SINGAPORE, 10 May 2019: Singapore honoured its tourist industry stalwarts and celebrities at the nation’s annual tourism awards ceremony Thursday evening that recognised an impressive line-up of tourism ambassadors who reached out to their customers and went the extra mile.
The Singapore Tourism Awards 2019 was hosted at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore and honoured 30 organisations and individuals.
Presiding over the awards ceremony Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing congratulated all recipients and finalists for their efforts in making Singapore an attractive and vibrant city.
Designed to show the diversity of the Singapore experience the awards focused on people who made a difference and added value to the Singapore story.
Mohamed Farham Mohamed Noh a 37-year-old service ambassador and transport executive at Sentosa Leisure Management who went out of his way to assist an elderly western tourist. He won the Customer Service Excellence for Attractions Award.
Culinary expert Violet Oon, 70, received the award for Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism.
Attending the ceremony Singapore Tourism Board chief executive Keith Tan said: “Creating a deeper engagement with visitors is key, as Singapore sees more tourists who drop in for shorter periods.”
This year’s event had over 92 finalists in 27 categories.
In his presentation, Tan told the audience: “We want to inspire other industry members to raise the level of their game so that together we can make Singapore a great destination for our visitors and a great home for our people.”
“To stay ahead of our competitors and to strengthen Singapore as a great destination…we must continue to work together to offer unique and extraordinary experiences that others cannot replicate elsewhere.”
Winners on the awards night
Genting Cruise Lines was recognised for its breakthrough contribution to tourism and its instrumental role in the development of Singapore as a global cruise hub.
Andaz Singapore was named Best Hotel Experience for its authentic Singapore offerings, from food to in-room amenities.
Sentosa Sandsation: MARVEL Edition was awarded Best Marketing Idea for its impressive marketing strategy.
Chinatown Food Street by Select Group was awarded Special Recognition for its strong participation in precinct-wide events to enhance Chinatown’s attractiveness and vibrancy.
Manhattan Bar clinched the Best Nightspot Experience award for the third year running.
Best Customer Service for Transport went to Gowri D/O Veren, assistant station manager with SMRT Trains.
Phua Ai Lian (Kristie) received the Customer Service Excellence for Tourist Guiding award.
Customer Service Excellence for Retail went to Garza Juvy Salen from MBS Retail Management Company.
Customer Excellence Service for Nightspots award went to Muhammad Danish Bin Don Harriman from 1-Altitude Rooftop Gallery & Bar.
Head butler of the Shangri-la Hotel Hussain Khan Bin Omar Khan received the Customer Service Excellence award for Hotels.
Customer Service Excellence for F&B went to Mr Senthil Kumaran Palanisamy of Marina Bay Sand’s Rise Restaurant.
Amy Lim was recognised as Best Business Event Champion for her advocacy of Singapore as a MICE destination, and her efforts in anchoring Herbalife events in Singapore over the years.
Food&HotelAsia (FHA) by UBM Singapore received Special Recognition for being the largest and most established food and hospitality event in SEA. Over 80,000 delegates attended FHA 2018 in Singapore.
Loh Lik Peng won a Special Recognition award for his role as chairman of the Hotel Innovation Committee, where he drove initiatives for sustainable growth of the hotel industry.
Chinatown Food Street by Select Group was awarded Special Recognition for its strong participation in precinct-wide events to enhance Chinatown’s attractiveness and vibrancy.
C3 Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2018 by SOZO Pte Ltd was named Best Leisure Event.
Singapore 1920s: Trails of Tan Ah Huat bagged the Best Tour Experience award, for its innovative and fun storytelling approach.
Best Retail Store Experience award went to TANGS, for providing an integrated retail experience for shoppers.
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands was awarded Best Shopping Mall Experience.
Odette receives the Best Dining Experience award for providing guests with a unique and intimate dining experience with top-notch customer service.
Best Attraction Experience award went to Gardens by the Bay for being a one-of-a-kind horticultural destination.
Best Business Innovation went to Vouch’s Digital Concierge for redefining the visitor experience through AI- enabled chatbots, enabling easier access to info and service.
Best Business Innovation went to GlobalTix Ticketing Solution for their fully digital unified ticketing platform for attractions passes. (two recipients in this category).
Best Trade Conference Organiser went to Monetary Authority of Singapore, The Association of Banks in Singapore and SingEx Exhibitions for Singapore FinTech Festival 2018!
Resorts World Sentosa was named Best Meetings/Incentives Organiser for the Amway India Incentive Movement event.
SingEx Exhibitions and International Partner: Deutsche Messe named Best Exhibition Organiser for Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC 2018.
Singapore EXPO and MAX Atria clinched the Best Business Event Venue Experience award.
Best Business Event Service Provider award went to Jublia Pte Ltd for World Cities Summit 2018.
The Best Association Conference Organiser Award went to Ace:Daytons Direct (International) Pte Ltd,
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists & Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Singapore.
(Photo credit: Singapore Tourism Board).
