STB adds Three New Categories to the Tourism Awards 2006

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has introduced three new categories to its Tourism Awards 2006. They include the Top 10 Best Family Experiences, Best Tourism Host – Nightspots and the Uniquely Singapore award. This is part of the STB's continual efforts to encourage the industry to realise its aggressive targets of achieving Sin$30 billion in tourism receipts and 17 million in visitor arrivals by 2015.

“The industry’s support is pivotal to the realisation of the Tourism 2015 vision. The new awards recognise tourism players who contributed significantly to some of the key priority areas in our Tourism 2015 plans,” said Dr Chan Tat Hon, Assistant Chief Executive (Leisure), Singapore Tourism Board. “Singapore is already a leading destination for families travelling to this region. We would like to recognise and encourage the industry players to continue to innovate and create Uniquely Singapore experiences for families travelling to Singapore. Winners of the new Top 10 Best Family Experiences award will be recognised and specially highlighted in our extensive marketing efforts both locally and overseas.”

“As Singapore’s entertainment and lifestyle landscape continues to transform with many new and happening entertainment options injecting much vibrancy to Singapore, it is timely to introduce the Best Tourism Host – Nightspot category to encourage the emphasis on service quality even as the sector continues to grow,” Dr Chan added.

Another award that will be making its debut at Tourism Awards 2006 is The Uniquely Singapore award. Honouring individuals, organisations, events or projects that best encapsulates the essence, personality and inspiration behind the brand, this award aims to recognise the significant efforts and achievements made by tourism players in bringing alive the Uniquely Singapore branding. Industry players’ concerted efforts in leveraging on and living out the Uniquely Singapore brand will inspire a strong positive buzz in the global audience and achieve top-of-mind awareness when travellers make their plans.

Now into its 21st year, the Tourism Awards will see 28 categories – 22 of which will be open for the public to submit nominations. The nomination period for Tourism Awards 2006 begins today, 3 August 2006, and lasts through to 30 September 2006.

To make it easier and more convenient for participants, for the first time, nominations can be submitted via Short Message Service (SMS) to 73300. With this feature in place, nominations can literally be made anytime, anywhere. Each SMS nomination is charged at Sin$0.20. Participants who submit their nominations through SMS can stand to win attractive lucky draw prizes worth up to Sin$1000. To encourage more local and foreign participation, nominations can also be submitted either online, through a local toll-free hotline (1800-4AWARDS/ 1800-4-292737), or via the official forms that will be available at locations island-wide including restaurants, hotels, attractions, shopping centres, retail outlets, nightspots, all Singapore Visitors Centres, as well as the STB's overseas offices.

Members of the public can make nominations in 22 categories which include the eight ‘Tourism Host’ awards, three ‘Best Accommodation Experience’ awards, two ‘Best Shopping Experience’ awards, and two ‘Best Travel Story’ awards, as well as ‘Best Leisure Event Experience’, ‘Best Leisure Attraction Experience’, ‘Best New Retail Concept’, ‘Best Nightspot Experience’, ‘Best Spa Experience’, ‘Best Singapore Travel Experience’, and ‘Most Innovative Marketing Effort by an Airline and/or Foreign Tour Operator’ categories.

Based on the nominations, a panel of judges comprising representatives from the STB and other public and private-sector organisations, will select the finalists and the eventual award winners.

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