Singapore once again named top cruise destination

Check out government initiatives to boost the sector.

Singapore was lauded as top cruise by industry experts for a second time in three years at the 10th Seatrade Cruise Awards last Thursday (Sep 22).

This accolade is another feather in the cap for Singapore, which was voted as the top Asian port of call in the inaugural Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards earlier this month.

The award also caps off years of developmental work that STB, cruise lines and trade partners had put in to grow the cruise industry in Singapore.

Some of the initiatives include forging more than 10 marketing partnerships with cruise lines and trade partners to drive cruise passenger numbers, training more than 800 travel agents overseas to raise their capability to sell cruises from Singapore, and widening Singapore’s reach to consumers via multiple media platforms in six major source markets.

STB also actively works with local trade partners to curate immersive and differentiated pre- or post-cruise experiences to enrich visitors’ stay in Singapore.

In August 2015, STB organised a workshop for cruise operators to experience the unique offerings of local bookbinding atelier Bynd Artisan and homegrown scent artisans Je t’aime Perfumery. Participants tried their hands at creating bespoke leather nametags and scent blends of native orchid oils, seeding ideas of innovative experiences which may be offered to cruise passengers.