Visitors from the Middle East who have traditionally been drawn to Singapore for its unmatched shopping opportunities and its range of world-class attractions now have yet another reason to travel to one of Asia’s most exciting city – a special package of winter promotions.
For the next two weeks, the city’s famous shopping street, Orchard Road, will be transformed into a celebration of colour and sound during the annual end-of-year Light-Up, one of the longest and most spectacular in the world.
Themed ‘Wonderland: A Musical Kaleidoscope’, this mile-long celebration is best experienced from aboard an open-top HIPPO bus, with its birds-eye view of this visual spectacle and accompanying festive songs. Tourists are entitled to free rides on the HIPPO bus during the event.
“Tourists and travellers from across the Middle East come to Singapore for a variety of reasons – to shop, to see the sights, to sample the food or to seek medical care – and we hope that the elaborate festive celebrations will enable visitors to take home even more fond memories of Uniquely Singapore experiences,” says Alan Tan, Area Director, Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.
“Singaporeans of all cultures join together in the festivities at the end of each year and we extend a warm welcome to visitors from the Middle East and invite them to join our party,” he continues.
Vying with the Orchard Road Light-Up for visitors’ attention is one of the world’s tallest artificial tree, a 61m-high light show atop Mount Faber created from 15,000m of fairy lights, 200m of rope lights, 500 blinking strobes and 40 icicle lights.
The tree, sited next to the equally exquisitely bedecked Jewel Box leisure complex, can be reached via a multi-hued cable car from which New Year’s Eve revellers can set off their own fireworks.
Besides the festive lights, the whole city is in a celebratory mood with concerts, events and special exhibitions. Until 3rd April, adults and children alike can enjoy the Art of Star Wars Exhibition at the Singapore Science Centre, featuring more than 250 original props and artefacts from the epic movies.
The Singapore Art Museum, which houses the largest permanent collection of Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art, is hosting the Gao Xingjian Experience, the first Asian retrospective exhibition of the Chinese Nobel Prize laureate’s paintings, until 7th February.
Meanwhile photography buffs can view the Earth from Above, an aerial portrait of our planet by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The 120 photos, which are lit up at night, can be found along the Orchard Road pedestrian walkway until 17th January.
Visitors who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city can relax at Andana @ Orchard on the top floor of the Paragon shopping centre. Andana offers a revolutionary spa concept whereby guests pay a standard rate for a 45-minute massage, unlimited food and beverages, full-day use of its comprehensive spa facilities as well as a spacious lounge with a movie area and private rooms with wi-fi and internet access.
Singapore has an enormous array of restaurants that cater for every taste and budget, from simple fare at a hawker’s stall to modern Chinese cuisine amid antiques, paintings and artefacts at the award-winning Forbidden City restaurant.
In addition, there are Malaysian halal restaurants, Singapore’s own Peranakan cuisine, south Indian fare and luxury East-West fusion food.
“Singapore is such a cultural melting pot and meeting place that there is something to suit all tastes and all ages. The sheer variety of entertainment and attractions on offer makes Singapore such a big draw for tourists, including those from the Middle East.
Higher numbers of people are travelling from the UAE to Singapore than ever before, and we anticipate many more will come and enjoy winter in the Tropics,” concludes Tan.
About Singapore Tourism Board
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.
With its strategic tourism units covering the key purposes of visit by tourists, the STB will work towards revitalising traditional segments ranging from sightseeing and attractions to business travel, as well as actively tap into emerging segments such as healthcare and education services.
These initiatives will be reinforced by STB's international operations which cover the key markets in Asia, Oceania, Europe and Americas, with expanded resources to capitalise on growth markets like China and India.
STB's goal is to create exciting and innovative experiences for our visitors, in close partnership with the trade industry, thus etching forever in visitors' minds an image of Singapore as a unique and compelling destination
