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Billed as the world’s first of its kind, Connect@Changi allows business travellers to “safely” meet their counterparts in Singapore and guests from other countries. Photo: connectatchangi.sg
The first batch of overseas guests to use Connect@Changi, a dedicated facility that allows business travellers to stay as well as conduct meetings without serving quarantine, has arrived.
Among its first guests is Olivier Leroux, Chief Executive and President of French and Singapore-based firm Oasis Smart Sim, reported Channel News Asia (CNA).
Leroux flew in from France and will stay at the facility for five days.
“During the course of his stay, Mr Leroux will be conducting around four to five business meetings with his team based in Singapore, as well as business associates and partners in Singapore,” said a press release from Connect@Changi as quoted by CNA.
Other confirmed guests that the pilot short-stay facility will receive include travellers from Indonesia, Germany, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, who are anticipated to arrive this month.
A spokesperson for Connect@Changi told CNA that the facility received “a steady stream of enquiries” from business travellers across various regions such as the United States, Europe and Asia since its launch.
It is also looking at opportunities with trade partners, which include “tie-ups with travel networks and airlines looking into having special room rates tied to airfare”.
Billed as the world’s first of its kind, Connect@Changi allows business travellers to “safely” meet their counterparts in Singapore and guests from other countries.
Also serving as a business centre, the accommodation facility is “bubble-wrapped” such that visitors do not mingle with the Singapore community.
Meetings at the facility are conducted in specially-designed meeting rooms that feature air-tight glass panels to minimise the risk of transmission.
Foreign travellers checking into the facility will be required to undergo a rigorous COVID-19 testing regime during their stay. These include a polymerase chain reaction test upon the guest’s arrival at Changi Airport, and on the third, seventh and 14th day of their stay.
Guests can stay for a minimum period of 24 hours, with 14 days as the longest period they could stay.
Innovative solutions will also be deployed to reduce contact between frontline staff members and guests, such as pre-installed shelves outside guest rooms for meals to be delivered.
Guests can also get food and drinks at self-service coffee kiosks and vending machines, or opt for food delivery from Changi Airport.
Developed by a Temasek Holdings-led consortium, Connect@Changi opened its doors in February as part of the city-state’s efforts to resume international business meetings amid the pandemic.
Under the project’s first phase, the facility will offer 150 rooms and 40 meeting rooms that can accommodate four to 22 attendees. Connect@Changi will expand in phases to hit a full potential capacity of about 1,300 business travellers.
Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this story, email: victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg
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