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The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) honoured 45 individuals and organisations that made significant contributions in enhancing Singapore’s image as a premier destination at the…
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) honoured 45 individuals and organisations that made significant contributions in enhancing Singapore’s image as a premier destination at the prestigious 20th Tourism Awards.
Held at the Esplanade Concert Hall, the Tourism Awards presentation ceremony was graced by the President of Singapore, S R Nathan, and Mrs Nathan. Over 1,400 guests from various tourism-related industries, ranging from education to retail, attended the glamorous event.
Mr Simon Israel, Chairman of STB, lauded the efforts of all finalists and winners in helping to raise service standards in Singapore. He said, “The winners and finalists of the 20th Tourism Awards have all demonstrated their unique ability to add that extra touch in creating unique experiences and distinctive service elements for our visitors. It is this spirit of innovation and the willingness to go the extra mile that ensures Singapore remains attractive as a destination.”
Now into its 20th year, the Tourism Awards, seen as the “Oscars” of the industry, has evolved to keep pace with the changing tourism landscape. Mr Israel said, “As Singapore faces an increasingly competitive tourism landscape, it is important for the industry to continue to place greater emphasis on innovation, creativity and experiential factors.”
From a tourist-and-travel-centric recognition programme, the Tourism Awards now covers the full spectrum of service industries related to tourism, namely hotel, BTMICE, leisure attraction, food and beverage, entertainment, spa, retail and travel.
From the inaugural seven categories, there are now 30 award categories, including five new ones added this year.
The categories are:
- Best Singapore Travel Story (Print)
- Best Singapore Travel Story (Broadcast)
- Best Singapore Education Partner (Overseas School Trips)
- Best New Retail Concept
- Tourism Host of the Year – Spa
This year, the Best Accommodation Experience category has been revised to become three categories – Deluxe Hotel, Superior Hotel and Budget Hotel – to better reflect the range of accommodation options available in Singapore.
Local patronage of the Tourism Awards is equally relevant, with 26 of the 30 Award categories open to public nominations. This year, over 125,000 nominations poured in, of which 75 per cent came from Singaporeans, reflecting the personal interest that Singaporeans have taken towards how the industry is evolving.
Public nominations opened on 13 June 2005, and were closed on 15 September 2005. Judging panels comprised representatives from the tourism industry as well as private and public sectors, and the identities of the judges have been kept confidential.
Award Winners
In addition, special awards were presented to five individuals and organisations for their invaluable contribution to the tourism industry:
- In her 28 years in the tourism and hospitality industry, Ms Jennie Chua, President & CEO of Raffles Holdings Limited, can only be described as a trailblazer. For her vision and creative energy which have helped put Singapore firmly on the hospitality world map, Ms Chua was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award.
- A Special Recognition Award was presented to Hitachi Group of Companies for its unflagging support of the Christmas Light-Up for 15 years, which helped ensure that the Light-Up continues to grow in scale each year to its current iconic status.
- Amway Corporation also received a Special Recognition Award for its consistent endorsement and support of Singapore as a Business Events Travel destination.
- Mr Tay Liam Wee, Group Managing Director of Sincere Watch Limited, was named Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year. He is credited for Sincere’s innovative luxury watch retail concepts which reinforce Singapore’s position as the regional luxury watch hub and enhances Singapore’s status as a premier shopping destination in the region.
- Recognising an up-and-coming organisation and/or individual that has been in the tourism industry for five years or less, the New Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Mr Geeson P Lawadinata. The Executive Director of Grace International Pte Ltd is responsible for setting his company apart in the hotel industry through creating properties, such as the Scarlet Hotel in Singapore, that pay great attention to creativity, aesthetics, innovation, and information technology.
A number of the winners had bagged Tourism Awards in previous years. These repeat winners showed that they have consistently strived to better themselves and raise the bar, serving as role models for the industry.
- Giordano Originals took home two awards this year, for Best Shopping Experience – Specialty Store and Tourism Host of the Year – Retail. Giordano Originals was previously named “Store of the Year” at the 6th Tourism Awards, and “Best Shopping Experience – Retail Outlet” at the 14th and 15th Tourism Awards.
- Spa Botanica was awarded Best Spa Experience for the third year running.
- Singapore Zoo was named Best Leisure Attraction Experience. Previously, it was the “Best Managed Tourism Attraction” at the 1st Tourism Awards, “Best Leisure Attraction” at the 6th Tourism Awards, and “Leisure Attraction of the Year” at the 7th, 8th, 13th, 16th, and 17th Tourism Awards.
- The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore was named Best Accommodation Experience – Deluxe Hotel. Previous honours include “Hotel of the Year” at the 15th and 16th Tourism Awards, and “Best Accommodation Experience” at the 19th Tourism Awards.
- Zouk took home two awards for Best Leisure Event Experience for ZOUKOUT Singapore 2004, and for Best Nightspot Experience. Zouk was named “Nightspot of the Year” at the 11th, 13th, 15th and 16th Tourism Awards.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
