Saturday, April 16, 2016
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is extending the In Singapore Incentives & Rewards (INSPIRE) programme beyond China and India to corporate meeting and incentive travel groups from Europe and North America. Conceptualised in partnership with Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport Group, the pilot Western edition of the rewards programme will feature cocktail experiences and thematic business tours alongside attractive group airfares to complement business trips. The INSPIRE programme for Europe and North America will be launched at IMEX Frankfurt on 19 April at the Singapore Pavilion (Booth B380), Messe Frankfurt Hall 8.
“The INSPIRE scheme for the Western markets delves deeper into the soul of Singapore, and proffers insights into the cultural, economic and social drivers of our society. Through these activities, business travellers can gain a more in-depth understanding of the Singapore story, and at the same time enjoy the city’s vibrant leisure and lifestyle offerings afterhours,” said Mr Chang Chee Pey, Executive Director, Europe, STB.
A programme to INSPIRE Western corporates
According to the Global Business Travel Association, business travel spending in Western Europe is set to increase. The top five markets – Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Italy – are forecasted to see a 3.1 to 5.5 per cent growth in international outbound travel in 2016. The United States is also expected to see an increase of 1.9 to 2.3 per cent in international outbound travel.
In addition, companies are planning to increase their corporate travel budgets in 2016. This positive outlook was one of the key highlights of the 2015 Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Index Benchmark Study, which found that participants increasingly preferred more personalised experiences that were indigenous to travel destinations.
To reach out to the increasing number of corporate meeting and incentive travel groups from Europe and North America, STB and its partners are introducing an INSPIRE package that supplements business trips with attractive group airfares on Singapore Airlines, along with cocktail experiences at iconic venues or thematic business tours around Singapore.
Said CAG’s Senior Vice President, Market Development, Mr Lim Ching Kiat, “This collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Airlines is part of CAG’s strategy to encourage business travel from Europe and North America, for Singapore to serve as a business hub for Asia. Linked to 20 major cities in Europe and North America, with over 150 weekly services, Changi Airport’s connectivity to Europe and North America will help to facilitate the growth of this new segment.”
Unique experiences that complement and INSPIRE
To kickstart their Singapore experience, corporate meeting and incentive travel groups can enjoy attractive group airfares and other in-flight benefits on Singapore Airlines when travelling to Singapore and beyond, from points in Europe and North America served by the Singapore Airlines network. In addition, groups will receive complimentary air tickets for every SGD 50,000 (or EUR 32,700 / USD 37,000) spent; for those travelling from Europe, the national carrier is also offering additional baggage allowance and exclusive side-trip fares from Singapore to destinations in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand (from EUR 150 all-in).
“We are thrilled to be the airline partner of the INSPIRE programme, which would undoubtedly help to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global MICE destination.
In addition to the curated experiences as part of the scheme, these special groups will be able to plan a tailor-made trip making use of our extensive global network and enjoy the award-winning services that SIA has to offer,” said Singapore Airlines’ Regional Vice-President Europe, Mr Subhas Menon.
Eligible corporate meeting and incentive travel groups can also choose from 12 complimentary activities that will further enrich their travel itineraries:
Tags: sia, Singapore Tourism Board
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