As someone who tries to look at the bright side of life, I am convinced that there will be several positive outcomes from this virus scare that has left the entire travel industry reeling.
Already, in Singapore, one of the first countries to be hit, I sense a return to some form of normalcy. There are fewer people wearing masks because the government has said that you don’t have to unless you are sick.
Temperatures are being taken almost everywhere – yesterday I had my forehead checked at least five times. It was lovely to walk into the Sheraton Towers whose staff were friendly and welcoming, and see the lobby scattered with guests having meetings as usual.
Yes, cancellations for events and group bookings are coming in the droves, but I asked the Singapore Tourism Board for the events that are still going ahead for February as of today. They are:
- Global Science and Technology Conference (5-7 February)
- VISION2020 Asia Pacific (5-6 February)
- Singapore Airshow (11-16 February)
- CAREhab 2020 (14-15 February)*
- Aviation Festival Asia (18-19 February)
- EmTech Asia 2020 (25-26 February)
Keith Tan, CEO of the Singapore Tourism Board, has sent a letter out to all partners, giving an update and detailing the measures Singapore has taken. “The single biggest impact has been the near-complete evaporation of outbound Chinese tourism, but the tourism industry in Singapore (and indeed, the whole of Singapore) has rallied together in an extraordinary effort to keep Singapore healthy and safe.”
Citing the “very hard but incredibly useful lessons from SARS in 2003”, he said that many hotels, venues, attractions and event organisers had developed protocols and processes to deal with contingency scenarios such as the spread of an infectious disease.
“These protocols have stood us well during this period. Our airport, cruise terminals, hotels, attractions and event venues have literally gone into overdrive, stepping up their vigilance and cleaning/sanitisation regimens. I have visited several venues and I am completely confident in the robustness of their processes and the dedication of their leadership and their people.
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