Singapore has emerged as the only Asian city in the Top Ten Convention Cities in the world alongside Vienna, Madrid, Paris, Berlin and Barcelona, according to the latest Global Rankings by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Singapore has also maintained its position as Asia’s Top Convention City for 11 years running.
Last year the country hosted a record of 150 ICCA events, the highest so far, representing a 5.6 per cent increase from 142 in 2011, compared to the 4.4 per cent increase from 2010 to 2011.
The accolade comes after a stellar year for Singapore tourism as the country welcomed a record high 14.4 million visitors, an increase of nine per cent from 2011 while tourism receipts stood at S$23 billion ($18.3 billion), an increase of three per cent from 2011. For 2013, Singapore forecasts tourism receipts to grow to between S$23.5-S$24.5 billion ($18.7-$19.5 billion), and visitor arrivals to between 14.8-15.5 million.
There was also robust performance in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (Mice) industry, which saw visitor arrivals rise to 2.5 million from January to September 2012, representing a six per cent year-on-year growth. Expenditure by these business visitors rose seven per cent year-on-year to an estimated S$4.29 billion ($3.42 billion).
This comes after a successful year of hosting 18 world congresses in 2012, including a number of first-in-Asia or Singapore events such as the Congress of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, International Association of Gaming Regulators Conference, Young Presidents’ Organisation Global Leadership Summit, World Conference on Tobacco or Health, World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress as well as Global MBA Leadership Conference and Expo.
Neeta Lachmandas, assistant chief executive of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), commented, “The competition in the global meetings arena has never been keener, and Singapore is up against many worthy cities going for the Mice business. We believe that we are moving in the right direction by providing original content, incisive insight into leading-edge discussions and platforms for networking and exchange opportunities. We will also certainly continue to work with partners to strengthen our events calendar and deliver quality meetings to our delegates.”
MIDDLE EAST APPEAL
Singapore has traditionally been a popular destination among Arab visitors as the tourism board looks to welcome back guests with a host of new attractions launching this year.
Launching in time for the GCC summer school holidays is one of Singapore’s newest and most ambitious attractions. River Safari, Asia’s first river-themed wildlife park. Boat tours will unveil the wonders of Africa’s Nile River, the mysteries of the Amazon, and the giant Pandas of the Yangtze River, with a large part of the park allocated to profiling these and many other famous rivers. More than 5,000 animals from 300 species and one of the world’s largest collections of aquatic animals have been relocated to the park to offer visitors an exhilarating and interactive view of the planet’s iconic waterways.
Singapore Zoo, one of the country’s most popular family destinations drawing over 1.7 million people every year. This lush rainforest habitat includes nearly 3,000 mammals, birds and reptiles, offering visitors a chance to see giraffes, giant crocodiles, zebras, white rhinos, giant tortoises, cheetahs and lions and many more at close quarters.
A new exciting addition at the Universal Studios Singapore is the world’s first fully immersive Sesame Street indoor themed ride, which can be enjoyed by the whole family, taking guests on an outer space adventure with Elmo and friends.
Another major draw card for visitors to Singapore this year is the 20th Anniversary of the Great Singapore Sale. Running until July 28, Singapore will be host to eight weeks of fabulous shopping and great deals on fashion, watches, jewellery, electronics, toys and more.
Other upcoming developments include the Singapore Sports Hub and the National Art Gallery will also help boost Singapore’s inventory of interesting and unconventional Mice venues. For instance, the new Sports Hub will include a 55,000-capacity National Stadium with a retractable roof and comfort cooling for spectators; a 3,000-capacity indoor Aquatic Centre complete with leisure facilities, expandable to 6,000-capacity for specific events that meets world tournament standards; and a 3,000-capacity multi-purpose Indoor Arena which will be scalable, modular and flexible in layout.
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