With a strong pipeline of events in 2022 and beyond, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is anticipating a strong recovery for the city’s MICE industry and has launched an enhanced incentive programme for international MICE groups.

Under the In Singapore Incentives & Rewards (INSPIRE Global 2.0) program, qualified MICE groups can look forward to new experiences from dining and attractions to thematic tours and team building, and can choose from a selection of almost 80 complementary experiences.

STB will also continue to offer various assistance schemes to attract MICE events to Singapore, one example being the Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) scheme, which encourages the business events industry to innovate and anchor quality events in Singapore.

The positive outlook follows the recent relaxation of COVID-19 measures in Singapore, such as removing group size and event capacity limits and welcoming vaccinated travellers without quarantine and testing requirements.

Industry recovery has already been picking up pace, with Singapore playing host to over 200 events attended by an estimated 49,000 delegates in 2021, while in the first three months of this year (Jan – Mar 2022) alone, the city 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.

Sustainability

A new white paper released by STB and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) – Ready, get set, go green! – looks at key trends of green meetings and events, the role a destination plays and how travel and meetings planners can measure a destination’s sustainability.

STB will continue to help the industry adopt sustainability certification and green practices through the BEiS scheme, while the Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP) 3.0 includes a new sustainability focus to encourage sustainable travel. In partnership with key tourism partners that include Singapore Airlines, Changi Airport Group, and Sentosa Development Corporation, the refreshed scheme offers delegates and event organisers the choice to travel sustainably through green transportation options, environmentally conscious tours, and discounted public transportation on trains and buses, among other initiatives.

Singapore’s sustainability journey is also underscored by the country’s recent participation in the GDS-Index, which builds on Singapore’s sustainability efforts under Singapore Green Plan 2030; as well as Singapore’s hosting of sustainability events such as Ecosperity, which returns for its 8th run in 2022.

The upcoming edition, themed “Accelerating Action at Scale”, will tackle issues raised at the recent United Nations Climate Change conference, and catalyse discussions on real solutions and key levers to help accelerate the energy revolution, decarbonise transport and heavy industries, and finance Asia’s green transition.