Hosting Major Meetings and Accompanying Protestors: Singapore 2006

Abstract

The paper is concerned with the phenomenon whereby certain high profile meetings and conferences attract large numbers of protestors and the problems that result for destination authorities preparing for and managing such events. Tourism is shown to be influenced by, as well as an influence upon, politics in such circumstances. Issues are discussed within the context of Singapore which held a major event involving world financial institutions in 2006. The analysis reveals the appeal of this distinctive form of business tourism, but also highlights potential limitations including the dilemma of how to deal with the question of demonstrations that are affected by prevailing political cultures.

Keywords:

• anti-globalisation protests
• meetings and conference tourism
• politics and tourism
• Singapore