Tourism Awards 2008
4 March 2008
Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore

Tourism Awards 2008

Singapore’s service excellence champions in the travel and tourism industry received recognition for their stellar efforts at the prestigious Tourism Awards 2008 presentation ceremony held at the Esplanade Concert Hall.

With this year’s theme “Our Tourism Universe, Our Brightest Stars”, some 30 individuals and organisations shone the brightest as winners of Tourism Awards 2008. An annual event by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the awards ceremony was graced by the President of Singapore, His Excellency S.R. Nathan.

Since its inauguration in 1985, the Awards has seen an increase in the number of awards presented (from seven to 27 this year), and is today considered the “Oscars” of the industry. Into its 22nd year, it has expanded from a tourist-and-travel centric recognition programme into one that encompasses all service industries and where local patronage is equally relevant. It also honours industry players who break new boundaries to take risks in creating distinctive products and services that offer unique memorable experiences in Singapore.

At the Awards ceremony, seven individuals were presented special honours. The Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award was presented to Mr Robert Kwan, Executive Chairman (retired) of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS). Mr Kwan developed the Jurong BirdPark, Singapore Zoo and Night Safari into world-class institutions. Under his leadership, WRS reported record visitor numbers year-on-year; in 2006, all three parks welcomed 3.3 million visitors in total.

Mr Kwan said, "It has been my privilege to have served The Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong BirdPark over the past four years. I thank the Singapore Tourism Board for conferring this important award and I dedicate it to all the passionate, loyal and talented staff that have helped to transform our three parks into truly world class wildlife attractions."

Three Special Recognition Awards were also presented. As HANATOUR SERVICE INC’s Chief Executive Officer since its inception, Mr Park Sang Hwan is a firm supporter of Singapore. He has collaborated with STB on more than 50 promotional campaigns, bringing over 220,000 Korean visitors to Singapore in the past five years. Mr Park was also instrumental in developing the Singapore Education segment in Korea leading to rising numbers of Korean students coming here.

Mr Jeyathurai Ayadurai was honoured for his efforts to promote Singapore’s heritage. He founded Singapore History Consultants in 1995, which is now a premier research organisation in Singapore’s history. He is also The Changi Museum’s Director, raising awareness of the Pacific War, as well as Managing Director of Journeys Pte Ltd which developed the popular ‘Original Singapore Walks’ showcasing Singapore’s heritage.

Mr KF Seetoh is well known for his active promotion of Singapore’s unique gastronomical delights through his Makansutra publications, television shows and food tours as well as the setting up of the popular Glutton’s Bay at the Esplanade. He has also secured positive reviews of Singapore’s unique and colourful makan scene internationally through his coordination of the local hawker fare showcase at Singapore Day in New York’s Central Park in April 2007, as well as his personal friendships with noted food critics such as the late RW Apple Jr and Calvin Trillin from The New Yorker, and celebrity chefs Anthony Bourdain and Bobby Chinn.

The Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Madam Lin Deng Li. The Founder and Chairman of Golden Travel Services Pte Ltd (GTS) has made the company a travel specialist of corporate and consumer travel as well as a market leader in educational tours to Singapore. No stranger to advocating cultural ties and exchange, Madam Lin plans to expand GTS’ travel offerings to promote and raise awareness of Singapore’s culture, education and arts options.

Country City Investment Pte Ltd‘s Director Florence Tan and Managing Director Soh Kim Teck are instrumental in transforming Dempsey Hill into the Asian lifestyle and dining destination of choice amongst Singaporeans, expatriates and visitors alike. The winning combination of Ms Tan’s business acumen and Mr Soh’s creative concepts has led to Dempsey Hill being hailed as a must-visit enclave here. They each received the New Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year award.

The Tourism Awards 2008 winners list threw up some surprises. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Scarlet Hotel won for Best Accommodation Experience – Deluxe and Best Accommodation Experience – Superior respectively for the first time. The Inn at Temple Street knocked out This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , which has won for the past two years, in the Best Accommodation Experience – Standard category.