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Singapore S


ingapore is one of Asia's most dynamic cities and has forged a global reputation that defies its modest geographical size. Once known as a stopover destination for Singapore Airlines' passengers transiting through the city's major air hub, Changi International Airport, Singapore has grown to become a leading tourism and MICE destination in its own right.


SINGAPORE Ñ SRI LANKA | DESTINATION


The modern, cosmopolitan city-state of Singapore has been transformed by massive tourism investments


Singapore is well on its way to meeting its 10-year target of attracting 17 million visitors and tourism revenues of US$24 billion annually by 2015. According to Singapore Tourism Board statistics, tourism receipts from January to December 2010 were estimated at SGD$15 billion, exceeding the year's forecast range of SGD$14.1 to SGD$14.9 billion. Shopping,


sightseeing, entertainment and accommodation accounted for 61 percent of tourism receipts. International visitor arrivals to


Singapore reached 11.6 million during the year, falling within the forecast of 11.5 to 12.5 million for 2010. Meanwhile, hotel revenues were estimated at SGD$1.5 billion, up 21.8 percent against 2009 results. As part of its 10-year plan, STB identified three key areas


pedestrian walkway that links Marina Bay to Marina Centre. The bridge also provides convenient access to the world's largest observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer, which stands 165 metres high.


For families looking for something a little different, the island resort of Sentosa boasts a Universal Studios theme park, an 18-hole championship golf course, 11 hotels and six spa facilities.


Singapore Fact File


Singapore is well on its way to meeting its 10-year target of attracting 17 million visitors


to strengthen the country's international appeal: Positioning Singapore as a leading conven- tions and exhibitions city in Asia; enriching visitor experiences; and establishing Singapore as a hub for education and healthcare. Singapore has forged a solid reputation as one of Asia's lead- ing MICE destinations, with three major exhibition centres dotted around the island.


The latest venue is the massive


Sands Expo and Convention Centre, which boasts 120,000 square metres of exhibition floor- space and can host delegations of up to 45,000 people.


The city's tourism attractions have grown more sophisticated in recent years. The develop- ment of the Marina Bay Sands precinct has played a major role in this regard. In addition to the vast exhibition complex, the precinct features hotel accom- modation with 2,560 rooms spread across three towers, an art and science museum and the futuristic Sands SkyPark, which is suspended by the three hotel towers 56 metres above the ground. Other recent additions to


Singapore's landscape include the 280-metre Helix Bridge


Singapore is widely regarded as one of the gateways to Asia and one of its most important economies, despite its small population of just over five million.


Climate: Singapore has a warm and humid climate with annual highs reaching 31¡C and lows of 24¡C. Two monsoon seasons bring heavier rainfall between from December to March and June to September. Local time: GMT + 8 Currency: Singapore dollar. SGD$1 = US$0.81 Language: English, Malay and Mandarin. Getting there: Changi International Airport is one of Asia's major air hubs and home to Singapore Airlines. The airport serves 96 airlines servicing 200 cities in around 60 countries and territories worldwide.


Sri Lanka S


ri Lanka is riding a wave of popularity as one of the world's hottest tour- ism destinations. Tourism arrivals to the country rose 43.5 percent year on year in March to top 75,000, accord- ing to official statistics released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. While Western Europe remained the country's key


Already one of the most popular destinations among Middle East tourists, Sri Lanka's international profile has grown tremendously


source market with 30,000 arriv- als, Middle East visitor numbers rose 38 percent to 4,067. The results capped three years of continuous growth in Middle East inbound tourism to Sri Lanka. From 2007 to 2009, annual Middle East arrivals almost doubled to top 24,000. After a hugely successful first four months of 2011 which saw overall tourism arrivals to


Sri Lanka at Arabian Travel Market Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau AS210


the country exceed 250,000 for the first time, the country has revised upwards its initial target of 800,000 arrivals for 2011. The country's geographic proximity to the GCC, its strong trade links and easy accessibility by plane makes it a favourite getaway for expats and nationals alike. Sri Lanka offers plenty to captivate visitors of all nationali- ties. A laidback lifestyle, stun- ning coastline and an agreeable climate make the country an ideal destination for a beach holiday. Meanwhile, its rugged yet accessible natural environ- ment is teeming with wildlife, including 43 endangered species, which reside in the country's nine national parks and seven bird sanctuaries. Sri Lanka's policy of natural preservation has made it a favour- ite with the world's growing band of eco-tourists. More than 14 percent of the country's land mass is given over to animal and plant sanctuaries, including a consider- able number that provide protec- tion for the native Asian elephant.


plays host to eight active UNESCO world heritage sites. Highlights include the almost 400-year-old Dutch Fort at Galle, the Sacred Temple of the Tooth at Kandy, and the astonishing Sigiriya Rock Fortress and city, which was built in the 5th


century and is recog-


nised by UNESCO as Asia's best preserved city of the first millen- nium. Sigiriya also ranks as one of the world's oldest tourist attrac- tions and has some of the earliest known graffiti to prove it.


Sri Lanka Fact File


Sri Lanka's policy of natural preservation has made it a favourite with the world's growing band of eco-tourists


Kandy is home to the great- est concentration of elephant sanctuaries in the country, with the nearby Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage a must-see tour- ist attraction. The orphanage, which is located around 90 kilometres from the capital, Colombo, hosts more than 60


elephant orphans and is open daily to visitors. Sri Lanka's Central Highlands also offer adventure seekers a host of activities, from rock climbing, kayaking and canoeing, to white water rafting.


Meanwhile, the country's rich heritage is borne out by the fact it


With a population of 20 million, Sri Lanka boasts one of the most ethnically diverse populations in South Asia. While the administra- tive capital is Sri Jayewarde- nepura Kotte, Sri Lanka's commercial heart lies in Colombo, which is also the country's biggest city


Climate: Sri Lanka boasts a tropical climate and is affected by the annual monsoon in the north from December to March and from June to October in the south. Temperatures range from low -20¡C to 30¡C plus in the summer. Local time: GMT + 5.5 Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee. US$1 = LKR110 Language: Sinhala, Tamil and English.


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