Tourist attractions in Singapore gearing up for 2010

SINGAPORE : Tourist attractions in Singapore are pulling out all the stops to draw in visitors this festive season.

And they are not stopping there. Many of them said visitors can expect more promotions and events in 2010. For example, visitors can feed flamingos at the Jurong Bird Park, as part of the attraction's Latin Fiesta-themed year-end celebrations.

Its sister attractions, the Night Safari and the Singapore Zoo, are also planning similar activities, including appearances by Wild Tarzan Santa and an elephant showcase.

Meanwhile, Sentosa is hosting a range of family-friendly activities, including sand sculpting, playing of percussions and puppet storytelling. And they are not the only ones hoping to cash in on the tourist dollar this festive period.

Wendy Leong, general manager, City Tours, said: "We have the Christmas light-up tour. In the past, we did it just for 40 minutes, so that is why with the three-hour tour this year, we have an increase in the number of tourists coming into Singapore to join up with us."

Others are hoping the opening of the two integrated resorts will help boost business by helping to attract tourists here.

Patsy Ong, managing director, Adval Brand Group, said: "We are pretty much affected by the global economic crisis - we have seen a 25 per cent drop in visitorship, largely from the corporates and from overseas visitors... We are optimistic about it, but we are (also) cautious."

Between April and November 2009, Sentosa saw an increase in visitorship as compared to the same period last year. And it expects visitorship to the island to more than double to 15 million to 20 million over the next few years when Resorts World opens.

While some operators remain unsure about what the year ahead will bring, most are already gearing up for 2010, with new packages, promotions and new attractions ready to draw in the tourists.

Noel Hawkes, vice president, Resort Operations, Resorts World Sentosa, said: "We are going to open with a bang. It is going to be 20 attractions within Universal Studios, which includes the fabulous duelling roller coaster, the Madagascar, Revenge of the Mummy... Jurassic Park and many, many more.

"Of course, (there are also) the retail options and F&B. Four hotels... we have got Hotel Michael, Crockfords Tower, Festive Hotel and Hard Rock. Plus we have got the casino and that is going to occupy 150,000 square feet and it is really beautiful; it has got a lot of restaurants in there. We have got a mass gaming floor, plus the VIP gaming area on the second level."

The Singapore Tourism Board said it is hopeful that tourists arrivals in 2010 will surpass the 9 million to 9.5 million visitors expected this year. - CNA/ms


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