Singapore reaches out to business people with new travel campaign

The Southeast Asian Island of Singapore is reaching out to business people across the Middle East with a focused campaign, “Make it Singapore PLUS,” supported by Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Executives hope that the new campaign will encourage businesses in the Middle East to consider hosting business meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions in Singapore, by offering a package of attractive benefits and incentives for companies which travel there. “Increasingly, we’re seeing higher numbers of executives travel to Singapore from the Middle East, attracted by its location as one of the key business hubs for Asia and by the warm, inviting atmosphere,” said Alan Tan, area director, Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board. “The Middle East is a very important market for us, because of the developing and strengthening ties between Singapore and many of the countries in the region. In 2005, Singapore has hosted important delegations from and to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we’re keen to encourage higher numbers of visitors in the future,” added Tan. In 2004, Singapore welcomed an estimated 2 million business visitors, accounting for 26% of the total visitor arrivals of 8.3 million last year. 2004’s business-related visitor arrivals represent an approximate 60% increase over 2003, and a 30% rise over 2002. Around the world, the “Make It Singapore” campaign successfully attracted about 40 major events last year. These events, some of which took place in Singapore in 2004, while others are scheduled to be held here by end 2007, will collectively generate 60,000 visitor nights and an estimated S$50 million in tourism receipts. Incentives offered under the enhanced “Make it Singapore PLUS” campaign in 2005 include complimentary hotel rooms, special rates for venue rentals, special rates on Singapore Airlines and STB’s support for bidding, marketing and promotion costs. In addition, “Make It Singapore PLUS” also offers event enhancement value-adds, in the form of videography services, the provision of welcome gifts for foreign delegates, team-building activities for corporate meetings and incentive groups, as well as publicity support. STB aims to generate 100,000 visitor nights and an estimated S$100 million in tourism receipts with events pulled in through “Make It Singapore PLUS”.