TTG Asia Media celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year along with several industry players that have also thrived through the past five decades
More than just marking its 50th anniversary in March 2024, Singapore hotel Royal Plaza on Scotts celebrated five decades of providing guests with warm hospitality.
During the celebration month, Royal Plaza on Scotts hosted a series of events, including internal celebrations for its staff, community outreach programmes throughout the year, and special promotions for guests.
The hotel has been a big part of Singapore’s hospitality scene for five decades, and over the years, it has transformed itself alongside the city. Beginning its journey as the first Holiday Inn property in Asia in 1974, the property underwent several rebrandings before it was named Royal Plaza on Scotts in 1999.
From offering first-of-its-kind amenities like complimentary minibars and Wi-Fi to achieving remarkable feats like crafting the largest bread and butter pudding heart, the hotel has always pushed boundaries. The property also actively engages in community support initiatives such as with Comchest, reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility.
The hotel’s general manager and chief experience officer, Patrick Fiat, shared: “Our commitment to providing exceptional service has also earned us numerous awards, including Best Independent Hotel in Asia-Pacific and recognition for our outstanding workplace culture. Our popular buffet restaurant, Carousel, has been awarded Singapore’s Best Buffet Restaurant and has welcomed over 5.3 million diners since 2007.”
Aside from the accolades, perhaps the most heart-warming aspect of Royal Plaza on Scotts’ story is its positive workplace culture.
Ruslan Abdullah, an engineering supervisor with five decades of service, said: “I have been working here for 50 years, and in this hotel, we do not use access cards. Trust and respect for each other are fundamental here.”
Carol Teo, a housekeeping attendant who has been with the hotel for just as long, added: “Whether you’re in top management or entry-level, everyone is treated the same. That’s what I like about Royal Plaza on Scotts.”
Challenges, of course, were inevitable. With the rise in competition around Orchard Road in recent years, Royal Plaza on Scotts has to keep on finding new and refreshing ways to attract both loyal and new guests to stay. The recent pandemic also forced the hotel to prioritise safety and adapt to a new reality.
Some of the forward-looking strategies, shared Fiat, included the continuous enhancement of customer experiences through upgraded facilities and services; embracing technology to enhance operational efficiency; and exploring new marketing and data analytic tools to better understand market trends and customer behaviour.
Fiat pointed out: “Building strong partnerships are also important. These include forming strategic alliances with travel agencies, airlines, and local attractions to create comprehensive travel packages, and collaborating with industry stakeholders to stay ahead of market trends and regulatory changes.”
One more strategy in Fiat’s toolbox for the future is the fostering of its positive workplace culture to attract and retain top talent, and investment in staff training to ensure high service standards and employee satisfaction, which translates to better guest experiences.
By proactively addressing these challenges and implementing forward-thinking strategies, Royal Plaza on Scotts can ensure its relevance and success for another 50 years in Singapore’s dynamic hotel sector.
Fiat concluded: “As we celebrate 50 years of hospitality excellence, Royal Plaza on Scotts remains committed to our core values of trust, respect, fun at work, and teamwork. We look forward to continuing to innovate and provide exceptional experiences for our guests, while also contributing positively to our community. Here’s to another 50 years of warm hospitality and memorable moments.”
