Tag Archives: tourism

I refer to the article “Singapore ranked 2nd most visited city in Asia-Pacific and is top in terms of tourist spending” (Straits Times, Sep 27).

You read that right. Some scientists from 2 Australian universities have teamed up with the Singapore Tourism Board to create a travel guide or map based on the emotions of an Australian family who took a tour here in Singapore.

We are a family of 3,we had booked a Japan tour package tour from Travel Star Pte. Ltd. at a travel fair, at MBS during September 2016.The trip to Tokyo was from 5th December to 10 th December follow by a trip to Hokkaido from 11th to 16 December.

Several customers who booked rooms at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) for bargain low prices at $70 a night were left outraged after the hotel emailed them and told them they would instead have to pay over $450 for them, with a $100 credit off their final bill.

For those of you who still remember going to Underwater World Singapore when they were younger, now might be the time to revisit the attraction before it closes. According to park operator Haw Par, the Underwater World Singapore is set to close on 26 Jun. The attraction's pink dolphins, fur seals and otters have been sent to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai China.

According to Malaysian Tourism Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, there has been a fall in the number of Singaporean tourists who visit Malaysia. With the decrease, Malaysia now has to think up of new ways to attract Singaporeans to Malaysia again, he says. In his speech at the opening of the Travel Malaysia Fair on Friday, Mr Nazri revealed that the number of Singaporeans visiting Malaysia fell by 8.6% during the 1st 3 months of the year. The overall number for the whole year is expected to see a similar decline.

In the wake of the worst disease epidemic to strike South Korea in decades, the South Korean government has come up with a desperate measure to soften the blow on the country's tourism industry. In an initiative that will begin next Monday (22nd June), the South Korean government will pay tourists S$4,039, as well as cover all medical and vacation expenses incurred by tourists if they contract the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). If the tourist succumbs to the disease, South Korea will pay 100 million won (S$120,000) to the family of the deceased tourist.

Sabah State Education director Datuk Jame Alip says that the state is considering only restricting children under 15 from climbing Mount Kinabalu. This comes after the tragic death of 6 children in the 5th June earthquake which claimed 16 lives. Jame says that he has spoken about this matter to Malaysian Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

The country’s glitzy shopping district might be in for an overhaul this year, as part of the government’s attempt to boost flagging visitor numbers. Second Minister for Trade and Industry S Iswaran noted in parliament that the Orchard Road precinct will be rejuvenated as part of the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) efforts to refresh the city’s tourism assets.

As Singapore becomes more cosmopolitan, it should try to avoid becoming a generic luxury city no different from other cities. Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC Irene Ng cited Orchard Road as an example. The shopping belt is lined with luxury shops which are similar to those in London, New York or Paris. Ms Ng added that these shops sell branded goods that are usually beyond the budget of the average Singaporean.