BIG Christmas attractions, festive decor, shopping promotions and fun online contests for the holiday season

SINGAPORE, 16 November 2009 – This holiday season, Changi Airport is celebrating Christmas in a BIG way – literally. The Big Musical Ball, from which delightful candies and colourful balls flow. The Big Snow Fantasy on which both adults and kids can bounce and slide on. The Bauble1 Tree, the tallest in Singapore. With these huge attractions and exciting activities at its terminals, Singapore Changi Airport is a must visit destination this Christmas! Whether it is holiday makers arriving at Changi or Singapore families coming to the airport for an outing, Changi Airport has created a magical Christmas experience for all. This year’s “The Big Christmas” celebration includes exciting Christmas attractions, festive decor, shopping promotions and engaging online contests for both travellers and Singapore residents. At Terminal 3 (departure level), two of the BIGGEST attractions await visitors – the Big Musical Ball and Big Snow Fantasy. Right in front of the central Departure Immigration gate sits the six-metre wide by six-metre tall Big Musical Ball, which revolves, lights up, plays music and opens up to reveal a little Bauble Tree – like a giant musical box. During peak visiting hours2, the Big Musical Ball will dispense candies and colourful balls at half-an-hour intervals, for the enjoyment of the public. Balls with  the Changi Airport logo can be exchanged for gifts at a nearby redemption booth. At Terminal 3 (near Check-in Row 11) is another highlight – the Big Snow Fantasy, a massive inflatable Bauble Castle measuring about 17 metres wide and eight metres tall, on which adults and children alike can bounce and slide on, with beautiful snow flakes showering around them. This giant inflatable castle is free of charge and is bound to provide endless  entertainment and delight to families and kids. Operating hours of the Big Snow Fantasy are from 12 noon to 10.00pm daily. Meanwhile, for outbound travellers, or passengers in transit, there is the tallest Christmas Bauble Tree in Singapore measuring eight metres high, located at the central foyer of the Terminal 3 Transit Mall. Besides Terminal 3, other terminals at Changi Airport are also decked out in festive  decorations this Christmas. As part of the festivities, there will also be a Christmas Bazaar located at the basement mall of Terminal 3. Promising a good variety of charming Christmas-themed products, including accessories, apparels, chocolates, books and other knick knacks, this bazaar is a good place to shop for Christmas gifts for family and friends. The Christmas Bazaar will be held from Thursday to Sunday every week, from 3 December to 27  December 2009. Full details on Christmas celebrations are available at www.ChristmasIsBigger.com. On this site, visitors can take part in an online contest by clicking on the digital replica of The Big Musical Ball for a chance to win Changi dollar vouchers and other premiums worth a total of S$4,000. On the Fans of Changi Facebook page[www.facebook.com/fansofchangi], “The Big Christmas” photography contest invites participants to upload their photographs taken of the Christmas celebrations at Changi Airport. From 11 November to 25 December 2009, one contestant whose photographs secure the highest number of ‘like’ votes will win a $50 Changi shopping voucher every week. “The Big Christmas” decorations will be displayed until 4 January 2010.

CAAS Receives Inaugural CAPA Air Navigation Services Provider of The Year Award

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has been named the Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP) of the Year by the Centre of Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). This new award seeks to recognize the increasingly vital role that air navigation services providers (ANSP) and their governments can play in improving air traffic management, thereby supporting airline operational efficiencies and particularly in reducing emissions.

CAAS provides air navigation services¹ in the Singapore Flight Information Region and at civil airports in Singapore including Changi Airport. Handling over 230,000 aircraft movements per annum, CAAS Air Traffic Services serves over 80 airlines operating at Changi Airport.  Today, Changi Airport handles more than 4,800 weekly services² , connecting Singapore to more than 190 cities in 60 countries.  In June this year, CAAS was named Best ANSP 2009 by International Air Transport Association (IATA) for being committed to providing value for money service and by taking positive steps to control infrastructure costs and related charges.

In recent years, high fuel prices have exerted cost pressures on airlines.  CAAS has, in close consultation with airlines / pilots, stepped up efforts to help airlines reduce operational costs by implementing a number of air traffic management initiatives that enable aircraft to fly shorter distances as well as more fuel-efficient flight profiles.  Runway throughput at Changi Airport has also been increased with optimal separation of aircraft, resulting in reduced delays to arriving and departing flights.  At the regional level, CAAS has proactively worked with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other States / ANSPs to improve air traffic flow and increase airspace capacity. 

“We are honoured to receive this award.  It is another endorsement of our continuing efforts in ensuring efficient air traffic flow in Singapore and the region, thus enabling airlines to reduce operational costs and benefiting the environment.  Besides initiatives to further improve the efficiency of aircraft movements at Changi Airport, CAAS will continue to work in close partnership with ICAO, IATA and other stakeholders to identify and implement air traffic management initiatives in the region,” said Mr Yap Ong Heng, Director-General of Civil Aviation on the CAPA award.

All Decked Out for a Glitzy Christmas this year!

Singapore, 3 November 2009 – This Christmas in the Tropics is set to be a jolly one, jam packed with celebrations and lifestyle experiences from 7 November 2009 to 3 January 2010. Compared to previous celebrations, the duration of this year’s light-up is slightly longer to allow visiting APEC delegates a chance to enjoy what could be the brightest Christmas celebration along the equator. “Christmas is a time for celebration and this year, with the economy showing signs of recovery, there is even more to cheer about. ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ is a key event on Singapore’s tourism calendar and the experience remains a dazzling one even after 25 years.

Many tourists from all over the world come to Singapore this year-end season to join us in the festivities each year,” said Mr Andrew Phua, Director of Tourism Shopping and Dining, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Last year, more than six million people visited Orchard Road and Marina Bay during Christmas in the Tropics, registering a slight increase over 2007. The 2008 surveywas based on 800 locals and visitors and found that overseas visitors to these precincts increased from 15 per cent in 2007 to almost 20 per cent last year. Locals and overseas visitors ranked the light-up well and gave an average rating of four out of fivefor Christmas in the Tropics campaign.

“This year, Orchard Road and Marina Bay will have different themes. As the first Christmas light-up after the Orchard Road infrastructural enhancements have been completed, key features such as the urban green rooms have been leveraged for the light-up. For the first time ever, Singapore River joins in the Christmas festivities with special promotions for revellers and party-goers. With so much happening, there will be lots of Christmas cheer to offer APEC delegates, visitors and locals and we hope they will immerse in the spirit of Christmas, right here in the tropics.” added Mr Phua.

 

The Hitachi Group of Companies has been the main sponsor of the Orchard Road light-up since 1991. “The Hitachi Group is delighted to support the Christmas light-up for the 19th year. Through this event, we hope to light up the lives of those in need through the funds raised by the Hitachi Group in Singapore. Our commitment to the community demonstrates our corporate credo to contribute to society through technology wherever Hitachi is located,” said Mr Yasunori Taga, Chief Executive for Asia, Hitachi, Ltd.

   

Under the direction of the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA), the Christmas light-up on Orchard Road is themed “A Christmas All Decked Out ” to showcase fashion as one of the key experiences of shopping on Orchard Road. Various snowmen, reindeers and even Santa Claus have been given style makeovers and are decked up in the latest fashions of the season. The design of each zone within Orchard Road focuses on a key Christmas icon and leverages on the new infrastructural features.

 

“The Christmas light-up theme for Orchard Road is a close reflection of its brand position as ‘A Great Street’. Fashion and style are closely associated with this lifestyle and shopping nexus, while the traditional icons of Christmas are familiar to all. Hence in combining the edgy with the traditional, we have a formula that is all-inclusive,” said Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) chairman, Mrs May Sng.

 

Over at Marina Bay, the Baywatch Association presents a unique waterside experience with “A Glitzy Christmas by the Bay“. The light-up at Marina Bay this year is 3.7km long and will stretch across the Esplanade Drive. “With its unique waterfront location, the Christmas light-up at Marina Bay takes inspiration from the mythological tale of the Midas’ Touch where oceanic design elements like waves and a bejewelled clam motif turn into a glittering gold extravaganza, symbolising royalty and abundance, and suitable for the year-end holiday season.” said Mr Lim Yue Khim, President of Baywatch Association.

 

 

Celebrating ” A Glitzy Christmas by the Bay“. The light-up at Marina Bay this year is 3.7km long and will stretch across the Esplanade Drive. Christmas by the Singapore River“, one of Singapore’s most–visited nightlife and entertainment precinct, will also be decked out in their holiday best from 20 November 2009 to 3 January 2010. Visitors to the Singapore River will enjoy a traditional Christmas as they partake in the irresistible festive retail, nightlife and food and beverage promotions along the river, set against the backdrop of traditional Christmas-themed music and dance performances on Read Bridge at Clarke Quay, carolling at Arts House, Empress Place and ice-skating performances at Central.

  

Christmas Festivities

 

This holiday season, many event organisers and businesses have also prepared a whole slew of lifestyle offerings ranging from entertainment, dining, retail to spa options. 

 

 

As part of the “2009 reasons to enjoy Singapore” campaign, visitors will enjoy special promotions like the ‘Celebrations Hotel Deal’ which offers a free third night’s stay for every two nights booked as well as a ‘2-plus-2 attractions promotion’ which offers two free tickets with every purchase of two adult tickets by overseas visitors at participating attractions including the Singapore Flyer, Sentosa and The Mint Museum of Toys.  

 

To celebrate the transformation of Orchard Road with the completion of the street enhancements as well as the opening of new malls, ORBA is also introducing the ‘ Celebrations Hotel Deal’ which offers a free third night’s stay for every two nights booked as well as a ‘2-plus-2 attractions promotion’ which offers two free tickets with every purchase of two adult tickets by overseas visitors at participating attractions including the Singapore Flyer, Sentosa and The Mint Museum of Toys. Best Dressed Building Contest’. 11 buildings along the 2.2 km stretch will be decked out in their festive best to compete for prizes worth a total of $200,000. Members of the public can play their part by voting for their favourite building via SMS. For the month of December, the Orchard Road pedestrian mall and urban green rooms will also be abuzz with roving pantomime, acrobatic and dance performances.

 

 Celebrate Christmas in Singapore takes place on Orchard Road from 18 to 25 December this year. The nativity story and other Christmas performances, dances and dramas will be presented by local and overseas performing groups. Kids will love the interactive interpretation of the Christmas Story on display at Plaza Singapura. All this will culminate in a grand concert finale on Christmas day at 8pm in front of Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza where seven colourful Christmas floats will be part of the festivities as well.

 

Another highlight of the Christmas in the Tropics celebration is Mandarin Gallery’s ‘Reindeers All Decked Out’ contest. To mark its launch, Mandarin Gallery has collaborated with designer tenants like Ashley Isham, Liu Weiling and Ben Wu to deck out fibre glass reindeers in designer garb for this festive season. Supporters of these designers get to vote for their favourite reindeer and one lucky winner will stand to win dining vouchers. Seasonal Shopping

Shoppers will have plenty to be delighted about this holiday season as they get more value out of their spending.

 

Visa, as strategic partner, is teaming up with Singapore Tourism Board to celebrate Christmas and the New Year through the annual Christmas in the Tropics event. Tourists visiting Singapore during this period and transacting with their Visa cards will enjoy promotions including shopping, dining and accommodation, catering to a spectacular holiday season getaway in Singapore.

 

Ms Meranda Chan, country manager, Singapore and Brunei, Visa said, “As the Singapore Tourism Board’s strategic partner, we are encouraging our cardholders in Asia Pacific to come visit Singapore this holiday season and while here, enjoy great values and special experiences when they use their Visa card. We want Visa cardholders to have a good time and remember Singapore for its delicious culinary fare, exciting shopping benefits and world-class accommodations all year-round and especially during the ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ event.”

 

Christmas – An Entire Lifestyle Experience

 

The festive season will not be complete without great feasting. Special dining promotions like free meals for two kids for every two paying adults by The Scarlet Hotel.and Meritus Mandarin , Lawry’s the Prime Rib, and special festive menus are available at Hediard

 

 

And for a feast of the senses, the Esplanade will be presenting

Vienna’s Boys Choir, while the Singapore Repertory Theatre will bring to life tales of Charlotte’s Web and The Jungle Book. Be entranced by the performances at the Arena Waterfront by Reverie: Cirque on Ice.

 

Party animals can also head out to the Singapore River as well as some of the most happening parties this season with Asia’s biggest all-night beach party, ZoukOut taking place on 12 December 2009. To usher in the new year, one can choose from Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, the Sky Symphony Countdown at The Jewel Box or the Siloso Beach Party  at Sentosa.

SINGAPORE, 30 October 2009 – EZ-Link Pte Ltd and MasterCard Worldwide today launched the ‘EZ For Me campaign’ to highlight the benefits to MasterCard cardholders when they top up the new ez-link cards with their MasterCard. For the first time, MasterCard cardholders will be able to use their cards to reload their ez-link cards via EZ-Reload and EZ-Online. Besides the assurance of having sufficient funds in their ez-link cards when making transit or retail payments and the convenience of topping up online, MasterCard cardholders also stand to win attractive prizes throughout the one-year ‘EZ for Me’ campaign. 

Win Free Rides with EZ for Me Campaign

From 15 October 2009 to 31 October 2010, anyone who links a MasterCard credit or debit account to his or her ez-link card using either the EZ-Reload by Card or EZ-Online service is eligible to enter the EZ-Link-MasterCard ‘Free Rides’ Contest. All they have to do is to register for the contest at www.ezforme.com.sg and use any of these two top-up channels to earn chances to win prizes in the lucky draws. Every top-up made during the contest period can earn the user up to 5 chances of winning in the monthly draw where 10 lucky winners stand to win $100 worth of free rides.

Five grand prize winners stand to win $1000 worth of free rides at the grand draw at the end of the campaign. These values will be added to the winners’ ez-link cards and can be used to pay for SMRT and bus rides, and ez-link retail purchases.

On-the-Go Top-ups with EZ-Reload

Ideally suited for busy executives or individuals who are constantly on the move, EZ-Reload via MasterCard enables automatic top-ups at train turnstiles, bus readers, new generation in-vehicle units (IU) or selected retail merchants every time there are insufficient funds in the ez-link card. This means that there will be no more last minute top-up scares at Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries for drivers with the new IUs. In addition, MasterCard cardholders can easily track their EZ-Reload top-up transactions via their monthly MasterCard credit or debit card statement and earn credit or debit card loyalty/rewards points. To use EZ-Reload, ez-link cardholders can conveniently apply online at the EZ-Link website (www.ezlink.com.sg). There is no application fee and the processing time for any application takes only about 5 working days, after which the user just needs to do a one-time activation of his or her ez-link card at any General Ticketing Machine (GTM) or TransitLink Ticket Office. A $0.25 convenience fee applies for each top-up.

Skip Queues with EZ-Online

Holders of ez-link cards who prefer to skip the queues and top-up their cards in the comfort of their own homes at anytime will find EZ-Online an excellent option. All they need is a PC, Internet connection, and the new EZ-Online reader for the new ez-link cards that are on sale online from EZ-Link’s website, www.ezlink.com.sg as well as at selected outlets in Sim Lim Square Funan DigitaLife Mall (Please refer to Annex A in press release for a full listing). These can be purchased at $39 to $59, depending on the retailers’ bundled package with other computer accessories sold. The additional benefit of these readers is that they allow users to instantly review the last 30 transactions they have made on the card, enabling them to track and manage their travel and retail expenses easily. Furthermore, it offers users the flexibility to control the top-up value for each reload.

Users who do not wish to buy the EZ-Online Reader but still wish to top up a loved one’s ez-link card can use the EZ-Online service via a different mode called ‘Top & Tap’. To do so, all they need to do is log on to EZ-Link’s website and click on the ‘Top & Tap’ button, fill in the designated ez-link CAN number that is to be topped up, select the amount and key in their MasterCard details. Once the amount has been approved, the cardholder can update the designated card with the approved amount at any AXS D-Pay station.

SINGAPORE, 28 October 2009 – For air passengers at Singapore Changi Airport, HSBC will soon be greeting them when they fly into the airport, and bidding them bon voyage as they depart from Singapore’s shores. In an unprecedented move to allow advertising on its aerobridges, Changi Airport Group (CAG) has established a two-year advertising partnership with HSBC which will see the financial services group brand all 92 aerobridges at the airport with its advertisements.

Starting 28 October 2009, the external surfaces of the aerobridges across Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at Changi Airport will progressively carry the latest advertisements of HSBC’s global branding campaign, with the whole exercise to be completed by December 2009.

Mr Guy Harvey-Samuel, CEO of HSBC in Singapore, said, “HSBC is delighted to have been invited to brand the aerobridges at Changi Airport – one of the busiest airports in the world. This strategic partnership will enable the HSBC brand to reach some 37 million people who pass through Singapore’s Changi Airport every year.”

Chief Executive Officer of Changi Airport Group, Mr Lee Seow Hiang said, “This is the first time that Changi Airport is making available its aerobridges for advertising, and we are heartened by HSBC’s recognition of Changi as an effective platform to reach out to a vast international audience. With passengers numbering more than 37 million in 2008 and arriving from about 200 destinations, Changi Airport provides global advertisers with the advantage of connecting with a large and truly diverse audience from all corners of the world.”

HSBC’s global branding campaign depicts the different perspectives that its customers have toward the values and priorities in life, and how HSBC’s ability to understand these diverse values is integral to its success as the world’s local bank. As part of this campaign, HSBC has specially developed a set of five new advertisements that feature uniquely Singaporean images such as the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles and a Peranakan shop house. These will be displayed at the aerobridges, with the smallest dimension measuring 4 metres by 1.5 metres, and the largest dimension measuring 9.1 metres by 2.8 metres.

An integral part of HSBC’s global airport branding strategy, aerobridge advertising is a concept pioneered by HSBC and launched at London’s Heathrow Airport in 2002. The HSBC brand now greets travellers on the aerobridges of 45 airports across some 20 countries including key financial hubs like Delhi and Mumbai, Jarkarta, Bangkok, Sydney, Zurich, New York and Miami. As one of the world’s leading air hubs, Changi Airport extends HSBC’s global branding strategy.

In 2008, some 37.7 million passengers passed through Changi Airport’s terminals, and for the first nine months of 2009, Changi handled a total of 26.7 million passengers. As at 1 October 2009, 87 airlines fly to Changi Airport, serving 196 cities in 60 countries around the world.

To allow advertisers to reach out to the millions that arrive at Changi Airport yearly, there is a wide array of more than 200 static, digital and ambient advertising opportunities throughout the terminals, on top of the latest addition to the list – 92 aerobridges. “Changi Airport Group is keen to work with advertisers on creative and innovative publicity concepts that enable businesses to meet their campaign objectives and stretch their advertising dollar and which, at the same time, add interesting visual elements and colour to the ambience at the airport,” added Mr Lee.

Mr Harvey-Samuel said, “HSBC’s presence at airports around the world demonstrates the length, breadth and depth of our international network, as one of the world’s largest banking and financial organisations. As a global bank, our airport advertising strategy also enables us to touch customers who are increasingly mobile and worldly.”

“Our presence at Changi Airport also underscores HSBC’s strong, successful and longstanding franchise in Singapore, our commitment to serve our customers, residents or visitors alike, and grow and develop our business here.” he added.

About HSBC in Singapore

The HSBC Group’s history in Singapore dates back to 1877 when its founding member, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, opened its first branch. Today, HSBC has 10 branches incorporating 6 HSBC Premier centres and 28 automated teller machines in Singapore. A qualifying full bank, HSBC in Singapore offers a comprehensive range of services including personal and commercial banking, investment and private banking, insurance, forfaiting and trustee services, securities and capital markets services.

 

 

 

21 October 2009 – Customers on SMRT Taxis will now be able to use EZ-Reload, an auto top-up service which enables them to use their new ez-link cards to pay for their taxi fares without having to worry about insufficient card value. All SMRT Taxis are equipped to facilitate EZ-Reload for new CEPAS-compliant ez-link cards. SMRT Taxis Vice President Mr Lo Chee Wen said, “Our latest collaboration with EZ-Link explores an innovative way to improve our services and enhance customer experience. The EZ-Reload function offers our customers a hassle-free and convenient method of cashless payment, without the worry of insufficient funds. Since the launch of payment by ez-link cards last year, our customers have told us that they regularly use their ez-link cards to pay for taxi rides as it is very convenient”. SMRT was the first taxi operator to introduce taxi fare payment by ez-link cards in December 2008. Customers do not have to pay an additional fee for each transaction as the administrative charge has been waived until 2010. With the new EZ-Reload facility, the user’s new ez-link card is linked to a credit, charge, debit or bank account, enabling a pre-selected top-up value of either $20, $30, $40 or $50 to automatically be added to the card when the card balance is insufficient for the transaction value needed. With the adoption of the EZ-Reload auto top-up facility, travelling by SMRT Taxis is made easier for customers. “EZ-Reload makes going around town so much easier whether you are a motorist who needs to pay for your Electronic Road Pricing payments, a commuter who uses bus and SMRT trains, or now a customer of SMRT Taxis. With EZ-Reload you need not worry about having insufficient funds in your ez-link card as you will always have enough value in your card,” said Nicholas Lee, Executive Director of EZ-Link Pte Ltd. Cardholders of ez-link can visit http://www.ezlink.com.sg/consumer/consumer_auto.jsp to find out more about EZ-Reload. About EZ-Link Pte Ltd A subsidiary of the Land Transport Authority, EZ-Link Pte Ltd was formed on 8 January 2002. Its core business is the clearing and settlement of all ez-link card transactions generated in transit and non-transit (retail/merchant) environments, as well as the sale, distribution and overall management of ez-link cards. Prior to CEPAS, EZ-Link had issued over 10 million ez-link cards. To date, the company has sold and replaced over 5.8 million new ez-link cards which are CEPAS-compliant. This is in tandem with the government’s plan to promote cashless payments in Singapore. In line with this vision, the new ez-link card is now also accepted as a mode of payment for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and soon at carparks fitted with the Electronic Payment System (EPS) when used in the 2nd Generation In-vehicle Unit (2GIU). EZ-Reload was first launched in 2003, as Auto Credit card Top-up service, in July 2009 it has been rebranded as EZ-Reload to offer a wider range of sources of funds to top-up the new adult anonymous ez-link cards which are CEPAS-compliant. They now include bank accounts, charge accounts, credit and debit card accounts. EZ-Reloads are also expanded to occur whenever there are insufficient funds in your card to make payments for transit, such as buses, trains and SMRT taxis, as well as at selected EZ-Link merchants. EZ-Link also introduced the FEVO card in 2009, marking the first time in Singapore that a non-bank entity is authorized to issue a pre-paid card that offers its customers an innovative payment option which has the convenience of a reloadable stored-value card that is accepted at over 28.5 million retailers and merchants around the world. For more information, please visit www.ezlink.com.sg About SMRT Taxis SMRT Taxis is the wholly-owned subsidiary of SMRT Corporation Ltd, Singapore’s premier multi-modal transport service provider. With its fleet of more than 2,600, SMRT Taxis offer a wide selection of vehicles, from environmentally-friendly taxis powered by compressed natural gas, to London cabs, large capacity multi-purpose vehicles and luxurious Chrysler taxis, to serve the needs of every commuter.

Strategic partnership to help boost visitor arrivals to Singapore and stimulate visitor spending

Singapore, 7 October 2009 – Visa and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today to jointly promote Singapore to Visa cardholders
over three years.

Under this MOU, Visa cardholders visiting Singapore will enjoy exclusive benefits and promotions with merchants, retail associations and attractions during events such as Christmas in the Tropics, the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games and the Singapore Grand Prix Season. This strategic marketing partnership aims to attract more visitors to Singapore and help stimulate visitors’ spending while they are here.

Mr. David Lee, President, Asia Pacific, Visa said, “Today marks an important milestone for Visa in partnering with STB to support the promotion of Singapore as a destination of choice. We want to encourage more travellers to put Singapore on their travel itinerary, whether for work or leisure, and while here, enjoy the security and convenience when using their Visa card. When they come to Singapore we want them to know there are great experiences, exciting shopping benefits for
Visa cardholders all-year round and during ‘Christmas in the Tropics’, the Singapore Grand Prix Season and the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games where Visa will be the only card
accepted onsite at the Games.”

“As a worldwide partner of the Olympic Games, Visa is happy to work with STB on marketing campaigns targeted at cardholders both in Singapore and to help increase Singapore inbound tourism during the months leading up to the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games,” Mr Lee said.

Said Ms Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive, STB: “We are excited to work with Visa, an established and trusted brand in the travel and tourism industry. Not only will this partnership enable
consumers to benefit from the exclusive privileges and enjoy the convenience and peace of mind offered by Visa, it will also enable us to reach out to potential travellers in many of our key source markets in a targeted way.”

From hosting world-class events, such as the FORMULA ONE night race and the Singapore Grand Prix Season, to offering a new-look Orchard Road with trendy malls like ION Orchard,
Orchard Central and 313 @ Somerset, the tourism landscape in Singapore has never been more vibrant. With the completion of iconic tourism products such as the integrated resorts, the
International Cruise Terminal, the River Safari and Gardens by the Bay within the next few years, Singapore will present more exciting lifestyle and entertainment options to visitors.

Coupled with the trend of shorter trips to destinations closer to home, greater accessibility afforded by competitive pricing of air travel within the region, and increasing preference for planning trips and making transactions online, the partnership between STB and Visa is indeed timely.

Said Ms Aw: “Through joint marketing efforts to promote Singapore and its events to Visa cardholders, we want to entice more people to travel to our city and experience the many exciting travel and lifestyle products that we have here in Singapore.”

This partnership is part of STB’s overall strategy to work with like-minded organisations to promote Singapore as a choice destination and enhance the Singapore experience for visitors.

Visa is a longtime supporter of tourism industries throughout the world, with a network consisting of more than 28 million merchant outlets and 1.7 billion cards in circulation worldwide. As a result of its strategic partnerships with many merchants and corporations around the world, Visa cardholders benefit from travel, accommodation and entertainment promotions. These extensive merchant and marketing relationships, as well as Visa’s unsurpassed acceptance around the world, has helped to encourage growth in retail, travel and entertainment segments.

About Visa
Visa Inc. operates the world’s largest retail electronic payments network providing processing services and payment product platforms. This includes consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial brands. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world, and Visa/PLUS is one of the world’s largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in more than 200 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

Singapore, 2 October 2009 – The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) today marked a major milestone in the construction of the International Cruise Terminal (ICT), a groundbreaking development that brings Singapore closer to realising its aspiration to be the cruise hub of the region.

Held at the Marina South Pier, within close proximity of the future site of the ICT, the ICT Groundbreaking Ceremony was officiated by the Guest-of-Honour, Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry. Over 100 guests, comprising key industry partners, attended the event.

To be completed by the end of 2011, the ICT will double Singapore’s berth capacity and enable more cruise ships to homeport and call on Singapore and Asia. With the ICT’s deep waters, a large turning basin and lack of height restrictions, the world’s largest ships, such as the Oasis-class ships being built now, will be able to call at Singapore and enjoy dedicated cruise terminal facilities. It will complement the existing Singapore Cruise Centre at the Southern Waterfront precinct.

Singapore’s first purpose-built cruise terminal has been designed to ensure smooth and seamless accessibility for both passengers and cruise ships, to achieve quick passenger turnaround of 30 minutes from the point of disembarkation to the point of departure from the terminal. Its state-of-the-art functional capabilities and distinctive nautical-themed architecture harmonises with the terminal’s functions and settings to enhance the sense of arrival for cruise passengers, and will add to the architectural gems of the Singapore skyline in the Marina Bay area.

The new terminal is expected to meet the projected growth of the Asia-Pacific cruise industry, which constitutes about 7 per cent of the world’s cruise market today. The region continues to be a vital source of cruise passengers as well as an exotic and desirable destination for avid cruise passengers from the Western markets.

Asia, with its year-round tropical climate, varied landscapes, warm hospitality and multi-cultural appeal, fueled by the growth of low cost carriers and the traffic that they generate, is fast becoming the new cruise playground. The world’s top cruise players are increasing their presence in Asia and offering more cruises with Asian itineraries. Addressing the guests at the ceremony, Minister Lim noted that the ICT will harness the positive growth momentum in the region and spur the growth of Singapore’s cruise industry. “The Asian cruise industry is at the cusp of significant growth, and the opportunities for the region and Singapore are tremendous. The ICT will be a strategic enabler to achieve Singapore’s aspiration to be a cruise hub of Asia and gateway to the region, and testifies to Singapore’s continued commitment to the development of the Asian cruise industry,” he said. As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and as the current chair of the ASEAN Cruise Working Group, Singapore is working closely with ASEAN members to create a cruise-friendly environment in the region, develop enticing cruise itineraries and promote ASEAN as a cruise destination. Cruise lines have also joined hands to further develop the regional cruise industry and establish Asia as a must-visit destination in the global cruise itinerary. Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Silversea and Star Cruise have formed the Asia Cruise Association (ACA) in Singapore, thus entrenching Singapore’s position as a hub for the region. Said ACA’s spokesperson, Jennifer Yap, “We believe our planned initiatives to promote the development, professional growth and commercial success of the cruise industry will significantly raise the profile of cruising in Asia.” Ms Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, highlighted the growth potential of Singapore’s cruise industry: “Singapore’s cruise passenger throughput has grown steadily, registering a healthy average annual growth rate of 12% between 2003 and 2008. The industry has remained resilient amid the economic downturn, evident in the 20% growth in arrivals in the first half of this year against the same period last year. The STB targets to attract 1.6 million cruise passengers by 2015.” According to the Singapore Cruise Centre, more than 1,000 ships called last year, contributing to a passenger throughput of over 920,000. The majority of these passengers were from Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Europe – demonstrating Singapore’s international appeal as a cruise destination. The first half of 2009 saw 540,000 cruise arrivals and it is projected that Singapore will welcome its one-millionth cruise passenger by year end. Leveraging Singapore’s prime location at the nexus of major international maritime routes as well as its excellent land, air and sea connectivity to destinations worldwide, the ICT will be a strategically located and world-class cruise terminal that will be abuzz with activity all year round. Its location, in Singapore’s new downtown lifestyle and financial hub, will complement business facilities as well as new leisure and entertainment attractions such as the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay SandsTM, Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Barrage. The ICT was designed by internationally-renowned architects, Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, Inc. (BA) and RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd. JTC Corporation, the leading agency in industrial development, was appointed as the Development Agent of the ICT.

Winning titles will be showcased at the world’s largest book fair in Frankfurt, Germany Singapore, September 28, 2009 – GuideGecko.com, the innovative publishing platform and bookstore for travel, lifestyle and entertainment guides is pleased to announce the winners of the first GuideGecko International Writing Contest. Budding authors from all over the world have submitted 67 independent travel, lifestyle or entertainment guides within the 5 week contest. The 1st Prize is awarded to Mr. Karl I. Muller of Rancho Palos Verdes near Los Angeles, California, for his guide titled “Budget Travel in Japan”, garnering a total of 295 votes. Mr. Muller, now living in Seoul, Korea, is awarded a personal trip to the Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2009 to promote his title. The 2nd prize goes to Mr. Oliver Hickfang from Bochum, Germany for “PocketTravel Chengdu”, his personal contribution to promote Chengdu to travelers worldwide in an effort to help overcome the tragedies of the recent disastrous earthquake. “PocketTravel Chengdu” received 198 votes. Ms. Anisah Ahmad from Singapore wins 3rd prize for “Hong Kong: A Diamond in the Rough”, garnering 128 votes. GuideGecko will feature the top three titles at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The 4th and 5th prizes go to Naleeza for “Malta” and Ms. Lorraine Koh for “Stargazing in Seoul”, respectively, who win Lonely Planet travel guides of their choice. Winners have been selected by online voting on www.GuideGecko.com. “I am extremely excited and happy to have won this contest, competing with entries from all over the world. I look forward to attending the book fair, giving me international exposure in the process. This is a wonderful opportunity to advance my writing career,” says Karl I. Muller, the 1st Prize winner and author of “Budget Travel in Japan”. Mr. Muller will be promoting his winning title at the Frankfurt Book Fair from 14 to 18 October 2009. Frankfurt is the largest and most important book fair in the world, attracting over 10,000 journalists and 299,000 visitors. The winning guides will be showcased on GuideGecko’s booth B100 in Hall 3.0, starting point of the official book fair press tour. All winning and participating guides are available at www.guidegecko.com. Detailed contest results can be found at www.guidegecko.com/writing-contest-submissions. About GuideGecko GuideGecko is an innovative publishing platform and travel bookstore for travel, lifestyle and entertainment guides. GuideGecko currently offers more than 2200 guides on 169 countries and 270 cities and regions around the world. All well-known series are available, including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and Insight Guides, along with a large variety of less conventional titles such as Hedonist’s Guides and Trailblazer, amongst many others. GuideGecko invites casual writers, bloggers and established authors to publish and sell their own guides on www.GuideGecko.com. GuideGecko makes such guides available as PDF downloads and as printed books/booklets. Publishing is free and authors earn 50-75% on every copy sold. Become a writer and get published on GuideGecko!