Singapore’s meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry is expected to post a strong recovery, following the city’s reopening to fully-vaccinated visitors with no quarantine and testing requirements, according to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
“The reopening of our borders without quarantine and removal of event capacity and zoning requirements were truly the game changers that the industry has been looking forward to,” says Richard Ireland, President, Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS). “With the robust event pipeline and launch of new meeting experiences, we are optimistic that we are on the right track towards the return of a vibrant and viable MICE scene in Singapore.”
With that, STB intends to ride on the growth momentum by launching an enhanced incentive programme for international MICE groups, and with a strong pipeline of events in 2022 and beyond, a full recovery for the MICE industry is expected in two to three years.
To be sure, STB has seen indications of the industry’s recovery.
Singapore hosted over 200 events attended by an estimated 49,000 delegates in 2021. In the first three months of this year (January to March) alone, Singapore hosted more than 150 events attended by over 37,000 delegates. This number is set to increase, with at least 66 international events secured for the rest of 2022.
“The business community is eager for opportunities to meet and network in-person again. This desire, as well as the recent easing of our border restrictions, puts the MICE industry in good stead to recover strongly,” says Yap Chin Siang, Deputy Chief Executive, STB. “We look forward to welcoming more business travellers and delegates back to our shores over the next few years, and we hope that the curated experiences under the In Singapore Incentives & Rewards (INSPIRE Global 2.0) will encourage visitors to enjoy all that Singapore has to offer.”
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Under the INSPIRE Global 2.0 programme by STB, qualified MICE groups can look forward to new experiences from dining and attractions to thematic tours and team building. They can choose from a selection of close to 80 complementary experiences that delegates can enjoy in Singapore – an increase from 54 experiences that were introduced under INSPIRE Global 1.0.
STB will also continue to offer various assistance schemes to attract MICE events to Singapore. One example is the Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) scheme, which encourages the business events industry to innovate and anchor quality events in Singapore.
To that end, Singapore will be welcoming a robust pipeline of events this year, including the return of Food and Hotel Asia (FHA), as well as new events such as Global Health Security Conference 2022 and Cosmoprof + Cosmopack Asia. Beyond 2022, Singapore has already secured several MICE events up till 2028.
Photo: Unsplash
