When a hotel and a bank came together for a green day out at the zoo

The pitter-patter of little feet and shrieks of delight sounded across Singapore Zoo under the early morning sun on Saturday, 13 August, as 300 parents and children meandered around animal enclosures, enjoying a pleasant stroll, sans the crowds typically spotted at the popular attraction.

The Singapore Zoo was specially commissioned to open at an earlier time for these families to explore at their own leisure under HSBC’s Premier Family Fiesta Event.

"Besides being a favourite for Singaporean families, as a conservation-minded zoological institution, the Singapore Zoo's focus on sustainability is very much aligned to HSBC’s purpose and values," said Alice Fok, head of customer, international & marketing, HSBC Singapore.

Select HSBC Premier card members had been invited to this exclusive closed-door private event organised in collaboration with Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, allowing them and their children to have the zoo all to themselves for several hours before it opened to public.

"Mandarin Oriental, Singapore (MO), has been a key and valued partner of HSBC," Fok shared. "Given one of the focus of the Premier Family Fiesta was to give back to the community, we have also partnered MO to donate 20 bikes which our guests and employees helped to build and subsequently donated to beneficiaries at Autism Resource Centre (ARC). "

Well-rested from their previous night’s stay at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore — HSBC’s hospitality partner for its event — the families took part in an hour-long family fun race that brought them on a planned route to view various animals comprising tigers, kangaroos, monkeys, crocodiles, penguins and giraffes.

Beyond giving both parents and the children the ability to stretch their legs and clock some steps in pursuit of physical wellness, the race allowed families to play their part in contributing back to the environment. HSBC pledged to plant a tree for every 1.8km distance covered by each participant. Within an hour, 540km was covered, culminating in a total number of 10,000 trees that will be planted in hopes of driving a more sustainable future.

The route was specially planned so that the race ended at the Forest Lodge, a 220-seat air-conditioned function venue, where they got to rest their weary legs and take a respite from the heat while digging into a wholesome breakfast spread created by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group's executive chef Eric Tan, who incorporated locally- and responsibly-sourced ingredients into the specially curated menu.

The fun didn’t just stop when the fun race ended. After digging into the sustainable fare, groups of families broke off into different sections of the lodge carved out for a myriad of family-friendly activities.

At the art workshop, the children were guided by an experienced art coach on creating art pieces based on sustainability themes. A professional mother-daughter duo was also present at the scene where they painted the faces of children to mimic that of their favourite animals.

Over at another area, a zookeeper educated parents and children alike about the importance of mental and physical stimulation for animals, and tasked them on creating enrichment devices and tools for these animals at the zoo with the use of recycled materials. Participants then had the pleasure of watching on as the animals interacted and played with their creations.

Guests also took part in the Build A Bic activity where they built a kid’s bicycle from scratch to be donated to the children in ARC. The parts for the bicycles were provided by Mandarin Oriental, Singapore.

“It was a meaningful collaboration with HSBC on their recent HSBC Premier Family experience held at the Singapore Zoo last Saturday,” said Christopher Kang, director of commercial strategy of Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. “In addition to doing our part for the community with our donation of bicycles in line with both family and sustainability themes set for the event, our latest Cycle For MOre stay experience complemented the event as guests are able to play a part in decarbonisation with every mile they cycle as they explore the various facets of Singapore’s urban landscape on two wheels.”

Participants who opted for Mandarin Oriental, Singapore’s Cycle for MOre hospitality package under HSBC’s event subsequently went back to the hotel after the event ended to literally Cycle for MOre. This experience is also open to the general public, with each stay inclusive of complimentary usages of bicycles; healthy and sustainable snacks; and complimentary bed and breakfast for the third and fourth occupants.

“In working towards a sustainable future, this uniquely crafted accommodation package allows guests to partake in a family getaway with our fleet of customised Foldie and City bicycles, available for both adults and kids as they embark on our six curated cycling routes, from exploring the vicinity of the hotel on a Marina Bay route to nature-surrounded ride through gardens and beaches on a beach route, and more,” Kang added.