In 2004, Singapore welcomed two million business visitors accounting for 26 per cent of the total visitor arrivals of 8.3 million.

The business-related visitor arrivals represent around 60 per cent increase over 2003, which was affected by SARS, and a 30 per cent rise over 2002. 2005 looks to be an exciting year for the business travel and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) segment, with a strong line-up of events, including more than 130 conferences and exhibitions.

Major corporate meetings and incentive travel heading its way include Time Inc. Asia Agency Conference and Lapp Global Meeting Singapore (CEO Conference). Figures from the Singapore Tourism Board show an average visitor to Singapore spends S$705 (US$430) per trip.

A business visitor spends an average S$900 to S$1,000 per trip and a visitor who for a convention, exhibition or incentive trip spends about S$1,500 to S$1,800 per trip. In 2002, the average length of stay was 3.25 days for business visitors and in 2003 it was 3.29 days. 2004 figures were not available at press time.