Singapore voted Best Business City in the World

Singapore has been voted the Best Business City in the World for the third year running by readers of the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific magazine.

Singapore came out tops in the Best Business City category in the annual poll of the magazine's subscribers, comprising frequent travellers based mostly in the Asia-Pacific region. This is the third time that Singapore has clinched this honour, having been voted the magazine's favourite business city in 2001 and 2002.

Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, received the award on behalf of Singapore at a gala presentation ceremony in Hong Kong today. Attended by more than 300 travel industry leaders from the Asia-Pacific region, the ceremony was graced by guest-of-honour, former Philippine President Fidel Ramos.

Mr Lim said: "In Singapore, we want to provide the business traveller with fun too. It is more than just our excellent infrastructure and top-notch business facilities which make Singapore the favoured business city.

With a wide array of diverse F&B establishments and a world-class arts and entertainment scene, there is no shortage of after-hours leisure activities for the business traveller to look forward to after a long day of wheeling and dealing.

At the same time, we are continually upgrading our range of business services, from high-speed Internet access to e-commerce capabilities, to ensure that the business traveller's sojourn in Singapore is a seamless and hassle-free one.

It is this attractive blend of business and leisure which makes doing business in Singapore a true pleasure."

Last year, 1.5 million visitors came to Singapore for business-related reasons, accounting for 20% of total visitor arrivals. This group also generated S$2 billion in tourism receipts last year.

Ms Peggy Teo, the publisher of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific, said: "In difficult times such as these, the cream of the travel industry really does rise to the top."

"The repeat success of this year's winners proves that excellence and creativity will always win out."

Singapore also swept the polls in the other major categories this year. Singapore Airlines was voted the World's Best Airline, while Singapore Changi Airport claimed the World's Best Airport title. The magazine's readers also picked the Shangri-La Singapore as the Best Business Hotel in the World, while The Fullerton Singapore was voted the Best New Business Hotel in the Asia-Pacific Region.

On receiving the awards on behalf of Singapore Airlines, Senior Executive Vice President (Commercial) Michael Tan said: "I am delighted and proud to receive these awards on behalf of the staff of SIA, who, despite the extremely difficult operating conditions this year, have worked so hard to maintain our image and reputation for quality service. This is a most welcome boost for all of us, as we look forward to better times."

Business Traveller Asia-Pacific is in its 22nd year of publication, and is one of seven regional editions of the magazine around the world; the others are published in the UK, the USA, China, Germany, the Middle East and Hungary.