DESTINATIONS ASIA | SINGAPORE


exper expert ASK THE


chee pey chang,


international group, Singapore Tourism Board


“In the past, the average length of stay in Singapore was three-and-a-half days. Going forward, given the additional requirements and hassles of travel, people want to stay in places longer and really experience what the destination has to offer. “The locals have been


starting to discover more of our own country, and the


travel trade in Singapore has taken this on board because they realise they can’t depend on foreign tourists at the moment.


“Over the past couple of months, there have been a lot more interesting


itineraries being rolled out. These will continue to be pushed to the travel trade when international travel


resumes and hopefully that will entice people to want to stay in Singapore for a week or more.”


TraceTogether app to scan QR codes at entry and exit to every restaurant, hotel or tourist attraction. It was a lengthier process than we have been used to


pre-pandemic and it’s worth noting hard copies of many of the documents were required rather than electronic versions, but assuming Singapore’s entry requirements remain similar when leisure travel resumes, you can reassure clients that although it’s time-consuming, it’s not particularly complicated.


SINGAPORE SWINGS Singapore is heavily reliant on international travel, both for business and leisure, but with borders closed since late March (albeit with steps towards re-establishing regional travel), one of the initiatives taken to support the local tourism sector was to grant each resident a S$100 (£56) voucher to spend at the city’s tourist attractions. Not only has this helped keep local attractions open, but suppliers were also prompted to innovate with more inventive walking tours and hotel packages, which will be available to international markets once travel resumes (see box, left).


It seems to have worked in helping prop up demand for domestic tourism, with popular spots such as Gardens by the Bay pleasantly busy with families admiring its display of Christmas decorations. While you might have to wear a face mask and scan a QR code to enter each area of the sprawling complex, it doesn’t impact the experience. The sky-high Supertrees and 30-metre Cloud Forest waterfall were just as impressive, the wafts of perfumed scents swirling


34 17 DECEMBER 2020 The tiny secret garden was


just as much of a surprise, light shining on its exotic blooms like a real-life Garden of Eden


through the Flower Dome just as fragrant, and the tiny secret garden just as much of a surprise, light shining on its exotic blooms like a real-life Garden of Eden. Likewise, the infinity pool at the Sands SkyPark, accessible to guests of Marina Bay Sands, still offers its famously far-reaching view over the Singapore skyline. Guests have to reserve a time slot, with restrictions on the number of people allowed in at once, but there were plenty of excited visitors taking swimming pool selfies with the city’s soaring skyscrapers in the background. We went up another storey to the SkyPark


Observation Deck, 57 floors high, overlooking the waterfront. Cruise ships were arrayed in the distance awaiting their return to sailing, and the tiny dots of runners pacing along the edge of the marina were visible in the bay below.


Life might not be back to normal just yet, but when


British travellers can return to Singapore, they’ll find its mix of traditional shophouses and towering skyscrapers, densely populated city blocks within steps of nature parks, and street art-filled alleys alongside Michelin-starred foodie hotspots, as exotic and enticing as ever.


TW travelweekly.co.uk


assistant chief executive


CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Gardens by the Bay; shophouses on Keong Saik Road; infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands PICTURES: Scott Frances


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48