Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Singapore Business Review E-Newsletter

Singapore ranked best in Asia again?

Singapore has been ranked the third best place to have meetings. The country just stands behind Paris and Vienna which hold 1st and 2nd positions. This ranking is based on the Union of International Associations’, UIA’s latest rankings. This is the first time Singapore has been placed in the top three.

It has moved up three notches to being Asia’s top countries to do meetings. On a pleasant note, Singapore has retained its position as the best place in Asia to have meetings. Singapore has thus retained its 23 year record.

Singapore’s remarkable ranking will prove to be a tremendous endorsement of its strengths and continued draw as a business destination. This view was resounded by the Singapore Tourism Board. The rankings are evidence of a 62 percent growth over 2005.

The tourism board also noted that the number of meetings held in Singapore has more than doubled in the past five years and accounted to 22 percent of all meetings held in Asia. Prestigious noted meetings that have been held in Singapore recently were the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in September.

There is something about Singapore that other Asian countries could learn from. Maybe other countries in Asia could analyse the steps Singapore takes to play host and then maybe they would be able to share the spotlight with Singapore.

Singapore has even attracted the likes of one of the world’s greatest chef’s in the likes of Chef Thomas Keller who is on show at the 13th annual wine, food and arts experience at the Raffles Hotel. He has achieved Seven Michelin Stars and is one of the most reputable chefs in the arena of fine dining.