“Are there sharks and dolphins in Singapore waters?”

This was one question tourist guide Robin Loh hadn’t expected from tourists on the Coastal Life Boat Tour he organises.

Questions like these are part of what Loh enjoys about his job – the spontaneous conversations that unfold when visitors discover a side of Singapore they may not have known existed.

Loh is the captain, boatman, guide and storyteller all at once, steering the catamaran as he points out naval vessels and tugboats, stopping to speak to fishermen as they pull in their freshly caught prawns, fish and mussels. There is no scripted itinerary, which keeps the out-at-sea experience authentic.

The tour’s focus on a lesser-seen part of Singapore and turning it into a memorable visitor experience earned it the Experience Excellence Leisure – Outstanding Tour Experience award at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2026.

It was among 24 individuals and organisations recognised by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for their contributions to Singapore tourism, from creating distinctive visitor experiences to driving enterprise innovation.

Across this year’s winning experiences, familiar parts of Singapore are being reimagined in fresh and memorable ways.

For instance, the newly launched WEAVE at Resorts World Sentosa reframes the idea of shopping, dining and simply hanging out on a tropical island with its unconventional “in-between” environment that features lots of greenery and open-air walkways.

Another winning concept is the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands. A long-time favourite among tourists and local visitors, the museum experience has been refreshed with ever-evolving interactive displays, gamification concepts and 3D sets so each visit always offers something new.

“The winners demonstrate how our industry continues to raise the bar through deep storytelling, immersive programming and innovative design,” says Kwan Su Min, Director, Communications, STB. “Together, ...