Please Continue to visit the Singapore Zoo

Tourism targets may not be met
By Lim Wei Chean

THE global economic slowdown, rising inflation and high oil prices have put the brakes on Singapore's tourism industry, causing the tourism board to express concern that it could fail to meet this year's target of 10.8 million visitors.

After 51 months of consecutive growth in tourist arrivals, Singapore saw its second year-on-year decline for July.

Last month, 916,000 foreigners visited the Republic. Though the highest number to date this year, and better than June's 817,000, it was a drop of 3.8 per cent from last July's 953,000 visitors.

There are more reasons to worry: Only four of the top 15 visitor-generating countries saw growth compared with the same period last year.

The four, according to the latest report released yesterday by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), are: Vietnam (17.3 per cent growth, with 29,000 visitors); Germany, (8.3 per cent growth, 13,000); India (7.1 per cent growth, 63,000); and Australia (5.1 per cent growth, 80,000).

Singapore's top tourists, the Indonesians, dropped in number to 167,000, down 13 per cent from last July, and the No. 2 market, China, dipped 4 per cent to 105,000.

The weakening of the industry can be traced back to April when visitor arrivals expanded at a slower rate of 0.8 per cent over the previous year, the lowest growth in 51 months.

Industry players say the global economic slowdown along with high fuel prices are reasons for tourists staying away.

Mr Michael Soh, who runs Diamond Tours specialising in the China market, estimated that the decline in business from Chinese tourists could be as high as 40 per cent.

He said the Sichuan quake saw the local government cutting back on official travel. Other factors include the Beijing Olympics and commercial flights from China to new destinations like Taiwan.

Hotels, which experienced a boom with record room rates and occupancy in the last two years, have been hit by the drop in arrivals.

Said Shangri-La Singapore's general manager Thierry Douin: 'We did so well last year that this is unexpected. We are definitely not seeing the figures we hoped to get for this year.'

July's average room occupancy was down 5.7 percentage points to 85 per cent. The STB reported that average room rates were up from last July by 14.3 per cent at $238. And revenue was estimated at $180 million, up 6.2 per cent from last year.

Hotels from The Sentosa Resort to Meritus Mandarin cited the softening of corporate travel as a major factor for the decline as corporate clients are the ones who can afford to pay the more expensive rates now commanded by Singapore hotels.

Companies have cut both the number of employees travelling as well as the number of days spent travelling, the hoteliers said. At the Shangri-La, corporate demand has dropped by 10 to 15 per cent over the same period last year. At the Royal Plaza on Scotts, corporate business has fallen from 90 per cent of overall occupancy to 85 per cent.

But hoteliers are expecting demand to pick up in the second half of the year with events like the world's first Formula One night race next month.

The STB said in its statement that the downward trend for June and July 'reflects the challenging global economic environment and outlook for the tourism sector, which may continue into 2009'.

Although Singapore may fall short of its arrivals target, STB is trying to hit its tourist spending target of $15.5 billion. A spokesman said it is boosting efforts in marketing Singapore in traditional source markets with big spenders, like Indonesia, and promoting major events like Christmas in the Tropics.

Save the Whale!

'No whale sharks'

By Ang Yiying

NATURE and animal welfare groups in Singapore have banded together again to oppose the move by the integrated resort on Sentosa to bring in whale sharks for its oceanarium.

The Singapore Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the Nature Society of Singapore and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) objected publicly to the plan when Resorts World at Sentosa unveiled it in 2006.

With International Whale Shark Day being observed on Saturday, the groups said it was timely to create awareness of the issue again.

SPCA executive officer Deirdre Moss said the society was concerned about the welfare of the whale shark as some have died in captivity overseas.

She said: 'When we're talking about the biggest fish in the ocean, one has to ask the question, 'Who is benefiting? Is it the animal or is it the human?' The animal's welfare will definitely be compromised.'

Whale sharks can grow to 12m long and possibly up to 20m.

At very least this whale won't be eaten up by the Japanese...

Student goes to Zoo

Eco Tourism Through Conservation (Announcements)

18-Mar-2008
An Enrichment Programme Organised by the Singapore Zoological Gardens by Saksampan Ketprayoon, Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management student
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“I am glad to join this enrichment programme in which my classmates and I were given the opportunity to find out how zookeepers handle and manage the animals. We also touched the creepy crawlies and fluttering butterflies in the Fragile Forest Walk, an open zoo with various invertebrates and vertebrates species.

I learnt that the zoo places high priority in the conservation of the environment and breeding through animal exchange programmes. This is so as to keep attracting both local and foreign visitors to this popular tourist attraction. Animals are placed in spacious enclosures modeled after their natural habitats. Through the exchange programme, animals are loaned from other zoos which resulted in the breeding of healthier offspring.

Our group gathered to watch the various animals performed at the animal show. It highlighted the conservation message and was entertaining.

On the whole, it is truly an enjoyable and educational experience.”

Happy Birthday Singapore

Singapore's 43th Birthday.

China, Bejing Olympics 2008 Opening

Wow! Its so colourful and huge.

More Fun and Games for Singapore

Marina Bay Sand and Resort World at Sentosa

http://www.marinabaysand.com.sg/marinabaysand_004.com
http://www.resortsworldsentosa.com.sg/

Resort World @ Sentosa Resorts World at Sentosa is the name of the integrated resort in development stages on the island of Sentosa, off the southern coast of Singapore. The S$6 billion (US$3.6 billion) integrated resort is developed by Genting International, the overseas investment arm of the Genting Group. Due to complete in early 2010, the mammoth resort will occupy over 49 hectares of land and will employ more than 10,000 people directly.

Universal Studios Singapore
Resorts World at Sentosa's Universal Studios Singapore will be Southeast Asia's first and only Universal Studios theme park and it will feature 24 attractions, with 18 rides exclusively designed for the park, including a pair of duelling roller coasters where friends and siblings can !¡±compete!¡L on separate coasters that meet in near-collision moments. The park will be divided into six zones - including Superhero City, Egypt, New York, The Lost World and Hollywood.

Marine Life Park
Spanning 8 ha, the Marine Life Park of Resorts World at Sentosa will be the world's largest oceanarium [3], holding more than 20 million gallons of salt water habitats. It will be home to the whale sharks as well as over 700,000 fish of various sizes and colours. Visitors to the oceanarium will also be able to swim among whale sharks inside a 6.6 million gallon lagoon.
The Marine Life Park aims to spur interest in marine science education, research and stewardship.

Maritime Xperiential Museum
The Maritime Xperiential Museum of Resorts World at Sentosa is the first in the region that celebrates the diversity and richness of Asia's maritime history. The museum will house a 360-degree multimedia theatre where visitors can trace the history of the maritime Silk Route from the 9th to the 19th century, through an interactive, multi-sensory process.

Equarius Water Park
The Equarius Water Park of Resorts World at Sentosa is a water theme park nestled under the canopy of Sentosa!|s rainforest, with water rides integrated into the island!|s natural tropical environment. Incorporating the latest water theme park technology, the Equarius Water Park will feature "Water Coaster", a water flume that winds through treetops and the jungle; "Snakes and Ladders" where water flows upwards; a surf pool that will offer a variety of wave types for surfers, and a specially designed water-based adventure zone.

Zoo's latest Wildlife Unlimited Plus

http://www.zoo.com.sg/getinvolved/membership_WUplus.htm

Enjoy unlimited access to Singapore's 3 exciting parks all year.

The Bird Park, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo.

Its the WILDLIFE UNLIMITED PLUS Membership, currently introductory price at $380

Wildlife Unlimited Plus
Promotion period: 1st June 2008 till 31st September 2008

Membership Category Family** Individual
Wildlife Unlimited Plus
(WU Plus) $380
(usual $430) $170
(usual $190)

** Family membership is limited to 2 adults and up to 3 children (3 – 12 years old)

Benefits of Wildlife Unlimited Plus:

Free admission to Jurong BirdPark, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo
Free tram rides/ Panorail rides# (Not valid on Saturday, Sunday and Public holidays)
Complimentary parking at Singapore Zoo & Night Safari
10% discount at participating retail outlets
10% discount at participating F&B outlets
Receive quarterly Wildlife Wonders Magazines worth $24
Email updates on the latest happenings and promotions for all 3 parks

# Free Night Safari Trams & Jurong BirdPark Panorail rides are only valid for a single round-trip from the main station. Panorail rides are only available at the Jurong BirdPark.

Terms & Conditions of Membership

Membership card is strictly NON-TRANSFERABLE
Membership privilege is only extended to persons whose names and photographs are on the card+
Family membership is limited to 2 adults and up to 3 children (3 – 12 years old)
Official documents maybe requested for verification purposes
Replacement fee for the loss of membership card is $20 per card
As a gesture of goodwill for family memberships, we allow only ONE foreign domestic worker++ or a grandparent to take the place of an absent parent
Free Night Safari trams and Jurong BirdPark Panorail rides are only valid for a single round-trip from the main station
Panorail rides are only available at the Jurong BirdPark.
Discounts are not applicable for animal photography nor animal rides
All membership discounts are suspended during the first 10 days of the Chinese Lunar New Year

Membership fees are non-refundable

The management of Wildlife Reserves Singapore reserves the rights to reject any application and to terminate a membership without refund if terms of the membership are not complied with.

+ Photographs are required for membership application (including ALL co-members for family application) Photos must be submitted within 14 days of application .

++ The management reserves the right to deny entry should there be no valid work permit available for verification.