The place to be: Singapore beats all Asian cities as top convention venue

Singapore was named Asia's Top Convention City and ranked fifth globally next to Vienna, Barcelona, Paris, and Berlin.

The Global Rankings were released by the International Congress and Convention Association. ICCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Martin Sirk, said, “It’s no great surprise to me to see this continued success, since this is a sector where long-term vision and consistency are required. But it still takes great marketing effort in what are becoming ever-more competitive regional and global marketplaces, and the continued investment in great new facilities and human capital, so I applaud the hard work and creativity of all our Singaporean members."

According to a Singapore Tourism Board release, 136 rotating events were held in Singapore in 2010, representing more than 14 percent growth over the events that qualified in 2009. STB also noted that Singapore attracted 3.1 million business travellers in 2010, which accounted for 27 percent of all visitors to Singapore, spending about S$ 5.4 billion.

“Singapore’s Business Travel, and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry looks set for greater heights as evidenced by more event wins. Within the first half of 2011 alone, there were 12 new World Congresses secured to add to Singapore’s line up of events from 2012 to 2016 - in comparison, 14 were secured within the whole of 2010,” said the release.