The hills of Moganshan, near Hangzhou, have long been a place of relaxation for the merchants of Shanghai. In the days of the foreign concessions, when major ports in China were carved up between western powers, Moganshan became a holiday home for expat businessmen seeking a break from Shanghai, and missionaries seeking their own version of paradise.
Today, the area has maintained its rustic charm with a safeguarded natural environment well loved for tea-growing. All the more unusual then to find Business Events Australia and 21 suppliers from Down Under setting up shop in the intriguingly named, naked Retreat. The mountainside eco-resort was the location for one of the stops for the Business Events Australia North Asia Showcase 2015. Campaign tours for destination marketers are nothing new, but this event on April 20-21 stands out in terms of ingenuity.
Buyers and suppliers found themselves holding meetings in venues modelled on African tribal gathering huts – a strong hint at the South African who is one of the architects behind naked Retreats and the growing links between China and the continent. Also incongruous was to hear the type of ideas being put forward. For instance, the story behind what has become a common sight when incentive groups visit Sydney: a climb over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This was the idea of Paul Cave who orginally thought he could persuade the city authorities to allow him to implement his idea within two years, but it eventually took him 10 years, and today there is BridgeClimb Sydney, which has been wowing China groups. So much so that even karaoke sessions have been organised up there, with ideas taken to new heights when mahjong sessions were organised.
The Land Rover 4×4 is a brand historically linked to rural life. And in Moganshan an experience centre is one of the attractions for corporate groups seeking a day or two in the country while driving Range Rovers and other models from the iconic marque. This and much more goes to show that when event and incentive planners are seeking ideas for their groups, it might well pay to head for the hills.
