When it comes to the world’s most notable high-end business destinations, Singapore is at the top of the list, having become a hub for global trade and commerce over recent years and attracting wealthy business travellers from across the globe as a result.
Consistently ranking as one of the most competitive economies in the world, it offers world-class infrastructure and an environment that is conducive to doing good business. Add to that the excellent standard of living on offer in this captivating Asian city-nation, and it’s easy to see why jet-setting entrepreneurs and uber-rich tycoons are regular visitors.
These days, it’s easy enough to do business from anywhere in the world, and if you have a VeePN for Singapore then as well as making things happen in the destination itself, you can stay connected whilst enjoying the utmost in online privacy and security and keep up with all that’s going on back home, too. With this in mind, it’s little wonder that business travel is at an all-time high, along with the numbers flocking in and out of Singapore on a daily basis.
Here, we dive a little deeper into just why Singapore has become the go-to destination for luxury business travel, in 2023 and beyond.
Getting down to business
In order for anywhere to become seen as a global business hub, it needs to offer a business-friendly environment, and this is something that Singapore has achieved to perfection. In fact this glamorous city-state has been ranked as one of the easiest places to do business in the world several times over in recent years, in no small part thanks to its robust legal system and efficient government bureaucracy.
For 2023, it has also been ranked as the second safest city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index, which ranks contenders based on 57 indicators spanning everything from digital and health security to infrastructure and personal safety. This, too, has helped to further attract wealthy business travellers who put safety first.
Singapore’s world-class infrastructure has most certainly also come into play, with the city-nation offering a world of opulence in the form of lavish high-end hotels, fine dining restaurants and an excellent transport system, making business travel in Singapore smooth and simple.
And of course, it’s a cinch to get there, too, with Singapore’s Changi Airport receiving a host of international flights from across the globe on a daily basis – as well as being considered one of the world’s best airports. Boasting a string of high-end amenities that include an impressive indoor waterfall, butterfly garden, rooftop swimming pool and cinema, most other airports pale in comparison. Business travellers both arriving into and leaving the hub can enjoy a relaxing and comfortable experience, giving them another reason to keep on coming back for more.
Singapore’s internal transport system is also of note, comprising a modern and efficient network of trains, buses and taxis that make it quick and easy for business travellers to get around the city. And, thanks to a meticulously thought-out and well-developed network of motorways, it’s also simple enough to travel to and from the city-state’s business districts and industrial regions.
A luxury lifestyle
Increasingly, we’re seeing business travellers not just jetting in and out of Singapore with just a few days’ turn around, but opting to stay for longer, and the impressive standard of living that’s on offer here is almost certainly one of the reasons why. A destination known globally for its cleanliness and – as we mentioned previously, its safety – there are plenty of reasons for them wanting to stick around. And, while the cost of living isn’t exactly cheap, for those with cash to splash and money to burn, it’s truly a luxury lover’s paradise.
It’s relatively easy to find lavish accommodation in the city if you’re willing to pay the price, and while many travellers are happy to enjoy extended stays in some of the destination’s most sought-after five-star hotels – like the iconic Marina Bay Sands, which plays a starring role in the Singapore skyline and boasts plush suites, its own shopping mall and casino, and a sophisticated rooftop bar, complete with one of the most famous infinity pools in the world – there are also plenty of well-designed luxury penthouses for those looking for a little more privacy.
The food and drink scene is pretty special for longer-term stayers, too. As well as a host of Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from, such is the calibre of Singapore’s ‘street food’ that even some of the dim sum stalls in the city-state’s popular hawker centres – a more sophisticated version of the humble food market – carry a coveted star or two. And there’s a thriving nightlife scene for those who want it, with a wide range of international bars and clubs that cater expertly to the needs of the high-net-worth business traveller.
Location, location, location
Of course, Singapore’s location has also played a crucial role in cementing its popularity as a destination for luxury business travel. Its strategic position at the crossroads of South-East Asia – albeit a happy coincidence – makes it a convenient and accessible destination for those jetting in and out of the continent, and Changi Airport is a major transit hub that connects travellers to many other nations across the continent, as well as the rest of the world.
The bottom line
There’s no denying that Singapore is one of the world’s most prominent global business hubs, and deservedly so. Its business-friendly environment, world-class infrastructure and the excellent standard of living on offer there, combined with its dedication to all-things luxury, have all contributed to its popularity, and when you add its prime location into the mix, it’s easy to see why it has become a business traveller’s dream.
