Through initiatives such as the BE in Singapore campaign which offers financial assistance including incentives for groups, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) hopes to increase tourism receipts to S$10.5 billion by 2015.
To that end the STB has unveiled its strategic three point plan devised to attract an even greater share of the profitable BTMICE (business travel, meeting, incentives, conference and events) industry and meet Singapore’s targets for the sector mapped out in its Tourism 2015 strategy unveiled in 2006.
The BTMICE sector accounted for approximately 30 per cent (S$3 billion) of all tourism receipts in Singapore in 2004, and the STB aims to substantially increase this to at least 35 per cent (S$10.5billion) by 2015, which equates to an average annual growth rate of 15 per cent over the next 10 years.
“Singapore needs to move beyond being merely an efficient and effective venue – we must become a catalyst for business success,” said manager of the STB, Michelle Alice Thoo.
“Our goal is to be a top BTMICE destination which offers visitors many opportunities to exchange ideas, network, explore business prospects and develop human capital.
The core elements of the STB’s strategic three point plan moving forward include: leveraging off key economic clusters; a highly competitive incentive scheme for BTMICE organisers; and a global marketing and advertising campaign promoting Singapore as a ‘must-visit’ BTMICE destination.
First-class hotels and venues such as the Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore Expo and Suntec City have helped cement Singapore as a leading business tourism destination. In 2009, the city’s business tourism landscape will be further enhanced with the launch of the Marina Bay Sands complex.
Marina Bay Sands will feature 98,000 square metres of exhibition and meeting space, three hotel towers with more than 2500 exclusive rooms, two 2000 seat theatres, an ArtScience museum, luxury retail outlets, and dining venues including a floating pavilion on Marina Bay designed to make Singapore an even bigger drawcard in the future.
Other new venues include VivoCity, Singapore’s largest retail, entertainment and lifestyle area located within the new HarbourFront Development at the foothills of Mount Faber overlooking Sentosa Island, and nearby St James Power Station, Singapore’s first coal-fired power station, transformed into a premier lifestyle and entertainment enclave featuring nine entertainment areas including bars, restaurants and nightclubs. In the years ahead, this area will be further expanded to include Singapore’s new cruise terminal – due for completion in 2010.
Rochester Park, a cluster of Singapore’s iconic Black & White bungalows, is now home to top name eateries of varying cuisines ideal for intimate gatherings and small cocktail functions.
To further grow the sector, the STB will work with industry partners to create, grow and attract business events centred on the nation’s key economic drivers or ‘clusters’: biomedical science, ICT and digital media, environment and water technologies, banking and finance, transportation and logistics, and tourism. Companies will be able to take advantage of Singapore’s strength in these areas to ensure their business meetings are productive and can draw on the knowledge of experts in their field.
Despite tough competition from around the region, these efforts help Singapore continue to win accolades for its business tourism offering. The city was recently named for the 23rd consecutive year the Top Convention City in Asia by Union of Association (2006) and the World’s 2nd Top Convention City by the International Convention City Association (2006).
For further information about Singapore’s MICE scene or the BE in Singapore incentive scheme log onto www.visitsingapore.com/businessevents or contact the Singapore Tourism Board on
(02) 9290 2888.
New Business Strategy
The STB’s new business strategy for the business events industry will entail a close collaboration between Singapore agencies and industry partners within key economic clusters to create, grow and attract business events that are centred on the nation’s key economic drivers and initiatives. The key clusters include biomedical sciences, ICT and digital media, environment and water technologies, banking and finance, transportation and logistics, and tourism.
‘BE in Singapore’ Incentive Scheme
The STB is committing S$170million drawn out from the S$2billion Tourism Development Fund to finance the development of business events over the next five years. This umbrella incentive scheme supports the evolving and varied needs of the business events industry. Developed in consultation with the industry, this incentive scheme empowers the industry to attract, bid for, and grow a sustainable volume of strategic business events to support the development of key clusters that make up Singapore’s economic base. The scheme will focus on new anchor events which would be held in Singapore over a number of years, as well as encourage industry to create new trade exhibitions, offer additional conferences opportunities and further expand exhibition offerings. Support for MICE organisers will be available in the form of bidding and lobbying, professional services, event enhancement, overseas event marketing costs, guest keynote speakers’ costs, in-market office set-up and representative retainers.
Global marketing campaign
To support the new scheme, Singapore has announced a global marketing and advertising campaign - “Singapore, Where Great Things Happen”. The campaign will be an integral component of the STB’s marketing communications plans to entrench Singapore as a top of mind destination for business events.
SUNTEC Singapore
The Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre is without doubt the pre-eminent venue in Singapore for meetings, exhibitions and special events. With so many options for meetings, exhibitions and events, it continues to be “the” place for serious business. The convention halls, on level six, offers the largest column-free meeting area in Asia, spanning 12,000 square metres of total floor space. Multi-functional and flexible, the halls are used for meetings, exhibitions, banquets and concerts. They can accommodate up to 10,000 delegates in theatre-style seating. For details about this vast property visit www.suntecsingapore.com.
Waterfront Conference Centre
The Waterfront Conference Centre is nestled along the picturesque Singapore River and next to the deluxe 539-room Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore. Just minutes away is Singapore’s central business district and delegates are also close to colourful Chinatown and attractions such as Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, as well as the bustling Orchard Road. One of Asia’s premier venues for meetings and events, the Waterfront Conference Centre offers 34 versatile meeting rooms covering an impressive 65,000 square feet, including its six-metre high ceiling Grand Ballroom, covering 9180 square feet and seating up to 900 guests theatre-style. It truly offers an unparalleled choice of naturally lighted meeting rooms within one of the best designed conference venues in the region. With state-of-the-art meeting aids including wireless broadband Internet access, built-in projectors, motorised screens, video-conferencing equipment, intelligent lighting and sound systems for special effects, the Waterfront Conference Centre is fully equipped to meet your most challenging demands. Visit www.millenniumhotels.com for further details.
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore
Nestled next to the historic Singapore River, the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore offers 539 rooms and is located just minutes away from the central business district, Orchard Road, the Marina Bay area, and not more than 30 minutes away from Changi Airport. Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel offers lifestyle and business-enabling conveniences to facilitate business and leisure traveller’s needs with health and leisure facilities, award-winning restaurants and bars, executive accommodation and privileges, wireless connectivity, business support services at the well-equipped business centre, and fully-furnished serviced offices. Nearby public transport and bum boat rides from Grand Copthorne Waterfront Jetty make exploring easy. With the growing demand for non-smoking rooms, the property now offers 14 floors of rooms appointed for non-smoking guests. Guests also have a choice of river or city view. Just as your sense of comfort is appeased, your sense of taste will reach new peaks with the tantalising dishes at its our award-winning restaurants. Enjoy the flavours from the east at Grand Shanghai Restaurant, and the west at Pontini Italian Restaurant, as well as a fusion of flavours at Cafe Brio’s. Kick back and enjoy the music for a late evening wind down at the Piano Bar. Visit www.millenniumhotels.com for further details.
Raffles Hotel
The Raffles Hotel is a must see for visitors to Singapore. It is one of the few remaining 19th century hotels in Asia, and continues to delight visitors with its style and ambience. Any visit to Raffles has to include the legendary Long Bar where you can enjoy a famous Singapore Sling (where this drink originated). The Tiffin Room is also highly regarded. It serves authentic Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner and an elaborate high tea daily. Visit www.raffles.com for further details.
Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island is a great place for a day trip or as host of special events and activities. Cultural performances, art and craft makers, street hawkers, Underwater World, and the Fountain Gardens are all located on Sentosa, just a short trip from the Singapore CBD. Sentosa is also home to Asia’s first luge track. Part go-kart, part-toboggan, pure excitement – the luge is a fun-filled gravity ride that’s safe for all ages. The unique steering and braking system allows you to make the ride as leisurely or as exciting as you want. Jump on the Sentosa Luge & Skyride and brace yourself for a brand new island resort adventure! Visit www.sentosa.com.sg for further details.
Singapore Zoo & Night Safari
One of the best venues to hold unique events in Singapore, or simply as a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city is the Singapore Zoo & Night Safari. Home to almost 4000 animals, the parks provide numerous fun-filled times as well as educational activities. The Singapore Zoo boasts a wide selection of incentive and corporate venues for indoor and outdoor programmes. The Night Safari also promises visitors a nocturnal wildlife experience. Some of the latest highlights include the Breakfast-in-the-Wild, Gourmet Safari Express and the Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant. Visit www.zoo.com.sg and www.nightsafari.com.sg for further details.
Botanic Gardens
The founder of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles established the first Botanic Gardens in Singapore. Located at Fort Canning, high above the city, it has an ornamental garden with roads, terraces and a bandstand spread across 52 hectares. The garden has an array of botanical and horticultural attractions with a rich history and a wonderful orchid collection. It is a great destination for special events or simply for a visit between meetings.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
The Esplanade is located by the Marina Bay, making it a part of the Singapore Intelligence Centre. It has a 2000-seat theatre, an 1800-seat concert hall, outdoor performance space and an 8000 square metre retail mall. The Esplanade is a destination in itself, offering so much for delegates. Visit www.esplanade.com for further details.
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