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5 minute read

April 20, 2023

Singapore’s Hospitality and Tourism Sector: Jobs and Career Conversion Programmes to Tap on for a Successful Industry Switch

Interested in a career in the hospitality and tourism sector check out the job opportunities and support available to help you make an industry switch..

Now that travel restriction days are behind us, people are beginning to travel again for work and leisure. Singapore’s hospitality and tourism sector, which has been dormant over the last two years, is springing back to life with the influx of visitors from all over the world.

What are the job opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector?

As tourists are once again coming back to Singapore in the millions, the sector is looking to bolster its workforce to meet the rising accommodation demands and services. Amid a myriad of opportunities in the tourism sector, there is an emerging demand for skillsets in areas such as sustainability, wellness, and digitalisation. 

Aileen Wong, Singapore Tourism Board’s director for Tourism Human Capital and Sustainability shared :

“With tourism businesses continuing to push the frontier in developing sustainable products, infrastructure, and experiences, we foresee an increasing demand for sustainability-related jobs.”

On the MyCareersFuture portal, there were about 2,100 available openings from companies in the tourism and hospitality sector as of December 2022. This was a 56% increase from Dec 2021. As of March 2023, the number of available openings has increased further to about 2,300.

Here are some examples listed on the MCF portal: 

Embark on a fun and exciting journey in the hospitality and tourism industry! Check out openings on MyCareersFuture now!

With evolving consumer demands and enhancements in service offerings, companies in the hospitality and tourism sector are looking for service leaders who can drive innovation, improve customer experiences, and streamline operations.

Read More: Back to Business: Is Now the Time to Consider Switching to the Tourism Industry?

Michelle Woon, head of human resources for dnata Singapore , a ground handling provider at Singapore Changi Airport, shared:

“Operational staff checking in passengers or supporting the safe and secure aircraft turnaround can rise to supervisory levels roles ranging from duty manager to customer service manager.”

Check out jobs at dnata Singapore here.

Aside from senior roles, there is also an urgent need to fill up specialised roles to support enhanced services.

Ng Gian Heng, Director of Human Resources at Capella Singapore shared: 

“At Capella Singapore, we’re looking to hire for specialised roles such as our Capella Culturists. These are highly specialised individuals responsible for curating the entire stay experience for our guests.” 

Check out jobs at Capella Singapore here.

Where can I get help to make an industry switch to the hospitality and tourism sector?

Tourism Careers Hub

STB launched the Tourism Careers Hub (TCH) in 2022 to render proactive employment and employability assistance, develop sector-specific capabilities and encourage technology transformation and business innovation for all tourism workers and businesses.

“As of December 2022, the TCH has helped matched companies with jobseekers, and filled more than 500 roles in the tourism sector,” said Aileen.

Read More: Interesting Careers to Explore in Singapore’s Hospitality Industry

Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programme

Jobseekers or mid-career switchers who are keen on joining the hospitality and tourism sector can get support and On-the-Job Training by signing up for the following Career Conversion Programme for Tourism Professionals by Workforce Singapore:

• CCP for Tourism Professionals (New Hires RnF)
• CCP for Tourism Professionals (New Hires PMET)

If you need professional advice on navigating your career journey, register here to speak to a career coach!

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Home / Singapore’s Hospitality and Tourism Sector: Jobs and Career Conversion Programmes to Tap on for a Successful Industry Switch

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In the business of fun: meet the people who help shape singapore’s tourism infrastructure, with strong organisational support and job rotation opportunities, these singapore tourism board employees develop critical skill sets on the job as they transform the country into an even more attractive destination.

Behind the ultra-stylish integrated resorts that are firm favourites among tourists, the sprawling Singapore Expo that plays host to some of the largest events in the region, and the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS), one of the largest and most uniquely designed cruise terminals in South-east Asia, is a team that ensures these are not only operating at peak condition at all times, but also plans years into the future to shape Singapore’s physical tourism landscape. 

Meet the Infrastructure Planning and Management (IPM) division of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), which oversees the operations and development of Cruise and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) infrastructure, as well as the two integrated resorts. 

Stepping out of her comfort zone to broaden her expertise in cruise infrastructure 

In her decade-long career with STB, Ms Poline Lim, 33, has undertaken different facets of the statutory board’s work, from enhancing visitor experience through technology to attracting best-in-class association conventions and a secondment to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI). These opportunities enabled her to develop a broad spectrum of skill sets and insights to both leisure and business tourism.  

She took on her current Cruise infrastructure portfolio at the IPM division in 2022. As the Assistant Director of the IPM (Cruise) team, she delved into engineering and construction related work for the first time, which pushed her out of her comfort zone. 

In her role overseeing the MBCCS, Ms Lim leads a five-member team that deals with a wide range of responsibilities. From maintaining the physical infrastructure of the facility to working with the appointed cruise terminal operator to ensure smooth daily cruise operations, her team’s work is crucial to the success of the terminal. 

With Singapore's cruise sector posting a record 2 million passengers with more than 340 ship calls in 2023, the team’s primary focus is to maintain the MBCCS as a world-class terminal that can adapt to the ever-evolving needs of cruise lines while also planning ahead for the growth of the cruise industry.

“I’m not an engineer so it was challenging at the start but also very fulfilling,” she says, referring to the technical conversations about terminal structures, ship specifications, and marine navigation that have now become a part of her daily work. 

She credits her ability to navigate these uncharted waters to two factors: A strong team of specialists who are trained in engineering and construction-related fields, and close collaboration with other government agencies including JTC Corporation, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and Urban Redevelopment Authority.

“It may sound like a cliche but every day is a learning experience with this team. Leveraging the expertise of my team and other agencies, I am able to learn and appreciate the technicalities involved in my work to make informed recommendations on the planning of our cruise infrastructure,” says Ms Lim, who has also attended courses in facility management and land use planning with her team to strengthen her capabilities. 

Ms Lim’s team is already looking ahead to 2050, having started preliminary discussions on supporting infrastructure required to help the cruise industry reach its net-zero emissions goal. 

Gaining experience and confidence to elevate Singapore’s MICE scene 

Like Ms Lim, Mr Bryan Law has benefited greatly from on-the-job learning. Combined with various job rotation opportunities, the 34-year-old has been fully exposed to different behind-the-scenes functions of the tourism industry.

Before joining STB as a full-time staff within the Integrated Resorts team in 2017, Mr Law gained valuable experience through internships with the Visitor Experience Centre, Formula 1 (F1) and Sports Business and Partnership divisions. These provided him with insights into both visitor-facing and industry-related aspects of STB’s work. 

While he has always been passionate about tourism, having pursued his tertiary education in Leisure and Resort Management, Mr Law initially felt a bit uncertain in navigating policy matters related to the industry, such as manpower and land issues. However, he credits STB’s strong mentorship culture, where experienced colleagues readily share their knowledge and guide newer team members. This supportive environment, coupled with ample opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, has been instrumental in his professional growth. 

“Once I had built up the confidence, I was able to keep up with the pace of work and contribute in a bigger way towards my team and the organisation,” he says. 

During his earlier stint as a Senior Manager with the IPM (Integrated Resorts) team, Mr Law took up career development opportunities within the board, which included a short stint with the Exhibitions & Conferences team which oversees the growth of large-scale business events in Singapore. This was instrumental when he was later promoted to Assistant Director of IPM (MICE). 

As portfolio lead, he oversees the ongoing management and maintenance of Singapore Expo, the country’s largest MICE venue, while also working with privately-owned MICE facilities such as the Suntec Exhibition & Convention Centre, in an effort to maintain Singapore’s position as a top MICE destination of choice within the region.

He has also led the team to work with Singapore Expo to introduce leisure offerings, such as new food and beverage options, a sports hall as well as an entertainment facility, to enhance its attractiveness as a MICE venue. 

Looking ahead, Mr Law’s team is focused on ensuring all six purpose-built MICE venues in Singapore, including Raffles City Convention Centre, Resorts World Convention Centre and Sands Expo & Convention Centre, obtain internationally or nationally recognised sustainability certifications (or both) by 2025. An example of this is working with Singapore Expo to install Singapore’s largest single-site solar rooftop that generates renewable energy to power the venue’s operations. 

This initiative is a part of the MICE Sustainability Roadmap, an initiative by STB and the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers which aims to raise sustainability standards across Singapore’s MICE industry over the next few years. 

Finding fulfilment through diverse roles and job rotations 

Another key member of STB’s IPM team developing the country’s tourism offerings is Mr Darren Leow, 36, an Assistant Director with the IPM (Integrated Resorts) team.

His journey at STB has been marked by exposure to diverse roles and opportunities, which has contributed to his professional growth and given him a comprehensive understanding of the organisation’s multifaceted work. This includes an overseas posting to the STB regional office in Mumbai, India, and a secondment to MTI, and roles in international relations, business development and data analytics.

These rotations, he says, have given him a “sense of fulfilment”, enabling him to develop different skill sets and providing him with an in-depth knowledge of STB’s broad scope of work. 

“Because our work encompasses regulator, developer, policymaker, marketer and other roles, there’s always something new to try and learn from,” he explains.

Drawing from his wealth of experience, Mr Leow brings valuable insights to his role in the IPM (Integrated Resorts) team. He has a hand in a range of matters related to food and beverage, hotels, attractions, retail and entertainment within Singapore’s two integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). 

His role also involves government policy and stakeholder management, allowing him to leverage his diverse experience at STB. This is further enhanced by STB’s leadership culture, which fosters an environment where individuals are encouraged to take ownership, collaborate effectively, make sound decisions autonomously when needed and inspire others through their actions. 

Currently, his team is working closely with MBS and RWS on their respective expansions that will enrich Singapore’s tourism offerings and enhance the integrated resorts’ vibrancy and tourism appeal. 

The new world-class tourism facilities and attractions will include a 15,000-seater state-of-the-art entertainment arena and an iconic, luxury all-suite hotel at MBS with a rooftop public attraction, as well as a new waterfront lifestyle complex, Illumination’s Minion Land and Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Singapore in RWS. 

To gain inspiration for enhancing Singapore’s integrated resort offerings and to ensure that they stay ahead of the competition, he has undertaken study trips with his team to other world-class tourism destinations, such as Las Vegas, where he had the opportunity to experience the newly opened Sphere entertainment arena. 

For Mr Leow, working at STB offers not only the immense satisfaction of shaping Singapore’s physical landscape to make it a more attractive destination but also an unexpected perk: Witnessing the behind-the-scenes planning of new lifestyle offerings and events at the two integrated resorts. 

Besides these tangible benefits, he values the strong sense of unity and shared mission at STB. This dedication to promoting Singapore as a world-class destination has fostered a strong sense of camaraderie among colleagues and an “all hands on deck” attitude towards supporting STB initiatives and events. 

This commitment is evident in the way STB staff are always ready to contribute, from volunteering to run marquee events like the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix to taking part in company-wide team bonding initiatives.

As Mr Leow puts it, “STB is a place where staff bring their whole selves to work – with all of our interests and energy. After all, we are in the business of fun, and passion is our brand.” 

Find out more about careers with STB here.

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Manager to Senior Manager Technology Products 2 (Data Governance & Management)

Singapore Tourism Board

Closing on 27 Sep 2024

What the role is

What you will be working on

As the Data Governance & Management Lead, you will play an important role in ensuring fit-for-purpose high quality data in Stan for our target audience. Key responsibility includes:

1. Data Management & Governance

a) Champion the overall development, maintenance, implementation, management, compliance, and communications of data governance and management related policies, frameworks and processes to ensure quality and integrity of data assets. 

b) Lead the team in the implementation, enhancement and maintenance of data management solutions ( metadata management, reference data management, master data management, data lineage, data profiling and quality, business glossary) , oversee the data integration, and  identify and maintain common dimension tables across multiple datasets to enable data consistency and integration.

c) Provide advisory on data to be collected to serve business need.

d) Data Custodian of Organisation Master Data, ensure organisations' whitelist is current.

e) Maintain data standards in STB's Tourism Data Reference Model

2. Technical Product Management

a) Analyse and refine the business use cases, scope the problem and translate it into technical requirements.

b) Guide and facilitate the development of the solution to meet the user problem/ business case.

c) Source and evaluate alternatives to identify solutions that best fit business needs. Identify gaps and determine workarounds/ changes to the solution. Assess deployed solutions to see how well they met the original business needs.

d) Document requirements, source and evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions that best fit the business user needs for approval.

e) Work with both External and Internal Stakeholder to ensure smooth deployment and adoption of new solution.

f) Work with both External and Internal stakeholders to a) troubleshoot and resolve issues, b) implement preventive and corrective measures.

What we are looking for

Ability to apply the key components of data governance and data management (including data quality) in data projects

Experience with data architecture, data warehouse, data integration and data management tools.

Knowledge of master data management

Knowledge or experience with local and global data regulations and laws, e.g., PDPA, GDPR.

Knowledge of applying data analytics concepts to business through implementing use-case based data projects

Experience in software development lifecycle, application solutioning, design and testing, preferably   in Agile

At least 5 years of relevant experience, preferably in a similar role

Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills with an eye for detail 

Effective verbal and written communication skills, with a focus on building trust and fostering enduring relationships with data owners/custodians

Robust planning, organisational and project and time management skills

Ability to integrate and synthesise research and data across multiple sources to derive meaningful conclusions.

Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, navigating ambiguity, and demonstrating resourcefulness to deliver impactful outcomes.

Ability to thrive both independently and as an integral part of a wider collaborative team.

About Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions. Our success comes from working as one STB team in an environment of trust, openness, fun and care. What can you expect as part of #TeamSTB? • Professional and Personal development: We provide structured training and initiatives aimed at equipping you with a well-rounded set of competencies to excel in your career. • Staff benefits: We offer flexible work arrangement, family care leave and wellness programmes to enable you to achieve a healthy level of work-life effectiveness. Award-winning Workplace • Public Sector Employer of Choice: (2nd) 2014, 2nd (2015) and 1st (2016) • Singapore's Top 100 Leading Graduate Employers: Winner - Hospitality, Leisure, and Tourism Sector (2021) • NS Mark (Gold) Accreditation For more information on STB, please visit https://www.stb.gov.sg.

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Singapore Tourism Analytics Network (Stan)

Explore Stan , a data analytics platform, to visualise Visitor Arrivals statistics and access other tourism statistics like Hotel, Tourism Receipts and Cruise statistics.

Visiting Singapore for leisure or business? Please visit  www.visitsingapore.com   for more information.

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Visit  TIH   to access a rich resource of Singapore’s tourism product offerings and travel software services, offered by STB and industry.

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About the Organisation

What industry does your organization fall within, what best describes the key intent of the project that your organisation is seeking funding for, is your organisation a singapore-registered legal entity, is your organisation an association, is the project able to achieve one or more of the following outcome.

• Increase no. of sailings to/from Singapore
• Increase no. of foreign cruise passengers to Singapore through sailings to/from Singapore
• Increase no. of pre/post nights for cruise passengers sailing to/from Singapore
• Increase capability of industry players via cruise-specific industry training programmes
• Strengthen the potential/ attractiveness of cruising in Singapore and/or Southeast Asia

Is the project able to achieve one or more of the following?

• Improve visitor satisfaction (especially foreign visitors)
• Increase footfall
• Increase revenue
• Significant branding and PR value

Is the project able to attract foreign visitors and contribute to foreign visitors' spend?

Who will be the main target audience of your project, is your project innovative and/or a new event in singapore with tourism potential, what best describes your project, does the event have proven track records in singapore or overseas, and/or growth in tourism value such as growing foreign visitorship, and/or enhancement of precinct vibrancy etc, does the project have a clear tourism focus (e.g. tourism-related trainings, tourism companies taking on capability development initiatives or technology companies creating technology products and services for the tourism businesses), what best describes your market feasibility study project.

Based on your selection, the following STB grant/s may be applicable for your project:

Please note that projects that have commenced prior to Singapore Tourism Board's offer may not be eligible for grant support. Examples where projects are deemed as having commenced include:

• Applicant has started work on the project e.g. tender has been called.
• Applicant has made payment(s) to any supplier, vendor or third party.
• Applicant has signed a contractual agreement with any supplier, vendor or third party.