Singapore again named top MICE destination

Singapore again named top MICE destination

The Republic was named the top International Meeting Country and International Meeting City for 2013 by the Union of International Associations (UIA).

Citing the UIA study, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on Friday (June 27) said Singapore was named Top International Meeting Country for the third consecutive year, and the Top International Meeting City for the seventh year running.

A total of 994 meetings hosted in Singapore met the UIA's stipulated qualifying criteria, which is a 4.4 per cent increase from the 952 meetings in 2012. Second-placed United States, in comparison, hosted 799 such meetings, while third-placed South Korea organised 635, it stated.

In terms of the ranking for cities, Singapore's 994 meetings far surpassed second-placed Brussels, which held 436 such events, while Vienna rounded off the top three by hosting 318 meetings, the statement said.

Ms Neeta Lachmandas, Assistant Chief Executive of the STB, said: "We are very happy to be named the top meeting country by UIA once again. Understanding our customers' needs has always been a key focus for us, and we will continue to emphasise our efforts on reliability and efficiency, giving them peace of mind when they attend or hold their events in Singapore."

The UIA rankings were the latest in a list of accolades for the city-state as a MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) destination. It was named Asia's top convention city for the 12th consecutive year by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the STB said.

Singapore has secured six upcoming world congresses, including the World Congress on Brain Mapping & Therapeutics 2016 and World Congress of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus 2016, the agency added.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Hari Raya Light Up launched in Geylang Serai

Hari Raya Light Up launched in Geylang Serai

Muslims in Singapore begin fasting on Sunday to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

Ahead of the Hari Raya celebrations, Geylang Serai area will be decked in bright and colourful lights for a month.

The Hari Raya Light Up at Geylang Serai was launched by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on Friday evening.

The lights stretched over 1.3 kilometres, covering a larger area this year.

The design of the decorations combines the characteristics of Malay and Islamic culture.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Lau Pa Sat is back, but with fewer stalls

Lau Pa Sat is back, but with fewer stalls


ALL SET: Lau Pa Sat is reopening today. It had closed in September last year for what was to have been a two-month renovation costing $4 million. (PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES)

AFTER a long-drawn-out $4 million renovation, food centre Lau Pa Sat reopens today, but with fewer stalls and higher rental fees.

There will be about 50 stalls, which include returning tenants such as Lakeview Char Kway Teow, Song Kee Fish Balls and Ah Chwee Kway Chap. This is about 30 fewer than before, according to Shin Min Daily News and The Straits Times.

In addition, there are 14 mini-restaurants, including an authentic Japanese bakery and an Indonesian restaurant.

The revamped centre is said to offer better ventilation and can sit 2,500 diners - 460 more than before.

But rents have gone up.

A spokesman for food-court operator Kopitiam said that rental has gone up from $3,700 a month to $4,700.

However, the spokesman added that business is likely to be more brisk with fewer stalls, and that stallholders at new food centres in the area pay about $5,000 to $6,000 in rent per month.

Lau Pa Sat closed in September last year for what was to have been a two-month renovation, but there has been repeated delays which Kopitiam blamed on "permit issues" and the scale of the project.

It is understood that some stallholders have sought compensation from Kopitiam but it is unclear whether the operator would compensate them.

An official opening ceremony, hosted by local artiste Gurmit Singh, will take place at 6.30pm today. Lau Pa Sat will be open 24 hours daily.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Singapore Food Festival will be on a roll this year

Singapore Food Festival will be on a roll this year


A pop-up store at Ion Orchard will be selling burgers filled with beef rendang or curried chicken during the festival. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHEF DAMIAN D'SILVA

This year, the Singapore Food Festival is coming to you, and it is bringing new and old favourites.

The Nonya Mobile, a food truck, will visit various parts of the island, including Ang Mo Kio Hub, Century Square and Vivo- City, to offer food tastings.

The truck will carry popular dishes featured in previous editions of the festival, including Peranakan ones like buah keluak ice cream, satay, and chicken pong teh, a chicken stew with mushrooms and potatoes.

This is part of this year's theme - A Walk Down Memory Lane - which relives the best memories of the festival, which is being held for the 21st year, said the Singapore Tourism Board in a statement.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Hari Raya Light Up @ Geylang Serai

Hari Raya Light Up to focus on “deepening understanding” of festival

This year’s Ramadan and Hari Raya Puasa celebrations - Hari Raya Light Up 2014 - will focus on “deepening the understanding of the significance of Hari Raya Puasa”, said Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Manpower and Adviser to Marine Parade GROs (Kembangan-Chai Chee Division), at the media briefing on Thursday (June 20).

To celebrate the festivities, bright, colourful lights with intricate and historical designs will light up the streets of Geylang Serai - all 1.3km of it ­- from June 27 to July 28.

The celebrations will include four themes such as A Rich History of Geylang Serai and A Vibrant Culture and Community to “make this celebration more systematic, and to provide an experiential journey of the rich tapestry of Malay Culture”.

A new committee made up of representatives from organisations, grassroots and community leaders as well as stakeholders has also been formed to plan for the celebrations.

Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef, Adviser to Marine Parade GROs (Geylang Serai Division), said: “Unlike a melting pot, Singapore is closer to a salad bowl with different flavours (cultures) all co-existing in harmony - we do not want to lose the different flavours, instead we want to celebrate them and pass on to our next generation.”

Apart from the usual bazaar held every year, new interactive booths will also be set up to “engage the community”. Last year, close to three to four million people passed the streets of Geylang Serai during the month-long Ramadan period.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Beware of pickpockets when in Orchard Rd

Beware of pickpockets when in Orchard Rd


SIGN OF THE TIMES: A sign near 313@somerset warning of thefts in Orchard Road. (PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO)

THE number of thefts in the Orchard Road shopping belt has doubled in May and June this year, compared to last year, Lianhe Wanbao reported.

There have been 12 reported cases, compared to only five in May and June last year, the paper said.

It is understood that the perpetrators used tactics like bumping into their victims, and taking advantage of chaotic situations, to pick wallets from pockets or bags.

Some people have lost their valuables after leaving them unattended.

Most of the cases happened in ION Orchard and the area around 313@somerset.

Teacher Robert, 48, who is from Austria, told Wanbao that his wallet was taken at 313@somerset.

He realised it was missing from his pants pocket only when he wanted to pay for his cab ride home.

He returned to Orchard Road immediately to retrace his steps, but did not find his wallet.

It was then he recalled that a man in a yellow shirt had bumped into him earlier.

He lost about $100 and his identification and credit cards.

He has been in Singapore for more than a year, and this is the first time he has encountered a pickpocket.

Police advise shoppers to be wary, to avoid keeping their wallet in their back pocket and to secure their bags.

They also advise shoppers not to be distracted by people arguing on the street or creating a public disturbance, and to check their belongings if someone bumps into them, or spills a drink on them.

~News courtesy of My Paper~

Singapore Botanic Gardens named Asia's top park

Singapore Botanic Gardens named Asia's top park by TripAdvisor

The Singapore Botanic Gardens has been ranked the top park in Asia for the second year in a row in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards, the travel site announced on Tuesday (June 17).

In second place was the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan, followed by the Nan Lian Garden in Hong Kong. Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest Dome also made it to the list, coming in at the 25th spot.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens came in 11th in the ranking of the world’s top parks. In first place was Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada.

“This is an encouragement to us as we continue to work towards conserving the living heritage of the Gardens for future generations to enjoy,” said Dr Nigel Taylor, Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews posted on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period, the travel site said.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Nature reserve to close for 6 months

Nature reserve to close for 6 months


An eroded section of a trail in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve which will be restored. (PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES)

SINGAPORE'S most loved rainforest will, for the first time, be getting a much-needed reprieve from the hordes of people who traipse through it each day.

Come Sept 15, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve will close its doors to the public for six months.

This is the first phase of a two-year plan to repair the 22-year-old reserve, which is showing signs of damage in some areas.

After this, nature enthusiasts can venture into the reserve, but access will be limited for the next 18 months or so.

It will be open only on weekends, and people will be allowed only on the Main Road stretching from the visitor centre to the summit of Bukit Timah Hill.

The National Parks Board (NParks) announced these plans yesterday, adding that the arrangements were made for the safety of visitors during ongoing works. The phased approach was also taken to "minimise inconvenience to visitors", it said.

Works are expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

The 163ha nature reserve, home to more than 40 per cent of Singapore's native flora and fauna, is one of Singapore's most popular nature spots, with over 400,000 visitors last year.

"We seek the understanding of the public for the need to limit access... so extensive enhancements can be carried out to stabilise slopes, repair trails, upgrade the visitor centre and restore the forest environment," said Dr Leong Chee Chiew, commissioner of parks and recreation and deputy chief executive of NParks.

The restoration comes after about five years of observations and discussions with external consultants, NParks said, and will be done in three main areas:

Three stretches of weakened slopes bordering pathways will be stabilised to prevent landslides. This will be done by piling concrete or wooden beams into the pathway. The beams form a wall that prevents soil movement.

NParks will upgrade amenities such as an exhibition hall for outreach and educational activities. More washroom facilities will also be built.

About 4.5km of trails damaged by constant visitor footfall will be restored. A 1.3km stretch of this will also be replaced by boardwalks - elevated platforms that prevent visitors from trampling on forest litter and top soil.

Dr Shawn Lum, president of the Nature Society (Singapore), a group that NParks consulted, said that the proposed works would not only improve public safety, but would also boost the forest ecosystem's long-term health.

~News courtesy of My Paper~