S’pore bags top city attraction prize
SINGAPORE won awards for being Asia’s top city attraction and the best meetings and conference destination at what is touted as the tourism industry’s Oscars.
The republic lost out in both these categories last year to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, respectively, at the World Travel Awards.
“Winning awards is always the icing on the cake but at the end of the day, sometimes we win, sometimes we don’t,” said Jeannie Lim, executive director of conventions, meetings, exhibitions and conferences at the Singapore Tourism Board.
Now in its 19th year, the glitzy ceremony for Asia, Australasia and Indian Ocean was held in Singapore for the first time yesterday at the InterContinental hotel.
The best of Asia, selected from 28 countries and territories, will be pitted against the winners from other regions such as Africa, Europe and North America in a grand final to be held in New Delhi on Dec 12.
The list of nominees, announced in March, was selected by a group of industry experts.
After that, tourism professionals and the public voted for the best candidate on the World Travel Awards website.
Singapore and its brands took home 15 continental awards this year, almost twice its showing of eight gongs last year.
Changi Airport was named Asia’s best airport for the seventh consecutive year.
For the first time since 1999, Singapore Airlines was named Asia’s leading carrier.
Marina Bay Sands retained its title as Asia’s leading casino resort.
Resorts World Sentosa was named Asia’s leading fully integrated resort and Universal Studios Singapore was Asia’s best themed attraction. — The Straits Times/ Asia News Network