IN A bid to encourage sustainable MICE practices, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has launched a set of guidelines to encourage local players to meet global sustainability requirements.
STB executive director for business tourism development, Chew Tiong Heng, said: “With corporate clients and delegates becoming increasingly concerned about the environment, business event organisers and meeting planners are turning to destinations and venues with strong sustainability policies in place.
“Green initiatives are therefore gaining traction among MICE event organisers, who recognise that such endeavours significantly enhance the overall visitor experience.”
The guidelines cover seven industry categories from across the business events ecosystem, including hotels, venues, event organisers, meeting planners, transportation, F&B as well as audio-visual set-up. Areas covered include advice on waste management and the efficient use of water and energy.
Welcoming the guidelines, Tour East Group senior vice president for sales and marketing, Judy Lum, said: “Many just talk about sustainability but they do not practise it because they are not sure where to start. Now they do not have an excuse. Interest in sustainable practices is a common prerequisite for responsible organisations.”
East West Planners chief executive and SACEOS president, Janet Tan-Collis, said CSR programmes are becoming “ever more important as a competitive factor for the Singapore MICE industry”, adding that the new guidelines can be easily adopted by local MICE-related companies.
Asian Detours deputy director for marketing, Florence Cheong, said 20-30 per cent of her corporates will ensure their events are environmentally friendly such as through minimising paper usage and utilising solar energy wherever possible.
However, Cheong also pointed out that corporates’ understanding of green practices is very basic like saving paper and reusing materials, hence this new official reference guide will be a useful tool.
According to STB, the guidelines are referenced from international standards such as ISO 20121 and APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards.
Chew said while adoption of the guidelines is voluntary, STB will work with relevant associations like SACEOS, Singapore Hotel Association and Singapore Green Building Council to monitor the adoption rate and gather feedback.
