The Singapore Experience Awards, lauded as the most prestigious awards platform in Singapore’s tourism sector, is organised by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The annual search for the industry’s most outstanding individuals and organisations begins with the opening of nomination.
SINGAPORE – Into its fifth edition this year, the Singapore Experience Awards returns to recognise and celebrate the shining stars of Singapore’s tourism sector who have made a difference in providing extraordinary experiences. The annual search for the industry’s most outstanding individuals and organisations begins with the opening of nominations for the Singapore Experience Awards 2013.
The Singapore Experience Awards, lauded as the most prestigious awards platform in Singapore’s tourism sector, is organised by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Experience providers are evaluated on their delivery of a holistic visitor experience of both product and service, emphasising that a great experience goes beyond price differentiation and product delivery. The Awards honours outstanding individuals and organisations in all tourism-related industries, namely Attractions, Business Travel and MICE, Dining, Experiential Learning, Entertainment, Healthcare, Hospitality and Retail.
An Experience to Remember
With the increasing demands of savvy locals and global travellers as well as intensified competition from her neighbours, Singapore faces the pressing need to differentiate herself in order to remain relevant. What this necessitates is a change in Singapore’s value proposition as a premier visitor destination, to consistently deliver differentiated, memorable experiences. A great customer experience is also the sum of all the experiences a customer has with a business, involving not just the actual product but also the service staff who deliver the experience, company policies that guide operations and organisations that are responsive to customer expectations.
Mr John Conceicao, STB’s Executive Director of Capability & Innovation and Visitor Information & Feedback shares “The Singapore Experience Awards, at its heart, is a celebration of extraordinary experiences. As more organisations adopt an experience creation and delivery model, it is important to recognise those who have already shown excellence in this area. By celebrating these achievements, it not only serves as inspiration to others but also as affirmation that we, as experience providers, are headed in the right direction.”
Mr Benedict Soh, Executive Chairman of Kingsmen Creatives Limited, who was accorded with the Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism at the Singapore Experience Awards 2012 also adds, “Today, the focus is not just on the range of services or product offers, but the holistic engagements that customers experience when they are in town. The Singapore Experience Awards challenges the stakeholders of Singapore’s booming tourism industry to raise the bar and be among the best in the world.”
In 2012, 170 nominations were received for the Organisation category and a total of 16,000 nominations were received for the Customer Service category.
“Such recognition and awards programme for service excellence truly brings to light the enthusiasm and drive demonstrated not only by award nominees but by stakeholders as well in earnestly working together to continually raise the standards for Singapore’s tourism industry,” shares Janice Azupardo, Regional Vice President, Branding and Communications of Meritus Hotels & Resorts, and a member of the judging panel for 2012 awards. “This is what will set Singapore apart from the rest – the continuing commitment to providing an environment that nurtures and celebrates service excellence.”
Categories open for nomination
Awards given out under the Organisation category (Events, Experience and Marketing and Media) recognise recipients as leaders in their respective fields. Through the Awards, experience providers who constantly look for ways to enhance the overall experience, through the redesigning of processes and customer engagement mechanisms, will be acknowledged. The Organisation category is open for self-submission only.
Following the success of last year’s stakeholder engagement sessions, STB will continue to conduct engagement sessions during the nomination period. These sessions aim to help companies understand the judging process so that relevant information may be presented in their nominations.
Awards under the Customer Service category recognise exemplary customer service in sectors such as Food and Beverage, Hotel, Nightspot, Retail, Tour Guiding, Transport (Taxi) and Visitor Attraction. Nominations for this category can be made by organisations and the public.
8 Weeks to Nominate
The nomination period spans eight weeks from 15 April to 7 June 2013. The qualifying period for all entries is from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012. The nominees will vie for over 30 awards to be given out at the Awards presentation ceremony taking place in October this year.
How to nominate
Nominations can be submitted online via the Awards’ website, where detailed information about the awards and criteria are available. Public nomination forms for the Customer Service category are also available at major attractions, food and beverage outlets, hotels, retail outlets, the Singapore Visitors Centre at Orchard, and reception counter at STB’s premises located at Tourism Court. The nomination period will close on 7 June 2013.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
