Singapore is trying to entice business travelers to return with a luxury '4-star' bubble hotel to stay in for 14 days before entering the country

Brittany ChangJan 10, 2021, 20:04 IST

The courtyard at Connect@Changi.Connect@Changi

Singapore is trying to bring business travel back with its new Connect@Singapore initiative and the upcoming Connect@Changi "test-stay-work-meet" facility.
Like any hotel, the facility will have a reception area, meeting rooms, self-serve Starbucks stands, and guestrooms.
But unlike any hotel, the facility will require frequent COVID-19 tests and contact tracing and will be testing the facility's wastewater for early coronavirus detection, among other health protocols.

Singapore will be bringing business travel back this month with its new Connect@Singapore initiative and upcoming Connect@Changi "test-stay-work-meet" facility.

The return of travel, whether business or leisure, remains in limbo as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in several countries. As a result, companies like Marriott have started offering a suite of protocols - including optional on-site COVID-19 tests - meant to bring back in person meetings and events during coronavirus pandemic times.

However, Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry has gone a step further to pursue the Connect@Singapore initiative, a full fledged facility that will "facilitate essential global business exchanges and support the revival of Singapore's air hub status and hospitality sector," according to a news release announcing the strategy.

Think of the Connect@Singapore initiative and its upcoming Connect@Changi facility as a hotel with stricter health protocols. This entails frequent testing, contactless "GymPods," and barriers that separate visitors from locals.

However, as dystopian as this may seem, renderings of the facility show it to be surprisingly similar to a normal hotel with a reception area, meeting rooms, self-serve Starbucks stands, and guestrooms.

"We studied business travel patterns before the pandemic, and designed the facility and program to meet the needs of businesses and business travelers in the region," Robin Hu, head of Temasek's sustainability and stewardship group, said in a statement on the news release. "[Our partners and us] hope to support the efforts to build national resilience during the pandemic, and make Singapore a global reference point on the restoration of air travel in a safe and secure manner."

Keep scrolling to see inside the planned Connect@Changi with the Connect@Singapore initiative:

The future of business travel in Singapore isn't as far out as it may seem.

The entrance at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

The Ministry of Trade and Industry is now working with Connect@Changi to create the "world's first Business Travel Exchange," or BTX for short.

The courtyard at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

The new facility was designed to "complement the Singapore government's broader efforts to accelerate the resumption of regional and international business activities in a safe and calibrated manner," according to the Connect@Changi press release.

The work desk at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

The new facility was designed to "complement the Singapore government's broader efforts to accelerate the resumption of regional and international business activities in a safe and calibrated manner," according to the Connect@Changi press release.

The upcoming Connect@Changi is being developed by several companies, such as Temasek, Changi Airport Group, a real estate and hospitality group, a healthcare company, a venue and event planning firm, and an infrastructure development group.

The courtyard at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

The upcoming Connect@Changi is being developed by several companies, such as Temasek, Changi Airport Group, a real estate and hospitality group, a healthcare company, a venue and event planning firm, and an infrastructure development group.

The first phase of the Connect@Changi will be located at two Singapore Expo convention halls just a short drive away from the Changi Airport.

The entrance at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

The "test-stay-work-meet" facility's first phase will include over 670 rooms and 170 meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 22 people.

The meeting room at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

The initiative will be available to select officials, companies, and "high economic value travelers" for visits up to 14 days long.

The guest room at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

According to the Connect@Changi news release, before the coronavirus pandemic, almost nine out of 10 business travelers that flew into Changi Airport stayed in Singapore for five or fewer days.

The reception at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

According to the Connect@Changi news release, before the coronavirus pandemic, almost nine out of 10 business travelers that flew into Changi Airport stayed in Singapore for five or fewer days.

Applications open mid-January and the first initiative participants will be able to travel to Singapore by the later half of this month.

The reception at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

The final fully constructed facility - which is set to be completed halfway through the year - will have over 1,300 guest rooms and 340 meeting rooms.

The guest room at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

Floor-to-ceiling airtight glass barriers will separate travelers from locals during any on-site meetings.

The courtyard at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

Business travelers accustomed to luxury should have no fear of the facility. According to the news release, Connect@Changi provides "four-star accommodation."

A bathroom at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

Businesspeople and officials can come in groups of five, but won't be allowed to socialize with other groups.

The courtyard at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

The rates for stays under three days start at $390 per night for an executive guestroom. This price then jumps to $430 a night for a premier guestroom.

A guest room at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

This price includes tests, three daily meals, and transport to and from the airport.

The reception at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

Unsurprisingly, testing is a big priority at the facility, and Connect@Singapore has set up rigorous testing schedules for its travelers.

The courtyard at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

Travelers will have to undergo the initiative's "health and testing protocols," which include presenting a negative PCR test before heading to Singapore, taking another PCR test upon arrival, and then taking four additional rapid antigen tests for any for stays up to 14 days.

The reception at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

Travelers will have to undergo the initiative's "health and testing protocols," which include presenting a negative PCR test before heading to Singapore, taking another PCR test upon arrival, and then taking four additional rapid antigen tests for any for stays up to 14 days.

Staff members working in the facilities will also be tested regularly.

The courtyard at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

However, Connect@Changi is aiming to reduce contact between guests and workers by employing different tactics, such as "self-service meeting rooms" and meal drop-offs on shelves outside of the guests' rooms.

The courtyard at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

However, Connect@Changi is aiming to reduce contact between guests and workers by employing different tactics, such as "self-service meeting rooms" and meal drop-offs on shelves outside of the guests' rooms.

For extra precaution, this "living laboratory," as Connect@Changi calls itself, will also test wastewater for COVID-19 and set up contact tracing inside the facility.

The courtyard at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

The ventilation setups, entrances, and exits for both travelers and locals will be divided to prevent cross-contamination.

The meeting room at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

If successful, the strategies used at Connect@Changi can be employed at other local destinations - such as hotels - to help the country better manage the coronavirus pandemic.

The courtyard at Connect@Changi. Connect@Changi

If successful, the strategies used at Connect@Changi can be employed at other local destinations - such as hotels - to help the country better manage the coronavirus pandemic.

Take a look inside 'Game of Thrones' star Emilia Clarke's California house, which sold for $4.4 million

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Singapore is trying to entice business travelers to return with a luxury '4-star' bubble hotel to stay in for 14 days before entering the country

The future of business travel in Singapore isn't as far out as it may seem.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry is now working with Connect@Changi to create the "world's first Business Travel Exchange," or BTX for short.

The new facility was designed to "complement the Singapore government's broader efforts to accelerate the resumption of regional and international business activities in a safe and calibrated manner," according to the Connect@Changi press release.

The upcoming Connect@Changi is being developed by several companies, such as Temasek, Changi Airport Group, a real estate and hospitality group, a healthcare company, a venue and event planning firm, and an infrastructure development group.

The first phase of the Connect@Changi will be located at two Singapore Expo convention halls just a short drive away from the Changi Airport.

The "test-stay-work-meet" facility's first phase will include over 670 rooms and 170 meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 22 people.

The initiative will be available to select officials, companies, and "high economic value travelers" for visits up to 14 days long.

According to the Connect@Changi news release, before the coronavirus pandemic, almost nine out of 10 business travelers that flew into Changi Airport stayed in Singapore for five or fewer days.

Applications open mid-January and the first initiative participants will be able to travel to Singapore by the later half of this month.

The final fully constructed facility - which is set to be completed halfway through the year - will have over 1,300 guest rooms and 340 meeting rooms.

Floor-to-ceiling airtight glass barriers will separate travelers from locals during any on-site meetings.

Business travelers accustomed to luxury should have no fear of the facility. According to the news release, Connect@Changi provides "four-star accommodation."

Businesspeople and officials can come in groups of five, but won't be allowed to socialize with other groups.

The rates for stays under three days start at $390 per night for an executive guestroom. This price then jumps to $430 a night for a premier guestroom.

This price includes tests, three daily meals, and transport to and from the airport.

Unsurprisingly, testing is a big priority at the facility, and Connect@Singapore has set up rigorous testing schedules for its travelers.

Travelers will have to undergo the initiative's "health and testing protocols," which include presenting a negative PCR test before heading to Singapore, taking another PCR test upon arrival, and then taking four additional rapid antigen tests for any for stays up to 14 days.

Staff members working in the facilities will also be tested regularly.

However, Connect@Changi is aiming to reduce contact between guests and workers by employing different tactics, such as "self-service meeting rooms" and meal drop-offs on shelves outside of the guests' rooms.

For extra precaution, this "living laboratory," as Connect@Changi calls itself, will also test wastewater for COVID-19 and set up contact tracing inside the facility.

The ventilation setups, entrances, and exits for both travelers and locals will be divided to prevent cross-contamination.

If successful, the strategies used at Connect@Changi can be employed at other local destinations - such as hotels - to help the country better manage the coronavirus pandemic.