5 Tips to Make Your Business Trip in Singapore as Convenient as Possible

Singapore is popular for its tourist destinations. Boasting plenty of man-made natural attractions interspersed with local architecture, the country itself is a sight to behold. But Singapore isn’t just popular for tourists, it’s also a known business hub. As home to the regional headquarters of several Fortune 500 companies like BMW, Sony, Google, Apple, and more, you might find yourself on a business trip to Singapore sooner rather than later. 

Most people who travel to Singapore for business may only have a day or two to accomplish their goals, and within that short timeframe, you might find yourself struggling to maximise your time. To get the most out of your business trip, here are five tips to make it as convenient as possible: 

Know What to Expect

Singapore is a relatively small country, making restaurants, hotels, and other attractions all within a short travelling distance from one another. However, traffic can be unpredictable, impacting travel time depending on the time of the day or whether or not it’s the rush hour. Taking the bus or train can be convenient during these times, but it can be difficult if you’re hauling your luggage. Choosing one of the many hotels near Singapore airport or within the Changi Airport complex itself will make things much more convenient for any traveller. They also have the benefit of visiting the Jewel Changi Airport commercial complex, which is home to a number of tourist attractions and to many dining and shopping destinations. 

As a tropical country, Singapore is known for its hot and humid weather. Aside from this, it tends to rain unexpectedly. As such, make sure to bring business-appropriate attire that can help you stay cool if you must spend the day out in the sun—and always carry an umbrella in case it rains. If you’re spending most of the day in an office or convention centre, bring a light jacket, especially if you’re the type to get cold. Air-conditioning systems in Singapore tend to be set at relatively low temperatures. 

ALSO READ: Where to Stay in Singapore?

Plan Your Itinerary

Most business executives will have their itinerary planned by their secretary. However, some entrepreneurs or managers might need to plan things on their own. Whether you’re the former or the latter, planning your itinerary can be beneficial if you want to mix business with a bit of pleasure. 

The first step is to know where your business event or meeting will be held. By doing this, you can narrow down your accommodation options and look for nearby attractions. For instance staying in one of the hotels near Changi Airport is convenient, but booking a hotel within the Downtown Core is also an option if most of your meetings will be held within the vicinity anyway. Once you’ve finalised your accommodation, you can start planning where to go after your meetings. From parks and pubs to museums and historic places of interest, Singapore offers a lot of easy-to-access attractions you can enjoy. 

If the location of the meeting is dependent on you, think about places that will be accessible for you. If you want to lessen travel time and enjoy the best sights Singapore has to offer, book a room at a Singapore airport hotel. Singapore’s airport offers a wide range of attractions and activities that you can enjoy, but most importantly, it can give you a place to stay and specialised rooms that you can use for business meetings. 

Stay Connected

One of the reasons Singapore has become a business hub is its adaptability to technology. Singaporeans are often among of the first to try out new technologies and incorporate them into their business activities and lifestyle. As these technologies typically require an internet connection to be accessed, it is easy to stay connected in Singapore. As soon as you arrive at the airport, free Wi-Fi is available, and most cafes and restaurants offer the same services. The country itself is equipped with Wireless@SG that gives internet connectivity to people on the go. This can be convenient and necessary if you use cloud-based programs for your business documents. 

If you’re staying for more than just a few days or take multiple trips to Singapore, it might be better to get a local SIM card. These SIM cards can give you access to local data plans and give you more bandwidth. Additionally, a local SIM card will help you keep in touch with your colleagues or business partners, especially if you rely on messaging apps. 

Respect Local Business Contacts

Aside from being a business hub, Singapore is well-known for its diversity as it’s home to a wide range of cultures, races, ethnicities, and religions. This means you could be having meetings with people of different backgrounds and upbringing.

While Singapore adopts a mostly Western business etiquette, a lot of it is largely influenced by Asian traditions. That being the case, it’s important to be polite and respectful throughout your dealings, and to approach them in a non-confrontational manner. Additionally, it is always a good idea to bring a pack of business cards with you. When exchanging these cards, hand over yours and accept theirs with two hands. 

For business lunches or dinners, it is proper to ask for dietary restrictions, since different cultures and religious traditions tend to have different restrictions. And while you might be tempted to loosen everyone’s nerves with alcohol, it is best to avoid drinking because some people, like Muslims can’t drink alcohol, and many restaurants won’t serve it in the hours between 10:30 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Eat Local

 
The easiest way to mix business with pleasure is to enjoy the many local dishes Singapore has to offer. From chicken rice to coconut curry laksa noodles, Singapore’s range of dishes reflects its multicultural heritage. Meals like these can be enjoyed in hawker centres. These places are great to visit if you want to enjoy good food at affordable prices, and if you want to experience the Singaporean culinary tradition at its most basic level.

Do more on your short business trip to Singapore by following these tips, and you’ll be sure to find yourself enjoying the sights and experiences Singapore has to offer.

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