Last night, 29 individuals and organisations were recognised at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2018, organised by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and graced by president Halimah Yacob.
At the awards presentation ceremony held at Fairmont Singapore, Kiat Tan, founding CEO, National Parks Board and Gardens by the Bay, received the highest accolade of the evening – Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism. Tan was instrumental in the development of Gardens by the Bay and redevelopment of Singapore Botanic Gardens, both of which have become world-renowned attractions.
Taking home the Special Recognition award was JTB Corporation. The agency was recognised for its commitment to and efforts in promoting Singapore as a key destination to Japanese travellers. In its first partnership with an overseas NTO, JTB Corporation partnered STB on a joint year-long Closeup Destination of the Year Campaign from April 2017 to March 2018, which attracted 128,479 Japanese visitors to Singapore, above the initial target of 90,000 visitors.
The other organisation that received the Special Recognition award was ION, which was recognised for enhancing the attractiveness of Orchard Road as a lifestyle and retail destination.
Besides the Top Awards and Special Recognition recipients, 26 other individuals and organisations were honoured across categories of Customer Service, Experience Excellence and Enterprise Excellence.
In particular, Chew Ghim Bok, Singapore’s bid chair for the Rotary International Convention 2024, which is expected to be attended by 25,000 Rotary members from around the world, was recognised as Best Business Event Champion under the Experience Excellence (MICE) award category.
The Exceptional Achievement Awards were awarded to Halloween Horror Nights, Resorts World Sentosa, and Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre for receiving the Best Leisure Event and Best Business Event Venue respectively for the past three consecutive years (2015 – 17).
It was also announced at the ceremony that the Best Shopping Experience Award will be split into two new categories – Best Shopping Mall Experience and Best Retail Store Experience – so as to recognise new gems in the tourism sector, including smaller local establishments.
