Singapore Tourism Awards 2002: A salute to the brightest stars of Singapore tourism

Singapore's best service workers were honoured at the 17th annual Tourism Awards on October 31. The gala event, held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, was graced by President S R Nathan and Mrs Nathan.

The annual Tourism Awards by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) honour individuals and organisations that have provided excellent service in the hotel, attractions, food and beverage, entertainment, retail and travel agency sectors of the industry.

This year's competition is the stiffest yet, with a record 92,000 nominations - a four-fold increase over the previous year. Nominations from overseas visitors alone numbered 27,870, representing a 193 per cent increase over 2001.

Out of 21 categories for this year, 19 categories were open for nominations. Two categories were elected by a panel of judges. These are for the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism and the Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year awards. This year's winner for the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism was Mr Edmund Cheng, the former Chairman of the STB, and currently the Deputy Chairman of Wing Tai Holdings Ltd. The Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year award went to Mr Boh Tuang Poh, Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Asiatravel.com Holdings Ltd.

Six of the winners tonight have won in previous years. IMG Singapore, Chan Brothers Travel and P&O Travel have each bagged the trophy once before. Takashimaya Shopping Centre and Robinson & Co would have each won their fourth Tourism award this year, with Takashimaya having won consecutively for the past three years. Singapore Zoological Gardens tasted glory for the sixth time this year. These are some of the organisations which have consistently shown a high standard of service. 

Mr Wee Ee-chao, Chairman of the STB said: "The award recipients this evening all have one thing in common. They have redefined the notion of service excellence. They have, in their own special way, helped Singapore become a more attractive and memorable destination for millions of visitors each year. We hope their exemplary conduct will inspire many more in the industry to strive for higher quality of service."

Providing unsurpassed service quality is all the more critical in the face of competition. 

Mr Wee noted: "Service excellence is key to the new competitive environment. Service excellence will turn shopping at Orchard Road, eating at hawker centres and restaurants, watching a performance at the world-class Esplanade or visiting the Night Safari, into an enjoyable experience. The contacts with our service staff, or with our fellow Singaporeans will matter a great deal. Our commitment to service excellence must be total. We must tackle every aspect of service excellence deeply and comprehensively, from the time the visitor starts planning for his trip until he departs."

The annual Tourism Awards were launched in 1985. Since then, the categories have increased three-fold. Finalists of the awards span all areas of the tourism industry, including hotels, leisure attractions, food and beverage establishments, entertainment, retail and travel agencies. Visitors and locals nominate these individuals and organisations.

TOURISM AWARDS 2002 WINNERS

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM
Mr Edmund Cheng, Deputy Chairman
Wing Tai Holdings Ltd

BEST EVENT ORGANISER (ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT)
IMG Singapore Pte Ltd for "Buddy The Musical, Miss Saigon & Slava's Snowshow"

BEST EVENT ORGANISER (SPECIAL EVENTS)
World Sport Group for "Caltex Singapore Masters & Charity Pro-Am 2002 presented by Carlsberg"

BEST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE - RETAIL OUTLET 
Robinson & Co (S) Pte Ltd

BEST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE - SHOPPING CENTRE 
Takashimaya Shopping Centre

BEST TRAVEL STORY (ENGLISH) 
"A City for the Senses" by Mr Jonathan Kandell for Los Angeles Times Magazine (USA)

BEST TRAVEL STORY (NON-ENGLISH)
"Kosmos Singapur" by n-tv (Germany)

HOTEL OF THE YEAR 
Conrad Centennial Singapore

LEISURE ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR 
Singapore Zoological Gardens

MOST INNOVATIVE LINKED REGIONAL PRODUCT 
"Singapore Now More Than Ever" 
by Pacific World Singapore

NIGHTSPOT OF THE YEAR 
Centro The Club

TRAVEL AGENCY OF THE YEAR (INBOUND)
P&O Travel (Singapore) Pte Ltd

TRAVEL AGENCY OF THE YEAR (OUTBOUND)
Chan Brothers Travel Pte Ltd

TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR - HOTEL 
Mr Norman Lee Teck Chay
Conrad Centennial Singapore

TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR - LEISURE ATTRACTION 
Ms Karen Chen Ching Wen 
Underwater World Singapore Pte Ltd 

TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR - RESTAURANT 
Ms Amy Lim Geok May
Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore

TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR - RETAIL 
Ms Lena Lee Loo Yen
Lee Hwa Jewellery

TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR - TOUR GUIDING 
Mr Gary Lim Kian Eng

TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR - TRANSPORT (TAXI)
Mr Lim Soon Kwooi
CityCab Pte Ltd

TOURISM HOST OF THE YEAR - TRAVEL AGENCY 
Ms Evelyn Tan Ai Peng
STA Travel Pte Ltd