Asia has increasingly adopted international events and become part of the global event circuit, within its annual event portfolio many events are still uniquely Asia or maintain Asian characteristics.
A culture of people can be defined by its customs, values, norms, daily practices, religion, language, storytelling, heroes, legends and food and drink. The richness of Asian culture also features part of its colonial past. In Vietnam, the French influence appears in daily language and cuisine as Breakfast can consist of croissants and coffee. In Macau, Portuguese remain 1 of the 2 official languages of government. Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Malaysia, British influence can be tracked throughout the Asian.
As one of the most popular Asian festivals, Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year (Internationally) reunion dinners peach blossom trees, red pockets, lighting of five crackers. The 15-days Dasian Festival, Napal s largest annual festival (late Sep. early Oct.) Celebrated until the full moon day. To sacrificed 100 goats by families. Festivals in Asia May base on lunar calendar as the Chiang Mai Songkran water festival in April involves the ancient ritual of splashing water on the people. (wash away evil spirits, TAT, 2009) Laotian festival Boun Pi Mai in April (New Year Festival) also clean Buddha images carried from the temple. Thailand hosts fruit festival in May-June when fruit as durian, pomelo, rambutam, lyche, zalacca are considered to be at their best. (TAT,2009)
F&B is one of the heart of Asia F&B can range from planting the food to harvest in. Rice is the most important food served at breakfast/ lunch/ dinner/ sweet/ sticky rice/ alcohol/ rice wine/ non alcohol drink Hong Kong dragon boat festival in each year on the fifth day. The Japanese word Sushi Vinegared rice as fish dishes will added to sushi. Vinegar was used to increase the sour tast, preservation. Rice wine (Sake) both sake and sushi make up important components of Japan festivals. In Thailand, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day is annual religious ceremony predict out come of the rice harvest. (TAT, 2009)
Tea or Cha derived from China. Cantonese tradition involves morning meals of YUMCha, mean drink tea and the daily custom of having small serving of different dishes. Sri Lanka, is the one of largest global producers of tea so that tea is served as part of daily life and festivals. In Japan Chanoyu reflects the art of tea drinking.
Event organizers should understand to run business in the Asian way. Given the number of stake holder required to make the event happen. 1. Conflict of Cultures A high power distance is apparent in Asia. The uncertainty avoidance concept. Many Asian cultures promote collective values of tradition. Masculinity Oversea event companies may experience culture shock in Asia.
2. Traditions Confucianism and Taoism are just 2 of the philosophies shares and popular in Asian countries. The influence of Buddhism can be seen by a visit to the Grand Meditation Amphitheater at Dhammakaya, Thailand. The venue can seat 600,000 people and 10,000 rest rooms (Dhammakaya Foundation, 2009) dining hall 6,000 seat for mouks. 3. Feng Shui Wine and Water symbolizing the are between heaven and earth. Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of channeling energy to create in such location, particular attention must be given to many aspects of the venuer setup invlove with feng shui principle. 4. Heritage Site and Preserving the ecology of surroundings.
5. Politically Setting China, Thailand, (democratic republics such as Philippines and Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macau are special Administrative Regions. Cairo is out law in China but Macau. Government policy can influence events. Political demonstrations have led to the cancellation of events,. Organizers of event in Asia are increasingly considering the local political, culture and environment sensitivity. 6. Business Tung (2002) mention that doing Event business in Asia should be gathering intelligence and information, avoiding strong emoting, compromise, understanding contradictions.
Many Asian festivals are linked to a celebration of indigenous groups and their local customs, rituals and traditions. They also represent an important transfer of stories of heroes, battles and religious beliefs from generation to generation, sine some developing Asian and rural communities have low levels of literacy.
Minor alterations to an event may have little impact on its cultural meaning. The following are some of these elements. Behavior of Tourists Substitution Effect Non-local Involvement Performance Alteration Amending Dates/ Times Competition Commercialization Repetition