SINGAPORE
The city’s eco-friendly initiatives create fertile ground for meetings and events in its bicentenary year. Michelle McCarthy reports
The city-state’s bicentenary has seen an impressive renovation of Changi airport and several leisure and lifestyle attractions
This year marks the 200th anniversary since modern Singapore was officially founded by British statesman Stamford Raffles. While acknowledging its colonial roots, the citystate is building on its commitment to technology and sustainability, bringing even more value to the international meetings and incentive crowd over the coming years.
This year, The 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 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.
The government is also committed to sustainability. The 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 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. There 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.
CHANGI AIRPORT HAS UNDERGONE AN ECO-FRIENDLY EXPANSION TO ACCOMMODATE INCREASING PASSENGERS
RAFFLES SINGAPORE
This grand dame of colonial Singapore reopened in August to coincide with the bicentenary. The home of the famous Singapore Sling cocktail boasts 115 luxury suites, five refined restaurants, a high-end shopping arcade and 2,500 sqm of event space. raffles.com
MANDARIN ORCHARD HOTEL
Plans to transform the shopping mecca of Orchard Road into a lifestyle destination will be well supported by the distinctive twotowered Mandarin Orchard hotel
and its 1,077 guestrooms and suites. There is also more than 2,787 sqm of meeting and banquet space. meritushotels.com
THE OUTPOST HOTEL
Newly opened on the island resort of Sentosa, the Outpost hotel’s Event Centre is the newest venue space in Singapore, offering over 1,200 sqm of elegant indoor and outdoor event space. Its 193 guestrooms have a crisp monochrome design and the hotel grounds are strictly for adults only. theoutposthotel.com
DUSIT THANI LAGUNA
Opening in 2020 and located within the Laguna National Golf and Country Club, the Dusit Thani Laguna offers a luxurious alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city. The hotel comprises 198 rooms and suites, eight corporate villas showcasing the best of contemporary Asian design and over 3,995 sqm of indoor and outdoor function venues. dusit.com