Holidays In Singapore

Experience a Slice of History at Fort Siloso

2011-02-03T11:10:00.002Z

Many places in Singapore have the power to show you the past in some way. But Fort Siloso is perhaps one of the most notable of all. You can be transported back to the years of World War II when you visit it, and see the gun battery that exists there.

Back in the day Fort Siloso was the point of guard for Keppel Harbour. Today you can still see some of the guns that used to guard the entrance here, and the guns have been restored to the same condition they would have been in back then. It is one of twelve batteries but you will find no others in Singapore that have been restored to this condition. Therefore a visit to Fort Siloso is a must for anyone with an interest in World War II.

If you think the visit is all about seeing a few old guns though, you would be mistaken. In fact there is plenty more to see as well, including models of the people who would have been in the area at the time. Witnessing re-enactments of the scenes that actually took place during the war makes this an even more memorable visit than it would be otherwise.

There are guided tours here too and what’s more you won’t have to pay for them. Check ahead of your visit to see when the tours are taking place though, to ensure you are not disappointed. Old tunnels still exist from those times and you can wander down them yourself, imagining what it must have been like to be there during the war years.

Fort Siloso is a place where you can learn about the past. You can also step back into it to some extent, thanks to the level of care and detail that has gone into this visitor attraction. Fort Siloso is part of the Sentosa area of Singapore, and since many people like to base their holiday in this region you may find it is closer to get to it than you think. Make sure you add it to your list of things to do – you’ll learn a lot from a visit here.

Seek Peace and Tranquillity in Sentosa

2011-01-05T10:06:00.002Z

If you know any Malay, you will know that the above title is something of a pun. You see, peace and tranquillity is the English translation from Malay of the word Sentosa. And since Sentosa is an island just off the south coast of Singapore itself, you can see how the name would have been created – and for good reason as well.

Millions of people venture out to Sentosa every year, and yet it may not be the best known place in Singapore. Perhaps this is one of those well kept secrets that the world has to share with those who dare to look a little closer at the potential holidays that are available.

This is certainly a great place to head to on holiday though. For starters there is a lot to do on this island, so don’t fall for the assumption that such a small place won’t offer you as much to see and do as the mainland of Singapore. In fact there is enough here to keep you occupied for weeks at a time, so a two week holiday won’t be a problem.

One of the best known venues to visit is the Universal Studios Singapore. This is a very new part of the island but it is already attracting many visitors and doing well in its first few months of operation. It forms an integral part of the Resorts World Sentosa development, which offers the opportunity for a terrific holiday, thanks to the attractions, hotels and entertainment offered there.

There are beaches on Sentosa as well, so if it’s a beach based holiday you would like you can certainly look forward to having that here. There are three main beaches, each of which sits next to the other, so you won’t have to travel far to enjoy each one.

In fact the close proximity of everything that Sentosa offers is a key reason for coming here. Nothing is too far away and it provides the perfect resort for families with children to keep happy. As you will see, it provides an unerring feeling that you will want to go back soon too!

Enjoy A Spot Of Shopping In Singapore

2010-12-06T17:16:00.000Z

If you know anything at all about Singapore you will know that no journey there can be disappointing or dull. In fact if you are planning on having more than a few days there you will certainly be able to indulge in seeing most of the venues and attractions it has to share with you.

But let’s be honest here. Shopping is one activity you simply shouldn’t miss in Singapore. Like any other big location it has plenty to offer and the good news is that whatever you want to buy and whatever kinds of shops you tend to prefer, you will always be able to find just what you need there.

So where on earth do you start? After all with this many choices in front of you, you would be forgiven for feeling totally overwhelmed by the shopping delights of Singapore. A good place to start is in Orchard Road, where you will find all kinds of shops including Tiffany and Co and other huge names as well. Don’t feel too overwhelmed by the big names though, as the road has different plazas in it that offer you bargains in lots of different areas. It’s not just fancy names and big brands here – whatever your budget might stretch to you are sure to find various temptations to woo you into leaving with several carrier bags!

Some people think Orchard Road is just a road, but really it hides a variety of different malls for you to explore. This isn’t a day long shopping spree – it could take you a lot longer than that to ensure you discover everything there is to love about Singapore shopping.

Elsewhere in Singapore the Marina Bay area is another site worthy of exploration. It hasn’t quite garnered the popularity of Orchard Road just yet, but given the target it has to reach, this isn’t really much of a surprise. However it does have numerous shops and department stores to browse around, so if you fancy a change then it could be just what you are after.

Taking a Stroll Down Festive Walk

2010-11-05T08:53:00.002Z

It might sound festive but in truth this area is open all year round, courtesy of Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. This is a major area where you can stay for your holiday if you wish, if the lure of all things modern attracts you. But even if you don’t want to spend all your time in such a place, you will definitely want to see it.

Festive Walk is quite a sight to see too. This is a shopping area but it has shops with a distinctive difference. The word luxury is often used to describe the shops here, and when you see them for yourself you will understand why. This is not an area filled with the normal brand names you would see in a shopping area. Instead it has many luxurious names you may not even have heard of. Some people will go to spend money but others will go simply to marvel at the sights and to window shop. But whatever you want to do yourself you will be glad you went for a look round. It certainly makes a change from the usual window shopping you would do at home!

The area itself is spread out and feels very relaxed. There is a great proportion of glass used in the construction as well, so it will feel light and open. Resorts World has its own gift shop here so you may want to pop in and get a treat to remind you of your time in this area of Singapore. Alternatively you may want to buy one or two pieces of art from some of the galleries on the Festive Walk.

The name itself if something of a false lead since the area is not dedicated to Christmas – the period we tend to think of whenever the word ‘festive’ comes up. But there is no doubt that Resorts World Sentosa is well worth going to see, and the Festive Walk is just one part of the amazing experience you will get when you go there to walk around it for yourself.

Would You Choose Marina Bay Sands?

2010-10-06T13:59:00.002Z

One of the key things to think about when you are considering taking a trip to Singapore is where you are going to stay. In recent months a new venue has opened at Marina Bay in Singapore, aptly titled Marina Bay Sands.

It was meant to open in 2009 but various delays led to the eventual opening in April 2010. It may still not have all its facilities open and working properly, but this is expected to be rectified by the end of the year.

But what can you expect if you stay there? Would it suit you as a base for your Singapore holiday?

Well the answer is that it depends on what you want to get out of your stay. If you fancy a visit or two to a casino you’ll be in luck – there is one right on site. Once you are inside you will be able to make use of hundreds of different slot machines and enjoy all the different table games you can possibly imagine.

But this isn’t just a hotel for gamblers. The Marina Bay Sands venue is just that – a venue and not just a hotel. If you are going to stay there while you are in Singapore you should definitely make a beeline for the Sands Sky Park.

This is perhaps the most incredible part of the entire structure. The hotel itself is comprised of three separate towers, and across the top there sits a cantilever structure that soars over all three towers. You will have the opportunity to go up to this level to look out over Singapore and see more of it than you probably thought you would.

You can actually go and see the Sands Sky Park even if you aren’t staying at the hotel itself. Tickets are available from the ground floor and you just have to go and buy them on the day you want to go up to the roof. It is well worth doing and a camera is an absolute must! You will be amazed at just how spectacular the view is when you see this finishing touch to Marina Bay Sands.

Have You Ever Been On A Bumboat?

2010-09-08T12:51:00.000Z

This question is not intended to be rude or flippant. If you have ever been to Singapore before you will know this is the case. A bumboat is a boat that was once used to get essential supplies to ships that could not come right into the harbour. The smaller boat made the distance between the harbour and the ship, to get supplies from one to the other.

Nowadays these bumboats have a very different purpose. If you visit Singapore you will be able to take a ride on them yourself. They used to be in service on the Singapore River in years gone by, and after a period of time where they were not used they have come back. Now of course they take tourists up and down the river so they can see another slice of Singapore life.

There are a couple of companies offering bumboat rides on the river. Make sure you compare the different journeys they offer as they do not all frequent the same places. It is well worth booking onto the longest tour you can find because you will see more as a result.

There are three quays on the Singapore River and most trips take in two or all three of them. You will also be able to go under the bridges that cross various points of the river, offering you another sight that you cannot get anywhere else. A bumboat tour is a good thing to do at any point during your time in Singapore, but if you do it early on you can spot some sights that are worth seeing when you get back on dry land.

You won’t have to find or recognise locations from a guide book either, because a commentary is provided along the way. This is one of the best ways to see the river and to relax and let the boat take the strain. If you have already tried out some walking tours of Singapore you will love the relaxed nature of this alternative to wearing down your shoe leather.

Visiting West Coast Park In Singapore

2010-08-06T09:26:00.002Z

If you’d like to feel the sand squelching up in between your toes when you are in Singapore, there are plenty of beaches dotted around that could make this a reality for you. One of the key locations is West Coast Park, which can be found on the southern edge of Singapore, towards Jurong Island.

This isn’t really the kind of beach you would sunbathe on, but it is the kind of beach you can stroll along and play beach volleyball on too. In fact there are lots of activities you can try out here, not least of which is kite flying. It might sound unusual but if the weather is right you will probably see plenty of people out and about doing just that.

The park itself is based on land that was reclaimed some years ago. This is common practice in Singapore. It is also a great place to bring the kids for a few hours, because there is plenty for them to do here. A large adventure playground awaits them for starters, not to mention a chess garden if you would like to introduce them to a bigger set.

If you would like to eat out in the open take a look at the giant barbecue pits that are available. In any event a tasty picnic enjoyed in these surroundings is a great way to enjoy the day at West Coast Park.

The park is certainly packed out with facilities so it doesn’t really matter what you want to do – you’re bound to find something you and the whole family will enjoy doing for the day. There are dedicated bike tracks and jogging trails as well, so if you are heading out on your own you can get fit in the park while you are there.

One key thing to remember and appreciate about the park is that it has been divided into zones that are aimed at people and children of different ages. This makes it easy and more pleasant to use – and when it is outstanding to start with you can see you are onto a winner here.

Little India – A Jewel In Singapore

2010-07-08T10:00:00.000Z

We’ve all heard of Chinatown. But what about Little India? This isn’t as well known generally but if you visit Singapore you can take the opportunity to see Little India in all its glory.

The name of this part of Singapore gives you a huge clue as to what you should expect when you get there. If you love Indian food suffice it to say you will love this place because it is a real taste of India right in front of you. Some of the colours are amazing – check out the stalls to see the ingredients that are displayed there. If you want to cook your own Indian food while you are out in Singapore, this is the place to come to get everything you need – not to mention a few recipe ideas as well. And there is no doubt that the whole place smells absolutely fantastic.

The good thing about Little India is that it is indeed little. Compact would probably be the best word for it. Another bonus is that although many tourists come here to see what they can find, it hasn’t got the feel of a tourist attraction. Instead you will be entering an area that distinctly belongs to the Indian population in the area. As such it is a charming area to visit and you can wander round all the streets here quite happily on foot. In fact this is the best way to explore Little India – any other method of travel will result in you missing out on some essential parts of the area.

Serangoon Road is one of the main roads which cuts right through the middle of Little India. If you wander down this road and glance to either side of you, you will see offshoots that are worth exploring as well. You could easily spend half a day wandering around the area and not get bored. There are so many sights, sounds and smells here that you will find yourself drawn into the experience even if you never intended to stop at Little India in the first place.

Enjoy Some Food In Clarke Quay

2010-06-08T12:11:00.002Z

Singapore has plenty of exciting things just waiting for you to discover them once you’ve landed and got settled in. But let’s face it having a bite to eat has to be one of the best things to do when you have a rumbling stomach to quell. And what better place to go to do it than a place called Clarke Quay?

In case you’ve never heard of it, this is an historic area located in Singapore that has lots of pubs and restaurants just waiting to be discovered. The complex is split into five separate blocks, so you can go from one to another discovering all the outlets that await you. The first four blocks – labelled from A through to D – are situated around a central fountain. Incidentally this fountain provides a great place to meet up with your friends or family if you happen to get split up from one another. The fifth block, known as Block E, is a short distance away adjoining the car park.

So what will you find here, and are you liable to spend a lot of money? Well it really all depends on the kind of thing you like to spend it on. If you want to explore the many tastes and flavours of Singapore food, you’ll certainly be in danger of spending quite a bit! There are some truly amazing outlets here that will provide you with anything from a snack to a full meal. This is the main appeal of Clarke Quay, as it is firmly centred more around food and drink than anything else.

There is also a jetty where you can take one of the famous Duck Tours of Singapore. These take on the land as well as the harbour, so you really do get to see a bit of everything.

The good thing about Clarke Quay is that whatever kind of food you like and however dressed up or dressed down you want to be, you’ll be able to find at least one place here that will suit you right down to the ground. Are you ready to eat at this quay?

The Singapore Night Safari

2010-05-10T10:39:00.002Z

If you read our last Singapore based blog entry, you’ll know that we mentioned the Night Safari while talking about the delights of the Singapore Zoo. There was no way we could possibly do the Night Safari justice by trying to cover that topic as well as the zoo itself, so let us redress the balance by focusing on the Night Safari right now.

The Night Safari basically gives you a great opportunity to see lots of different animals at a time when you would otherwise not be able to see them. Since most zoos close long before night falls, you will never see the animals in the dark. But the Night Safari gives you a chance to do just that, in an organised tour that enables you to see many different types of habitats. If you love visiting Singapore Zoo you will definitely love this experience, because it shows you another side of the animal kingdom.

What’s more, they set things up perfectly by showing you the Creatures of the Night show. This is a wonderful introduction to what you can expect when the safari itself begins, and you can try and watch out for the animals when you go across the varied terrain.

The Night Safari takes you round a circuitous and long route which shows you the best of all the animals there are to see. Watch out for such delights as the Cape buffalo and the spotted hyena during your trip. You can also see the bearded pig (sounds unlikely but there really is an animal by this name) and the Greater Asian rhinoceros.

Of course this is only a fraction of the animals that live in the grounds of the Night Safari. Take your seat in one of the Night Safari vehicles and enjoy seeing animals in a setting you have never experienced before. Singapore is famous for its Night Safari and the zoo itself is just as good as well. Why not get the best of both worlds and visit both locations to enjoy everything the animal world has to offer you?

Visiting The Singapore Zoo

2010-04-08T17:05:00.001Z

Most places have a zoo of some description, and there is something rather wonderful about visiting zoos in different parts of the world. You can expect to see different animals there for starters, and there is also the delight of seeing how zoos are created and run in other parts of the world.

Singapore has a great zoo that is worth seeing regardless of whether you are visiting on your own or with the entire family in tow. The zoo itself is spread out over a wide area and has plenty of different areas worth visiting. You can avoid the reptiles if that isn’t your cup of tea, but there is plenty more to see elsewhere.

For example the zoo has some white tigers in residence, and the exhibit here also seeks to educate people as well as allowing them to see the tigers themselves. This is very much an ongoing theme with the Singapore Zoo – it doesn’t just show you, it tells you what is going on and how the animals live their lives there and in the wild.

It might also surprise you to know that the zoo has a polar bear exhibit. It has been specially created to allow the bears to stay cool as this is the kind of weather they would normally be used to – not the hot weather associated with Singapore. Be sure you don’t miss the viewing exhibit which permits you to see the polar bears swimming underwater. You will never get closer – nor would you want to – than this.

The zoo also offers the chance to go on a Night Safari, and if you love animals in any respect at all this is something you will definitely want to do. You wouldn’t normally get to see the animals at night, but this opportunity gives you the chance to do just that.

If you want to visit the zoo at night you might want to consider buying a three in one ticket. This allows you to take advantage of the zoo, the Night Safari and even the nearby Jurong Bird Park as well. What better value for money deal could you get?

Getting Wet In Singapore

2010-03-09T19:18:00.002Z

If you get wet on a trip to Singapore, it must mean you have caught a rain shower. Or so you would think. But in fact there could be another explanation, and if you love water parks you’ll want to find out how avoiding the rain showers and heading for the water rides is definitely the best option.

We’re talking about Wild Wild Wet – where there must be a good reason for wanting to use the word ‘wild’ twice in the name of this particular water park. And indeed there is; there are plenty of water rides here to entertain the whole family.

Located in Downtown East not far from the Pasir Ris MRT Station you’ll find flumes, rafts and slides that will keep you and the rest of your family entertained for the whole day. Be prepared to get tired as you head for rides like the Ular-Lah, which aims to recreate the feeling of white water rafting. By jumping in a round tyre with several other people you can try and reach the bottom in record time.

Elsewhere you can try the Waterworks, which offer two ways to get to the bottom. You can either opt for the closed tube or the open tube ride, both of which splash you down into the pool at the bottom in great style and time. There are plenty of twists and turns here and you’ll probably want to ride them both more than once as well. All of which points to a long day at this particular water park.

There is also an artificial wave pool and even a Jacuzzi you can climb into when you want a break from all the action. The kids can get to grips with the Professor’s Playground as well, which basically puts all the best playground equipment right in the middle of a nice shallow pool. You’ll want to watch them at all times, but make sure you have your camera ready to take some pictures of them as well.

Every water park has a lazy river nowadays, and Wild Wild Wet is no exception. So you can always head here if you need to lie back and relax for a while.

All Aboard The Singapore Flyer

2010-02-05T10:58:00.002Z

It sounds rather like a form of transport doesn’t it? And essentially it is, although it won’t be anything like you have experienced before. It is however unmissable if you are visiting Singapore.

The Singapore Flyer is basically a Ferris wheel, much like the London Eye. But it is significantly bigger than the London Eye and that makes it a must see when you are in town. It only opened in 2008 so it is still a fairly new sight in Singapore, but with that said it has proved understandably very popular, both with locals and with tourists eager to see a different view of Singapore itself.

But while a ride on the Singapore Flyer offers an undoubtedly stunning experience you won’t forget in a hurry, it also offers you plenty more. The wheel itself sits atop a building in which you can enjoy a taste of the cuisine that locals go mad over. The area is known for having some spectacular dishes available to whet your appetite with, so be sure you grab a table downstairs either before or after your ride on the wheel.

Perhaps unbelievably until you see it for yourself, there is also a rainforest underneath the wheel. This has been built in the centre of the building so you can enjoy wandering around and exploring the waterfalls, plants and landscapes that have been specially created in this area. Singapore can be quite hot at times but this rainforest offers you a breather from that atmosphere.

And then you can visit the wheel itself. The Singapore Flyer will take you up to more than a hundred and sixty metres, so you can expect to see all of Singapore laid out in front of you. A trip will take you almost forty minutes so there is plenty of time in which to look out over the city and see where you have been – as well as where you still want to go.

Watch out for the Esplanade, Marina Barrage and the Art Park. And there is plenty more besides that you will be eager to spot too. Make sure you don’t miss any of these delights.

Enjoy A Colourful Welcome To The Jurong Bird Park

2010-01-07T13:43:00.002Z

There is no doubt that Singapore has many delights to show you, but the Jurong Bird Park has to be one of the best of all.

It seems as if there is a riot of different colours around every corner, and they all belong to the myriad of different birds who call the Jurong Bird Park home. There are several main areas that make up the park, and each one offers a unique insight into the lives of the birds that live there.

For example, you can look back into the past when you visit the Dinosaur Descendents exhibit. These birds can all be linked to the dinosaurs that used to roam the world, and you can even take part in a Dino Dig if you wish. This is one for the kids of course, but adults won’t be able to resist giving it a go either.

The wonderfully named Swan Lake can be found elsewhere in the park, offering a delightful look at the lives of these stunning birds. A specially built observation deck provides the perfect vantage point for getting closer to them than you may ever have done before.

Penguins are a firm favourite with many people, both kids and adults alike, so you will be glad to hear they have their own section of the Jurong Bird Park to live in. You can get to know five different species here and you can see them all through the incredibly long viewing window. This is an incredible thirty metres long so you should easily be able to get a great view.

But perhaps the best part of all is the ability you will have to step from day time into night time. You can make this happen simply by visiting the owls in their night time habitat, and you’ll love every minute of it. Make sure you look closely though, otherwise you may miss some of the owls that are right up close to you.

As you can see the Jurong Bird Park is one of the jewels in Singapore. Don’t miss it.

Exploring The Singapore Botanic Gardens

2009-10-29T08:07:00.002Z

This may not be the biggest example of a botanical garden in the world, but the Singapore Botanical Gardens are open to visitors for all but five hours a day. This means that no matter what time you choose to see them, you’ll be welcomed in and you won’t have to pay for the privilege either.

The gardens themselves have been there for some 150 years, and in that time thousands of people have seen the unique displays and wandered through the gardens. If you have never been to a botanical garden before you are in for a real treat – there are waterfalls, unusual plants, pathways and various different parts of the gardens to explore.

One particular area worth looking at if you are on holiday with the children is the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. This cost some seven million Singaporean dollars to create, but the result was well worth it as it now attracts lots of children to it every day.

Of course this is not the only stunning area of the botanical gardens. The entire place is captivating and shows you a wide array of botanical plants that you might want to get a closer look at. It’s a great place to take a camera as well – with so many plants and colours on show you can expect to see something different with every separate part of the gardens you walk through.

The gardens themselves take up over 150 acres at the current time, but you can expect that to change since the 150 years anniversary is going to be marked by the addition of more land to the botanical gardens. It will be a while before we can see the complete finished part of the gardens, but if they are just as good as the gardens that are already in place, the wait will be worth it.

So if you want to see something a little bit different on your visit to Singapore, why not try their famous botanical gardens for size? You won’t regret visiting what is a stunning and captivating place.

Singapore gears up for big tourism boom

2007-10-30T14:54:00.002Z

Singapore has announced a massive tourism training program, designed to help it cope with increasing competition from Hong Kong and China.

The Singaporean Government will pump the equivalent of over A$270 million into a scheme that will train 74,000 Singaporeans for tourism jobs. It will spend about A$3750 on each worker over the next three years until 2010. Jobs will range from salespeople to chefs, from animal trainers to tour guides and entertainers. Not all will be young – the Tourism Talent Plan, as it’s called, also aims to lure non-workers back into the workforce, including retirees, housewives and adult workers looking for a career change or wanting to upgrade their skills.

Singapore’s Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen launched the initiative on Friday. The scheme is also designed to encourage more students to take up hospitality courses.

Asian countries are competing keenly for tourists. Tourism to Australia, particularly casino tourism, is set to feel the heat. Singapore has two massive casino resorts due for completion in 2010 and it’s already foreseeing a scarcity of skilled workers to staff them. For the past couple of years, the island state has been trying to shed it’s strait-laced image, which it sees as an impediment to luring foreign fun-seekers.

Singapore plans to double visitor arrivals to 17 million by 2015 and it is facing fierce competition. Macao, the only place in China where casinos are legal, could overtake Las Vegas as the world’s largest gambling hub in coming months. Walt Disney opened a theme park in Hong Kong in 2005 and Singapore is understandably keen to catch up.

In September 2007, 766,000 visitors arrived in Singapore, 7.1% higher than in September 2006 – a new September record. The three biggest sources of arrivals were Indonesia (136,000), China (76,000) and Australia (71,000).

For more information click here

Singapore Breaks Ground for Formula One Building

2007-09-04T10:39:00.000Z

31 August 2007

Singapore broke ground on Friday for a Formula One building that will host what is set to be the world's first street grand prix to be held at night.

The Southeast Asian city-state won a five-year deal in May to host a street grand prix in the heart of its business district with the first race scheduled for September 28, 2008.

The planned building - currently an undeveloped muddy field surrounded by trees and a highway - would house 36 garages for 12 grand prix teams, the Singapore Tourism Board said.

Singapore, which wants to woo more tourists to the country to boost its services sector, is building a string of tourist attractions, including a casino and the world's largest Ferris wheel in its business district.

"We look forward to the sound of race engines roaring to life," Lim Hng Kiang, Singapore's trade minister said at the ground breaking ceremony, before sticking a gold-coloured shovel in a sand box to mark the occasion.

Lim said he was confident that Singapore could stage a night race as planned, although that was subjected to the approval of the FIA, the international governing body for motorsports.

Several F1 drivers have spoken against the idea of a night race, citing safety concerns such as poor visibility, especially during rainy weather.

Weekend Revellers Urged to Party in Singapore

2007-07-31T11:38:00.000Z

Revellers from neighbouring countries are being lured to Singapore to party through the weekend in the latest pitch to attract more visitors, the tourism board said on Thursday. The campaign is targeting Bangkok, Chennai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur.

The first weekend starts on August 10. The tourism board is printing thousands of copies of a discount booklet, which has information on all the deals available at spas, restaurants, clubs, museums and other attractions.

"Given our strengths as a destination, there is potential for us to grow the weekend visitor by positioning Singapore as the weekend destination," The Straits Times quoted Quek Swee Kuan, who oversees international arrivals, as saying.

The seven cities were selected because they are within a four-to-five-hour flight or drive away.

Although Singaporeans party on the weekends, the clubs are not running at full capacity, managers said. The additional tourists should add extra buzz, they added.

‘Food Capital of Asia’ Shines During Singapore Food Festival

2007-06-12T10:14:00.000Z

11 June 2007

Lion City’s unique cuisine a top draw for Middle East travellers
during month long celebration

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A host of themed events and culinary workshops are lined up for one of the most popular attractions on Singapore’s calendar this summer, with food lovers flocking to discover the city-state’s rich Malay, Indian and Chinese-influenced cuisine.

The occasion is already attracting strong support from Middle East travellers who converge on the Lion City every year for the festivities. Research has shown that food is a key factor for discerning regional travelers when choosing a vacation destination.

A month-long extravaganza, The Singapore Food Festival celebrates the gastronomy and cultural diversity of the Lion City through a series of lively events.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) already hosted a number of preview events in the Middle East earlier this year to build excitement and drum up anticipation for the world-renowned celebration.

Kicking-off this year’s celebration on 29th June is the popular Singapore Tiger Chili Crab Festival. A trademark dish and local favorite, Chili Crabs are made with hard-shell crabs cooked in thick gravy with a spicy tomato chili base.

The biggest crab feast of its kind, tourists and locals alike will be visiting 30 stalls to sample the many versions of chili crabs and crab-based dishes offering varying degrees of spiciness.

Back by popular demand is the famous ‘Chili Crab Chase!’ whereby visitors can savour the signature dish at any of this year’s participating outlets by picking up a free Chili Crab voucher courtesy of STB from one of the city’s Singapore Visitors Centres.

“Sharing in our nationwide passion for food, The Singapore Food Festival is an ideal time for tourists from the region to come celebrate and experience the tantalizing cuisine that Singapore has to offer,” said Ke-Wei Peh, Area Director, Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.

Other highlights during the culinary journey include the Yuk! Makan Festival. Set in a traditional Malay palace, flavors of the kampong culture can be savored in an array of halal treats. The evening will be capped off by a weaving contest using coconut palm leaves.

Weekend events such as ‘Tantalizing Treats of Singapore Chinatown’ and ‘Satay Singapura’ are also expected to draw big crowds. Visitors can embark on an interactive food trail exploring hidden shops in the historic Chinatown district, while the Satay festival will display 10 bustling stalls selling various kinds of chicken, beef, and mutton satay.

Topping off the festival at the end of the month is the ‘Singapore Seafood’ event at VivoCity, Singapore’s largest shopping mall. Visitors can indulge in a delectable spread of seafood dishes including shellfish, crabs, prawns, and oysters that will satisfy the palate of any seafood lover.

Culinary workshops and cooking classes will also be available at various venues throughout the city, giving aspiring chefs a chance to create some of their favorite Singaporean dishes.

Commonly referred to as the ‘Food Capital of Asia’, Singapore has become one of the leading gastronomic destinations due to the wide availability of fresh foods and an eclectic mix of spices and ingredients from around the world.

For more information, please visit www.singaporefoodfestival.com

Singapore: Monaco of the East

2007-05-14T09:30:00.000Z

26 April 2007

Celebrity-chef dinners, huge pay hikes, and hot properties with a garage for the Ferrari and a berth for the yacht ... some people in Singapore are living it up.

The world's top banks have set up in the city-state, bringing plenty of rich clients in their wake. Now, thanks to a strong economy, a private banking boom, and the prospect of two glitzy casinos opening soon, the big spenders are out in force.

"The good times are back," said Roman Scott, a financial consultant. "There's been a sudden turnaround in confidence. Suddenly, people notice that the economy is growing, they find they can't hire a secretary, and housing prices are going up."

Singapore's immaculately groomed private bankers are having a field day, thanks to the government's policy of creating a one-stop banking centre-cum-playground for the affluent.

The focus on the rich has even spawned a new caste system - of "high net worth individuals", or those with a mere million in financial assets, and the highly desirable "ultra-high net worth" who have millions or billions of dollars to their name.

Take Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, Thailand's richest man, according to Forbes, who listed his whisky and beer firm Thai Beverage in Singapore last year.

He snapped up not just one, but 47 out of 48 flats in a new development for $S205 million ($163 million), and four entire floors in another project for $S135 million, Business Times reported this month.

Singapore has more millionaire households as a percentage of total households than any other Asian economy, according to the Boston Consulting Group.

Now thanks to all the wealthy Chinese, Indonesians, Indians and Thais who turn to Singapore - not to mention the Europeans who prefer to park their funds offshore - there aren't enough private bankers to handle all this money.

Whole teams of "wealth managers" are hopping from one bank to another, lured by promises of ever-higher salaries and payouts.

"There's a shortage of really high quality bankers, so there's poaching and that pushes salaries up," said Chris Claridge, who runs a head-hunting firm.

"Most players are getting 20-30 pe rcent more. One guy, an investment banker, ended up with 75 per cent more because two banks were bidding for him. It was like ebay."

Celebrity Chef and Butler Services

Bankers aren't the only ones getting a big pay rise.

Singapore's ministers, already among the world's highest-paid, just got a 60 per cent pay hike, lifting their salaries from $S1.2 million to $S1.9 million on average.

The Prime Minister's pay jumped to $S3.5 million - more than five times the U.S. president's $US400,000 ($483,000) salary - while his deputies will each get $S2.45 million. Two former prime ministers who retain cabinet posts will be paid more than $S3 million.

A few weeks earlier, the government said it would address a widening income gap with benefits for the poor. The bottom 10 per cent of households had an average annual income of $S3,600 per member in 2006, up 6.6 per cent from the previous year.

Ministers and civil servants are benchmarked against the best-paid individuals in professions such as banking, an area the government is encouraging as part of an economic overhaul.

Given the wealth in the financial sector, it's no surprise people are splashing out on expensive meals, cars, and homes.

Indonesian tycoon Oei Hong Leong hosted a $S50,000 charity banquet, flying in celebrity chefs Tetsuya Wakuda and Justin Quek for a 16-course meal that included poached foie gras and steamed tofu, as well as rare vintage wines, the Business Times reported.

Local media this month profiled a local businessman whose fleet of 20 cars includes Bentleys, a Lamborghini, a Ferrari and a Jaguar, and said that one Singaporean had paid $S3 million for a new Pagani Zonda F, a record for a sports car in the country.

Even Singapore's long-stagnant property market is getting a welcome shot in the arm, at least at the top end.

Such gains could start to erode Singapore's competitive advantage for international firms when compared with centres such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Tokyo, some analysts warn, while adding to the city-state's inflationary pressures.

Prices for new apartments in prime districts surged 25 per cent in 2006, the strongest recovery in years, while landlords are demanding rent increases of 50-60 per cent.

"The rental market has gone through the roof," said property agent Bee Bee Tan, with a central flat that rented for $S3,600 now commanding $S6,000 a month, an increase of 67 per cent.

As for the millionaires, they can take their pick of projects offering butler services or a doorstep berth for that gin palace.

"It's Monaco in the tropics," said consultant Scott.

Singapore: The Hot City That's Cool For Kids

2007-03-13T15:32:00.000Z

5 March 2007

They can build a snowman, take a night safari, even play on the beach. Singapore is a child-friendly destination.

Singapore appeals to for the reasons that others dismiss the place: it lacks the chaos of many Asian cities, is well run, and extremely orderly. There's no spitting; taxi drivers don't rip you off and you can drink the water. With children in tow, these assets, making for a sort of Asia-lite if you wish, become even more appealing. Singapore is the perfect family stopover en route to Australia, or indeed an ideal holiday destination in its own right.

It was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles, and Malays, Chinese and southern Indians have all settled in this crossroads of Asia, where mosques stand cheek by jowl with Chinese temples. On its east side is the colonial quarter; a little further north lies Little India and the adjacent Arab Quarter. To the west lies Chinatown, where goateed tellers still use the abacus to calculate their profit.

A priority on any family holiday is to find out where the beaches are and Singapore has several that are child-friendly. In the east of the island lies Changi beach, a popular retreat at weekends and good for swimming, while to the south lies the island of Sentosa. Before fatherhood, I didn't hang around in Sentosa, turned off by what struck me as a thoroughly artificial experience. Times change: with two young children, Sentosa is indispensable and hugely enjoyable. Get there via the cable cars from Mount Faber on the mainland.

There's a monorail that loops around the island (which is barely two miles in length) and three beaches - Siloso, Central and Tanjong - that are artificially built up from imported sand and coconut palms. There are several attractions for visitors, including the excellent Underwater World, a large aquarium full of sharks, rays and eels.

Singapore is good for family walks. The beautifully landscaped botanic gardens sprawl north of Orchard Road and are arguably the finest in Asia. There's a small section of rainforest and some monster, 154ft-high trees. A little further north is the MacRitchie reservoir, where you can take a two-mile walk through rainforest, an experience that makes for a great nature lesson. Look out for terrapins, rubber trees, climbing plants and the greater racket-tailed drongo, a bird with spectacular tail feathers.

The unyielding equatorial sun means that little ones can't linger for too long outdoors. For cooler conditions, make for Singapore's first toy museum, which opened last year, known as the Mint (Museum of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys). In addition to Popeye, Tintin and teddy bear memorabilia, the museum, located next to Raffles Hotel, has intriguing collections of Chinese and Japanese toys.

Given Singapore's mania for the ersatz experience, it is no surprise that you can also ski and toboggan here, at Snow City. The building has a sub-zero climate where kids can take to snow-tube rides or even build a snowman.

Later, head for the night safari at Singapore Zoo. This is an extraordinary experience, where you wander around the grounds, or take a train through the dark passing watering holes, spotting rhinos, bats and other animals that come to life once the heat of the day has dissipated.

When it comes to eating, Singapore is a parent's dream, with food to satisfy both the most adventurous and fussiest of children. Of the many food courts, the most captivating for little people is probably Lau Pa Sat festival market, on the corner of Boon Tat Street, where 100 stallsoffer noodles, fish and meat.With most dishes costing less than £2, it's no calamity if the first choice doesn't appeal. Wash it all down with a cooling cendol, a dessert of shaved iced, syrup and jellies.

By night, dine at the Clarke Quay by the Singapore River, with itsManhattan-style backdrop of towering, illuminated office blocks. For Indian food, head for Woodlands at Upper Dickson Road in Little India.

Cap your visit by taking a bumboat along the river. These little boats offer a captivating spectacle, passing beneath the gaze of the kaleidoscopic lights of the business district, restored colonial buildings and bridges before reaching the mouth of the river by the huge Merlion statue, the water-spewing symbol of Singapore. It's not quite Swallows and Amazons, but if this experience doesn't enthuse your kids with a love of travel, nothing will.

For more information visit Belfast Telegraph

Singapore Botanic Gardens

2007-02-06T09:43:00.000Z

The fabulously stroller-friendly Singapore Botanic Gardens offer 52ha of tropical vegetation and immaculate grass for little legs to run or crawl on. A walk through the patch of re-created Singaporean jungle is an opportunity for hide-and-seek under giant leaves and behind spreading buttress roots. Scurrying squirrels, lizards and snakes in the undergrowth complete the jungle explorer experience.

An educational Evolution Garden charts plant development over 3500 million years and brings exciting visions of dinosaurs to young imaginations. Allow plenty of time because, in addition, a newly developed experiential children's garden – the first of its kind in Asia – is due to open early this year.

For more information about what is available for children in Singapore visit: http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,23483,21158376-27977,00.html

Singapore Turning into Sin City

2007-02-05T12:21:00.002Z

Developers of the Marina Sands Bay integrated resort here are deflecting criticism that there is nothing Asian about the US$3.6-billion project and that it is just another transplant of a Las Vegas monolith.

After years of presenting itself and its tourism industry as being deeply interlinked with the culture and heritage of Asia, even while being a modern and efficient city, Singapore last May signed off on a design for the gaming, dining, hotel, retail and entertainment complex that will define the future of Singapore's tourism landscape.

The integrated resort is a key component of Singapores Tourism 2015 plan which seeks to raise tourism receipts to S$30 billion, double visitor arrivals to 17 million, and creating an additional 100,000 jobs in the services sector.

To be located right on the waterfront in downtown Singapore, the Marina Bay Sands project is being developed by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation and designed to "dominate the skyline as Southeast Asia's first integrated resort." The project was awarded in May 2006.

The marketing pitch says that the project "will include a world-class luxury resort and casino, state-of-the-art convention and exhibition facilities, acclaimed restaurants and an unparalleled array of retail outlets."

The projects' "timeless design, created by the eminent Moshe Safdie, will establish its distinct identity as the crowning jewel of Singapore's downtown Marina Bay district. The breathtaking architecture will integrate seamlessly with Singapore's urban waterfront, lush tropical landscape and vibrant cityscape."

However, journalists attending the Asean Tourism Forum here last week were taken to a briefing at which project executives were pressed to explain why the structure appeared to be more of a transplant of a Las Vegas monolith and paled in comparison to some of Asia's more historical iconic structures.

The words "Asia" and "culture" were not mentioned once in the audio-visual presentation. The entire focus of the briefing was on how the group would be managing the asset to generate the required visitor numbers and return on investment.

It was made amply clear that a key component of the business strategy would be to integrate it with the group's other projects, like the Venetian Las Vegas, the Palazzo Las Vegas and the two projects in Macau, the Sands Macau and the Venetian Macau.

Singapore Tourism Exceeds 2006 Targets with S$12.4 Billion Tourism Receipts and 9.7 Million Visitor Arrivals

2007-02-01T09:22:00.002Z

Singapore's tourism sector generated an estimated S$12.4 billion in tourism receipts (TR) in 2006, exceeding the target of S$12 billion and posting a double digit growth of 14.5% over 2005. This is a new record for TR for the tourism sector. Singapore also set a new high of 9.7 million visitor arrivals (VA) last year, exceeding its target of 9.4 million VA and posting an increase of 9% over 2005. Total visitor days grew 9.0% to reach 32.9 million days in 2006.

Indonesia (1,921,000 visitors), P. R. China (1,037,000 visitors), Australia (692,000 visitors), India (659,000 visitors) and Malaysia (634,000 visitors) emerged as the top five markets in 2006, accounting for about 51% of total visitor arrivals. Asia (7.1 million visitors) continues to be an important source market for Singapore, contributing to 72.9% of the total visitor arrivals, an increase of 9.2% over 2005.

2006’s robust performance was also driven by strong double-digit growths from markets such as South Korea (24.8%), China (20.9%), the Philippines (20.6%), India (12.9%) and Australia (11.5%).

All top ten markets for Singapore posted growth, with eight of them achieving record highs for their respective markets.

The hospitality industry also performed well. Based on the latest figures, the average occupancy rate (AOR) for the hotel sector reached 85% from January to December 2006, registering a growth of 1.4 percentage point over the same period in 2005. The Average Room Rate (ARR) for 2006 was estimated to reach S$164, an increase of 19.6% over 2005. Hotel room revenue posted a double-digit growth of 21.2% to reach S$1.5 billion during this period. These are record annual highs for Singapore’s hotel sector . Revenue per available room (Revpar) also increased by 21.6% compared to 2005 to reach S$139.6. In September, the hospitality industry also achieved its highest average room rate of S$192, while average occupancy rate hit an all time high of 92% in November.

International Cruise Council Adds Singapore Tourism Board to its Member Ranks

2007-01-29T10:06:00.001Z

Singapore has been added to the International Cruise Council Australasia associate member ranks.

The International Cruise Council has 21 cruise line members and aims to raise trade and consumer awareness about cruising.

General Manager Cruise Council Linda Halliday revealed that the Board’s membership reflects the increase of interest in the cruise industry.

Ms Halliday commented: “Demand for Asian cruising has been growing steadily, and with more cruise lines choosing to base ships in the region, having the Singapore Tourism Board as an associate member enables us to communicate the latest information to our member travel agents at training seminars.”

Other associate members of the Council include Alaska Tourism, Tourism British Columbia, Travel Vax, Cruise Spirit and Amadeus.

Kevin Leong, Singapore Tourism Board Regional Director Oceania stated: “Singapore’s cruise industry continues to grow at a rapid rate and it is hoped this new alliance will help drive the sector even further, bringing us closer to our long-term goal of doubling visitor arrivals to 17 million and tripling tourism receipts to S$30 billion by 2015.

In 2005, 33,986 Australians/New Zealanders passed through the Singapore Cruise Centre and already from January-September 2006, 60,893 Australians/New Zealanders have done so. We would like to encourage more Australian passengers to enjoy the benefits of cruising from our city.

Singapore is the closest international Asian cruise hub to Australia and offers a wide choice of cruise product. It also has the advantage of being able to include popular Asian destinations into exotic cruise holidays and adds a new dimension to Singapore package holidays, so we think it’s an attractive option for Australian cruise passengers.”

For more information visit Travel Blackboard

The Wait is Over...Shop, Dance, Dine and Party at Singapore’s Hot New Hub!

2007-01-16T11:26:00.000Z

After months of anticipation, Singapore’s eagerly awaited mega attractions – VivoCity and St James PowerStation – are officially open for business. An extravagant launch party set the scene for the hip new retail, lifestyle and nightlife complexes, which are set to further boost Singapore’s profile as a global shopping and party destination.

Located in Singapore’s prime southern HarbourFront Precinct, VivoCity is the proud centrepiece, sprawling over 1.04 million square feet of retail space, while St James PowerStation is the Lion City’s fabulous new nine-venue nightlife destination.

“Both venues are world class and join together to further enhance Singapore’s reputation as an international relaxation and lifestyle hotspot,” said Mr Kevin Leong, Regional Director Oceania, Singapore Tourism Board.

“In fact Singapore was recently ranked second in the world for its nightlife, shopping and dining offering1 and both VivoCity and St James PowerStation are clear examples of the island nation’s commitment to on-going evolution and development,” added Mr Leong.

Hotels in Singapore Plan 10 Per Cent Rate Hikes

2007-01-08T12:05:00.000Z

Growing numbers of tourists to Singapore and expectations of room supply shortages have hotel operators planning rate hikes of up to 10 per cent this year after lagging behind other Asian cities, a published report said on Saturday.

"There is an increased focus on the competitiveness of hotel room rates relative to other Asian cities," The Business Times quoted Pan Pacific Singapore spokeswoman Cheryl Ng as saying. "This has helped to pave the way for market expectations to adjust upwards."

Room rates climbed 15 to 20 per cent in 2006, according to the newspaper's check of hotels, and are set to go up a further 7 to 10 per cent this year.

Figures from the Singapore Tourism Board show the average room rate went from 130 Singapore dollars (85 US dollars) in December 2005 to 176 Singapore dollars (115 US) in November 2006.

The city-state welcomed more than 9 million visitors last year, setting a new record. Hoteliers expressed confidence that the momentum can be maintained although there are no major events planned in 2007 on the scale of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings last September.

There is concern that once Singapore's first two casino resorts are completed in 2009 and 2010 with their more than 4,000 rooms, there could be an oversupply of rooms.

"We have to ensure that tourist arrivals increase correspondingly," said Charlene Chang, marketing director for the five-star Shangri-La.

"This can be achieved with new, exciting attractions and bigger meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions," she told the newspaper.

Increasing tourism arrivals to 17 million by 2015 is a major part of the city-state's drive to diversify away from manufacturing and boosting its share of visitors.

The casinos and other attractions are aimed at shedding Singapore's clean but strait-laced image.

For more information visit Hotel Marketing

Singapore Airlines’ Additional Airbus A380 Order Will Go Ahead

2007-01-02T10:09:00.000Z

Singapore Airlines has signed an Agreement with Airbus for the purchase of nine additional A380 super jumbos, with six more options and as well as the lease of 19 A330-300s.

The nine additional A380s will commence delivery in January 2010 and will be complete in early 2011. Meanwhile, the first delivery of the A330-300s will start in January 2009, with all 19 being delivered by October 2010.

Singapore Airlines has also reached settlement with Airbus on issues relating to delays to deliveries of the A380, although the terms of purchase and settlement remains confidential between parties.

“We’re very pleased today to reach agreement with Airbus on the purchase of our second tranche of A380s,” said Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Chew Choon Seng.

“The aircraft achieved its Type Certification last week – a major milestone. We’re looking forward now to delivery in October and commencing services very soon after,” he added.

For more information visit Travel Blackboard

Singapore Tourism Boosted by Eid and Religious Holiday Visitors

2006-12-19T10:18:00.002Z

Tourism figures released by Singapore Tourism Board have shown that the country welcomed a record number of visitors for October 2006, with numbers boosted by Muslim travellers looking to participate in Hari Raya celebrations – the Islamic festival that coincides with the Eid Al Fitr holiday.

Registering 15 percent growth over the same period for 2005, the majority of Singapore’s 857,000 visitors arrived in the latter half of the month, indicating a strong interest in Hari Raya, with total amount of visitor days estimated to have reached 2.9 million – an increase of 15.4 percent in comparison to the same period last year.

Visitor numbers from the Middle East saw a substantial growth of over 40 percent in October 2006, compared to the same period in 2005.

“The Hari Raya festival is always a major attraction, particularly for Muslim visitors as Singapore celebrates the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Eid holiday,” said Ke-Wei Peh, Area Director for MEA Region, Singapore Tourism Board.

“Singapore regularly welcomes Muslim visitors from the Middle East, Indonesia and around the world, and Hari Raya is a particularly festive and family time for visitors and Singapore residents alike,” added Peh.

Tourism figures also benefited from additional religious holiday traffic during the month of October, with other travellers coming to Singapore for the celebration of the Hindu festival of Deepavali and the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.

To mark the festive occasions, Singapore hosted spectacular street lighting and decorations across the city, street festivals, live shows and special shopping promotions, offering visitors a diverse range of entertainment.

Singapore Tourism Board Dubai also worked with Singapore Airlines (SIA), Emirates Holidays, Thai Airways and Star Cruises to put together special Eid travel packages for October to November 2006, providing an added incentive for travellers from the region.

For the whole month of October, Singapore hotels recorded S$133.9 million in room revenue, an increase of 17.9 percent on the previous year with hotel occupancy rates up 3.4 percent on October 2005, reaching around 88%.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is an economic development agency for one of Singapore’s key service sectors – tourism. The mission of the Board is to develop and champion tourism, so as to build the sector into a key driver of economic growth for Singapore. The STB aims to differentiate and market Singapore as a must-visit destination offering enriching experiences through the “Uniquely Singapore” brand.

For more information, please visit www.stb.com.sg or www.visitsingapore.com.

Singapore Airlines Outsources its Inflight Duty-Free Service, KrisShop

2006-12-12T16:04:00.000Z

DFASS Singapore Pte Ltd (DFASS) have been appointed to take over Singapore Airline’s KrisShop inflight duty-free sales.

Singapore Airlines said that the new partnership will take the overall inflight shopping experience to greater heights with wider choice and variety of items on offer. DFASS’ experience in market research will also mean that the supply and pricing of items will better match customer demands.

The decision to appoint DFASS corresponds Singapore Airlines’ objective of focusing on its core business, while outsourcing other areas that require specialised skills. Singapore Airlines will stand to gain cost advantages as a result of that decision, in addition to incremental revenue benefits for the airline. Singapore Airlines will no longer need to hold the inventory of inflight sales items.

Despite this, the decision to outsource KrisShop was not an easy one and was only reached after careful deliberation. DFASS’ appointment has resulted in the deployment of 6 existing staff to other business units within Singapore Airlines, while 19 others have been paid retrenchment benefits.

However, 17 of the 19 staff have accepted offers of employment from DFASS.
Singapore Airlines is confident that DFASS will improve the service standard and product variety currently available to KrisShop customers, while at the same time allow the carrier to benefit from cost efficiencies.

Singapore's Tourism Sector Claims New Record With 9 Millionth Visitor

2006-12-11T14:21:00.000Z

Singapore's tourism sector reached a milestone early Wednesday morning, when its 9 millionth visitor landed at Changi Airport's Terminal 2.

The Singapore Tourism Board says the record-setting figure is testament to a strong growth momentum that might also see total tourist receipts break the S$12 billion mark.

With colourful drums, costumed dancers and a rain of petals, it was an unusual morning call for Singapore's 9 millionth visitor.

Dr Vladykina Elena was declared the lucky winner shortly after stepping off her flight from Moscow at 5.04am.

"It's the first time such a thing has happened to me and it's unbelievable. I'm like in paradise and I hope everything would be like it was today, with flowers, with other things that were really pleasant," she said.

The fanfare also marked a homecoming for the Russian, who lived in Singapore 15 years ago.

And what a welcome it was - with complimentary hotel stays, shopping and spa vouchers, even business-class return tickets for two. These prizes are worth a total of S$35,000.

Leisure visitors, like Dr Elena, continue to drive Singapore's tourism sector, along with those here for business, health and education.

This is the first time visitor levels have surged past the 9-million mark, and in a much shorter time than expected.

Dr Chan Tat Hon, Assistant Chief Executive (Leisure), Singapore Tourism Board, said: "In 1995, we received more than 7 million visitors for the first time in a year but it took us almost 10 years before we hit the 8-million mark in 2004. Now it's taken us only two years for us to hit the 9 million mark.

"This is a very strong growth momentum that we're seeing, a very broad-based growth momentum for tourism. Because on top of hitting this 9 million mark, we're also seeing record high - in hotel occupancy rate, average room rate, and even the total tourism spend."

The tourism board is confident that, at this rate, total tourist spending is on track to exceed S$12 billion this year.

Singapore Celebrates Christmas in the Tropics With a Seven-Week Extravaganza

2006-12-04T14:16:00.000Z

The most enchanting time of the year will be celebrated in magical fashion once again as the Singapore's annual 'Christmas in the Tropics' returns for a seven-week extravaganza from 11 November 2006 to 2 January 2007.

Getting local residents and visitors into the cheerful yuletide spirit this year is a line-up of exciting events including festive performances, entertainment events, shopping specials, concerts and dance parties and of course, the spectacular street light-up down Orchard Road and Marina Bay.

Singapore Tourism Board's Assistant Chief Executive (Leisure), Dr Chan Tat Hon, said, 'Celebrating the Christmas season in Singapore has become one of the most attractive holiday options for tourists in the region and beyond. Our survey showed that more than 20% of visitors who were in Singapore during the same period last year had specifically planned their trip to coincide with Singapore's year-end celebrations and our spectacular annual Christmas Light-Up.

Especially noteworthy is the finding that an estimated 22% of tourists were, in fact, repeat visitors to the Christmas Light-Up, a signature highlight.

'I'm sure visitors in Singapore this year will enjoy a 'Christmas in the Tropics' experience that is Uniquely Singapore, and bring home memories that will make many come back again year after year, making Singapore the place to be for the Christmas season.'

Now in its 23rd year, the much anticipated Christmas Light-Up will see Orchard Road and Marina Bay transformed by festive street lighting, magnificent celebratory arches, awe-inspiring water features and picture-perfect sets that will delight shoppers, pedestrians and shutterbugs alike.

The Light-Up this year will feature two themes - 'The Enchanted Christmas Garden' spanning Tanglin, Scotts and Orchard roads, and 'Christmas Bells' down Bras Basah Road to the Marina Bay district.

Aside from the Light-Up, key entertainment events to look out for during the seven-week festive season include Celebrate Christmas in Singapore, the umbrella event along Orchard Road presenting nightly Christmas-themed activities by choral groups, musicians, dancers as well as the magnificent 'Parade of Floats' from 16 December onwards culminating in a Grand Christmas concert on Christmas night itself.

The National Museum of Singapore Opening Festival that will showcase performances from local talents and internationally-acclaimed foreign arts groups; the popular ZoukOut outdoor dance festival on Sentosa; Christmas concerts by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra; the inaugural Singapore Garden Festival, as well as a myriad countdown parties across the island to ring in the New Year.

The Christmas festivities are never complete without Christmas shopping. Many malls and retailers will offer special shopping deals, late night shopping as well as post-Christmas sales. Visitors in Singapore can look forward to a compelling promotion extended exclusively to them.

A range of specially-priced gift items by 18 brand names such as Apple, Burberry, Emporio Armani, Furla and SK-II will be available for purchase. Another treat for visitors is the complimentary Christmas Light-Up Tour on the striking open-top HiPPO Bus (available from 11 November 2006 - 2 January 2007; no tours on 24 & 31 December 2006). This 30-minute visual treat gives visitors the best seat to see the Light-Up up close as it travels along Orchard Road or on the new route through Marina Bay.

December is traditionally a month that sees large numbers of visitors to Singapore. In December 2005, the city recorded 829,000 visitors (second highest monthly arrival figure after July 2005's 877,000 visitors), up 28,000 from the year before and the Singapore Tourism Board expects this year's visitor arrival results to be equally encouraging.

Melbourne Achieves Another First With BBC World

2006-11-28T13:00:00.002Z

27 November 2006

John Pandazopoulos, Victoria Minister for Tourism, announced today that Melbourne will run Australia's first television advertising campaign in Asia to generate conventions for Melbourne.

'Melbourne is Australia's undisputed leader in sporting, cultural and major events - we now aim to take the business events mantle and build on the annual 1.2 billion dollar economic impact to Victoria,' he said.

The campaign is an initiative of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) who, together with partners the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC), will launch the television campaign in early 2007. This is a first for the Bureau and The Centre.

The campaign consists of more than 300, 30 second TV spots on BBC World running over a four week period. It will be seen by close to 1 million key corporate decision makers. Viewers will see the television commercials in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Taipei, India, Seoul, Sydney and Tokyo.

The television advertising campaign will also be supported by an online campaign on www.BBCWorld.com.

MCVB CEO, Sandra Chipchase said the MCVB aims to lead the way in Business Event Sales and Marketing.

'Victoria is the innovation state and this is one of several innovations the new MCVB team will be implementing in the near future. The increased financial support from the State Government has enabled us to achieve this first for any Bureau or Centre in Australia as well as a first for Melbourne,' she said.

The campaign is designed to:

Generate enquiries from corporate decision makers and association executives to stage their conventions and corporate meetings in Melbourne,
Generate enquiries from Asian corporations wishing to hold their Incentive Travel programs (a reward for performance) in Melbourne, and
Boost delegate attendance at the many conventions that MCVB wins for the city each year.

BBC World, the BBC's commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World Ltd, a member of the BBC's commercial group of companies.

BBC World is seen in 14,438 million households and 549,729 hotel rooms across the Asia/Pacific Region. More than 65 million people watch BBC World across the globe each week.

BBC World is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 274 million households (141 million 24-hour homes) and more than 1.3 million hotel rooms. It is also available on 46 cruise liners, 36 airlines and 18 mobile phone platforms.

BBCWorld.com receives 5 million impressions and 750,000 unique users per month.

Explore Singapore Through a Series of Festive Events

2006-11-20T13:48:00.002Z

10 November 2006

When it comes to finding the best deals, Singapore has always been a haven for consumers and business people alike. Its rich and diverse culture as well as its modern attractions draw many visitors all year round. Whether for business or pleasure, visitors can always find something new and unique about Singapore.

This culturally rich country prides itself of having international quality shopping centres, restaurants, museums, and activity centers that cater to every individual. Starting this November, the National Heritage Board of Singapore together with the National Library Board and Media Development Authority are launching a three-month long campaign of festivities that showcases Singapore's diverse heritage.

Aptly named Explore Singapore!, visitors can soak up on Singaporean culture through various events happening in different locations across the country. Highlights of the events include The Great Changi Challenge, World of Stamps, Sunday Play Day at the Chinese Heritage Centre, Heritage Road Show, Relive the Kallang Roar!, and Indie Garden - the closing celebration of the festivities. Of course, witnessing these fun and educational events won't be much fun if you're not sure where to go.

By checking in at the Harbour Ville Hotel, you can be sure that you're right where the action is. No need to miss an exciting event. The Harbour Ville Hotel in Singapore is just five minutes away by taxi from the Malaysia Rail Station, where you can catch a ride to join in the festivities.

Free car parking services are also available if you want to explore Singapore in your own way. Want to visit a museum? You can check out the Singapore Philatelic Museum and see the country's glorious past as well as fun facts about philately through its interesting lineup all this month till January 2007.

There is so much to see in Singapore that you could simply get lost. Not to worry because access to different modes of transportation is also within reach when you stay at the Harbour Ville Budget Hotel. At the hotel, guests can stay at cozy rooms at very affordable rates. Limited services and facilities are available to make your visit as convenient as possible.

Booming Tourism Helps to Reshape Asian Economies

2006-11-13T15:11:00.002Z

13 November 2006

'Discover' Hong-Kong, journey through 'Incredible India' or head off to 'Malaysia, Truly Asia.' Such advertising slogans should come as no surprise - tourism is gaining in importance in Asia and helping to reshape regional economies more towards services and away from a traditional reliance on manufacturing and exports.

With consumer wealth on the rise, particularly in India and China, which have more than 2 billion people between them, more Asians are travelling in the region.

The rise of tourism is already encouraging some governments to shift their economies more towards services, but the trend is a long-term one, analysts say.

'In the past 20 years in Asia the focus has been on industry, maybe in the next 20 years the focus will be on services,' said Sebastien Barbe, senior economist, Asia at investment bank Calyon.

Southeast Asia travel and tourism should generate almost 236 billion dollars in economic activity this year, more than the output of Hong Kong's economy, growing in nominal terms to about 522 billion dollars by 2016, the World Travel and Tourism Council says.

It estimates that tourism in Northeast Asia - China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Macau - will generate more than 1 trillion dollars of economic activity in 2006, a figure that is expected to more than double in 10 years.

According to MasterCard International, the number of people earning 5,000 dollars or more a year in Asia is poised to rise sharply, increasing the number of potential travellers.

It says people earning less than 5,000 dollars a year do not tend to travel abroad. China should have 293 million people earning 5,000 dollars or more in 2014 versus about 119 million in 2004, while India's total is set to more than double to 102.5 million.

'We define 'middle class' as households that have significant discretionary consumption power (hence the 5,000 dollar income threshold), and they will be about 650 million in size by 2014 in Asia, with close to 300 million in China alone,' said MasterCard's Asia Pacific economic advisor, Yuwa Hedrick-Wong.

'They will certainly push up the growth of the service sector.'

Domestic tourists are also boosting tourism. Better roads, discount airlines and increasing car ownership have encouraged more Indians to travel in the last few years.

India's hotel industry is expected to grow robustly for the next three to four years as demand outpaces supply.

Suraj Arora, a 30-year-old Indian, based in Guangzhou, China, has just returned home to Punjab in northern India to take his parents and younger sister on their first trip to the Taj Mahal.

'They have always wanted to see it, but this is their first chance,' Arora said. 'Every year now I try to come home for one month to visit and take them somewhere new.'

Arora says he earns up to 8,000 dollars a month exporting electronic gadgets back to India and plans to spend about 10% of that on the week-long trip for his family.

Air China, Shanghai Airlines to Join Star Alliance - Report

2006-11-07T09:54:00.001Z

6th November 2006

Air China and Shanghai Airlines are expected to join the Star Alliance next year, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Star Alliance, which includes Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Singapore Airlines Ltd, projects that China will account for 8.6 pct of the global airline market by 2020, the report added.

Carlsberg Sky Tower

2006-10-30T12:51:00.002Z

Feel Like Getting High? Catch panoramic views across Singapore, Sentosa and the Southern Islands from Singapore's highest viewing platform. Day or night, views from the tower promise to be both scenic and breathtaking as it gently revolves to a height of 131 metres above sea level. Spot Indonesia and Malaysia in the horizon, as you scan the skies for birds and planes streaking across the brilliant blue sky.

Suitable for all ages, this seven-minute ride gives you probably the best view of Singapore. Located adjacent to the Cable Car Station on Sentosa, the Carlsberg Sky Tower gives you a bird's eye view of the Singapore Skyline, Sentosa, the Southern Islands and even Malaysia and Indonesia.

Admission to the Carlsberg Sky Tower costs:

10 Singapore dollars per adult
6 Singapore dollars per child (under 12 years of age)

School Tour, Tour Group and Corporate rates are also available from Sentosa, separately.

Tickets to the Carlsberg Sky Tower can be bought at the following places:

Sky Tower Ticketing Booth on Sentosa
Visitor Arrival Centre on Sentosa
Cable Car Station at Mt Faber & Harbourfront

Tickets can also be bought at Travel Agents, as part of the various tour packages on offer.

Getting There

Take the Sentosa Bus from Habourfront Centre Interchange (just next to Harbourfront MRT station). On Sentosa, take the bus on the Blue or Green Line.

For more information on forthcoming events in Singapore visit Uniquely Singapore

British Airways Offers Flights to Europe from Singapore for Sin898 Dollars

2006-10-24T08:19:00.002Z

British Airways has launched its pre-holiday online sale with return fares to London, Paris and five other European destinations from just Sin898 dollars. Customers can also enjoy a special return fare of Sin998 dollars when travelling to Barcelona, Madrid, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.

The special rates are available on ba.com for departures from Singapore until 29 November 2006; bookings must be made by 20 November 2006.

In addition and for a limited period only, passengers booking flights and four nights accommodation in the UK with British Airways will each be entitled to a free Great British Heritage Passes worth nearly Sin100 dollars. Each four-day pass allows free access to nearly 600 attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, Stonehenge and the newly restored Roman Spa in Bath.

Return economy flights and four nights' accommodation in the UK start from Sin1,286 dollars per person.

Rob McDonald, regional marketing manager for British Airways South East Asia said, 'As the holiday season draws nearer, British Airways wants to entice Singaporeans to visit Europe. This has to be the best time to take a break, see some of Europe or get some Christmas shopping done.'

Asian Destinations Voted Among World's Ten Best

2006-10-17T12:08:00.002Z

In its poll for 2006, readers and website visitors of Travel and Leisure Magazine, the world's leading consumer travel magazine, has voted three Asian cities in the top ten of the world's best tourism destinations.

Thailand, with two cities, has taken top honours among Asian destinations, followed by Australia, with one city. Bangkok's charms have made it the third favorite destination for tourists in the world, while retaining its title as Asia's best city for the fifth consecutive year.

'The awards prove that Bangkok is now ready to become Asia's tourism hub with the opening of its new international airport,' Isara Sunthorwat from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration told the media in an interview. 'In addition, Bangkok can always boast of its beautiful scenery, unique culture and great food.'

Chiang Mai with its soothing weather comes in as the world's fifth favorite city, and Asia's second best city for tourists. Indian cities Udaipur and Jaipur, also in the top ten is proof that the Indian continent is emerging as a top travel destination, just as communist-run cities Hanoi and Luang Prabang have now become among Asia's top ten destinations.

Meanwhile, Chinese cities, putting Beijing in the top ten best Asian destinations, either intent on looking for business opportunities or unlocking the mysteries of the Middle Kingdom. With its free-wheeling lifestyle and open society, Sydney in Australia is the world's fourth best tourist destination, down from its ranking as top tourist destination in 2005. Perennial favorites, Italian cities Florence and Rome, still occupy the two top spots as the world's best cities, justifying the country's ranking among the world's favorite destinations.

Also in the top ten list of the world's best destinations are Cape Town in South Africa, Buenos Aires in Argentina, New York and San Francisco in the US. Clarifying the poll was done before the recent devastation of Beirut in Lebanon, it is at number nine in the poll.'This year, readers prove that they are also intrepid and curious, giving high marks to far-flung cities like Beirut and Kathmandu,' the magazine added.

Climate and Weather in Singapore

2006-10-03T10:06:00.000Z

Like most of Southeast Asia, Singapore is generally hot and humid. It's warm and humid year round, with the temperature almost never dropping below 20 C (68 F), even at night, and usually climbing to 30 C (86 F) during the day. Recent times, it even reached till 35 C. Humidity is high, mounting over a 75% mark.

November and December is the rainy season. June/August is considered to be the best time to visit, but even then it rains often. Don't let the climate stop you from going, however. Most buildings are air-conditioned (to the point that you may want to take a sweater), and pains have been taken to make everything as comfortable as can be, all things considered. When it does rain, it's generally only for a short period.

For those who enjoy the sun and the beach, Singapore is an ideal place for beach lovers, as you get the hot hot sun throughout the year. So when you're in Singapore, just bring along your cooling apparels and hats.

Singapore River Regatta

2006-09-12T11:18:00.000Z

11 Nov 2006 - 12 Nov 2006

Up to 100 Dragon Boats take to the water on the Singapore River as part of the annual Singapore River Regatta. The Regatta blends skill, strength and stamina with religious and cultural beliefs. The regatta is a popular event that is immersed in ceremony and rituals. The pace of each boat is set by the rhythmic beating of a drummer who sits in each boat. This again is an act of showing religious devotion rather than about winning the race, the regatta is accompanied by religious ceremonies, rituals and praying.

China Southern Shows Off Hot New Flight Attendant Fashions

2006-08-29T10:34:00.002Z

28 August 2006

China Southern Airlines - with the largest and most technically advanced aircraft fleet in The People's Republic of China, is pleased to unveil a chic new collection of Flight Attendant uniforms that would turn heads from the catwalk of any Paris or New York fashion show.

Starting August 28th, China Southern will 'send an unmistakable message to the airline world that we have arrived on the global stage ... and we are here to stay,' said Mr. He Zong Kai, Vice President, China Southern Airlines.

Mr. He added that, 'gone are the old days of Militaristic-style uniforms of one solid color. China Southern has arrived on the International jet set and our new look is a bold statement to say this is who we are in our China Southern Airlines and we are proud of our airline and our people. And we have every right to be. The more than 40,000 staff of China Southern has worked diligently to build our airline company into one of the world's best ... now is the time to strut our stuff!

'More than 18 designs were submitted by fashion designers around the globe with the final models taken from a collection by Mr. Soh.

As part of the fashion statements of his design, the 6,000 China Southern Flight Attendants will be featured in Mr. Soh's concept to create a unique 'Oriental Culture,' one which is harmoniously blended with China Southern's unique individuality as the largest airline of China. The designer took the Orient as his canvas and molded in the aesthetic essence from the East while using functionality from Western elements to craft this charming new identity for China Southern Airlines.

China Southern's new Flight Attendant uniforms have applications of China's best woolen cloth, with shirts from famous Japanese manufacturers and imported clothing including Italian cashmere. All seven variations of Mr. Soh's work are electrostatic and wrinkle-free ... yet are waterproof and breathable.

The largest airline in The People's Republic of China for the past 27 years, China Southern Airlines connects more than 80 cities around the globe. Major business and vacation destinations served in China include: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuhan and as well as International service, including: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

Customs and Cultural Taboos

2006-08-14T15:00:00.000Z

We all have our ways and idiosyncrasies. While most young Singaporeans dont concern themselves with these, their elderly counterparts are usually more sensitive to cultural do's and dont's. Here are some pointers to note:

Chinese like things in even numbers, for example,two Mandarin oranges as a token during the Lunar New Year visiting.

2 ('yi'-easy) , 6 ('lok'-wealth) and 8 ('patt'-prosper) are considered lucky numbers. 4 ('sei'-death) is deadly.

Taboo gifts are clocks ('zhong'-funeral), handkerchiefs (associated with tearful partings) and umbrellas (associated with mishaps).

Red is an auspicious colour, as are other bright colours, while black is frowned upon by the older generation, especially during festive occasions.

Muslims don't eat pork. When entertaining Muslim guests, check that no pork, lard or alcohol is used in the cooking, and that the meat is bought from a 'halal' food supplier. Never bring wine when visiting a Muslim home and always dress modestly.

Muslims fast during the Ramadan month, celebrated in the month of Ramadan on the Muslim calendar, the exact date of which moves ahead by 11 days every calendar year.

Hindus don't eat beef. Some are strict vegetarians, as are some Buddhists.

For funerals, attend in somber colours. Small tokens of money are the norm-wrapped in white or brown packets and in odd amounts.

Singaporeans go barefoot inside their homes, so take off shoes at the front door during visits.

Singapore Information Fact File

2006-07-06T09:17:00.000Z

Singapore's largest city: Singapore

Singapore population: 4.4 Million

Singaporean currency: Singapore Dollar

Singapore's capital city: Singapore

Singapore time difference: GMT +8

Singapore's internet extension: .sg

Singapore's international dialing code: +65

Singapore's official languages: Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil, English

Singapore Sling

2006-05-28T13:12:00.000Z

The Singapore Sling is one of those wonderful drinks that we probably have all heard of, but perhaps have never had. And because this recipe is often incorrectly recorded in most recipe books, even if you've think you've had it, you probably haven't.

One of the key, and often overlooked ingredients in this drink is Benedictine. While the resultant flavour is not overly predominate, it does add a certain flavor profile that would be totally missing without this secret ingredient.

None dispute that the Singapore Sling was originally created by Mr. Ngiam Tong Boon for the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. However that is where the agreements end. The exact date is in question, with some people claiming it was in 1915, some 1913, while the hotel itself claims that it was created sometime prior to 1910. There is also plenty of disagreement as to how closely the current version of this drink that is served at Raffles is to what was originally served.

Apparently the original recipe was lost and forgotten sometime in the 1930's, and the drink that they currently serve at the hotel's Long Bar is based on memories of former bartenders, and some written notes that they were able to discover.

Singapore Sling Recipe

* 1 1/2 ounce gin
* 1/2 ounce Cherry Heering brandy
* 1/4 ounce Cointreau
* 1/4 ounce Benedictine
* 4 ounces pineapple juice
* 1/2 ounce lime juice
* 1/3 ounce grenadine
* dash bitters

Shake with ice. Strain into an ice filled collins glass. Garnish with cherry and slice of pineapple.

Vaccine Recommendations for Singapore

2006-05-06T12:58:00.000Z

Recommendations that are marked 'Vaccination sometimes recommended' should be considered as 'Vaccination strongly recommended' if a person is travelling frequently or spending extended time in that country. All travellers are advised to ensure that Tetanus and Polio vaccinations are kept up to date. Recommendations do change from time to time and it is important to discuss your personal requirements with your doctor.

Hepatitis A - Vaccination sometimes recommended - 2 weeks before travel

Tuberculosis - Vaccination sometimes recommended - 3 months before travel

Hepatitis B - Vaccination sometimes recommended - 2 months before travel

Yellow Fever- Certificate of vaccination may be required - 10 days before travel

Students Graduate in Singpore

2006-04-09T11:20:00.000Z

19 December 2002

The University of Bradford recently held a graduation ceremony in Singapore for nearly 450 students who have been studying for University of Bradford degrees - making it the largest ceremony ever held by the University.

The students, who were awarded Bachelor of Science degrees in Computing with Management, Business and Management Studies, and Marketing, have been studying at the University's partner institute, Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS).

Deans of the Schools of Management and Informatics, Professors Arthur Francis and Rae Earnshaw, were there to read out the names of the graduands, who were mainly Chinese students.

Many of the students had not been able to study for a degree until they had become established in their careers and had taken their course part-time while holding down full-time jobs in Singapore. MDIS is the oldest not-for-profit professional institute for lifelong learning in Singapore. Founded in 1956, it is one of the most established professional management institutes in Singapore.

During the ceremony, addresses were given by the President of MDIS Dr Eric Kuan, Guest-of-Honour Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Taylor. Professor Taylor said: 'This was a very memorable occasion for all those who took part in the ceremony and I would like to wish all of those who received awards success and happiness in their future careers.'

Nightlife in Singapore

2006-03-13T16:27:00.002Z

Nightlife: in the larger hotels, plus bars, coffee shops and UK-style nightclubs attracting big-name DJs from London and New York; theme bars (happy hour can often last until 10pm); the Esplanade theatre complex, a futuristic double-domed structure, hosts concerts, theatrical performances and opera; Chinese theatre/Asian shows for a wide spread of local culture. Frequent festivals celebrating different cultures and including street processions or Chinese opera (rather an acquired taste). Above all else, the main entertainment is eating out.

Eating out in Singapore

2006-03-13T16:25:00.000Z

Singapore is well known as the food capital of Asia. Food, or hawker, centres are a must for visitors: dozens of casual, usually open-air stalls serving a variety of food at low prices. Most notable are Newton Circus and Bugis Street. The Old Bugis area was notorious for local colour but today is a tame tourist trap. Food courts are also popular - slightly more expensive than hawker centres but often air conditioned. Conventional restaurants serve a vast range of Asian and international food. Eating out is a national pastime so prices are generally reasonable. Wine is not cheap. Smoking is prohibited by law in all air-conditioned buildings. The water is safe to drink.

Shopping in Singapore

2006-03-13T16:18:00.000Z

Orchard Road is a shopper's heaven. Around 1 mile of glossy shopping centres selling all the big designer names (but often for similar prices as in the UK) as well as cheaper imitations. Shops selling cameras, watches and stereo systems abound. To see the real Singapore, visit People's Park in Chinatown (Chinese department stores and cheaper shops), Little India and Arab Street. Most shops open mid-morning and close around 9pm, 365 days of the year.

Changi Museum

2006-03-13T16:16:00.000Z

It was here, during World War II, that Allied POW soldiers were subjected to harsh treatment at the hands of their Japanese captors. Changi Prison is still in use as a correctional facility and it is the place of execution for convicted drug offenders. Half a mile from the old site, next to the prison, is the new Changi Chapel and Museum. The display of photographs, letters and drawings in the museum are a moving tribute to the legacy of the Japanese occupation. During this period that spanned three and a half years more than 50,000 civilians and soldiers were captured and imprisoned. Visitors have access to a variety of videos and literature relating to the war years.

Sentosa Island

2006-03-13T16:15:00.002Z

The theme-park island is a popular weekend spot and one of the most visited attractions in Singapore. A day's excursion could turn into an overnight stay in any one of the hotels or camping sites. The island is enveloped by a high-speed monorail and linked to downtown Singapore by a 1,640ft causeway and cable car system. Entertainment ranges from soaking up the sun on the imported-sand beaches to visiting a variety of entertainment areas. From a moving walkway one can experience the sea life of The Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon. The Images of Singapore Exhibition explores Singapore's history in life-size dioramas. On the furthest western point of the island lies Fort Siloso from which Singapore guarded its territory against invading Japanese forces. Other attractions include Volcano Land, the Asian Village and the water rides of Fantasy Island. A distinctive landmark is the Carlsberg Sky Tower, Asia's tallest free-standing observation tower, which affords the best views of Singapore as well as breathtaking vistas across Sentosa and the Southern Islands, and even Malaysia and Indonesia on clear days.

Singapore Botanical Gardens

2006-03-13T16:13:00.000Z

The Botanical Gardens sweep across an area of 128 acres constituted by primary forest and specialty gardens in close proximity to the city centre. The National Orchid Garden is the world's largest orchid garden featuring more than 20,000 varieties set amongst water features and an exotic bromeliad collection from South and Central America. The park also contains many rare plant specimens in addition to the specialty gardens decorated with frangipanis, roses, ferns and desert plants. Outdoor concerts in the gardens can be enjoyed on the Symphony Lake or French cuisine can be savoured at the Au Jardin restaurant.

Chinatown, Singapore

2006-03-13T16:11:00.000Z

Chinatown is set against the backdrop of Singapore's modern infrastructure and the prosperous financial district. It is a crowded and colourful network of streets and alleyways contained by Upper Pickering Street, Cantonment Road, New Bridge and South Bridge Road. The area is a receptacle of traditional Chinese customs that were carried by the communities in Chinese Junks from the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian to Singapore in the early 19th century. Temples, terraces, markets and shops still provide a glimpse of the old ways but much of its original character has been lost in the redevelopment of the past 30 years. Yixing Xuan's Teahouse provides a fascinating insight into the ancient, ritualistic art of tea-making while a visit to the Thian Hock Keng Temple leaves one in awe of Chinese traditions of worship and symbolism. The streets of the district offer traditional healing practices. Here snakeskins are blended with herbs and spices to produce powerful potions for various ailments. Brightly coloured exotic fruit interject the marketplace with lively displays of Rambutan, Durian and Mangosteen. The streets are a delight for bargain hunters looking to buy kimonos, jewellery, t-shirts, pottery and traditional crafts. Tanjong Pagar is the area best known for its traditional crafts such as painted masks, paper umbrellas, clogs and kites. Electronic goods, luggage, textiles and other more conventional products can be found in Chinatown's modern section located at the intersection of Cross, New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Street.

Raffles

2006-03-13T16:10:00.000Z

The Raffles Hotel is a grand Victorian edifice rising from the pavements of the colonial district. Its elegant charm has enticed writers and entertainers such as Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad and Charlie Chaplin. Singapore Slings have become the hallmark of the Long Bar. Here ceiling fans whirr above the heads of expatriates and tourists as they sip smart cocktails in superb comfort. The Tiffin Room is best known for its afternoon teas and sumptuous Saturday night buffets. Gin and tonics alongside the odd game of snooker can be enjoyed at the Bar & Billiard. Other distractions include an upper-level museum containing vignettes and photographs on the lives of Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Noel Coward, as well as a Victorian-style playhouse and numerous specialty shops and restaurants.

Singapore Information

2006-03-13T15:48:00.000Z

Singapore was derived from the Malay word singa (lion) and the Malay word 'pura'. Hence, Singapore is also known as the Lion City. The naming is attributed to a minor prince named Sang Nila Utama, who according to lore, saw a lion as the first living creature on the island and decided to name it Singapura as a result.
Singapore's population, though small at 4.42 million as of July 2005, is relatively diverse compared to most other countries, although neighbour Malaysia also features a multiracial population. The Chinese, who have constituted the majority of the island population since the colonial era, account for 76.8% of Singaporeans. Malays, who are the indigenous native group of the country, constitute 13.9%, though this number includes many Malay ethnic groups from other parts of the Malay archipelago including the Javanese, Bugis, Baweans and Minangkabau. Indians are the third largest ethnic group at 7.9%, consisting of several groups - Tamils, who form the largest Indian group, and others such as Malayalees, Punjabis and Bengalis. The rest are made up of smaller groups such as Arabs, Jews, Thais, Japanese, and the Eurasian community.

About Singapore

2006-03-13T15:38:00.000Z

Beguiling Singapore is a modern city-state embracing economic progress against the backdrop of age-old tradition. The customs that underpin community life are created out of a cultural mix that includes predominantly Chinese, Indian and Malay ethnic groups.
Singapore is an island off the southern tip of Malaysia, linked to it by a causeway. It evolved from a sleepy fishing village in the early 1900s to become one of Asia's economic tigers. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles landed on Singapore's northern bank in 1819 and felt that its location made it ideal as a trading station. From here Singapore's landscape was transformed by British colonial rule, Japanese occupation, Communist insurrection and finally, independence. Since becoming a republic in 1965 the island has experienced increased prosperity and exponential economic growth. Shimmering skyscrapers tower above the slick financial districts and elegant colonial buildings preserve a lingering old-world charm.
Singapore's full calendar of events showcases a spectrum of cultural celebrations and shopping activities. The early summer months bustle in anticipation of the Singapore Sale - a time when tourists can cash in on the competitive prices of electronic equipment, jewellery and other merchandise. The business activity thrives amidst the celebration of Chinese, Hindu and Muslim festivals that punctuate the year with their colourful representations. These include the Chinese New Year, Ramadan, Hari Raya Puasa, Vesak Day, the Dragon Boat Festival, Festival of the Hungry Ghosts and Thaipusam.
The core of downtown Singapore is formed by the Colonial District embellished by cathedrals and cricket lawns. The notable sites of the area include the Empress Place Building and the luxurious Raffles Hotel. Although most of old Singapore has been demolished to make way for the modern city, many major landmarks within the Colonial district have been preserved. The surrounding ethnic enclaves of Little India, Chinatown and the Arab Quarters also provide glimpses into the traditions that have sustained their respective communities through the centuries.