Singapore transforms into entertainment capital of Asia

All eyes will be on Singapore later this month for the inaugural Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix and it’s a timely opportunity to highlight some of the other major entertainment developments and events that are helping to transform Singapore into Asia’s entertainment and event capital.

This small, vibrant nation with its fascinating ethnic culture, fabulous shopping, world-class facilities and unique attractions has a population of just 4.6 million, but attracted 10.3 million visitors in 2007, and with many high profile events and new entertainment offerings planned for the next few years this looks set to be a growing trend.

Divya Panickar, Area Director Northern and Western Europe for Singapore Tourism Board says: “Singapore has changed greatly over the past few years and people are constantly overwhelmed with its diversity and variety. It is no longer perceived as just a stop-over destination and with the wealth of new entertainment facilities and attractions and major world events, is fast becoming the place to visit in Asia for a fun packed and varied holiday, complete with a unique Singaporean twist.

“Singapore is also attracting many high profile events, including the Grand Prix that will be the world’s first Formula 1 night race on 28 September, the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race that will stop in Southeast Asia for the first time in December and the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in summer 2010, further raising Singapore’s profile as a world-class destination and inspiring even more people to visit,” adds Divya Panickar.

A round up of some of Singapore’s new entertainment attractions and events:

Launching in 2009, the Marina Bay Sands ‘integrated resort’ will offer a range of leisure facilities including Singapore’s first casino, an ArtScience Museum, a one-hectare rooftop Sky Park, a tropical oasis in the sky that will feature lush greenery, beautifully sculptured gardens, restaurants and swimming pools, plus a cutting-edge shopping mall with emerging labels and international brands, complete with boat rides on a canal and an indoor ice rink. For more info visit Marinabaysands.com.

Singapore’s second ‘integrated resort’ Resorts World Sentosa is opening in 2010 and will offer two major attractions, the first Universal Resorts theme park in Southeast Asia and the Marine Life Park, which will be the largest oceanarium in the world. Universal Studios Singapore will feature 24 rides and attractions, of which 18 are designed exclusively for Singapore. It will also be home to Singapore’s second casino. For more info visit Rwsentosa.com.

The 165-metre Singapore Flyer opened earlier this year and is the world’s largest observation wheel offering visitors fantastic panoramic views over Singapore and the Marina Bay area, plus neighbouring Indonesia and Malaysia. For more info visit Singaporeflyer.com.

Marina Bay will be home to the new National Art Gallery that is due to open in 2012. This world-class gallery is housed in the former City Hall, an important heritage building and will feature Southeast Asian art, plus play host to leading international art exhibitions. For more info visit Nationalartgallery.sg.

Singapore has long been known for its fantastic shopping and its most famous shopping street, Orchard Road is getting a massive revamp. One of the major new developments is the ION Orchard Mall that will boast 450 retail stores including luxury brands Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Prada, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and Giorgio Armani. Two other developments are the S$650 Orchard Central that will be the tallest pure-retail development in Singapore and the Somerset Central, a mid-market fashion shopping mall that is expected to be completed in 2010. For more information see Visitsingapore.com.

For real die hard shoppers there is Singapore’s largest retail mall, the colourful 1.1 million square feet VivoCity at the HarbourFront that houses leisure fashion brands as well as a wide variety of restaurants, food outlets and entertainment options. For more info visit Vivocity.com.sg.

WORLD EVENTS COMING TO SINGAPORE

The 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix on 28 September will be the first Formula 1 night race and the first street race in Asia. Held on the streets around the Marina Bay area, the 5.067km long street circuit will offer world-wide audiences a unique glimpse of Singapore’s cosmopolitan cityscape. Singapore will host the Grand Prix for the next five years.

To support the event visitors from 20 Sept – 5 October will be treated to many lifestyle events and exhibitions during the Singapore GP Season including the Singapore River Festival, Singapore Beer Festivals and Singapore Biennale 2008. For more info see Visitsingapore.com/sgpseason.

Singapore will also be the first Southeast Asian city to host the Volvo Ocean Race in Jan 2009, a premier off-shore yachting event. This race takes place over nine months, covering nearly 39,000 nautical miles of the globe’s most treacherous seas, raced over 11 legs. The 2008/09 race will visit 12 ports around the world and incorporate eight inshore races and eight ‘pro-am’ races. For more info visit Volvooceanrace.org.

And Singapore will make history again in 2010 when its hosts the inaugural Youth Olympic Games from 14-26 August. This 12-day event is expected to draw 3,200 athletes, aged between 14 and 18 years and 15,000 overall participants including athletes, officials, spectators and media. For more information go to Singapore2010.sg.