S'pore's next tourist attraction?

ONE of the things you often hear about Singapore's tourist attractions is that they're fake.

That's why this stretch of Upper Thomson Road between Yio Chu Kang Road and the Seletar Expressway deserves a closer look.

It is real, it is alive, and it lies at the heart of the Singapore Story. It can be a tourist attraction with a difference.

Bearing silent testimony to the vision of Singapore's founding fathers, these trees will also be their legacy, grander than any monument, for hundreds of years.

Sure, Upper Thomson Road is not Australia's Great Ocean Road.

But smack in the middle of our bustling city on a tiny, pancake island, we have created our own scenic drive.

It's an achievement to be proud of.

The road can work as a tourist attraction in three ways.

Firstly, the pristine jungles of Lower Pierce Reservoir can be opened up for eco-tourism. This will make Upper Thomson Road its gateway, and a breath-taking curtain-raiser.

Will tourists be interested in Singapore's flora and fauna? There's a good chance they will. Dr David Bellamy, a renowned conservationist, once remarked that Bukit Timah Nature Reserve contains more plant species than the whole of North America.

Secondly, we can promote it together with Singapore's street racing heritage. Singapore's gritty street circuit in the 1960s was located right next to this 'green road'.

Imagine: F1 with a Garden City twist.

Thirdly, this road can lead tourists to the heartland neighbourhoods of Ang Mo Kio and Sembawang, making their visit more multi-facted and authentic.

But it's not just about the tourism.

At a recent dialogue, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew revealed how the greening of Singapore was a way to woo investors in the early days.

Today, as Singapore forges ahead, these trees, now fully-grown, serve another important purpose:

They make Singapore feel like home.

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Novotel Clarke Quay Offering Great Package Options for Great Singapore Sale

(1888PressRelease) May 22, 2009 - Novotel Clarke Quay, One of Singapore's best located hotels, is gearing up for the Great Singapore Sale with fantastic room rates, as well as launching the “Great Singapore Sale Recession Package”

“The Great Super Sale Recession Package” is ideal for visitors staying in Singapore for a number of days. For only SG$198++ per night guests who book and stay on the promotional package (for a minimum of 2 nights) will receive a $100.00 cash back to use in the hotels restaurants, bars or mini bar. With such a special offer, this promotion can only be booked direct at the hotel by calling +65 6338 3333. More details are available at http://www.novotelclarkequay.com.sg/promotion/index.htm

The Great Singapore Sale runs from the 29th of May to the 26th of July, 8 weeks in total. Novotel Clarke Quay's sale runs for the same period.

Novotel's Singapore’s Great Singapore Sale Recession Package will add to those offered by the Singapore Tourism Board. A Great Singapore Sale tourist privilege card will be presented along with their passports to all incoming visitors during the sale period. The card entitles bearers to discounts at Club 21 Bazaar, Vera Wang, Harajuku Lovers by Gwen Stefani, Kenneth Cole, G200 & G2 Black Label and more.

There are two new developments set to open in June 2009, to coincide with the beginning of the sale. The new 12-level 'vertical mall', Orchard Central, as well as the Illuma at Bugis will have their grand openings within the month.

Almost $500 million was spent in the first month of the Great Singapore Sale last year, defying the global slowdown and boosting turnover year-on-year for the first month of the sale by more than 30%.

Mr. Simon Jones believes the Great Singapore Sales Recession Package, will be a welcome option for many visitors traveling to Singapore for the Singapore Sale. Mr. Jones commented “ it’s a great opportunity for visitors to book accommodation at one of Singapore’s best located hotels, and take advantage of the saving with the $100 cash back, giving your credit card some time to relax while still being able to use the hotel facilities”.

About Novotel Clarke Quay:

Novotel Clarke Quay, situated in the heart of Singapore and within the vibrant and dynamic Clarke Quay area, is one of Singapore's best located hotels, both for tourists and business travelers. Novotel Clarke Quay features 401 recently renovated rooms each with magnificent and un-obstructed views of the meandering Singapore River. The hotel’s guest rooms have been upgraded to Novotel’s latest design standards offering state of the art amenities such as flat screen televisions with DVD players and versatile pivoting workstations developed with the traveling executive in mind.

For more information please contact:

Simon Jones
Resident Manager, Novotel Clarke Quay
Email: H5993-GM1 ( @ ) accor dot com

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Singapore Tourist: Outdoor skating is latest Christmas attraction to pull in crowds

By Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/313645/1/.html

It is exactly a month before Christmas Day and the Singapore retail scene is already in a festive mood.

To give Singaporeans and expatriates a taste of a European Christmas in the tropics, a traditional Christmas Fair – minus woolly hats and gloves – was organised.

Jane Glascow, General Manager of The Pantry, Loewen Gardens, said: "I'm a bit of a Christmas freak – I love Christmas, and we needed to put Loewen Gardens on the map so I googled to find out what the Canadians' skate on in the summer."

Visitors can now skate in an outdoor rink made of Super Ice, a plastic compound that will not melt in the heat.

But that does not make it any easier for beginners, so help is available from the Heartware Network.

Skates can be hired at a cost of S$12 for an hour or S$8 for half an hour.

Limited to 25 skaters at any one time, the surface is as slippery as normal ice and it still hurts when one falls, but at least one wouldn't get wet or cold.

And for more than three-quarters of a million visitors, the Christmas Light-Up in Orchard Road is a major draw.

Tourists can take a half hour HiPPOtour to get the best view of the lights, courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

The tours start at the DuckTours office next to the STB Visitors Centre on Orchard Road and they run from 7pm till 9.30pm.

It took more than 125,000 man hours to put up the decorations in the Orchard Road and Marina Zone.

And it seems the efforts are very well appreciated.

"Very pretty, very, very Christmassy... we really enjoyed it," said a visitor.

Another tourist said: "This country is not so cold so these lights give you the mood of winter. They have done a very nice job."

"I think they've captured the spirit of Christmas, haven't they?"

A similar tour will be available for Singapore residents the weekend before Christmas, at a charge.

*** For Singapore itineraries and pictures, go to www.traveljournal.com.ph.