Singapore will pioneer several things to lead the reinvention of global travel, especially in the MICE industry, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said.
Global travel and tourism may be close to a standstill, but Singapore is not standing still, Mr Chan said.
In a Facebook post, Mr Chan said Singapore will reinvent and rebuild the industry. We will ‘progressively resume travel and tourism activities in a safe and sustainable manner’.
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First to trial the newly developed prototype for safe business events, safe itineraries and digital enablers is TravelRevive.
The prototype was the result of efforts by stakeholders from both the private and public sectors, said Mr Chan.
The event is held over 2 days from 25 Nov to 26 Nov.
It is the first major international travel trade show to take place in Asia-Pacific during COVID-19.
The event is held at Sands Expo & Convention Centre. It brings delegates and businesses together to exchange ideas, bridge knowledge gaps, and reimagine how the future of travel will look like, according to TravelRevive website.
Safe travel protocols
The safe travel protocols combine pre-departure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests with on-arrival tests and periodic antigen tests. Together with the TraceTogether system, they make for mutual assurance, Mr Chan elaborated.
Safe event protocols
There are safe event protocols too. The Event Industry Resilience Roadmap developed by the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) together with STB and ESG aims to guide the safe resumption of business events.
In September this year, Mr Chan announced the resumption of MICE events in October.
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The Singapore International Energy Week was successfully held in October.
“We have also re-imagined the entire traveller and MICE experience end-to-end, from pre-arrival to post-departure, so that safe itineraries can be developed to cater to authentic and personalised experiences for visitors while offering the assurance of safety,” Mr Chan said.
“I am confident that with the support of all stakeholders, we will maintain our position as a key travel and transit hub in the region, offering a safe and secure meeting place for all travellers,” he added.