Skift picks Singapore for its first Asia Forum in 2018

Travel business information company Skift and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have announced, at the Skift Global Forum in New York City, that Singapore will host the Skift Forum Asia edition in 2018. Organisers are dubbing the event the ‘TED of travel’ and attendees include influential marketers, strategists and technologists. “When considering our expansion into Asia, Skift selected Singapore in recognition of its vibrant ecosystem of travel companies and access to the region. Singapore’s focus on innovation and its strong knowledge economy also provide an ideal platform for the forum,” said Rafat Ali (pictured), CEO and founder of Skift. “We are delighted to partner Skift on its inaugural expansion to Asia,’ said STB chief executive Lionel Yeo. “We have witnessed a growing number of travel and tourism companies from the US selecting Singapore to be their gateway into Asia, be it for new events or business expansions. This has further added to the confluence of ideas and exchanges in Singapore, and will make Singapore an even more inspiring and ideal platform for the travel industry to meet, collaborate and take full advantage of the possibilities spurred by Asia’s travel boom.” According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, Southeast Asia is expected to sustain growth at 5-7% per year over the next 10 years, with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.