DESTINATIONS SINGAPORE | ASIA
exper expert ASK THE John Parker,
product manager, Premier Holidays
“The new and unique Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is exciting me the most.
Situated in the eastern part of Mandai Wildlife Reserve and overlooking Upper Seletar Reservoir, the 338-room
ABOVE: This year’s Singapore F1 Grand Prix takes place on October 3-5 PICTURE: Moonrise Studio
allows visitors to admire the coral reef, and the Ocean Network Express Coastal Forest Trail lined with observation decks.
SPORTING FIXTURES Sports tourism is growing apace around the world, and this year, Singapore wants in. In recent years, it has hosted the inaugural Olympic Esports Week, the Professional Triathletes Organisation and World Table Tennis, among others. In 2024, culture minister Edwin Tong announced the creation of a $165 million Major Sports Event Fund to boost Singapore’s appeal as a host for sports events and gigs. But for many, the main event is the annual Singapore Grand Prix, which takes to the city’s streets in early October. It benefits from two new grandstands (Sheares and Promenade) added in 2023, while the addition of a fourth DRS (drag reduction system) zone means more thrills and spills for an F1 race already famously eventful. Clients
keen to elevate their experience should consider staying at Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore, just a few metres from the circuit. Guests can dine on food prepared by world- renowned chefs and the numerous indoor and outdoor spaces include cosy bars and neon-drenched terraces overlooking the track.
SHOWSTOPPERS Singapore isn’t only investing in sports tourism – it’s going all out to attract musical superstars too. And its efforts are paying off because, hot on the heels of Taylor Swift’s run of concerts last year, there will be performances by Norwegian singer Aurora and Irish band The Script in the coming months. There’s even more in store, as musicians will soon be able to strut their stuff at one of Asia’s most high- tech concert venues. “Singapore hosted an unprecedented number of major concert events in 2024,” says Allen Howden, general manager of The St Regis Singapore. “The
government is planning to transform the current Singapore Indoor Stadium into a new indoor arena – it will be a flagship live music venue.” The arena, set to hold up to 18,000, is expected to open in 2026.
ALL AT SEA From December this year, as part of a five-year collaboration between the Singapore Tourism Board and Disney Cruise Line, new cruise ship Disney Adventure – featuring characters from both Disney and Marvel – will homeport in Singapore. There is also significant investment in the Tanah Merah and HarbourFront ferry terminals, making travel to the Singaporean island of Pulau Ubin, as well as to Indonesia and Malaysia, more straightforward. Biometric gates and Smart Path Bag Drops are also being added at these terminals to make passengers’ journeys smoother. Singapore might be turning 60 this year – but it’s proving to be as innovative as ever.
TW
resort’s offerings include 24 elevated seedpod-shaped treehouses set among the trees. The concept of the
resort is sympathetic to the existing vegetation and is
designed to be unobtrusive, sitting below the upper canopy layer of the surrounding trees.”
Mandai Rainforest Resort
BOOK IT
Premier Travel offers a four-night room-only break at the five-star Swissôtel The Stamford, with private transfers and return flights with British Airways, from £1,399.
premier-travel.co.uk
Kuoni offers four nights in a Deluxe Room at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, with breakfast, transfers and Singapore Airlines flights on selected dates in November, from £1,849 per person based on two sharing.
kuoni.co.uk
travelweekly.co.uk 20 FEBRUARY 2025 45
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