Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1116820
Feature MICE Cruise 46 MAY-JUN 2019 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM The Changi Lounge at Jewel Changi Airport. DESTINATIONS IN THE CRUISE CONTROL Tourism bodies such as Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have reason to lend their support to promote MICE cruise, thanks to the related economic benets in the form of increased tourism arrivals and receipts. Last year, Singapore's cruise industry put up a strong performance with total passenger throughput at a high of 1.87 million — a 35% increase from 2017. "Meetings and Incentives (M&I) groups often look for unique and distinctive experiences for their delegates. Adding a cruise component to Singapore's land-based M&I itineraries helps to expand the range of options available to meeting planners. For groups from our neighbouring countries who may already be familiar with Singapore, the added cruise component can also be a refreshing addition that gives [us] a stronger value proposition as a M&I destination," said Jeannie Lim, assistant chief executive, policy and planning group, STB. Besides working closely with cruise lines to ne tune their land and sea itineraries, STB oers assistance in the form of schemes such as "Business Events in Singapore" and "In Singapore Incentives & Rewards", which provide funding and unique, value-added experiences for selected groups that meet the criteria. With such support, planners have an added incentive to go beyond the tried and tested to create unique itineraries, which can be made possible through the combination of land and cruise experiences. Giving Singapore a run for its money is Hong Kong, also a leading regional cruise hub which similarly sees "tremendous potential" for driving the development of MICE cruise, according to Kenneth Wong, general manager for MICE & cruise, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). "MICE and cruise tourism are both big parts of HKTB's strategic initiatives for boosting Hong Kong's overall tourism growth. As Hong Kong has in store both "For groups from our neighbouring countries who may already be familiar with Singapore, the added cruise component can also be a refreshing addition that gives [us] a stronger value proposition as a M&I destination." JEANNIE LIM, ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE, POLICY AND PLANNING GROUP, SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD TOURISM BOARD Early check-in counters at Changi Airport.