TMS Asia-Pacific has unveiled a new strategy designed to attract UK-based hospitality and travel staff to Singapore to help bolster a local tourism sector facing an ever-tightening staffing situation. TMS Managing Director – Asia, Andrew Chan said the company was drawing on its two London-based partners – the C&M Group and Collins King & Associates – to help identify potential executive and senior level candidates ready to move to Singapore in search of an Asia-based travel industry career.

The specialist executive search firm’s move comes in swift response to news that the Singapore Tourism Board intends working even closer with its key UK trade partners in 2008 to encourage even higher numbers of UK visitor travellers to visit Singapore.

“The local industry is bracing itself to welcome an estimated 10.8 million arrivals in 2008 - including some 500,000 Brits – and there are plenty of reasons to come.

“Changi Airport’s Terminal Three is already up and running and the Singapore Flyer Observation Wheel opens in March.

“Add to that the new scheduled Airbus A380 services which starts later this month, the regional impact the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will have and Singapore’s staging of the first night time Formula One Grand Prix in September.

“Singapore has never been busier - but there is a down side.

“With the tourism sector growing at such a rapid pace, employers already facing an uphill battle trying to find and retain staff face an even tougher environment trying to fill the large numbers of newly created jobs that have and will come about as part of this boom.

“The UK does offer some solutions. Experienced UK expatriates have always been in big demand in the Singapore hotel industry - as general managers, F&B managers, sales and marketing directors, head chefs and in other senior industry roles.

“But we’re looking at a variety of industry areas. These include senior corporate and leisure travel company management and senior airline executives.

“We’re meeting with some very positive approval for the plan – from both the UK and in Singapore where we are already helping a number of companies source off shore candidates,” he said.

TMS has been an associate of C&M Group since 2006. C&M is one of the UK's leading recruitment and training agencies operating an extensive network from its London, and Manchester offices.

TMS joined resources with London-based hospitality industry specialist Collins King & Associates in August last year.