Singapore Tourism Board launches Sustainability Guidelines for the business events industry

Published on : Tuesday, November 26, 2013

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) recently launched Sustainability Guidelines to serve as a reference guide for Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) industry players in Singapore. These Guidelines are referenced from international standards such as ISO 20121 and the APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards and geared towards those who are keen to adopt sustainable practices. Through these guidelines, the STB also hoped to encourage local MICE players to meet global sustainability requirements.
The Sustainability Guidelines cover seven industry categories from across the business events ecosystem, including hotels, venues, event organisers and meeting planners, transportation, food and beverage, as well as audio-visual set-up. Areas covered under the guidelines include advice on waste management and the efficient use of water and energy as well as initiatives that encourage employees to develop a commitment to sustainable practices. The first event to adopt these Guidelines is the “Responsible Business Forum on Sustainability Development” held at Marina Bay Sands from 25-26 November 2013.
“With corporate clients and delegates becoming increasingly concerned about the environment, business event organisers and meeting planners are turning to destinations and venues with strong sustainability policies in place,” said Mr. Chew Tiong Heng, Executive Director, Business Tourism Development at the Singapore Tourism Board. “Green initiatives are therefore gaining traction among MICE event organisers, who recognise that such endeavours significantly enhance the overall visitor experience,” he added.
The organisers of the recent co-located sustainability-themed events, Build Eco Xpo (BEX Asia), International Green Building Conference and World Engineers Summit 2013, shared their sustainability initiatives in a post-event sustainable report. Feedback from the visitors, exhibitors and delegates has been positive as they are keen to ensure that their carbon footprints from attending these events were minimized. SWIFT’s recent decision to hold Sibos 2015 in Singapore was also partly due to the green initiatives at its chosen venue, Marina Bay Sands.
“In our pursuit of quality tourism, we must meet these emerging needs to enhance the experience of our business visitors,” commented Mr. Chew. “The Sustainability Guidelines will help our MICE partners and stakeholders take the first step in adopting sustainable practices, and eventually integrate these practices across all aspects of their MICE operations. Over time, all these efforts will strengthen the attractiveness of Singapore as a dynamic exhibitions and conventions hub in the region, and reinforce our reputation as a City in a Garden.”