Singapore used to have a reputation in the industry amongst business travellers as a reliable 24-hour layover on flights between the UK and Down Under. With not much scope for events and limited attractions, it was not previously a hotspot for MICE.
Not anymore – Singapore is testament to the saying ‘build it and they will come’.
Whether you are looking at luxury incentives, large conferences, expos or something in between, Singapore has it all, and more! You definitely need more than 24-hours to pack everything in!
Geography and history
An island city state located off the southern tip of Malaysia, Singapore is a green oasis with a rainforest climate. With two rainy seasons, it has a year-round temperature that rarely dips below 25oC. Plus it’s very flat with its highest peak, Bukit Timah, only 538ft above sea level.
For such a built-up destination it is surprisingly green – there are buildings covered in plants, parks and reclaimed land populated by gardens. Everywhere you look there’s greenery.
It is rich in culture – a melting pot with numerous official languages including Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil. There are nine official religions with Buddhism the most widely practiced followed by Islam, Christianity and Hinduism to name a few.
Even with 6 million people living in such small space, it is very harmonious and one of the safest places to live.
Access
Singapore is a flight hub and has one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. This is a destination itself with the highest internal waterfall, Jewel, plus cinemas and shopping complexes. All this before you get through security!
The flight time is approximately 12 hours from the UK with direct flights via Singapore Airlines and British Airways.
Conference options
For large groups and expos, Singapore has six dedicated convention centres capable of hosting over 1,000 delegates. There are also hotel complexes to accommodate these numbers.
The Mandarin Oriental has recently reopened after a complete refurbishment. Their largest space, the Ballroom, now boasts a huge state-of-the-art LED screen, and plenty of other meeting room options.
Incentive ideas
There are a huge array of 5-star hotels in the main areas – Marina Bay Sands, Mandarin Oriental, Raffles, Fairmont to name a few.
The destination of choice has shifted in recent years from Orchard Road to Marina Bay – a vast area of reclaimed land that used to be the harbour. Now packed with iconic buildings and monuments there is so much to do in this area alone:
- The symbol of Singapore, the Merlion, stands proud in the heart of the area – a must-do photo stop
- Marina Bay Sands Hotel, with it’s three towers and ‘boat’ across the top. The boat is home to two bars so its great for cocktails and enviable views
- Gardens by the Bay is like stepping into Jurassic Park as you are dwarfed by the 18 super trees. This area also boasts meeting facilities, a flower dome, a super-tree observatory and also a fantastic night lights show
- Step into a vintage sidecar for a fun and quirky tour of all the best places. Guided and driven by locals each with individual stories and history to regale you with
Venturing away from the water there is even more to discover:
- Tours of Little India or Chinatown – sample local delicacies and shop in the markets
- Visit the award winning Intan Museum for a truly special glimpse at traditional Peranakan life
- Take a Tai Chi lesson in HortPark followed by breakfast at the Vineyard
- Taste gin at Singapore’s first gin distillery, Brass Lion
- Hop on a cable car and spend time exploring Sentosa, the ultimate beach (party) destination!
Food and drinks
Singapore has a thriving food scene – cuisines vary but as you can imagine with the melting pot this destination is there is something for everyone.
Whilst you are spoilt for choice with high-end dining and the thriving bar scene a must-do is to step into one of the many hawkers markets. With no reservations and you can pick and choose from the multiple stalls. There is even a Michelin starred stall in one of the markets close to Chinatown!
And we can’t talk about Singapore without talking about the durian fruit. While its smell may put you off, you need to try at least a nibble as you won’t be able to find it out of Asia as it is illegal to transport it!
Sustainability
Singapore is a premier sustainable destination for events, offering world-class infrastructure, green-certified venues, and a commitment to eco-friendly practices. Renowned for its accessibility and efficiency, the city boasts cutting-edge facilities which adheres to stringent sustainability standards.
Singapore’s robust public transport system and green initiatives, such as the Sustainable Event Guidelines by the Singapore Tourism Board, ensure that events minimise their environmental footprint.
With its ‘Garden City’ ethos, seamless blend of nature and urbanity, and a strong focus on innovation, Singapore provides a dynamic and sustainable setting for conferences, exhibitions, and corporate gatherings.
Want to find out more?
Regardless of what you choose to do with your time in Singapore, you will definitely need more than one night to fit everything in!
It truly is a unique destination and we would be delighted to talk to you about how Singapore could become your organisation’s next conference or incentive destination. Please contact us and we can start that conversation!
