiang Safari Park, Happyland Chimelong Waterpark, the International Circus, Chimelong Crocopark and Chimelong Golf Centre. The park was the first to be granted with 5A National Tourism Rating.
Incentive offerings: The Chimelong Happy Land 10-looped rollercoaster has the most consecutive loops of any coaster in the world and is a huge draw for rollercoaster enthusiasts. Over 60 world class rides are available to visitors and the park is also a major site for car shows and other outdoor events.
Additional info: The Chimelong hotel also serves as a dedicated conference and banqueting facility with over 360,000 sq m of meeting space.
Graeme Park
