247 – On Three Singapore Stops For The Business Traveler

Singapore is the smallest country in terms of land area in Southeast Asia. But don’t be fooled–the Little Red Dot is the region’s most progressive country. Discipline and efficiency are the hallmarks of this island nation, popular for its transport system and green spaces. The Lion City attracts both splurging tourists and backpacking travelers frequenting the city-state’s landmarks such as the Merlion and Marina Bay Sands area.

Business travelers, on the other hand, only have a limited itinerary during visits to Singapore. Here are three places to see during short business trips to the Lion City.

Changi Airport

Located at the easternmost part of Singapore, the city-state’s only civilian airport is an attraction in itself. Changi Airport has been consistently awarded as the best airport by Skytrax for seven years straight. Being the first and last stop for travelers, Changi does not run out of food and retail establishments in the first three terminals (linked by the Changi Skytrain monorail.) There are also a few hotels within the airport for those who want to be on time for their flight. Jewel Changi in Terminal 1 is a new development attracting new arrivals with its centerpiece Rain Vortex Fountain.

Downtown Core

The Downtown Core is connected to Singapore’s early history as a trade hub in the Straits Settlements, being the original financial and business district back then. Today, most offices are located in this area dotted by skyscrapers. It’s not uncommon to see white-collar workers — both local and expats — around the vicinity. Tourist attractions such as the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, ArtScience Museum, and Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay can be found here — all a stone’s throw away from each other. A few cultural monuments and landmarks can be found at the nearby Esplanade Park developed in 1943.

Clarke Quay

In the olden days, Clarke Quay was lined with warehouses storing goods transported by small boats up the river from the main ports. Today, bars and clubs have taken over the riverside warehouses. The quay’s watering holes are favorite spots for sunset-watching with a beer in hand. You’ll occasionally see office workers, tourists, and a few expatriate families enjoying a meal here, paired with good conversation. Clarke Quay is usually busiest during Friday nights – when people drink out after a long week!

Singapore does not run out of sights and establishments for business travelers, whether it’s for a quick business meeting or a major industry conference. The three places here are not the only ones business travelers will find. Going around the Lion City is a breeze with its seamless transport system — making it easy to travel from the office after an important meeting, to one of the international exposition centers for a business conference, and finally to a bar for socials and networking.

Enjoy your visit!

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(AUTHOR’S NOTE: This post was supposedly a potential entry for a project in my previous work. The said project focused on business cultures all around the world, and this was lined up as a draft. However, I resigned from that job — leaving this one on the queue — and I only got to finish this one during the extended community quarantine period in Manila.

As always, I received no compensation in the process of drafting this post. And obviously – with the threat of Covid-19 hanging above us, we won’t be going overseas any time soon. Thus, let this one serve as a virtual trip to the Little Red Dot. Until the next post!)