A Conversation With Jonathan Loh, Area Director, Northern & Western Europe, Singapore Tourism Board

1.       So, how long have you been in London?

I’ve been working here for three years now, and I will soon be de-posted to Singapore end of July to join the Admin and Estate Department in STB. Prior to this posting, I spent three years in Tianjian, China with Keppel Land working on commercial and industry property doing business development work in the Tianjin Eco City.

2.       What is 1 thing you like most about London/ Europe?

I would say it is the cultural diversity in Europe with its different cultures.  Every country in Europe is so rich in culture and history.

3.       What is 1 thing you think Singapore can learn from Europe?

London is a hub for Europe, and similarly Singapore can be a hub for South-east Asia.  Tourists who come to Europe must visit London and from here, they will go to Paris etc.  In the same way, SEA is made up of different countries with their own unique cultures such as Thailand or Angkor Wat in Cambodia.  Singapore can be this hub in Asia so that tourists who want to come to Asia must visit Singapore, and from here, venture out to explore other cities. It helps that our Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport are well-renowned, so tourists want to fly Singapore Airlines and land in Changi Airport, visit Singapore, and the other cities in Asia.

We have seen some success in our partnerships with the travel industry here and were hoping to hit or even exceed the half million mark for visitor arrivals from UK. Unfortunately with Brexit now the economy is unstable so Britons may be more cautious when deciding to travel overseas. However, we will continue what we have been doing, to build mindshare in the market so that Singapore will be the destination they think of when they think of travelling.

Thank you, Jonathan.