The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranks Singapore as Asia’s top convention city.

This is the 11th year that Singapore has been listed in the Top 10 of the global ranking. Singapore is also the only Asian city in Top 10, which is dominated by European cities such as Vienna, Madrid, Paris, Berlin and Barcelona.

According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), last year, Singapore hosted a record 150 ICCA events and 18 world congresses, including some first-time events like the World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress and the International Association of Gaming Regulators Conference.

Conventions and meetings bring in billions in tourism receipts for Singapore from January to September last year, such visitors spent some 4.29 billion SGD in Singapore, 7 percent higher than the whole 2011.

With the new developments, Singapore expects to attract a good cross-representation of delegates from across Asia and the rest of the world, as it grows as a hub for companies accessing the growing opportunities in the region, the STB said in a statement.

Singapore will need to progress to a higher level with the building of interesting venues, some slated to open soon, such as the Singapore Sports Hub, the River Safari and the National Art Gallery.-VNA