Travel News International
Singapore focuses on ecotourism with two new wildlife parks
Mandai Park Holdings( MPH) has initiated work on its new‘ Mandai rejuvenation project’. This will see existing Singapore Zoo, River Safari and Night Safari expanded and supplemented with a brand new Bird Park and Rainforest Park as well.
The project will use‘ impacted land’ for redevelopment since 2008, as well as space currently used by Mandai’ s three nature parks. The project passed an Environmental Impact Assessment in October 2016.
“ Reviews and discussions on Mandai’ s rejuvenation have been going on for several years with various stakeholders. With the necessary government approvals now obtained, we are delighted to mark this milestone with our partners today,” said S Dhanabalan, Chairman of MPH.
The new Bird Park will feature a range of species, including many which are threatened in the wild, housed inlarge walk-through aviaries, themed after different regions of the world. MPH stated that it will adopt breeding, conservation, educational programmes, acting as a sanctuary where birds will be preserved, studied and reproduced.
The Rainforest Park will replicate a Southeast Asian jungle, with boardwalks elevating visitors into the multiple tiers, from ground level to the canopy. Aside the new parks, the project will create new entranceways to all of MPH’ s parks, a new basement transport hub, event spaces and new walkways.
The project will be completed in phases, with the Bird Park and Rainforest Park scheduled to open by 2020 and 2021 respectively.
UN declares 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2017 as the‘ International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development’ recalling the potential of tourism to advance the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals( SDGs).
The International Year aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behaviour towards a more sustainable tourism sector that can contribute effectively to the SDGs.
“ This is a unique opportunity to build a more responsible and committed tourism sector that can capitalise its immense potential in terms of economic prosperity, social inclusion, peace and understanding, cultural and environmental preservation,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
The International Year will promote tourism’ s role in the following five key areas:
( 1) Inclusive and sustainable economic growth;
( 2) Social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction;
( 3) Resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change;
( 4) Cultural values, diversity and heritage; and( 5) Mutual understanding, peace and security
12 | Travelnjoy | January 2017