November 2005

A Word from the STB's Deputy Chairman & Chief Executive

Welcome to another edition of P@SSPORT.

In the last issue, I mentioned the importance of building a strong service culture in Singapore. As part of this objective, the Go-the-Extra-Mile-for Service (GEMS) Movement was launched on 6 October. The STB will spearhead the cause for Service Leadership, which encourages employers to take the lead in making service competitiveness their business strategy. I would like to urge all industry partners to partake in this initiative and adopt service competitiveness as part of your business focus.

Singapore is honoured to be recently chosen as the location for the regional bases of three more IOs (International Organisations). They are The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN), the Habitat for Humanity International and World Vision International. These three IOs add to the more than 40 IOs and 7,000 MNCs already anchored here. Singapore, with its strategic location, excellent connectivity, quality infrastructure and pro-enterprise environment, is well-positioned to serve as a springboard into the region for these organisations.

We are also pleased that IMG Artists has established its new Asia Regional Headquarters and Office in Singapore. IMG Artists’ repertoire of top-notch leisure events will bolster Singapore’s efforts to be a global city for the arts and add to the choice of arts experiences for our visitors and local audiences.

Ultimately, it is this dynamic business environment, coupled with exciting leisure offerings that will keep drawing investors, business events and visitors to our shores. These are key areas that we will continue to build upon to realise our Tourism 2015 vision.

I also appreciate the concerns that visitors may have over the recent incidences of Avian Flu in Asia and Europe. According to Singapore's Ministry of Health, it is safe for visitors to travel to Singapore. As of 31 October, there have been no cases of Avian Flu in Singapore. Singapore has already put in place contingency plans to deal with an outbreak. This was re-affirmed by Dr David Nabarro, the chief UN coordinator for Avian and human influenza. In a recent interview with The Straits Times, he mentioned that Singapore is well prepared to tackle an outbreak of the Avian Flu and its efforts are worth emulating.

Lastly, thank you for your feedback and do continue to drop us an email to let us know how P@SSPORT can serve you better. 

Sincerely,
Lim Neo Chian

Transforming Singapore into "The World's Biggest Transit Lounge" On 1 October, the STB launched Phase Two of the Transit Programme to turn Singapore into “The World’s Biggest Transit Lounge” by heightening the experiences of more than five million air passengers who stop over in Singapore. A promotion was also introduced to allow Chinese and Indian nationals to transit in Singapore for up to 96 hours or four days without having to apply for a visa.

		Record Retail Sales and Visitor Arrivals During The Great Singapore Sale  The Great Singapore Sale (GSS) 2005, which took place in June and July, proved to be a roaring success, with both retail sales and visitor arrivals hitting new highs. Total retail sales over the two months soared from S$4.6 billion in 2004 to S$5 billion this year, while over 1.6 million visitors arrived in June and July, up 9% over the same period in 2004.

	Launch of Go-the-Extra-Mile-for-Service (GEMS) Movement   Service quality is a key experience differentiator in today’s competitive business landscape. The GEMS (Go-the-Extra-Mile-for-Service) is a national movement led by Mr Raymond Lim, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Foreign Affairs. Under the GEMS movement, all Singaporeans are encouraged to take the initiative to improve service levels and work towards achieving an excellent service culture in Singapore.

	IMG Artists Opens New Asia Regional Headquarters and Office in Singapore    One of the world’s leading global arts management, IMG Artists, has announced the establishment of a new Asia regional headquarters and office in Singapore, bearing testimony to Singapore’s attractiveness as a strategic investment location.

	Three Key International Organisations Set Up Asia Pacific Bases in Singapore     Three new International Organisations (IOs) - The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN), the Habitat for Humanity International and World Vision International - are the latest to join the growing list of IOs to set up bases in Singapore.

	Singapore to Host United Nations International Environmental Awards – Champions of the Earth   The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will host the award ceremony of its premier environmental award - Champions of the Earth - in Singapore for the first time in 2006, as well as for the next three years.

	Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management Offers Professional Development Program     Whether you are a young manager, a seasoned executive or the owner of an international resort chain, the Professional Development Program (PDP) by the Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management (CNI) will put you ahead in today's multi-faceted and dynamic hospitality industry.

Singapore Pavilion Opened at 2nd China-ASEAN Expo      Minister of State for Trade & Industry and Education, Mr Chan Soo Sen, officially opened the Singapore Pavilion on 19 October at the 2nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) held in Nanning city, Guangxi Province of P R China. This was the second time Singapore had participated in the CAEXPO, reinforcing its commitment to foster stronger relationships with P R China and deepen regional ties with ASEAN.

 

	Singapore is Top Asia Pacific Destination for Travellers from P R China in 2004       Singapore is the top Asia Pacific destination for travellers from P R China in 2004, excluding Hong Kong and Macau which are part of China’s Special Administrative Regions.

Clipper Takes to the High Seas      The Clipper 05-06 Round The World Yacht Race began its prestigious journey on the world’s longest run round-the-world course of 35,000 nautical miles from Albert Dock in Liverpool, United Kingdom on 18 September. “Uniquely Singapore”, a magnificent 68-feet, state-of-the-art racing yacht represents Singapore in this race together with nine other global cities.

Leisure Events Join in the merriment at Christmas in the Tropics this November, where Orchard Road and Marina Bay come alive with a myriad of festive activities and stunning spectacular light-ups. Fanatics of digital gaming and sci-fi epic Star Wars will also be thrilled by the hosting of  the World Cyber Games 2005 Grand Final and staging of The Art of Star Wars Exhibition in Singapore. Meanwhile, don’t miss out the Hari Raya and Deepavali Light-Ups happening at the various ethnic zones too! Business and MICE Events November’s MICE calendar is packed with conferences, exhibitions and meetings in diverse fields, ranging from environmental management to advertising to healthcare and medicine, adding vibrancy and verve to Singapore’s MICE sector. Singapore Education and Singapore Medicine Events The staging of education and healthcare-based events in Singapore is expected to bring local and international participants on a common platform for an exchange of ideas, underpinning Singapore’s drive towards becoming the education and healthcare services hub for Asia. In-market Activities The STB Regional Offices will be participating in various key international fairs and conferences in cities in Europe, Greater China and Dubai to promote Singapore as a choice destination for leisure, business and healthcare services.

For information on more events, do visit the STB's other websites:

		Uniquely Singapore (Leisure events)
		Meet in Singapore (MICE events)
		Singapore Education (Education-related events)
		Singapore Medicine (Healthcare-related events)

The STB publishes research and statistics for the tourism industry. For more research reports, please visit the Tourism Resource Centre. Latest Tourism Factsheet: Tourism Sector Performance for Sept 05 All Tourism Factsheets