6.3.2019 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 22
Destination Singapore
More robust offerings in making
To keep its allure for Germany and key European markets,
the Lion City is banking on Sentosa’s rejuvenation and a
lineup of global events year-round, writes Pamela Chow
G
ermany remains a key longhaul
market for Singapore, keeping
its position as the city’s sec-
ond top arrivals source from
Europe, with vistor volume rising 1.3 per
cent year-on-year to reach 317,750 in the
January to November 2018 period.
During that period, total visitorship
from Europe reached almost 1.9 million,
marking a 10.8 per cent increase from the
same timeframe in 2017.
To maintain these numbers, Singapore
is shoring up a host of developments in
2019 and beyond. Most imminent is the
opening of three new hotels on Sentosa Is-
land by Far East Hospitality (FEH), mark-
ing the debut of mid-range accommoda-
tion options on the island.
Opening in April 2019 are Village Hotel
at Sentosa, offering 606 rooms including
family rooms, and the 193-key adults-only
Outpost Hotel. In 3Q2019, The Barracks
Hotel will open its 40 rooms in a con-
served colonial building.
With the entrance of FEH’s more af-
fordable offerings on the island, Sentosa is
expected to gain points with the European
market, which has eschewed five-star lux-
ury accommodation for three- to four-star
boutique hotels, said Guy Allison, director
of procurement, Tour East Holdings.
He projected that Sentosa’s new afford-
able offerings are likely to enhance its ap-
peal to Europeans and families, and pos-
sibly entice them to extend their stay in
Singapore.
“Sentosa’s becoming quite a family des-
tination. It’s starting to attract people to
stay in Singapore for not just one or two
nights, but three or four – maybe even
a week. With the new developments, it
might even become a destination in itself,”
he added.
While Singapore remains a costlier des-
tination than its neighbours, Allison also
stated that the country is “becoming more
value-for-money” and more affordable
compared to five years ago.
Market trends for 2019
To strengthening its branding, the
Sentosa Development Corporation has
partnered the Singapore Tourism Board
(STB) in the Epic Adventures consumer
co-branding campaign, shared Lynette
Pang, assistant chief executive, marketing
group, STB.
“Through our marketing promotions,
we continue to position Sentosa as an
exciting island destination, ideal for fami-
lies with young kids, with plenty of ac-
tivities and offerings available to visitors
from the foodie, explorer, action seeker
and socialiser passion tribes,” described
Pang.
This month, STB has also launched the
second wave of its Passion Made Possible
destination marketing in Germany. This
wave will target “action seekers” – global
fans of sporting activities – with material
such as promotional films featuring Sin-
gaporean athletes as well as international
sports stars, such as Olympic gold med-
allist Joseph Schooling and former tennis
champion Martina Hingis.
The films will spotlight sporting ac-
tivities available in Singapore, such as go-
karting, skating and wakeboarding, as well
as sporting events such as the annual For-
mula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and HSBC
Singapore Rugby Sevens.
AJ Hackett Bungy Jump, one of Sentosa’s myraid attractions
Singapore is also boasting a calendar of
events poised to stimulate the growth of
European arrivals, said Tan Yen Nee, re-
gional director, Europe, STB.
The country will this year commemo-
rate its bicentennial with events such as
an experiential showcase at Fort Canning
Centre from June to September, and the
Find Your Place in History trails that will
feature projection installations at various
historical spots. In 1H2019, the opening of Design Or-
chard – a retail and creative space for local
designers and brands – as well as Jewel at
Changi Airport are expected to rejuvenate
the retail scene.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s growing culi-
nary scene will be spiced up with a series
of five 50 Best events, starting with The
World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards this
year – the first country outside of the UK
to host the awards.
The property also offers meeting spaces
ranging from the Private Room, good for 12
guests, to the Salon, which can hold 220 pax
theatre-style. Other facilities include a spa,
gym and saltwater pool. designed by French architect and
designer Jacques Garcia. Facilities
include F&B options, a 25m-long rooftop
lap pool and gym. Its sister property Six
Senses Duxton is a five-minute walk
away, and offers 49 guestrooms housed
in a colonial-style 19 th century heritage
building.
What’s new
Behind the scenes of Teochew
opera
In this tour created by Xperience
Singapore, visitors can now peek behind
the curtain of traditional Chinese Opera
performances and meet third-generation
performers from one of Singapore’s last
remaining Teochew opera and puppetry
troupes.
Get a glimpse of how performers
apply their expressive makeup and wear
their costumes, learn the meanings
behind the costumes and choreography,
and even don a costume and perform a
skit under guidance of the masters.
Judy Lum
General manager,
Diethelm Travel (Singapore) Explore Little India’s back lanes
Take a walk down the back lanes of
Little India at night, and learn more
about the rich history of this cultural
precinct through immersive activities
like learning to tie a turban and feasting
on traditional Mughlai dishes in a North
Indian restaurant. The new tour, Down to
the Bare Walls, is operated by A+B Edu
Tours and Travel.
In Singapore, Germans like sightseeing
and food. They are game to try local fare
and dislike stopping at shops. The older
visitors tend to book sightseeing tours,
while the younger Germans tend to go for
walking tours covering the ethnic enclaves
of Chinatown, Little India and Kampong
Glam; and they love to chill out at Haji Lane
and al fresco places in the evenings. They
appreciate culture, arts and history, and are
very keen on local experiences. Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
The city-state’s first Kempinski
hotel stands in the downtown Civic
and Cultural District, offering 157
guestrooms and suites spanning almost
50 unique configurations. In all eight
room categories however, guests can
expect regular mod-cons such as a
Sonos audio system, complimentary
Wi-Fi, complimentary non-alcoholic
beverages and a work desk area.
Amara Heritage Trail
Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa, home to
the old soldier quarters and the last World
War II air raid shelters on Sentosa Island,
has launched the Amara Heritage Trail to
tour its restored colonial-style architecture
and grounds. The tour uncovers the nature,
conservation and history hidden within the
resort through World War II-related sites and
stories, providing a glimpse of the lives of
British soldiers during the colonial era.
Six Senses Maxwell
Opened in December 2018, Six Senses
Maxwell offers 120 keys in a property
Orchard Rendezvous Hotel
Far East Hospitality has refurbished the
iconic Orchard Parade Hotel to Orchard
Rendezvous Hotel, drawing inspiration
from the neighbouring Botanical Gardens
to offer guests a garden-like retreat.
The 388-key Orchard Rendezvous Hotel
offers room sizes that start from the 26m 2
Superiors and go up to the 76m 2 One
Bedroom Deluxe Suites. Amenities on-site
include a club lounge, outdoor swimming
pool and lobby bar.
From left: Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore; tour of Teochew opera