By Lee Hyo-sik
Ahead of the year-end holiday season, Singapore is getting ready to host visitors from all over the world. Travelers seeking to experience unique Christmas-related activities and services in the tropics will descend in droves.
Since Nov. 20, the city state has been holding an annual celebratory event, ``Christmas in the Tropics,’’ in a downtown area where visitors can enjoy a wide array of fun-filled activities and exciting entertainment options. The festival will last through Jan. 2 next year.
Singapore’s main shopping districts ㅡ Orchard Road and Marina Bay ㅡ will be lit up in a dazzling display of lights to celebrate the Christmas season. Orchard Road will be lit to the theme ``Starlit Christmas’’ where different colored zones will enliven the atmosphere along Singapore’s premier shipping district.
Over at Marina Bay, the Baywatch Association presents a unique bayside experience with ``Marina Bay Christmas Splendor,’’ with its water-inspired lighting design reflected in its sophisticated colors of blue and silver to coincide with the colors of the surrounding waters.
About 6.31 million people came to Singapore to celebrate ``Christmas in the Tropics’’ last year, visiting both Orchard Road and Marina Bay, in 2009, according to the Singapore Tourism Board.
Additionally, event organizers and businesses have also prepared other special offerings and experiences this holiday season, ranging from entertainment, dining and retail to spa options.
Among others, the theme of ``Christmas in Love’’ will be expressed through song, dance and theater on Orchard Road. On Dec. 17-25, spectators can revel in the festive spirit with nightly live music and drama performances, as well as drive past spectacularly decorated Christmas floats.
No Christmas is complete without shopping. Shoppers will have plenty to get excited about during the holiday season in Singapore as they get more value for their spending.
In partnership with the tourism board, ION Orchard, one of the country’s largest shopping malls, will offer tourists who spend more than $500 at ION shops a chance to be selected as the ``Star on Orchard’’ winner of the day. Winners will be entitled to activate the Orchard Road Christmas lights and ION Orchard’s Christmas lights, as well as receive attractive prices.
Eleven malls on Orchard Road are also joining hands to attract as many tourists as possible by rewarding those who spend with Visa cards a range of incentives.
``Christmas is a special occasion that many visitors and locals look forward to every year. Over the years, ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ has become a key fixture in Singapore’s tourism calendar, and we have seen many first timers and repeat visitors come to Singapore to enjoy the festivities. We are confident that this year, amid an evolved tourism landscape, our activities line-up and new tourism offerings will attract even more tourists,’’ said a spokeswoman at the Korean branch of the Singapore Tourism Board.