The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) launched this year's annual tourism awards today (1 May 2002).

Now in their 17th year, the awards have 21 categories, 15 of which are nominated by the public. They include: restaurant, hotel and night spot of the year and best leisure attraction in terms of service, theme, concept and ability to provide a memorable visitor experience.

The tourism awards is one of the programmes the STB is involved in to improve service standards in Singapore's leisure and tourism industry. Other initiatives include working with industry partners on training programmes that emphasise the art of service, and setting skill standards for the hotel, travel agent and retail sectors.

The public can make their nominations online at www.visitsingapore.com/tourismawards or through nomination forms found at leisure facilities island-wide, such as restaurants, hotels, attractions and retail centres.

Based on the nominations, a panel of judges representing both public and private sector organisations from the tourism industry will select finalists and the eventual award winners.