Testing , one , two , three …
CMW ’ S EDITOR FLEW TO SINGAPORE TO TEST DRIVE THE COUNTRY ’ S NEW SYSTEM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL COVID-SAFE MEETINGS
rmed with a pre-flight negative Covid PCR test result from my departure destination , London , and the Singapore authorities ’ Safe Travel Concierge online tool for managing my trip from start to finish , I set out to the TravelRevive convention – my first experience of being a real in-person delegate in eight months . Upon arrival at Changi airport , the Singapore TravelPass system kicked in quickly and efficiently . A PCR Covid test on arrival was carried out speedily and was only mildly discomforting . From there it was a controlled journey to my hotel room to await the result , delivered by text message five hours later .
Again , it was negative and I was free to head over to event venue Marina Bay Sands next morning , where I scanned all the relevant QR codes with my tech token on a lanyard , had my temperature
Reimagining the future of travel
The Singapore Tourism Board ( STB ) used its TravelRevive conference in late November to announce its travel initiative for Singapore and the rest of the world . Called SingapoReimagine , the platform kicks off in the New Year with ‘ Reimagine Travel - Global Conversations ’, a series of forums to catalyse discussions on how to reshape global travel . STB will share its learnings on how the country ’ s public and private sectors have come together to create new possibilities for visitors and global partners will be invited to exchange ideas .
STB chief executive Keith Tan said there was now “ an opportunity to reset and revive our industries in ways that we taken and another rapid antigen test , which again involved a nasal swab , but this time the result was delivered in 15 minutes . This gave a sense of reassurance for all delegates who knew that everyone in the hall had also passed through this stringent testing regime .
Such an approach is testament to the island state practically eradicating any home produced Covid-19 and recording just 29 deaths since March attributable to coronavirus .
Singapore used this testing and tracking system for its recent hosting of the hybrid International Energy Week also at Marina Bay Sands and to great acclaim .
Should any of these test return positive , systems are activiated to take the delegate to hospital immediately . Luckily , neither I nor other TravelRevive delegates needed to avail of that service and we all returned home safely .
never imagined was possible a year ago . The journey to reimagine travel has already started in Singapore , and we want to continue this journey with those whose voices matter – our community in Singapore , and our partners here and around the world . We look forward to co-creating ideas and strategies with all of them , to make travel better .”
Looking further ahead , Singapore is investing in new products and pilots that put the environment to the fore . Nature-based concepts include visitor attractions Jewel Changi Airport and Gardens By the Bay . The Jurong Lake District Tourism Development is being developed into a world-class lifestyle destination and the Mandai Precinct is being reimagined as a world-class eco-themed nature cluster .
Below : Singapore Airlines A350
Singapore Airlines
t the outset of the pandemic , Sinagpore Airlines was forced to ground around 96 % of its fleet and did not really have a domestic market to fall back on . However , things have slowly improved and the airline is now serving 40 destinations , and has redesigned its onboard services , introducing new technologies to increase contactless options .
New revenue streams were launched , including the Discover Your Singapore Airlines suite of experiences for customers on the ground .
Restaurant A380 saw customers board a grounded A380 at Changi Airport and enjoy an inflight meal , wines and a movie ( all seats were sold within 30 minutes of going on sale ).
Customers have also been invited into the airline ’ s training centre in Singapore and to take a turn in the in-flight simulators
Check out the airline ’ s website : www . singaporeair . com for full information on enhanced health measures and travel procedures and videos demystifying aspects of travel , such as how HEPA filters work and what new technology is in place .
40 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 110