WHERE TO MEE T
T
his year marks the 200th anniversary since modern Singapore was officially founded by British statesman Stamford Raffles. While acknowledging its colonial roots, the city-
state is building on its commitment to technology and sustainability, bringing even more value to the international meetings and incentive crowd over the coming years. Tis year, Te Economist Intelligence Unit
ranked Singapore the best place in the world to do business for the seventh year in a row. And, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitive Report 2018, its economy is the second most competitive in the world. Crowned Top Asia-Pacific Meeting City for the
past 17 years by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the number
CHANGI AIRPORT HAS UNDERGONE AN ECO-FRIENDLY EXPANSION TO ACCOMMODATE INCREASING PASSENGERS
of business travellers and corporate event visitors has grown 14 per cent over the past year to two million – largely due to a continued investment in technology and infrastructure. Te government is also committed to sustainability.
Te evidence is everywhere, from the Gardens by the Bay nature park to MAX Atria (maxatria.
com.sg), the first convention venue to obtain the prestigious Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Platinum Award for its design that brings nature “inside” and meetings “outside”. Serving more than 100 airlines via 400 cities with
Left: The ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands Below: Singapore Botanic Gardens
7,200 weekly flights, Changi airport has undergone an eco-friendly expansion to accommodate increasing passengers – up 5.5 per cent since last year. A £1 billion renovation has resulted in Jewel, a mixed-use complex accessible from all terminals, with the star attraction being the 40-metre waterfall, the HSBC Rain Vortex.
Two integrated resorts have announced
additional plans to support the MICE market to the value of S$9 billion (£5.3 billion). Quek Swee Kuan, CEO of the Sentosa Development Corporation, said: “We are on a journey to rejuvenate Sentosa to cement our position as a leading leisure and MICE destination for the next few decades.” What’s more, the iconic Marina Bay Sands resort has announced it will add a fourth tower to its line-up of three, with 1,000 luxury suites, more exhibition space and a separate 15,000-seat entertainment area. Together with Resorts World Sentosa’s two new destination hotels, comprising an extra 1,100 rooms, the move will take Singapore’s room tally to more than 69,000. Further developments include new leisure and
lifestyle attractions along Pulau Brani island (to the south of Singapore), Sentosa, and the waterfront along the historic central district of Tanjong Pagar. Tere will be a new integrated tourism development at Jurong Lake District to the west of the city from 2026, and an upcoming integrated wildlife destination Mandai (
mandai.com), where two parks are being built. Incentive groups are spoiled for choice, especially
when it comes to dining. Venues like SEA Aquarium in Resorts World Sentosa (
rwsentosa.com) are unforgettable locations for food and cocktails. Cultural options include walking tours, such as an architectural tour of the city with a Feng Shui expert. While experiences create memories, it is
infrastructure that delivers successful events. Singapore ranked first for order and security according to the World Justice Project and is recognised as the least corrupt country in Asia. Super-fast broadband and a comprehensive transport system, combined with experienced convention and exhibition operators take the stress out of remote organising.
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NOVEMBER 2019 | 41
VINCENT CHONG, DARREN SOH
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