Kuala Lumpur – Corporate meetings have been on the uptrend in Malaysia since the end of SARS and leading properties expect this to continue over the next 12 months.

Regional markets such as Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and Australia are strong sources. Strong sectors include banking, telecommunications, information technology and training. Resorts such as Mutiara Beach Resort Penang are upbeat. General manager, Mr Leo Kuscher, said: “SARS affected the routine work of many companies.

Since then, they have had to meet to come up with new plans and strategies, disseminate the latest information on their products, and provide staff with an opportunity to meet and interact.”

The booking time is shorter, with some coming in as short as two weeks, compared with six weeks a year ago. And meeting planners are requesting for high-speed Internet access in guestrooms and public areas, and more added value.

JW Marriott will feature wireless broadband in all its function rooms and areas including the ballroom by year end, while Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel is looking at wireless Internet zones within the hotel in 2004.