What do the GSTC2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference, Greentech Festival, and Blue Water Edufest have in common? These ground-breaking conferences, renowned for championing sustainability and driving change, have all chosen Sentosa as their host destination.
But what makes Sentosa, just off Singapore’s southern coast, so attractive for environmentally friendly events? The island resort offers more than easy accessibility from the city centre and world-class leisure attractions. It combines forward-thinking green initiatives and diverse array of certified sustainable venues and accommodation to set the stage for impact-driven business events.
Sentosa’s green vision: A commitment to sustainability
Recognised as Asia’s first island destination to receive
GSTC Destination Criteria certification, Sentosa has become a beacon of
sustainable tourism since launching its Sustainable Sentosa Roadmap in 2021. The
island aims to have 100% of its hotel room inventory certified against
international hotel sustainability standards by 2025. With its diverse range of
attractions, Sentosa served as the ideal location for GSTC to launch its
Attraction Criteria. This initiative allows Sentosa’s island partners (IPs)
to apply for GSTC accreditation, offering MICE planners an expanded selection
of eco-friendly social activities on the island.
Driving these efforts is the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and its groundbreaking Sentosa Carbon Neutral Network (SCNN), which unites 32 businesses and partners to drive collective action towards decarbonisation. Innovative initiatives, such as installing solar panels across 46 locations, generating an expected 6.6 gigawatt-hours of clean energy annually – equivalent to avoiding carbon emissions generated by 97,700 hotel room nights.
Certified green venues: Elevate events sustainably
Establishing sustainable practices within event planning is no longer a trend, but an industry must. According to a March 2024 survey by Northstar Meetings Group and Cvent, 56% of APAC-based planners have sustainability policy in place for their events, underscoring the importance of picking a destination that meets their eco agenda.
Sentosa embraces these priorities, integrating eco-conscious practices into every stage of event planning. Leading the way are properties like Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) and Far East Hospitality’s (FEH) Sentosa hotels, which are certified under GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels. By 2025, all 4,100-plus hotel rooms across 19 properties in the island will carry international sustainability certifications, ensuring MICE planners have a wealth of sustainable venues to choose from.
The success of numerous conferences and events hosted in Sentosa is a testament of what can be accomplished in the destination. The GSTC2024 conference – which saw more than 500 delegates from across 55 countries – was held at the luxurious Equarius Hotel within RWS, while Greentech Festival’s GTF Connect Singapore featured an award ceremony and networking amid nature’s embrace at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, with breathtaking views of lush greenery and the South China Sea.
Inspiring initiatives for responsible events
Planners will be keen to know that Sentosa’s island partners bring creativity and commitment to enhance responsible event choices without compromising the attendee experience.
Waste reduction: Fresh from its GSTC accreditation, ONE°15 Marina lived up to its sustainability ethos at GSTC2024’s welcome dinner by replacing menu placards with creatively hand-drawn, reusable food tag labels. Meanwhile, for coffee breaks, Equarius Hotel showcased a circular ecosystem approach by using mushrooms as table displays for a mushroom focaccia dish, later repurposing them for cooking to eliminate waste. Resorts World Sentosa and Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa have installed food waste digesters, significantly reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Sustainable menus: To adhere to Blue Water EduFest’s marine conservation aim, ONE°15 Marina served a seafood-free menu focusing on responsibly sourced local ingredients. At the GSTC2024 farewell dinner, FEH’s Village Hotel Sentosa featured a four-course vegetarian dinner to reduce the event’s carbon footprint.
Farm-to-table dining: Island partners at Sentosa are committed to farm-to-table dining, with a significant number already carrying the Singapore Food Agency’s farm-to-table accreditation to support sustainable farming practices and reduce emissions across the supply chain. Many hotels also incorporate ingredients from on-site edible gardens and those with Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, further enhancing sustainable dining practices.
Immersive green experiences for attendees
An event’s sustainability doesn’t just stop at the conference room. Sentosa offers a wealth of curated, low-carbon activities that blend education with enjoyment, making it easy for MICE planners to create memorable off-site experiences.
For instance, post-conference tours for GSTC2024 delegates included the RWS Special Access Tour, offering a behind-the-scenes look at integrated sustainable practices at the integrated resort; the Southern Islands and Marina Sustainability Discovery Tour, which highlighted eco-conscious tiny homes lodging, non-motorised water activities, and coral conservation at ONE°15 Marina and Lazarus Island; as well as a hands-on tour of the RISE Exhibition at Beach Station, showcasing innovative green initiatives like “waste to bowl” projects.
Moreover, navigating Sentosa is easy, thanks to its growing electric bus fleet, monorail and beach trams, as well as well-connected pathways and trails linking the entire island. Event attendees can keep their carbon footprint in check as they explore the island with a carbon calculator accessible from their website.
Why choose Sentosa for sustainable events?
Sentosa isn’t just a destination; it’s a catalyst for impactful events. Its certified venues, innovative practices, and seamless support from SDC ensure that MICE planners can align with sustainability goals without compromising on convenience or attendee satisfaction. Moreover, SDC, in collaboration with a consultant, has developed a carbon-neutral event calculation methodology that is available to event organisers.
Ready to redefine your events with purpose? Discover how Sentosa is setting a new benchmark for sustainable MICE events – your next impactful event starts here.
This article is brought to you by Sentosa Development Corporation