SINGAPORE PROMOTES INNOVATIVE MICE SOLUTIONS FOR 2023
With a track record of hosting some of Asia’s most prominent events, Singapore continues to deliver innovative solutions for the transfer of knowledge, ideas and connections to drive new possibilities for the Business Travel and Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions (BT MICE) sector.
Singapore is a modern metropolis and business gateway offering global organisations access to the fast-evolving Asian region and beyond. It has all the basics of a good host: a pro-business environment, world-class facilities and infrastructure, professional services, award winning unique event venues and cool attractions, all in a rich and unique Asian setting like nowhere else. The business hub has hosted many world-class events and is consistently voted as a top MICE destination in the world.
In addition, the city-state is one of Asia’s major air, sea and telecommunications hub offering market access to 4 billion people within a 7-hour flight radius thanks to its strategic position. With flights from 400 cities in 100 countries and territories, it is easily accessible from anywhere around the world, making it an ideal place for business events.
The Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) aims to establish the island as a dynamic business events destination where an ecosystem of ideas, people, and technology draws on vibrant knowledge and wide networks.
“SECB encourages the business events industry to anchor and grow quality events as well as catalyse the innovation of new content. It continues to support the evolving and varied needs of the industry and build a strong pipeline of business events in Singapore,” an SECB spokesperson said.
This support includes various grants and incentives such as the Business Events in Singapore programme and Double Tax Deduction for Approved International Fair.
This year saw an impressive ten confirmed large scale business events in Singapore, including the ITB Asia 2022 leading travel show. The event, in its 15th year, saw more than 27,000 business appointments and meetings recorded, signalling the returning confidence in the travel industry following the pandemic. The next event is set to return in 2023, from October 25 to 27.
Rewards and Incentives
SECB has also partnered with local tourism players to develop two programmes including Singapore Incentives & Rewards (INSPIRE) and Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP) that enhance the region’s offerings as an award-winning MICE destination.
The INSPIRE rewards programme consists of curated itineraries which centres on the best of Singapore’s dining, entertainment and attractions suited for the respective markets. SECB and its partners have launched packages with experiences that will appeal to incentive travellers from each market, which are not available for sale commercially.
While SMAP has been developed using the combined experience of the Changi Airport Group and Singapore Airlines Limited in the meetings industry. The programme offers enhanced meeting experiences for event organisers and overseas MICE visitors and is intended to complement the Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) incentive scheme currently offered by SECB.
With this programme, event organisers can look forward to cost savings and smoother event planning and operations. MICE delegates travelling to Singapore to attend SMAP-supported events can also enjoy exclusive airline and airport benefits.
SECB also offers non-financial support that may include the facilitation in securing venues, introductions with leading government agencies, local associations and business partners as well as marketing and publicity support such as street banner support, logo support and event listing.
Sustainability
In December, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) also launched its MICE Sustainability Roadmap in collaboration with the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers. The project sets out clear targets and strategies to raise sustainability standards across Singapore’s MICE industry over the next few years.
Such roadmaps, which guide industries in the sector to meet unique sustainability goals, are part of STB’s overall strategy to build a sustainable tourism sector. The MICE Sustainability Roadmap is the second such initiative, following the launch of the Hotel Sustainability Roadmap in early 2022.
