Business travellers now have more reasons to attend business events in Singapore with the launch of the City Advantage tag, the latest addition to the Singapore Tourism Board's '2009 Reasons to meet in Singapore' campaign.

This campaign aims to provide business travellers with value-for-money promotions and opportunities to experience Singapore's rich spectrum of business and leisure offerings.

The "2009 Reasons to meet in Singapore" campaign is a year-long campaign that offers attractive travel packages and promotions that enhance Singapore's proposition as a value-for-money destination. Targeted at business travellers, the "2009 Reasons to meet in Singapore" campaign promotes Singapore as the preferred MICE destination with a host of exciting offerings ranging from dining to retail, and attractions to healthcare and wellness.

With a simple flash of the pocket-sized City Advantage tag at participating outlets, business travellers can tap on the wide array of privileges specially conceived with their needs in mind. Those who are constantly on the move can play hard even as they work hard, benefiting from the suite of deals and promotions with ease and convenience.

Recognised as the "Top International Meeting City" for the second consecutive year, as well as Asia's top country and city for meetings for the 25th consecutive year in the Union of International Associations (UIA) 2008 Global Rankings, Singapore's value proposition as a sought-after business events destination is enhanced by the "2009 Reasons to meet in Singapore" campaign and the City Advantage.

"Singapore is already the preferred business destination globally. Through the City Advantage programme, we aim to showcase Singapore as a vibrant and cosmopolitan destination that offers memorable experiences for business visitors. Singapore delivers on this value proposition with the "2009 Reasons to meet in Singapore" campaign, with business visitors gaining the added advantage of being able to experience the diverse leisure offerings in Singapore," says Ms Melissa Ow, Assistant Chief Executive, Business Travel and MICE Group, STB.

The "2009 Reasons to meet in Singapore" campaign leverages on MICE (meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions) events to drive visitorship. More than 20 hotels have come together to offer privileges such as free unlimited internet services, complimentary breakfast, accommodation extension and a host of other meetings packages. To double the pleasure, business delegates are encouraged to tap on the benefits of the "Bring Along a Partner" promotion, which features special deals for their partners such as dining and spa treatments. Information on the participating merchants under "2009 Reasons to meet in Singapore" can be found on the City Advantage tag, along with contact numbers which business travellers can call to readily access taxi services, GST refund and tourist information.

The City Advantage, which is exclusive to business travellers and delegates attending MICE (meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions) events that are taking place in Singapore until December 2009, is distributed through hotels and to delegates upon registration at MICE events. Designed for both form and functionality, the City Advantage tag is compact and lightweight to suit the needs of business travellers.

"The objective of the City Advantage is to enhance and enrich the experiences of business visitors while they are in Singapore. The City Advantage tag and programmes under the "2009 Reasons to meet in Singapore" campaign are all initiatives under BOOST to provide leisure and business visitors with value-enhancing packages and experiences. We would like to express our appreciation for the valuable efforts of our industry partners, in collaborating with the STB to develop these attractive promotions. We encourage all business travellers to take advantage of these exclusive promotions that stretch the dollar, and to enjoy Singapore's stimulating destination offerings," says Mr Chew Tiong Heng, Director, Destination Marketing, STB.

The STB launched BOOST (Building On Opportunities to Strengthen Tourism), a S$90 million initiative to help the tourism sector through the economic downturn. In the short term, BOOST aims to capture greater mindshare and maintain market share with "2009 Reasons to enjoy Singapore" and "2009 Reasons to meet in Singapore". Beyond these campaigns, BOOST also focuses on strengthening the sector by building capabilities, boosting collaboration with industry partners, and shaping the future of Singapore's tourism sector.