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