Think Singapore 's boring? Think again
Chinese in particular are flooding into Singapore the second biggest visitors to Singapore behind the Indonesians. But interestingly in our research Singapore not a top travel destination. Indicating that China's like many other nationalities travel to Singapore for a specific business or familyu purpose, not as a destination in its own right.
A few years ago a journalist friend of my was commissioned to write a travel story on Singapore . “ Singapore ”, he moaned, “It's one of the most boring cities in the world, how can you write an interesting story on Singapore ?”
These days he might not be so quick to dismiss this most modern of Asian cities – Singapore is reinventing itself. Once famous for the heavy fines imposed on citizens for chewing gum, jaywalking, failing to flush public toilets and eating on the subway, this ‘clinical' city is shaking of its prudish, dull image.
With plans for Singapore's first casinos and Crazy Horse, the world-renowned nude cabaret act from Paris galloping into Singapore's Clarke Quay in December 2005 to great fanfare, the world is beginning to take a second look at Asia's ‘Lion City'.
Of course, a shared language, cultural similarities and travel convenience all mean that Singapore has long been a favourite travel destination for China 's wealthy. With around 77 per cent of Singapore 's 4 million residents being of Chinese origin, Chinese travellers naturally feel comfortable visiting whether for business, romantic getaways and especially for luxury shopping. Singapore is a shoppers paradise, particularly the famous the mall-lined Orchard Road with an ever-increasing number of high-end boutiques. High-end centres such as Paragon and Palais Renaissance offer an incredibly array of luxury clothing and accessories brand, many of which are not available in China .
According to Edmund Chua , Singapore Tourism Board's Regional Director for Greater China, China 's emergence as an economic power in the Asia Pacific region has also led to increased cultural, economic, trade, educational exchanges between China and Singapore , with many wealthy Chinese businesspeople combing business trip with visiting their children who are schooled in Singapore .
Never-the-less in recent years Singapore 's popularity as tourist destination has been in decline. Many of the things that have made the city successful as a business centre, namely its stability, cleanliness and strict regulations, have also made it less appealing as a travel destination.
A wealthy nation compared to the rest of Southeast Asia , Singapore has an average per capita income of over US$15,000 and the highest standard of living in Asia . But developments and improvements to the city over the years have been shadowed by the steady loss of the country's heritage. Rainforests, historic buildings and street have been bulldozed to make way for shopping centres and state-of-the-art office blocks.
However Singapore 's reputation for being sterile and sanitized is exaggerated. Yes, its fair to say that city does lacks the personality of some other southeast Asian cities, it doesn't have Malaysia 's rainforests, tropical islands or stunning beaches. Nor does it have the ancient temples and cultural history of Thailand , Indonesia or Cambodia .
But this city-state has a unique history in its own right.
Since Englishman Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles founded a British Port there in 1819, it has grown in importance as a trade center and melting pot for the West, China , India and South East Asia , eventually becoming one of the most important port cities in the world. And it's precisely this role as a gateway between East and West, its mullti-culturalism, that makes Singapore interesting. You can find the stamp of British colonial rule in the grey buildings of City Hall and the National Musuem now surrounded by modern hotels and shopping centres. Venture further North and you can experience Little India's Arab Street a taste of the hustle and bustle of India in this predominantly Chinese city.
Nevertheless Singapore has suffered from something of an image problem in the past few years and has lost tourist dollars to its more exciting neighbours. This combined with the Asian financial crisis of the 90's has forced the government and local businesses to take a long hard look at exactly what Singapore has to offer its visitors from the outside world.
Rather than throw the baby out with Singapore chose to build on its solid reputation as a leading financial centre of Asia and is now striving to offer the ultimate mix of business and high-end pleasure.
“ Singapore is set to become the wealth management capital of Asia and the playground for Asia 's rich and famous” says David Chong, head of Singapore-based wealth management company Portcullis. “If you have to fly somewhere to see your private banker, you want to enjoy yourself while you are there. We used to have a reputation of being boring, but not anymore!”
While Hong Kong has successfully built its reputation as the investment centre of Asia, Singapore is now widely regarded as the region's private banking strong hold. So the city is busy ramping up developments to cater for extravagant tastes of those wealthy overseas individuals that require the services of a private banker.
Anyone viewing the development plans for the Marina area will testify that Singapore really is gearing itself up to become the Monaco or Monte Carlo of Asia. New marinas, built to cater for the mega-yachts of the truly wealthy are springing up everywhere. Plans are afoot to damn up the river mouth and turn the Marina Promenade area into a luxury water sports facility.
Singapore 's nightlife has also been given a shakeup with the entrance of Paris ' Crazy Horse nude dance act and London 's Ministry of Sound club. Approval has even been given for two new casino resorts. Although gambling has been allowed in Singapore for many years, with residents pouring $3.6 billion each year into legal gambling, casino gaming was always forbidden as the government worried about the social costs.
But after much debate and controversy – and of course the continued loss of millions of tourist dollars to Asia's more liberal tourist hot spots - economics have won out and Singapore's government finally gave the go-ahead for two new ‘integrated resorts'. Although not officially called casinos the two resorts, one on Sentosa Island and the other on the Marina South will aim to compete with the gaming facilities of Macau and Malaysia 's Genting Highlands .
Of course Singapore is still offering its old favourite, see our highlights box for some suggestions. But my advice is don't listen to the nay-sayer, head down to Singapore and make your mind up for yourself.
Singapore Highlights
Botanical Gardens – an impressive array of diverse plant life, with a stunning selection of orchids.
Boat Quay and Clarke Quay – a seemingly never-ending selections of outdoor dining and bars
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve – there's nothing like a walk in the jungle to ease away the stresses of life in the city
Night safari – Although other cities have followed suite and developed their own Night Safaris, this original wildlife park built for night visits is definitely worth a visit
Orchard Road – shop until you drop at this world famous shopping street
Zoological Gardens – one of the finest and well kept zoos in Asia
