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Singapore, 2 March 2006
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) today honoured 45 outstanding individuals and organisations that made significant contributions in enhancing Singapore’s image as a premier destination at the prestigious 20th Tourism Awards.
Held at the Esplanade Concert Hall, the Tourism Awards presentation ceremony was graced by the President of Singapore, His Excellency S R Nathan, and Mrs Nathan. Over 1,400 guests from various tourism-related industries, ranging from education to retail, attended the glamorous event.
Mr Simon Israel, Chairman of STB, lauded the efforts of all finalists and winners in helping to raise service standards in Singapore. He said, “The winners and finalists of the 20th Tourism Awards have all demonstrated their unique ability to add that extra touch in creating unique experiences and distinctive service elements for our visitors. It is this spirit of innovation and the willingness to go the extra mile that ensures Singapore remains attractive as a destination.”
Now into its 20th year, the Tourism Awards, seen as the “Oscars” of the industry, has evolved to keep pace with the changing tourism landscape. Mr Israel said, “As Singapore faces an increasingly competitive tourism landscape, it is important for the industry to continue to place greater emphasis on innovation, creativity and experiential factors.”
From a tourist-and-travel-centric recognition programme, the Tourism Awards now covers the full spectrum of service industries related to tourism, namely hotel (or hospitality?), BTMICE, leisure attraction, food and beverage, entertainment, spa, retail and travel.
From the inaugural seven categories, there are now 30 award categories, including five new ones added this year. These are:
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Best Singapore Travel Story (Print), |
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Best Singapore Travel Story (Broadcast), |
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Best Singapore Education Partner (Overseas School Trips), |
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Best New Retail Concept, and |
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Tourism Host of the Year – Spa |
Local patronage of the Tourism Awards is equally relevant, with 26 of the 30 Award categories open to public nominations. This year, over 125,000 nominations poured in, of which 75 per cent came from Singaporeans, reflecting the personal interest that Singaporeans have taken towards how the industry is evolving.
Public nominations opened on 13 June 2005, and were closed on September 15, 2005. Judging panels comprised representatives from the tourism industry as well as private and public sectors, and the identities of the judges have been kept confidential.
Award Winners
In addition, special awards were presented to five individuals and organisations for their invaluable contribution to the tourism industry:
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In her 28 years in the tourism and hospitality industry, Ms Jennie Chua, President & CEO of Raffles Holdings Limited, can only be described as a trailblazer. For her vision and creative energy which have helped put Singapore firmly on the hospitality world map, Ms Chua was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award. |
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A Special Recognition Award was presented to Hitachi Asia Limited for its unflagging support of the Christmas Light-Up for 15 years, which helped ensure that the Light-Up continues to grow in scale each year to its current iconic status. |
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Amway Corporation also received a Special Recognition Award for its consistent endorsement and support of Singapore as a Business Events Travel destination. |
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Mr Tay Liam Wee, Group Managing Director of Sincere Watch Limited, was named Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year. He is credited for reinforcing Singapore’s position as the regional luxury watch hub and putting Singapore on the map in the world of horology through innovative luxury watch retail concepts, the acquisition of exclusive distribution rights for popular luxury brands such as Franck Muller, A. Lange & Söhne, de GRISOGONO and F.P. Journe, and organising high-profile and exclusive events such as “A Celebration of Time. |
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The New Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Mr Geeson P Lawadinata, Executive Director of Grace International Pte Ltd. The award recognises an up-and-coming organisation and/or individual that has been in the tourism industry for five years or less. Mr Geeson is responsible for setting Grace International apart in the hotel industry through creating properties, such as the Scarlet Hotel in Singapore, that pay great attention to creativity, aesthetics, innovation, and information technology. |
A number of the winners tonight had bagged Tourism Awards in previous years. These repeat winners showed that they have consistently strived to better themselves and raise the bar, serving as role models for the industry.
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Giordano Originals took home two awards this year, for Best Shopping Experience – Specialty Store and Tourism Host of the Year – Retail. Giordano Originals was previously named “Store of the Year” at the 6th Tourism Awards, and “Best Shopping Experience – Retail Outlet” at the 14th and 15th Tourism Awards. |
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Spa Botanica was awarded Best Spa Experience for the third year running. |
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Singapore Zoo was named Best Leisure Attraction Experience. Previously, it was the “Best Managed Tourism Attraction” at the 1st Tourism Awards, “Best Leisure Attraction” at the 6th Tourism Awards, and “Leisure Attraction of the Year” at the 7th, 8th, 13th, 16th, and 17th Tourism Awards. |
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The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore was named Best Accommodation Experience – Deluxe Hotel. Previous honours include “Hotel of the Year” at the 15th and 16th Tourism Awards, and “Best Accommodation Experience” at the 19th Tourism Awards. |
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Zouk took home two awards for Best Leisure Event Experience for ZOUKOUT Singapore 2004, and for Best Nightspot Experience. Zouk was named “Nightspot of the Year” at the 11th, 13th, 15th and 16th Tourism Awards. |
For further enquiries, please contact:
Or you may call the STB Media Hotline at 9011 2071.
Annex A
20th TOURISM AWARDS WINNERS
1. OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM
Ms Jennie Chua, President & CEO, Raffles Holdings Limited
2. SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Hitachi Group of Companies
Amway Corporation
3. TOURISM ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Mr Tay Liam Wee, Group Managing Director, Sincere Watch Limited
4. NEW TOURISM ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Mr Geeson P Lawadinata, Executive Director, Grace International Pte Ltd
5. TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR – HOTEL
Ms Nicole Yong Wai Kuan, Swissotel The Stamford
6. TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR – LEISURE ATTRACTION
Ms Karen Lim Wai, Sentosa Leisure Group
7. TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR – RESTAURANT
Mr Tan Leng Keong Benjamin, Blue Potato, Swissotel Merchant Court, Singapore
8. TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR – RETAIL
Ms Belle Tay Siew Ling, Giordano Originals (S) Pte Ltd
9. TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR – SPA (New Category)
Ms Carol Tong Hui Chuen, RafflesAmrita Spa
10. TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR – TOUR GUIDING
Mr Muhammad Razeen Chan Ying Loone, Journeys Pte Ltd
11. TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR – TRANSPORT (TAXI)
Mr Lee Khoon Swee (Yellow–Top Cab Pte Ltd) (Sovereign)
12. BEST ACCOMMODATION EXPERIENCE – DELUXE HOTEL (Revised)
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
13. BEST ACCOMMODATION EXPERIENCE – SUPERIOR HOTEL (Revised)
Orchard Hotel Singapore
14. BEST ACCOMMODATION EXPERIENCE – BUDGET HOTEL (Revised)
hangout@mt.emily
15. BEST BUSINESS EVENT EXPERIENCE
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year World Summit Singapore 2005
16. BEST LEISURE EVENT EXPERIENCE
ZOUKOUT SINGAPORE 2004
17. BEST LEISURE ATTRACTION EXPERIENCE
Singapore Zoo
18. BEST NIGHTSPOT EXPERIENCE
Zouk Club
19. BEST SIGHTSEEING/LEISURE/EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
NEWater Visitor Centre
20. BEST SPA EXPERIENCE
Spa Botanica
21. BEST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE – BEST NEW RETAIL CONCEPT (New Category)
Tangs – Dressing Room
22. BEST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE – DEPARTMENT STORE
Tangs
23. BEST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE – SPECIALTY STORE
Giordano Originals (S) Pte Ltd
24. BEST SINGAPORE EDUCATION PARTNER – OVERSEAS SCHOOL TRIPS (New Category)
Bedok South Secondary School
25. BEST SINGAPORE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
(Singapore packages for visitors from China, India, Korea)
China: 金苹果幼儿园－新加坡非常体验之旅 (Golden Apple Kindergarten Overseas Schools Trip)
• 四川省国际旅行社 (China International Travel Service Sichuan Branch) & Siam Express Pte Ltd)
India: Uniquely Enriching Singapore
• Indian Airlines & Timesworld Travel
Korea: Well-Loving Singapore
• Hana Tour
• Honeymoon Travel
• Hyundai Dream Tour
• Nextour
• Tourmall
• Yoona Travel
26. BEST SINGAPORE TRAVEL STORY – BROADCAST (New Category)
Singapore Fashion Festival 2005 Special Series – AZIO TV (Dong Feng)
27. BEST SINGAPORE TRAVEL STORY – PRINT (New Category)
Singapore Style (Cuisine Magazine) – Ray McVinnie
28. MOST INNOVATIVE MARKETING EFFORT BY AN AIRLINE AND/OR FOREIGN TOUR OPERATOR
Uniquely Tasty Singapore – Best Hainanese Chicken Rice
• China Airlines (Taiwan), and
• Best Way Travel Service
• Comfort Travel Service
• Lion Travel Service
• ezTravel Co.
• Star Travel Corp.
• Ta Yu Travel Service
• Chieh Li Travel Service
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