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.
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.