This is how Singapore ups the wow factor for meetings and incentives

Singapore is a vibrant destination for both work and play — its world-class infrastructure, knowledge-based economy and global connectivity have attracted MICE groups far and wide. Renowned for its food, shopping, rich culture and heritage, there is no shortage of fun and unique activities for event organisers looking to host memorable meetings or standout incentive travel programmes.

The city’s MICE and tourism players, from hotels and attractions to convention centres, are also committed to charging ahead on the sustainability front by practising initiatives such as eliminating single-use plastics, saving electricity by implementing smart technology to reduce the ambient temperature indoors, and using produce from urban gardens in menus.

This synergised green movement among Singapore’s MICE stakeholders has created a prime destination for planners looking to support their business’ ESG goals. Beyond that, planners can also look forward to enthralling their delegates with a kaleidoscopic array of experiences that’s uniquely Singapore – and what better way to learn about Singapore’s diverse offerings than from the DMCs and TMCs that specialise in fully immersing corporate groups in the country’s local scene?

From making your own perfume, to dining experiences among wildlife, to exploring the historical streets of Singapore or joining a multi-sensory tour to learn about sustainable urban farming, these incentive ideas recommended by Singapore-based DMCs/TMCs will surprise, delight, intrigue and entertain.

Heritage highlights

For an unrivalled insight into the art and soul of Southeast Asia, enjoy a docent-led tour of National Gallery Singapore, the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art. Explore various areas including the DBS Singapore Gallery, with over 300 pieces of Singapore art from the national collection and admire the building’s stunning architecture.

End the cultural tour at the Padang Deck, offering spectacular views of Singapore’s Marina Bay and Civic District or enjoy a drink with a twist at the Smoke & Mirrors bar on the gallery’s rooftop. The venue has also recently launched its Art of Drinking menu featuring cocktails inspired by artwork in the Gallery.

Head to Joo Chiat, slightly off the beaten track, for an unrivalled insight into Peranakan culture – a hybridisation of Chinese, Malay and Western aesthetics, heritage, values and cuisines. The bustling district is home to The Intan, a private Peranakan museum and treasure trove owned by antiques collector Alvin Yapp. You can view his personal collection of Peranakan antiques, including furniture, trinkets and traditional costumes, and try some Nyonya dishes and snacks.

If puzzles are more to your taste, apply your detective skills to the Chinatown Murders escape room-themed game tour by Tribe Tours. Enjoy a whistle-stop tour of Chinatown’s narrow streets, uncovering clues to solve a murder mystery while enhancing your knowledge of Chinatown’s fascinating history.

To unravel more of Singapore’s past, travel back in time with the Trail of Tan Ah Huat, an interactive bike tour with a difference from Let’s Go Tours. Sightseeing, drama, visuals, storytelling and a leisurely bike ride combined to bring 1920s Singapore to life, giving you the inside track on significant landmarks and places of interest.

Immersive experiences

Set yourself up for the day ahead with the Breakfast in the Wild programme at Singapore Zoo, relaunched in October this year. Enjoy supervised, up-close and interactive animal encounters as you dine, with the chance to meet protected wildlife such as orangutans, macaws, reptiles and more.  Find out more about the wildlife while tucking into a hearty breakfast and there’s an eco-friendly emphasis too – the Zoo’s catering uses sustainably-sourced ingredients, including sustainable palm oil and fresh coffee beans obtained from the farmers in Java in Indonesia.

Invigorate your senses at Scentopia on Sentosa Island for a perfume-making team building experience where groups can blend bespoke fragrances based on rainforest aromas, such as orchids. Delegates can also find out what scents best suit their mood or character through fun “personality perfume tests”. Scentopia also offers ‘forest bathing’ tours on Sentosa for groups looking to unwind and connect with nature.

For an immersive experience with a sustainable spin, join a guided tour of Singapore with Woopa Travel. Explore the green features around the Marina Bay Sands, where artistic installations don’t just look good but do good too. The ‘Wind Arbor’ sculpture shields the building from sunlight, maintaining low temperatures, while ‘Tipping Wall’ collects rainwater which is pumped upwards and which then pours back down again. Take a multi-sensory urban farm tour with Edible Garden City, a social enterprise focused on encouraging consumers and businesses to grow their own food. Groups can learn about soil fertility, watering and lighting conditions to create their own edible garden back home. They can also tour an on-site urban farm, tasting edible plants such as roselle, basil and curry leaves and finding out how to home-grow these too.

Gastronomic journeys

From hearty hawker fare to fine dining, Singapore’s diverse dining scene is an attraction in its own right, with Singapore Hawker Culture inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

For a fine dining experience, the 2022 Michelin Guide Singapore, features 52 Michelin-starred restaurants, including Candlenut, the world’s first and only Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant. Savour traditional dishes with a twist, such as Chef’s Mum’s Chicken Curry and Westholme Wagyu Beef Rib Rendang.

Groups craving street food can head to Singapore’s vibrant hawker centres — the open-air Makansutra Gluttons Bay looks out across Marina Bay, with the cityscape framed in the background and is an ideal introduction to Singapore’s lively hawker scene. Or swing by the 1-Michelin-starred Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle for a bowl of bak chor mee (noodles with minced pork) at just S$6 (US$4). At Lau Pa Sat, Singapore’s first wet market that dates back more than 150 years, you can enjoy a sumptuous spread of authentic street food.

Dine alfresco with a sunset cruise on Royal Albatross, the only tall ship attraction available for luxury charter in Asia with a full course dinner, international buffet or BBQ buffet on offer. As the ship sails towards the vicinity of the Southern Islands, with stunning views of Singapore’s iconic skyline, diners can enjoy the gentle ocean breeze while tucking into their gourmet dinner.

Whether you want to sip on cocktails, check out a wine bar or admire views from a rooftop, Singapore’s exciting bar scene fits the bill, with some featured in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2022. Taste expertly crafted cocktails at Jigger & Pony, which ranked at number 12, or soak up your surroundings in the opulent Art Deco-themed Atlas bar. Go green with your dining experience at the world’s tallest urban farm, 1-Arden Food Forest, 51 storeys high, which provides produce for on-site restaurant Kaarla, putting sustainability on show.

Party in style

Singapore is a city that rarely sleeps, and groups can put this to the test at Marquee at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore’s largest nightclub. At 2,300sqm, the venue is big enough to house an indoor eight-armed Ferris wheel, three-storey-slides and the largest LED-screen in the world, and up to 1,900 people.

No visit to Singapore is complete without a stop at Zouk in Clarke Quay, another renowned venue on the clubbing scene, which has played host to some of the world’s most popular DJs. There are a range of spaces to hire and its size (it caters for up to 550), and groups can experience the best in dance, techno and electronic music.

For a more laid-back nightclub vibe, head to Tanjong Beach Club, Sentosa’s world-famous beach bar, where you can dance with the feel of sand under your feet under a star-filled sky. The Hawaiian-themed Ola Beach Club, also located in Sentosa, is another chilled-out party venue, where you can kick back, sip on cocktails and party from dusk till dawn.

Diverse retail experiences

Orchard Road is at the heart of Singapore’s retail offering, a slice of shopping heaven and renowned as one of the world’s top shopping streets.  Enjoy a private shopping experience at Design Orchard, where groups can browse over 100 local brands. Or simply spend the day along the retail strip browsing department stores and eclectic boutiques, catching up on the latest fashion trends and discovering quirky, sought-after items.

Bring the concept of ‘shop till you drop’ to life at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, southeast Asia’s largest selection of luxury fashion, featuring the latest designs from international fashion brands, all in one place. Recent additions and upcoming brands include jewellery house Buccellati, fashion house Acne Studios and perfume house Amaffi, alongside the likes of Burberry, Cartier and Chanel. With the addition of brands on a regular basis, there’s always something new to discover.

Strong support

Some of the options outlined above are available on a complimentary basis for qualified MICE groups, as part of the latest In Singapore Incentive & Rewards Global 2.0 (INSPIRE Global 2.0)  programme which offers close to 80 options in dining, attractions, thematic tours, team-building and retail experiences to complement the itineraries of MICE groups to Singapore.

Find out how Singapore can help you plan exceptional meetings and events, catering to different themes, group sizes and needs, and the different incentive options available, by clicking here.

This article is sponsored by Singapore Tourism Board