Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Singapore News

Additional back-up mechanisms to be installed at Singapore Flyer
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewAsia | Posted: 30 December 2008 2125hrs

Singapore: Additional independent back-up mechanisms are going to be installed in Singapore Flyer, over and above the current standby generator, to ensure the wheel keeps moving.

The Flyer stoppage last Tuesday was a harrowing experience for patrons and the attraction's management said they have contacted the victims who were trapped in the wheel's capsules for over seven hours by phone or through home visits to express their apologies personally.

The other affected group are the tenants, and the Flyer management have decided to waive their rentals from the day of the stoppage until the end of the year. A meeting will be held with the tenants on Wednesday.

A team of eight international experts, including engineers from the Flyer's Japanese contractor and consultants for the London Eye, have been flown into Singapore.

Their key task, besides assessing the situation, is to see how the mechanism can be made safer. They have short-listed two back-up mechanisms to keep the wheel moving in the event of a similar stoppage. But no further details have been revealed.

The experts have said they will stay here as long as they are needed.

In a statement, Singapore Flyer's chairman, Florian Bollen, said the safety of the flight experience is and will always be the management's highest priority.

He added that management and international experts are working to ensure the stoppage "will never happen again".

Some have questioned the Flyer management's decision to conduct an evacuation with ropes when the stoppage occurred.

Stephen Yeo, general manager, Singapore Flyer, said: "It was not possible to immediately know how long the repair process would take. It was decided after three hours to start evacuating only those people who wished to be lowered by ropes out of the lower capsules. The top priority was always to repair the wheel and return the capsules to ground level."

Concerns have been raised about its impact on Singapore's reputation as a tourist destination.

Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry S Iswaran said: "The Flyer management have to get things rectified and assure the authorities of the safety standards because this is going to be critical if they are going to resume their business.

"But I think Singapore's offerings as a tourism destination go beyond the Flyer. We have a wide range of attractions that people come to see."

Mr Iswaran added that Singapore's tourism attractions are safe because in general, they are subjected to international audits before public entertainment licences are granted.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

172 Things To Do In Singapore

1. Singapore Zoo
Attraction Type: Zoo

2. Cookery Magic
Attraction Type: Educational site; Other

3. Ultimate Magic
Attraction Type: Performance

4. Lau Pat Sat Festival Pavilion
Attraction Type:Flea/Street Market; Historic Site

5. Mount Faber Cable Car
Attraction Type: Tram

6. Singapore Flyer
Attraction Type: Observation Deck/ Tower

7. Clarke Quay
Attraction Type: Wharf/ Pier/ Broadwalk; Street; Tour; Mall

8. National Museum of Singapore
Attraction Type: Museum

9. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Attraction Type: Garden; Park

10. National Orchid Garden
Attraction Type: Garden

11. Night Safari
Attraction Type: Zoo; Wildlife Park; Garden

and many more ...
Call Us !!! So that we would be able to tailor your travel package in Singapore in your own preference.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Tourism Sector Performance for November 2008 by STB

This monthly fact sheet provides a summary of the key statistics on total visitor arrivals and information on the performance of Singapore's top-15 visitor-generating markets. All comparisons made in this fact are year-on-year comparisons with 2007.

KEY INFORMATION
  • Visitors arrivals to Singapore reached 760,000 in November 2008, registering a decline of 9.7% compared to November 2007. Visitors days were estimated at 3.1 million days, an increase of 0.1% against November 2007.
  • Indonesia (118,000), P R China (78,000), Australia (60,000), Malaysia (60,000) and India (56,00) were Singapore's top five visitor-generating markets. These markets accounted for 49% of total visitor arrivals for the month.
  • Among the top 15 markets, Vietnam (+14.7%), Malaysia (+9.1%), the Philippines (+6.1%) and Germany (+3.7%) registered growth.
  • Since June 2008, there has been a decline in visitor arrivals to Singapore, reflecting the continued impact of the worsening global economic slowdown on consumer sentiments and discretionary spending. Visitor arrivals and tourism receipts are expected to fall short of the 2008 targets of 10.8 million and S$15.5 billion respectively. The Singapore Tourism Board has focused its efforts to increase visitor spending during the year-end festive period.
  • Singapore gazetted hotels were estimated to generate S$161 million in room revenue, representing a decrease of 6.0% versus November 2007.
  • The Average Room Rate (ARR) in November 2008 was estimated at S$231, representing an increase of 3.4% over November 2007. The Average Occupancy Rate (AOR) for gazetted hotels was estimated to reach 80% in November 2008, posting a 7.9 percentage point decrease over November 2007. Revenue Per Available Room (Revpar) decreased by 5.8% to reach S$186 in November 2008.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Restricted Baggage Items

For A Safe Journey

There are international safety measures to protect you and your loved ones when travelling. It is important to comply with these measures, as failure to do so could endanger the safety of all passengers on board the aircraft. It is also an offence if you fail to comply with them.

What is prohibited on board an aircraft?

Generally, you must not take on board:

  • Firearms of any type including replicas or toys
  • Explosives including fireworks, flares, toy gun caps
  • Gases including compressed gas cylinders, tear gas, mace, pepper sprays, household aerosols
  • Flammable materials including petrol, lighter fuel, paint, thinners, non-safety matches, fire lighters, flammable glue
  • Poisons inculding weed killers, pesticides, insecticides
  • Corrosive substance including batteries, mercury drain cleaners
  • Other dangerous goods such as magnetized or radioactive material, toxic or infectious substances like laboratory diagnostic sample

  • Hydrocarbon gas-powered hair curlers (limited to no more than one per person), provided the safety cover is securely fitted at all times over the heating element. Separate gas refills for such curlers are not permitted
  • Safety matches or lighters only when carried on the person (the lighter can contain only absorbed liquid or liquefied gas fuel). Refills are not permitted
  • Battery-powered wheelchairs as checked baggage only - but contact your airline in advance to check whether special conditions apply
  • Guidelines apply to Liquids, Aerosols and Gels in hand-carried luggage.

Guidelines For Liquids, Aerosols and Gels in Hand-Carried Luggage

On 8 May 2007, Singapore implemented guidelines that restrict the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels that passengers can carry in their hand-carried luggage. The guidelines apply to all flights departing Singapore.

Passengers are advised to check-in all liquids, aerosols and gels (Lags) that do not meet the new guideliness. Luquids, aerosols and gels in hand-carried luggage should be packed in accordance with the new guidelines, before passengers arrive at the airport.

The guidelines on hand-carried luggage are:
  • Liquids, aerosols and gels must be in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each. Liquids, aerosols and gels in containers larger than 100ml will not be accepted, even if the container is partially-filled;
  • Containers must be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity not exceeding 1-litre. These containers must fit comfortably within the transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be completely closed;
  • Each passenger is allowed to carry only one transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be presented separately for examination at the security screening point;
  • Exemptions will be made for medications, baby food and special dietary items. These items will be subjected to additional checks at the security screening point.

Passengers are encouraged to check in 2 to 3 hours before their flights (subject to airlines' requirements).

Liquids include:

  • Drinks, including water and juices
  • Soups and sauces
  • Perfumes and deodorants (liquid or liquid-solid mixture)
  • Creams, balms, lotions and oils
  • Cosmetic such as mascara and lip gloss
  • Pastes, including toothpaste
  • Pressurised foams and sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
  • Gels, including hair and shower gels
  • Contact lens solution
  • Any other items of similar consistency

About Singapore Part. II

If there is one word that captures Singapore, it is "unique". A dynamic city rich in contrast and colour, you'll find a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture here. Brimming with unbridled energy, this little dynamo in Southeast Asia embodies the finest of both East and West.

A single day's trail will take you from the past to the future, from exotic ethnic enclave to efficient business centre, from serene garden to sleek skyscrapers.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast amidst lush vegetation with Singapore 's very own orang utans. Then take a step back in time as you enter a traditional Chinese temple, Muslim mosque, Hindu temple and Christian church - all in the same neighbourhood.

Return to the present by strolling down Orchard Road , picking up the latest fashion trends and entertaining local catch phrases along the way.
A simple meal is made memorable when drifting along the Singapore River on a traditional bumboat . Step off the boat and get catapulted 60 metres into the air on a reverse bungy ride! More laughter and fun in store if you board an amphibious "duck" to explore the city, in the company of its wacky guides.

After a day of excitement, retreat into the peaceful sanctuary of our acclaimed spa, just a stone's throw away from the best business facilities in the world.

When recharged, give yourself at least an hour to enjoy a customary Chinese tea ceremony before you step into a world-class venue to catch a Broadway musical.

With its friendly and welcoming people, state-of-the-art infrastucture and something new happening everyday, Singapore is a holiday like no other.

About Singapore

Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became on of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.