Singapore’s hospitality players feed on buzz around Trump-Kim summit

Capella hotel on the island of Sentosa to witness the historic meeting between Trump and Kim

Ahead of confirmation that the historic Trump-Kim summit would take place on June 12 at Sentosa’s Capella Hotel in Singapore, hospitality establishments located in and around “special event areas” rolled out themed publicity and anticipated higher occupancy during the meeting period.

Patrick Fiat, general manager of Royal Plaza on Scotts, shared that the hotel “has seen an increase of 15 per cent in hotel bookings in the past week since the announcement” that the Tanglin area will be gazetted as an event venue for the summit.

Trump and Kim to meet at Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore

Royal Plaza on Scotts is located down the road from Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, which was shortlisted as one of the summit venues and may host “lead-in activities and social events connected with this summit” as part of the “special event area” gazetted by the Singapore government.

In theme with the summit, Royal Plaza’s Scotts Lounge launched a “Trump Kim Burger” and “Summit Iced Tea”, available June 8-15. The items combine American and Korean culinary elements, including chicken-and-kimchi burger patty.

Royal Plaza on Scott’s Trump-Kim Burger and Summit Iced Tea

Alluding to the date of the summit, the Trump-Kim Burger is priced at S$12 (US$9) and the Summit Iced Tea at S$6.

Fiat added: “We are currently 75 per cent filled. The hotel expects to run above 90 per cent during the summit.”

Other F&B establishments in downtown Singapore have also launched summit-themed dishes, such as Trump Kim-Chi rice dish by Harmony Nasi Lemak and El Trumpo (cheeseburger) and Rocket Man (Korean fried chicken) tacos by Lucha Loco.

Indeed, travellers have not been shying away from Singapore during this period, but some are rerouting their stops at locales here.

Crystal Sim, president & CEO of Albatross World, noted that none of her clients are avoiding Singapore during the summit period, but the gazetted areas for the summit as well as hotspots like the Istana are regarded as “places to keep clear of”, although this will be “for all of one day”.

Going forward, Sim believes that this high-profile event will encourage more business meetings to be held in Singapore.

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