That travel incentive called Singapore

For one burgeoning city-state in Asia, it will only take some $170 million to jump-start yet another success-driven campaign into the corporate travel market. Last year, attracting over 10 million visitors seemed easy. And now, Singapore is going at a surge again — attracting even more arrivals, holding more meetings, and giving more incentives, just to keep everyone happy.

Singapore’s new strategy involves the launching of something called BE (Business Events) in Singapore Incentive Scheme Programme by the Singapore Tourism Board. This is a $170-million development fund that is aimed to attract companies to make Singapore their chosen venue for business events.

Business events make a good market target in this city-state nowadays, especially with many as 7,000 multinational companies reported to be meeting and dealing in Singapore today. Moreover, the country’s primary industries cover a diverse array of sectors, including Information and Communication Technology, Biomedical Sciences, electronics and Precision Engineering, Aviation as well as Banking and Finance.

Meanwhile, MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions) travel is where Singapore is currently taking the lead, too. In fact, Singapore has consistently been named the Top Convention City in Asia for 23 years by the Union of International Associations. Meanwhile, the International Congress and Convention Association named Singapore the World’s Second Top Convention City in 2006. Singapore has also played host to numerous globally important events in the previous years, the most recent ones being the 117th International Olympic Committee Session and the 2006 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.

The goal of Singapore today is simple: to keep corporate travelers happy and their goals met.  In fact, Singapore Tourism Board’s incentives are plenty, depending on the number of visitor nights (VN) a group would opt for. There is also customized assistance provided for business event organizers as well as a host of other offerings to keep you wanting to return to Singapore more and more.

Actually, the “more and more” scheme has been Singapore’s code name for development. In fact, by 2009, it is expected that the Marina Bay Sands — one Singapore’s two planned Integrated Resorts — will finally rise. Singapore will also add two cruise berths in its International Cruise Terminal by 2010. This is in line with the country’s goal to achieve a staggering 1.6 million cruise passengers by year 2015.

Today, Singapore expects as many as 4,000 flights to flood their airport week after week. These flights are brought on by more than 80 international airlines, which fly to this busy city-state from over 180 cities throughout the world. And for all those corporate travelers among these passengers, Singapore is ready to give them an experience of a lifetime every time.