How Singapore Is Making Its Tourism More Sustainable

In an attempt to attract the new generation of travellers, Singapore is focussing on sustainability and environmental responsibility in its tourism.

The new concept was first pitched by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) during the Singapore Reimagine Global Conversations earlier this year after research revealed that sustainability is a key factor that travellers consider when picking a destination for their next overseas holiday.

“For example, based on findings from a report shared by WGSN, our data partner for SRI GC, there is a rise in travellers known as the ‘Mindful Explorers’ – those who are conscious of the environment and seek sustainable choices during their travel journeys”, Beverly Au Yong, Area Director Middle East, STB said earlier this year, according to Business Traveller.

“Sustainability is now a top-of-mind concern for many travellers and as a responsible destination, Singapore is incorporating its sustainability vision into its tourism offerings to achieve its vision of becoming a City in Nature.”

STB has now developed a roadmap to align the tourism sector with the Singapore Green Plan 2030 — a nationwide initiative to advance the country’s sustainable development.

But what exactly does sustainable travel look like? Particularly in a major metropolitan destination like Singapore?

Hotels

The Singapore Hotel Association has developed a Hotels Sustainability Committee that focuses on two key targets across the industry:

• At least 60% of hotel room stock to achieve internationally-recognised hotel sustainability certification (e.g. by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council) by 2025
• For hotels to commence tracking of emissions by 2023, reduce emissions by 2030, with a view to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050

Additionally, four key focus areas – water conservation, waste management, sustainable sourcing and energy conservation – have been identified to ensure hotels can maximise the impact of the efforts.

While all hotels are working towards a sustainable future, here are some of the best sustainable hotels available right now:

• PARKROYAL on Pickering
• Grand Hyatt
• Siloso Beach Resort, Sentosa
• Marina Bay Sands

Dining

In addition to sustainable hotels, Singapore is also a haven for sustainable food and drink options, with farm-to-table restaurants galore.

There are dozens of restaurants with a focus on local ingredients and minimal waste — with many opting for plant-based menus and organic produce.

There’s no shortage of options but some of our favourites include:

• Analogue: This sustainable restaurant and bar focuses on using alternative ingredients to mimic flavours without contributing to the depletion of resources, using carob instead of chocolate, and tonka bean instead of vanilla. The bar itself is made from recycled plastic and some of the tables are made out of mushroom, literally.
• Open Farm Community: This urban farm aims to reconnect people with the food, focussing on improving diners relationship and respect with the food they’re eating — and where it comes from.
• Drunken Farmer: If you’re keen for a casual experience with a rotating pizza menu and a focus on minimal food wastage, look no further than Drunken Farmer. If that doesn’t entice you enough, they also have 80 natural wines to choose from.
• Naked Finn: This restaurant doesn’t even brand itself as “sustainable” because the owner thinks sustainability is more than just a marketing ploy. It’s a seafood-centric dining experience focussing on non-mainstream species to help battle the ever-present problem of over-fishing.

For more information on Singapore’s tourism offers, check out Visit Singapore.