Singapore

Singapore’s tourism industry is reaping the benefits of massive infrastructure investment which shows little sign of easing despite the global downturn.

Several major projects have contributed to the “greening” of Singapore, developing the Garden City in an ecologically friendly way.

Families

Lonely Planet’s latest Travel with Children guide ranks Singapore one of the world’s top 10 cities to visit with youngsters, and the top in Asia Pacific.

The best way to get your bearings is to hop on the Singapore Flyer. Launched last year, the observation wheel soars 165 metres above the ground – 30 metres taller than the London Eye. The Flyer provides views across the city to the islands of Indonesia.

Older kids – and parents – should visit the Marina Barrage, which has won architectural and environmental awards since opening a year ago. This impressive engineering feat provides the country’s first city reservoir and doubles as a venue for all kinds of watersports from boating to windsurfing. In 2010 it will stage the rowing and canoeing competitions in the Youth Olympic Games.

Families can dine at the Marina Barrage’s waterfront eateries or enjoy a picnic on the Green Roof, see the art installations and splash around at the courtyard’s water playground.

Nature lovers

The Marina Bay area is undergoing major redevelopment, which includes the creation of three waterfront gardens.

The largest will be the Gardens at Marina South, designed “to encapsulate colour, vibrancy and sustainability” next to the country’s first integrated resort at Marina Bay Sands. The first phase of the gardens development is due for completion next year.

Meanwhile, a novel new way of getting next to nature and enjoying Singapore’s flora and fauna is to trek at treetop level along the Southern Ridges walking trail. Nine kilometres of green spaces are linked by trails and connection bridges spanning the Mount Faber, Telok Blangah, Kent Ridge and West Coast parks. Walkers enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the forest and may glimpse squirrels, sunbirds or white-crested thrush.

The recently-opened Sentosa Nature Discovery Gallery aims to turn children into “nature detectives”, providing colourful exhibits and interactive attractions based around the island’s birds, insects and natural habitats.

Active types

Among several soft adventure attractions to open this year is Xtreme Skateboard @ East Coast, Singapore’s first international-standard skate board park. New on Sentosa Island is the Megazip Adventure Park, offering 450 metre zip-wire rides over the jungle and sea.

Due to open at Sentosa’s Siloso Beach this month is Singapore’s first facility for surfers. The Wave House is a music, entertainment and retail complex with a centre producing giant man-made waves for waterborne thrill seekers. Also planned nearby are the country’s first sky-diving simulator and the Azzura Hydro Sports Centre for boating and watersports.

Shopaholics

Seven million visitors a year stroll along Orchard Road, picking up top fashions and jewellery from more than 100 shops and boutiques.

Private and public investment totalling £700 million is being pumped into the area and this year alone has seen the opening of three new malls and glitzy new facades added to existing buildings.

The Orchard Road rejuvenation scheme also includes the installation of atmospheric street lighting.

Sports fans

Singapore enjoyed a valuable tourism boost by staging its first Formula One Grand Prix last year, and followed it up with the second this year. Another full programme of music and cultural events, in addition to motor-racing, is being planned for 2010.

Accommodation

The newest hotel is the Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island, which opened earlier this year and incorporates a lavishly restored colonial building with a stylish new extension. Set amid contemporary sculpture gardens, the hotel has 111 rooms, suites and garden villas. Typical rates start from £500 room-only next January.

Due to open early in 2010 is the Marina Bay Sands development, which will offer 2,600 rooms and suites, an ArtScience Museum, Las Vegas-style gaming, theatres, entertainment, shopping, restaurants and bars.

Four nights at the Marina Bay Sands with breakfast between April 1 and July 6 starts from £1,055 per person including flights and transfers.

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