UAE business travellers heading to Singapore are contributing to the rising percentage of corporate visitors to Singapore, said Dubai-based tourism board officials. 

The number of business travellers overall has also continued to rise, comprising 24 per cent of the total visitors to Singapore. Nearly AED 16 billion in expenditure from this sector contributed around 25 per cent of total tourism receipts. In 2011, Singapore welcomed record visitor numbers of more than 13.2 million visitors, exceeding its forecasted range of 12 – 13 million. 

It was recently reported that Singapore’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry saw a 46 percent year-on-year growth in the number of key conventions, conferences and tradeshows in 2011, which conveyed increased attendance and participation. 

“Singapore has been increasingly evolving as the preferred destination for business travellers in addition to families and students,” said Mohamed Hafez Marican, Area Director of the Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board. There are a number of conferences happening in Singapore which are very relevant to corporate and institutions here.” 

One of the upcoming conferences that is likely to attract Gulf business visitors is the annual Singapore International Energy Week, a week-long platform in October for energy professionals and policymakers to discuss and share best practices and solutions within the global energy space. Conferences that take place during this week include Downstream Asia, the Gas Asia Summit, the Singapore Energy Summit and Asia Smart Grid. 

In support of the industry’s growth, Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands recently launched its Showtime Meeting Package, offering business delegates visiting the city state all-inclusive hotel and meeting packages along with incentives sure to create memorable corporate events. 

In addition to world-class meeting facilities and service, Marina Bay Sands offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes kitchen tour of renowned celebrity chef restaurants that will be an eye-opener for guests with an interest in gastronomy. For guests with a penchant for action, a ride on the Formula One track in a Ferrari or Lamborghini will ensure a lasting impression 

In the second half of this year, Marina Bay Sands has also lined up a range of exciting activities for guests, including Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal (until 12 August) and Harry Potter: The Exhibition (until 30 September) at ArtScience Museum. Other highlights include Yoga classes with a panoramic view of the Singapore city skyline. 

Singapore was recently named Asia’s Top Convention City for the tenth year in a row by the International Congress and Convention Association, Marican added. 

Singapore has also maintained its position as the only Asian city in the Top Five Convention Cities in the World, alongside Vienna, Barcelona, Paris and Berlin, since 2006.