Singapore tops TIME Readers' Travel Choice Survey

For the fifth year, the TIME Readers' Travel Choice survey results showed that Singapore tops the list for favorite business city, preferred airline and favorite airport with Hong Kong ranking second. Singapore Airlines’ Krisflyer program was also the most popular frequent flyer program. Singapore also took the top ranking in best meeting / convention / exhibition facilities.

“The 2005 TIME Readers' Travel Choice survey demonstrates that TIME's readers are sophisticated, elite travelers who appreciate and enjoy Asia’s top brands in the travel sector. The results also reflect the successful effort and investment by the winners of each category in consistently conveying the quality of their brands and services to target markets,” said Alan Lammin, TIME Asia's Publishing Director. 

The survey, tabulated by Synovate, was open to TIME readers in Asia between April 11 and June 30, 2005, and captured their travel patterns and habits. This year, there were nominations in 11 categories to honor the best in business cities, airports, resorts, holiday destinations, airlines and hotels around the region. A 2-page questionnaire was inserted in five TIME issues this year--April 18th, 25th, May 9th, 30th and June 13th--and was supplemented by an online questionnaire to give respondents the choice of completing the survey through a dedicated URL. Incentives for the survey included three Sony Cyber-shot W7 digital cameras. The 2005 survey closed with a total of 2,193 replies.

Profiles of respondents remained similar to that of the 2004 Readers' Travel Choice survey with predominantly male readers (69%) and over half (57%) of respondents aged below age 40. Respondents in senior management positions remained stable at 32% while there was a noticeable increase in middle managers from 35% in 2004 to 59% in 2005.

Result highlights:

Airlines

Singapore Airlines again took the No.1 position in all categories, with Cathay Pacific second place.

Hotels

Shangri-La continued to be the preferred hotel/hotel chain. Hilton and Marriott swapped places from last year, with Hilton now ranking No. 2 ahead of third place Marriott. Raffles Singapore overtook Peninsula Hong Kong to become the favorite business hotel. Shangri-La Cebu remained the favorite resort hotel, with Banyan Tree Phuket at No. 2. 

Destinations

Favorite business city - Singapore

Best meeting/convention/exhibition facilities - Singapore

Favorite holiday destination - Bali

Favorite Asian airport - Changi Singapore

Credit card

Once again the favorite credit card was Visa which ranked ahead of MasterCard and American Express

TIME is hosting a Gala Awards Dinner on Wednesday evening at the Arts House at Old Parliament to honor all winners and present the awards. TIME's Asia Editor William Green will also share insights on the magazine's travel coverage and Asia's travel industry.

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