Main image: Sentosa Palawan beach

Singapore is renowned as a leading business events destination with world-class facilities and infrastructure. It also boasts a captivating incentives programme – ‘In Singapore Incentives & Rewards’, or INSPIRE for short – offering more than 60 culturally immersive activities. 

Created by Singapore Tourism Board, the scheme runs in partnership with local organisations to offer dining, attractions, thematic tours and team-building experiences on a complimentary basis for qualified MICE groups. To apply, groups must comprise at least 20 international delegates who will stay on the island for a minimum of three days. 

Some of the most sought-after experiences include a beach party on Sentosa island’s tranquil Palawan Beach at the award-winning restaurant and beach club, FOC Sentosa, and a cocktail reception in a waterfront dome overlooking the iconic Marina Bay at Monti, Fullerton Pavilion. 

For a memorable experience with the wow-factor, event planners can book a private after-hours ‘Garden Rhapsody’ light and music show under the mesmerising Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, which also delivers spectacular night-time city views. 

Another must-do excursion is a sunset cruise around Singapore’s 63 islands where incentive groups can try paddleboarding and kayaking, followed by a cocktail or two onboard.

Foodies will love Botanico bar and restaurant, located within Singapore Botanic Gardens, a 162-year-old tropical idyll and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Guests can sample botany-inspired food and cocktails from a menu inspired by modern European cuisine with Southeast Asian inflections.

For team-building events, cultivate some friendly competition with a traditional dragon boat race off Sentosa island. A more relaxing option is a coffee masterclass with local social enterprise, Bettr Barista. Learn about the history of coffee-making, the basics of brewing and have a go at creating latte art. 

Guests can immerse themselves in the wonders of the marine world with a visit to SEA Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa, which is home to more than 100,000 sea animals across more than 50 habitats.

For something a little different, join an award-winning walking, or cycling, tour of Chinatown with Mr Tan Ah Huat, an early Chinese immigrant, who will share a nostalgic story of Singapore in the 1920s.

Singapore’s INSPIRE programme isn’t the only support scheme available to event organisers. The Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau offers financial support on a reimbursement basis to successful applicants as part of Business Events in Singapore (BEiS). Under this scheme, the bureau also delivers customised support with securing venues, introductions with leading government agencies and business partners, as well as marketing and publicity support. 

A third initiative is the Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP) where event professionals can tap into a network of discounts and rewards. Benefits range from complimentary air tickets with Singapore Airlines to shopping and dining vouchers. SMAP is open to exhibitions with a minimum of 1,000 attendees, associations congresses with 700 participants or more, and meetings and incentive travel groups of more than 50 people.