IN its attempt to explode the myth that Singapore is nothing more than a stopover destination, the Singapore Tourism Board has devised a range of sample itineraries which demonstrate what the country has to offer.
Six itineraries have been put together to suit different types of visitor including first-timers, couples, senior citizens and families.
All of these focus on attractions not usually associated with Singapore such as its Night Safari, the Japanese Gardens, many other parks and gardens, and its temples.
Each itinerary is five days long to emphasise the fact that Singapore could be considered as a holiday destination in its own right.
The tourist board has also included a sample five-day itinerary for repeat visitors to show that Singapore has enough attractions to draw people back a second and even a third time.
“We want to show that there is a lot going on in Singapore for people of all ages and all types, and that the destination has changed a lot so there are now many new attractions,” said the STB’s UK regional director Aaron Hung.
Suggested activities for repeat visitors include shopping in the suburbs, a trip to Chinatown or Little India, an evening at the opera, a trip to Pulau Ubin island, and a visit to Tang Dynasty Village for a spot of Chinese culture.
Included in the itinerary for senior citizens are such things as breakfast at a hawker centre, where visitors get the chance to try out a selection of local dishes from outdoor food stalls.
Other options are visits to the Botanic Gardens, dinner in the famous Tiffin Room at the Raffles Hotel followed by a Singapore Sling in the hotel bar, and a visit to the Asian Civilisations Museum and TheBattle Box World War II bunker at Fort Canning park.
For families the tourist board recommends trips to the Singapore Zoological Gardens, the Jurong Bird Park, an afternoon at the high-tech Singapore Science Centre and also a day on Sentosa Island.
For evening entertainment, it suggests dinner at one of Singapore’s themed restaurants such as Planet Hollywood or the Hard Rock Cafe.
The Singapore Tourism Board’s sample itineraries can be accessed on the Internet at www.newasia-singapore.com.