ROARING success
Last year, Singapore attracted 3.14 million business travellers who spent an estimated S$5.26 billion (HK$34 billion), which is why one of the city's focus areas is to strengthen its position as a leading convention and exhibition city in Asia.
Contributions by MICE are hoped to help reach the country's goal of S$30 billion in tourism receipts by 2015.
The two integrated resorts - Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa - are expected to do their part. 'The integrated resorts are transforming the business travel and MICE landscape in Singapore,' says a Singapore Tourism Board report.
Marina Bay Sands has signed up for 1,960 events until next year since its opening last year, bringing more than 802,000 participants to its facility. Large events held there include CommunicAsia 2011, which attracted 28,000 professionals over four days.
'Overall, we see growing interest across the various categories of MICE - and we have the scale and depth of expertise to deliver all types of events,' says Mike Lee, vice-president, sales, Marina Bay Sands.
'Guests can do more than just attend a meeting - they can take in a Broadway musical, eat at world-renowned celebrity chef restaurants, enjoy world-class shopping, luxurious accommodation and experience a destination like no other while on a business trip.'
Resorts World Sentosa is enjoying similar success. By the first half of this year, it had already hosted more than 1,200 events. By the end of the year, it is expecting to double what it did last year, says Paul Stocker, vice-president, MICE sales and event services for Resorts World Sentosa.
'We are offering a one-stop MICE destination that has never been available before,' he says.
'We are looking at ramping up capacity as we progressively open phase two of the resort's development.'
