Motorshow hosts query site access

By Ben Moore SINGAPORE Visitor numbers for last November's biennial Millennium Motorshow at the Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre (SICEC) were significantly lower than expected, prompting claims venue access contributed to low turnout. Event organiser, Singapore International Motorshow, had projected 200,000 people would attend the nine-day show. However, tickets sales recorded a figure of 131,000 - 35% less than was expected. "We had hoped for more because the event had doubled its exhibition space from 1998. But I think there was a combination of factors," Singapore International Motorshow executive director Mr Tan Wah Sern said. "SICEC is a multi-storey venue with only one point of access. The ramp at the back of the hall was a challenge, especially when exhibitors had to move several cars to and from the show. "The number of other events taking place at SICEC also had an effect and visitors told us parking was an issue." Officials claimed the parking situation was no worse than normal. "Parking, especially over the weekend, has always been a problem at SICEC because we share spaces with shoppers going to Suntec City," a spokeswoman said.