UPDATED August 8 – For a small city-state slightly larger than Metro Manila, Singapore never runs out of things to do especially for MICE and business travelers.

But it takes more than just appeal to lure in the market, which in 2013 produced 3.5 million business and MICE visitors. Three Singaporean organizations have collaborated to offer an array of incentives to business travelers, meeting attendees, and members of incentive travel groups bound to the city-state, which this year was ranked No. 1 city for association meetings by MICE trade group ICCA.

The team composed of Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Singapore Airlines (SIA), and Changi Airport Group (CAG) showcased the latest products targeting the Filipino meeting and incentive groups yesterday.

For starters, STB’s Be in Singapore 2 (BEiS2) provides a customized level of support for corporates and organizations who are considering staging a variety of events in Singapore, be it senior management meetings or corporate activities.

Another program – Singapore MICE Advantage Programme – is an initiative of the three that provides organizers with privileges and support covering marketing, provision of maps and collaterals, complimentary welcome arrival desks at Changi Airport, assistance in venue recommendations, introductions with various vendors and suppliers, and subventions.
Applications for SMAP are open until December 31, 2016 for events taking place by 2017.

CAG and SIA also created a special program for MICE travelers flying via the airline. For all new MICE bookings to Singapore made on SIA and sister airline SilkAir from August 5, 2015 to October 31, 2015 for travel before January 1, 2016, the organization will receive a travel incentive per participant ranging between SGD 20 to SGD 25.

SIA has other deals for MICE and business travelers: a new lounge in Manila, a one-day Singapore Explorer Pass to 20 attractions worth USD36, and free guided tour of Singapore for transit passengers, among others.

“Our continuing partnership with SIA and CAG reaffirms our commitment and support for travel trade and corporates who are seeking to transform their meetings and incentive trips into inspiring and memorable experiences in Singapore,” said Adrian Kong, area director, STB Philippines and Brunei.

The incentives come on the heels of growing competition in Asia Pacific, with new venues coming up in the Philippines, Australia, Oman, and India.

But Singapore has found ways to keep itself interesting even to business travelers who frequent the city. New attractions include Gardens by the Bay, Alive Museum, Madame Tussauds, and new rides such as Puss in Boots Giant Journey at Resorts World Sentosa.

To date, Singapore has more than 390 hotels. A number of properties are in the pipeline, too, such as South Beach Hotel.