Share your vision for Singapore tourism in 2020

STB’s new tourism blueprint intends to chart the way there with feedback from the industry and public

What does the future Singapore tourism landscape look like, and what could it aspire to be by 2020?

The Singapore Tourism Board wants to hear your ideas as part of a consultation process for its new tourism roadmap, Tourism Compass 2020.

The aim of this is to ensure all Singaporeans get a chance to participate in creating a strategy for the future landscape of their country. Public ideas posted on www.tourismcompass2020.com will supplement ideas from tourism leaders, business leaders in the private sector as well as STB.

Tourism Compass 2020 is an enhancement of Tourism 2015, a tourism blueprint launched in 2005 with a vision to become Asia’s leading MICE city, leisure destination, and services – healthcare and education – centre. It targeted to achieve S$30 billion in tourism receipts and 17 million visitor arrivals to Singapore by 2015.

Since then, the Singapore landscape has undergone a dynamic change and a dramatically different Singapore skyline will emerge over the next few years as tourism products such as Marina Bay Sands™, Resorts World Sentosa, Gardens by the Bay and the International Cruise Terminal come on stream. Global events such as one of the worst economic slowdowns seen in decades, and health scares such as Influenza A (H1N1), have also had a significant impact on the tourism landscape.

Given both the internal and external changes that have taken place since Tourism 2015 was conceived, STB believes developing a revised roadmap is timely.

Said Ms Aw Kah Peng, STB’s Chief Executive and co-chair of the Tourism Compass 2020 Steering Committee: “While the current environment may be challenging, we are upbeat about the long term prospects for growth in tourism. This is why we are developing Tourism Compass 2020 – to identify and capitalise on emerging opportunities afforded by new travel trends, so that we can further tourism’s contribution as a key driver of Singapore’s economy.”

STB partnering with tourism industry and business leaders

To chart the road ahead, STB has formed a Steering Committee to provide strategic direction, as well as five taskforces specifically pertaining to the areas of Business, Enrichment, Lifestyle, Marketing, and Travel & Hospitality.

Each Taskforce is led jointly by STB and a representative from the Tourism Consultative Council – an active partner of STB whose members comprise leaders from a range of industries and backgrounds. Each taskforces also consists of private and public sectors members of various backgrounds who will provide valuable insights and perspectives.

Singaporeans – please make Singapore yours

Adding a further dimension to this broad-based approach is STB’s call for ideas from members of the public, who may not be part of the industry, but are equally passionate about shaping the future of Singapore’s landscape.

They can contribute comments, suggestions, images and videos to the Touism Compass 2020 website, www.tourismcompass2020.com, where they can also vote for what they think are the most creative ideas submitted.

The top three contributors as voted by the public each month from October 2009 to January 2010 will go on to enjoy new and popular Singapore experiences such as Resorts World Sentosa, Dempsey Hill, 1929 and New Majestic hotels, and unique dining venues.

Singapore’s tourism landscape is everybody’s business

This broad-based approach is aimed at providing fresh perspectives and a 360-degree vantage point for a sustainable tourism roadmap.

Said Mr Gerald Lee, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of The Ascott Group Limited and also co-chair of the Tourism Compass 2020 Steering Committee: “Tourism is not just for visitors; Singapore tourism belongs to residents too. By bringing members of the public into this discussion, we hope to include ideas and suggestions close to the hearts of people living in Singapore, Singaporeans based overseas, visitors who love Singapore – everyone.

“We want to evolve the destination into one that will excite and engage people in a personal and authentic way.”