MICE MICE MICE - Full-on Competition Between the Two Upcoming Singapore Integrated Resorts to Fill Their Booking Sheets!

By Donn Richard
October 2008
Singapore

It is official, Singapore has been named the ‘World’s Top Meeting Destination?by the Union of International Association’s (UIA). This is hardly surprising given that Singapore not long ago clinched the award of ‘Best Business City in the World?by Business Traveler Asia Pacific for the 10th time as well as having been voted for a whopping 24 times as Asia’s finest place for meetings due to its business friendly environment.

Such awards are not just mere trophies. They translate into profits. In 2007, the Singapore MICE industry contributed well over 35% of total tourism receipts. This was a year in which Singapore was host to a whopping 465 international meetings. An astounding accomplishment which few other cities can boast of.

How is all of this accomplished? Firstly, Singapore has absolutely supurb infrastructure including a first-class public transportation system. Furthermore, The Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) have proven to be a winning combination by providing both overall strategy and constant fine-tuning.

With MICE playing such an important role in bringing in the tourist dollars, it is no surprise that the region will soon be witness to a full-on competition between the two new IRs to fill their booking sheets.

Singaporedice had the pleasure of being present at the 16th IT&CMA and the 11th CTW Asia-Pacific 2008 trade exhibition and conference held in Bangkok, Thailand, October 7 ?October 9.

With both the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa’s MICE teams touring the world it came as no surprise to see them there.

Singaporedice has been an on-going witness to the rapidly rising MICE superstructures at the MBS & RWS construction sites.

The Marina Bay Sands promises to act as a magnet to propel Singapore to the next level of international success as it is backed by one of the world’s most powerful Integrated Resorts builders, the Las Vegas Sands Corporation with its proven track record as builders of world-class integrated resorts.

The Marina Bay Sands also represents itself as offering the most expertise when it comes to MICE offerings in the Asian market.

The Marina Bay Sands will combine luxury hotel facilities with excellent MICE facilities, an Art Science Museum, theatres, entertainment, shopping and gaming in the new Marina Bay area.

Regarding Resorts World at Sentosa, Singapore’s only island integrated resort, their marketing theme of ?i>injecting the fun back into business?at the 16th IT&CMA held in Bangkok, Thailand, proved to be a true winner. Resorts World at Sentosa was able to pack a full schedule of back-to-back meetings with some of the biggest names in the regional MICE industry.

Download RWS’s MICE Fact Sheet here.

Resorts World offers MICE visitors not only great meetings and conventions with their 26 function rooms and no less than 20 extraordinary incentive venues but also provides the new idea of combining business with fun, something never seen before in Asia. One example of this is offering delegates meeting venues in the morning and an opportunity to network at Universal Studios in the afternoon.

“Our optimism stems from knowing where our strengths lie. With our gamut of attractions, accommodations, entertainment and performances ?all of which are housed under a single destination ?we are offering a one-stop MICE destination that has never been available in this part of the world; and amid rising costs and fears of a slowdown in the world economy, corporate events might be reduced, but they WILL continue to take place. With the unique offerings at the Resort and a whole range of venues for meetings and experiences for incentive travel, our MICE business will still do well?Mr Richard Teo, Assistant Vice President for Resort Sales, Resorts World at Sentosa, said.

And Resorts World at Sentosa doesn’t stop there. It offers 6 choices of hotel accommodation, each with their own unique theme.

Resorts World at Sentosa is located only a short 20-minute ride away from Changi Airport. Additionally it is surrounded by a great range of attractions such as Singapore’s largest shopping mall, VivoCity, Singapore’s largest nightspot, St James Power Station and of course, the world famous Sentosa Golf Club, just to name a few.

With both IRs substantially expanding the MICE travel sector and therefore contributing to at least half of total MICE tourism receipts and both, Resorts World at Sentosa and the Marina Bay Sands confirming to have received enthusiastic responses to their MICE offerings, there is no doubt that the two IRs will help position Singapore as THE leading leisure, tourism and MICE destination in the world.