The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced it will start accepting applications from organizers to host MICE events for up to 250 attendees from 1 October 2020.
The 250 limit, increased from just 50 people under previous COVID-19 restrictions, is being described as a pilot program with organizers required to demonstrate their ability to implement Safe Management Measures before gaining approval from the STB and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).
Data gathered from approved pilot events will be used to “adapt and adjust” protocols for larger safe business events in the future, the STB said in a Monday announcement.
It added that moves to gradually reignite the MICE industry were being made due to the importance of the sector to Singapore’s business environment, with a MICE Economic Impact Assessment commissioned by STB in 2019 finding that the industry supported more than 34,000 jobs with an economic value-add of SG$3.8 billion – nearly 1% of Singapore’s GDP.
The Assessment also found that business travelers spend almost double that of leisure travelers, making them high-yield visitors.
“The MICE sector is a strategic one for the Singapore economy, and its safe and gradual resumption will safeguard jobs and core capabilities,” said CEO of the STB, Keith Tan.
“It will also help those in related sectors such as hospitality and aviation. Public health and safety remain our utmost priority, and we have worked closely with the industry to create strict protocols and develop new ways of organizing events. These pilot events and solutions will help Singapore lead the way as a safe, trusted and innovative destination for MICE events.”
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