1 million reasons to smile for S’pore tourism

1 million reasons to smile for S’pore tourism
Record one million visitors a month means sector poised to meet year’s targets

Singapore set a new record yesterday with one million visitors in a month, and hailed its recovery from the tourism doldrums of last year.

Officials and industry players and now predicting the country will reach, or even exceed, visitorship and tourism receipt targets for the year.

Those set earlier by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) were for 11.5 million to 12.5 million visitors this year, and $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion in tourism receipts.

The board’s master plan envisages 17 million visitors annually by 2015, with $30 billion generated in receipts.

Speaking at a celebration ceremony yesterday at Changi Airport’s Budget Terminal, Mr Leong Yue Khong, assistant chief executive of the international group at STB, said he was “quietly confident” of hitting targets.

“(The visitorship growth) is sustainable. Barring any surprises like Sars or H1N1, we will continue to do well,” said Mr Leong, referring to disease outbreaks in 2003 and 2009 which dampened tourism.



The integrated resorts, already big tourist draws, are expected to open still more attractions, such as a museum at Marina Bay Sands and more rides at the Universal Studios theme park at Resorts World Sentosa.

Sentosa is developing more parts of the island and exploring the idea of adding new attractions.


And new attractions slated for the coming years, such as the Gardens by the Bay in the heard of the city and the River Safari in Mandai, should help to boost numbers her said.

Mr Leong said he expected the tourism infrastructure, such as hotel room supply, to be up to speed by 2015 to support the growth.

There are about 45,000 hotel rooms now. Mr Albert Choong, vice-president of the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA), said he expects another 10,000 in the next three to five years.

After a record 2007 which saw annual visitorship hit 10.3 million, Singapore saw arrivals dip over the next two years with the fallout from the global financial crisis in 2008 and the H1N1 flu pandemic last year. Visitor arrivals dropped to 10.1 million in 2008, and 9.7 million last year.



Things began to pick up at the end of last year and every month since December, the country has set monthly visitor arrival records, due in part to the openings of the integrated resorts.

With the newest record, an estimated average of 32,258 visitors arrives every day now.

Ten years ago, that number was 21,068 visitors a day, with 7.69 million visitors for 2000.

In the last decade, the visitor profile has also changed.

While Indonesians still make up the biggest numbers by far, the Chinese have now overtaken the Japanese as No.2.

Visitors from regional countries such as the Philippines and Thailand are also more numerous these days.

More top spenders are now also coming from Asia. In 2002, the year that the STB started analyzing tourism receipts by market, the top spenders were the Indonesians, Japanese and Indians, followed by the Australians and Americans.

In 2008, Indonesians were still the biggest spenders, followed by the Chinese, Indians, Australians and Filipinos.

If Singapore hits its targets for this year, the average spending per visitor would go up from about $1352 in 2000 to at least $1521 now.



Industry observers said that Singapore is on the right track, though some things could be improved, likes encouraging tourists to stay longer.

Mr Robert Khoo, president of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, said that while there are many more Chinese tourists, they tend to stay for just one or two days and spend more time in countries like Malaysia and Thailand.

Part of this, he said, was due to hotel room rates being more expensive in Singapore than in its regional competitors.

Ms Wu Kou Tian, 30, a hotel executive from Beijing, arrived yesterday after six days in Thailand. On a package tour of the region, she planned to stay just one day here. “I’m just here for shopping, then, we are going to Genting Highlands to gamble,” said Ms Wu.

Mr Choong from SHA said that operational costs in Singapore are almost on par with more expensive cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo.

“At the end of the day, the whole industry must be sustainable, or else nobody would want to build hotels here,” he said.

As a compromise, Mr Khoo suggested: “The Tourism Board could show that while Singapore’s rate: are not as cheap, we are a quality destination that; value for money.”

Yesterday, Mr Leong said that the industry knows best how to handle issues of demand and supply. With new attractions opening, he expected to see the average length of stay go up from 3.5 days to four days by next year.

Source: prime. News by Tessa Wong on 31 Jul 2010

Singapore At a Glance

Singapore At a Glance








In the heart of Asia lies Singapore – a bustling, world-class city-state that has made waves around the world for its business excellence, connectivity to the rest of the world, and innovation.

With its high standard of living, political stability and cosmopolitan outlook, Singapore is the ideal place to work, live and play.

Where Life is Good
Singapore is a republic in Southeast Asia of 710.2 sq km, approximately one degree north of the equator. The island is safe from natural calamities and the climate is tropical all year round.

The signature trait of Singapore is its multi-cultural makeup. Its people are made of Chinese (76.8%), Malay (13.9%), Indian (7.9%) and other races. This diversity also translates into a unique mix of religions, languages, cultural traditions and cuisines. The successful integration of the different segments of population has created a quiet respect for each other. In Singapore, it is not uncommon to find a mosque next to a temple, and mixed marriages reinforcing social cohesion.

The standard of living is high in Singapore. This is evident even by just walking around the city. Spanking new shopping malls and towering skyscrapers trace the Singapore skyline, while people travel on clean streets and a modern public transport system.

According to a 2004 survey by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC), expatriates expressed positive sentiments about living here, especially with regards to healthcare and educational services. Among its other attractive attributes are safety, cleanliness and efficiency. The Mercer Quality of Living 2009 also ranked Singapore top for quality of life in Asia.

A Playground for Global Talent

The business climate in Singapore is marked by robust trade and investment, providing professionals and investors a strong platform for working and doing business. Global citizens feel right at home in Singapore, with over 7,000 MNCs operating here. Singapore offers a stable base where companies can consolidate their knowledge and competitive advantage, leveraging their positions to seize opportunities and drive their expansion into the emerging markets of Asia.

The major industries in Singapore are electronics, oil and gas, financial services, shipping and chemicals, just to name a few. The Singapore government seeks to maintain its competitiveness by diversifying into value-added activities in the manufacturing and services sectors, as well as identifying and investing in new growth sectors, such as clean technology and biotechnology.

About one in four skilled workers in Singapore come from overseas. To work in Singapore is to join an international workforce that is highly skilled and proficient in English and often one other regional language. The government and corporations also believe in training, offering continuous opportunities to boost the qualifications, productivity and skills of the labour force. All these factors make Singapore-bred talent highly valued and sought after, especially in the light of a global economy.



Source: http://www.contactsingapore.sg/why_singapore/overview/

Business & Working Conditions in Singapore

Business & Working Conditions in Singapore
Singapore ranks high on the international scale for business.

Workforce














Singapore maintains top position in BERI’s Labour Force Evaluation Measure
Singapore has the best labour-employer relations in Asia
Foreign talent rank Singapore as Asia’s best country to work in
Singapore has the most motivated workforce in the Asia and Is ranked 3rd in the world
Singapore offers the best skilled labour in Asia Pacific
Singapore’s labour regulations are the most business conducive in Asia













Economy

Singapore is ranked the most competitive country in the world
Singapore is Asia's most competitive economy
Singapore is ranked 4th in the world and 1st in Asia for having the least corruption in its economy


Business Climate

Singapore is the world's easiest place to do business
Singapore is ranked the most transparent country in the world and Asia
Singapore is rated to have the best business environment in Asia Pacific and is No. 3 worldwide
Singapore is the least bureaucratic place for doing business in Asia
Singapore is first in the world for having the best protection of intellectual property



















Trade and Investment

Singapore is the world leader in foreign trade and investment
Singapore has been ranked No. 2 worldwide as the city with the best investment potential for 15 consecutive years
Singapore is ranked first for having the most open economy for international trade and investment










Technology and Infrastructure

Singapore is the world's 3rd most "network ready" country
Singapore ranks first as the most globalised city
Sources: http://www.contactsingapore.sg/why_singapore/rankings/business_working_conditions/#011

100,000 more foreign workers needed: Prime Minister Lee

100,000 more foreign workers needed: PM Lee
By Angela Lim – July 15th, 2010

Fuelled by the record growth the government is forecasting for the economy this year, more than 100,000 foreigners are set to enter Singapore’s workforce, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told The Straits Times.

PM Lee said the move was unavoidable as the labour market here is bursting at its seams.

“If we don’t allow the foreign workers in, you are going to have overheating,” he said. However, he assured Singaporeans that the government is managing the number, saying the calibration of foreign workers will moderate the inflow.

Mr Lee added, “Even with that, I imagine there will be more than 100,000 extra foreign workers this year. I cannot see it otherwise. But we have to accept that.”

This projected inflow is a slowdown, however, compared to the surge of 144,500 in 2007 and 157,000 in 2008.

Higher levy rates and a tiered system that came into effect at the start of this month makes it increasingly costly to employ many semi-skilled foreign workers. This allows employers time to adjust and invest in improving productivity.

Leong Wai Ho, an economist with Barclays Capital Investment Bank, does not think the inflow is excessive. “The addition of 100,000 probably reflects more discriminate and careful use of foreign workers, not that the levies have gone up,” he said.

Economists like Mr Leong see many foreign workers moving to fill spots in the hotel plus food and beverage sectors, as well as high-end industries such as electronics and marine, where demand for semi-skilled S-pass holders is high.

The hospitality sector in particular is in need of workers following the opening of the two new integrated resorts and a sudden increase in the number of tourists landing on Singapore shores.

In February, the government, in a bid to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign workers, said it would limit the numbers to one-third of the workforce which currently stands around three million. The total foreign population in the workforce came up to around one million last year.

Mr Teo Siong Seng, president of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry which has some 4,000 members, supports the policies to cut reliance on foreign workers.

“A more controlled inflow of foreign workers will benefit the country,” he said.

Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong also stressed the importance of a productivity-driven economy for sustainable growth in the next ten years. “In the short term, we would need to tap on more foreign workers to support economic growth… while maintaining the longer-term goal of reducing over-reliance on foreign workers through investments in productivity,” Mr Gan explained.

While many Singaporeans workers are concerned about the inflow, Labour MP Josephine Teo feels that companies facing a shortage of workers may find the increase in foreign workers “a welcome relief”.

Singapore’s economy continues on its way to chalking up two records this year: the highest growth in the country’s history and fastest recovery in Asia. This puts the country’s economy ahead of the pack, even beating global powerhouses India and China.

Source : http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/07/15/100000-more-foreign-workers-needed-pm-lee/

Why choose NIM DTHM over other PEI courses?

1. Industry relevant curriculum, taught by experienced industry specialists, from within advanced training facilities.

2. A program that focuses on a broad framework, providing students with the fundamental theoretical and practical knowledge required for a career in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Modules covered:

1. Introduction To Tourism & Hospitality

2. Service Quality Management

3. HR Recruitment & Performance

4. Tourism Operations Management

5. Global Distribution System (Amadeus)

6. Hotel Operations Management Applications (Opera)

7. Hospitality Operations Management l

8. Food & Beverage Management l

9. Industrial Attachment*
















Nanyang is the only school which provides Amadeus & Opera System at Diploma Level. Our lecturers are well experienced in these 2 systems, this enables them to train our students to the highest of standards and ensures they can move into the workplace and use the skills effectively. With these 2 modules, it makes our students more attractive to employers, when seeking industrial attachment.



What is OPERA?

OPERA Reservation features are integrated with other functionality such as profiles, cashiering, and deposits. This property management software module offers a complete set of features for making and updating individual, group, and business block reservations, including deposit handling, cancellations, confirmations, wait listing, room blocking, and sharing.


Therefore, all of the 4 to 6 star hotels are using this system, in order to serve their customers more efficiently. These hotels prefer to hire people who are proficient in using OPERA software. For this reason Nanyang students improve their chances of getting full time employment in the Hotel Industry.


What is Amadeus?

Amadeus is a leading transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry, providing transaction processing power and technology solutions to both travel providers (including full service carriers and low-cost airlines, hotels, rail operators, cruise and ferry operators, car rental companies and tour operators) and travel agencies (both online and offline).


The Amadeus system processed more than 670 million billable travel transactions in 2009.

Most Travel Agencies use this system, so for Nanyang students who have experience in using this will have better opportunities to find full time employment in tourism industrial jobs.

Testimonial of Ye Myo Aein

Ye Myo Aein

Existing Student

Jack’s Place Holding Pte Ltd



Hello Everybody, My name is Ye Myo Aein. I am an existing student from Nanyang Institute of Management. I got a lot of experienced concerning about Singapore Tourism and Hospitality Management during my study in NIM.


The lecturers are so experienced in each area of Tourism and Hospitality Industry. I am very appreciating to become the student of NIM. Now, I already finished my theory courses. In order to have the experience in Singapore Tourism and Hospitality Industry, the school arranged the industrial attachment at Jack’s Place restaurant.


I can gain not only the knowledge and experience of Singapore Hospitality and Tourism Industry, but also can earn my own salary during my attachment. I will work hard all the way through my attachment and I believe that I can get full time job as my senior Myanmar students after finish my attachment. Cause there always has a place for everybody who are really working hard on their jobs and study


. I wish you also can have a good chance with Nanyang Institute of Management.


All in all, I am very proud and appreciating to become one of the students from Nanyang Institute of Management and really want to say thank you to all the people from Nanyang.

How Marina IR can change S'pore tourism

How Marina IR can change S'pore tourism











SINGAPORE- INTEGRATED resort Marina Bay Sands will probably take three to seven years to reach a capacity that can help spur Singapore's tourism and convention industries, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said yesterday. This length of time will be necessary because the resort is a very big project, he said.

Marina Bay Sands cost its owner, American casino-resort company Las Vegas Sands, US$5.5 billion (S$7.5 billion). People also have to come and see the resort for themselves and enjoy it before word of mouth can help bring in more customers, MM Lee noted. He said: "Word has got to spread. And it can't spread at just one news conference or one display."

But once it is running at full steam, it will increase the number of visitors who come here for conventions, and the amount of tourism trade, by many times, he said. By that time, it will also "transform the nightlife of Singapore", he said.



He was speaking to journalists during his first official visit to Marina Bay Sands yesterday, ahead of its opening today.

He added that he wanted to visit the resort because he was interested to see "what are the bare-bone workings of it", so that he can form his own impressions of what he thought would be its chances of succeeding.

Mr Sheldon Adelson, the chairman of Las Vegas Sands, said that Mr Lee was being "a little too pessimistic".

He s a i d : "We'll be up and running at full speed by next year. A property like (Marina Bay Sands)...normally will take about a year to ramp (up)."

On the delay of Marina Bay Sands' opening, he said: "When you build a new property like this, everybody says (it'll) never open on time. But a property like this has to open in phases. We'll ramp up and do extremely well. The indications are very positive."

Originally, Marina Bay Sands was to have opened at the end of last year, but its first phase opened only on April 27. But Mr Adelson agreed that Mr Lee was right about the need for word on the development to get out so that people will get to know about it. Yesterday, MM Lee was given a tour of the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, the retail and dining area beside it, and the casino.

He was also given a sneak preview of the Sands SkyPark - located on the rooftop 200m above ground, which links the three hotel towers and houses swimming pools, restaurants and a viewing deck - which opens to the public tomorrow. Today, the resort will open its remaining 1,598 hotel rooms, more shops and restaurants, as well as additional facilities at its convention centre. In the coming year, other facilities, such as a museum and theatre, are slated to open.

On his impressions of Marina Bay Sands, Mr Lee said he found the resort luxurious and that its "striking, splendid" buildings add "to the landscape in a dramatic fashion".

MBS opens with a splash

MBS opens with a splash
By Rachel Chan, my paper Thu, Jun 24 2010
Close to 500,000 people have visited the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino so far this month.




CLOSE to 500,000 people have visited the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino so far this month - a number that MBS chief executive and president Thomas Arasi said that its management is "very happy with".

An average of 25,000 punters passed through the casino daily in the first seven weeks of operation, said Las Vegas Sands president and chief operating officer Michael Leven.

Mr Leven said that the Venetian Macao, another Las Vegas Sands-owned casino, sees 70,000 visitors daily.

Yesterday afternoon, Singapore's second integrated resort celebrated its grand opening.

It marked the occasion with events such as a concert starring Diana Ross and former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland and an extreme-stunt performance that saw eight sky divers leap off a helicopter, seeming to fly between three gates formed by giant balloons above the SkyPark, located on the rooftop 200m above ground.

All the 2,560 hotel rooms and suites are now available, whereas at the April 27 soft launch, only 963 were. There are now 80 shops and food-andbeverage outlets open, versus 35 shops and a more limited range of restaurants then.

The entire integrated resort (IR) - not just the casino - is expected to attract 18 million visitors - over 49,000 a day - when fully open. Construction of the entire MBS, including that of the two theatres, whose completions were delayed, is set to be finished by the end of this year.

With both IRs up and running, the Singapore Tourism Board is projecting 11.5 million to 12.5 million visitor arrivals this year - an increase of 20 to 30 per cent from a year ago. Singapore should rake in $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion in tourism receipts, up 40 to 50 per cent from a year ago.

The much-anticipated Sky- Park opens to the public today.

Mr Jean-Baptiste Debains, president of Louis Vuitton Asia- Pacific; Mr Michael Ault, owner of the exclusive Pangaea clubs; Mr Steven Adelman, co-founder of celebrity club Avalon, and Ms Claire Chiang, co-founder of Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, were also at the press conference to assure 1,100 journalists that their projects at MBS were on track to open.

Banyan Tree is opening a 20,000-sq ft spa in six months, while Louis Vuitton's store will open at the end of the year.

Asked about recent complaints by the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (Ipba) over power cuts, construction noise and other issues, Mr Leven denied that the glitches were because the resort had opened too soon.

"All projects (of this size and capability) open in stages. At this time, enough of the resort is open to satisfy guests' requirements," he said.

Las Vegas Sands is seeking to settle the dispute with Ipba, which is refusing to pay a $300,000 bill for using MBS' premises for a conference early last month.

"Our policy is to make love, not war... We want to resolve this amicably if we can," said Mr Sheldon Adelson, chief executive of Las Vegas Sands.

Glitz and glamour at Marina Bay Sands opening

Glitz and glamour at Marina Bay Sands opening
Posted: 23 June 2010 2209 hrs

VIPs and guests at MBS opening







SINGAPORE : It was a day of glitz and glamour at the opening of the Marina Bay Sands (MBS).

Grammy award-winning star Kelly Rowland - the headline act of the outdoor concert - wowed the crowd.

She was among the artistes who put on a power-packed performance on Wednesday.

The slight drizzle did not dampen the mood, and it was a real musical fiesta there with the likes of singers JJ Lin and Kelly Rowland performing.

But the main highlight has to be the legendary Diana Ross who performed on Wednesday night to 2,500 selected VIPs at the Sands Grand Ballroom.

Guests to the grand opening were also treated to a dazzling display in the sky, parachute jumps, as well as a Tower Climb competition at the Marina Bay Sands.

21 professional climbers scaled one of the three 55-storey hotel tower of Marina Bay Sands. The race is part of MBS' opening festivities.

"I am definitely excited. This is such a milestone for Singapore and it puts us on the world map when it comes to entertainment and tourist industry," said Singapore celebrity Andrea De Cruz.

"I am very excited to be here to perform. Looking at the crowd, it really is such a huge deal, so I am amazed by everything," said Sylvia Ratonel, a finalist of the Singapore Idol 2010.

But some VIPs found themselves stuck in a queue which snaked out to the road.

"I'm surprised to be standing at the side of the road, queuing. But such is the nature of the event. I suppose it's packed and everyone wants to be here. We have to go through security and this is the process," said Michael Palmer, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

However, guests were impressed with the grandeur of the integrated resort. And there's no doubt that it's already a Singapore icon. - CNA /ls

Singapore's Marina Bay Sands opens

SINGAPORE: Singapore's second integrated resort, the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) formally opened Wednesday, with its owner Sheldon G. Adelson, Chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp saying it would become the benchmark for future tourism development elsewhere.

"The MBS is not a casino-centric development project as in the old days," Adelson said.

He explained that his company's latest US$5.5 billion Singapore resort is a multi-amenities integrated facility which caters to all categories of visitors.

"It is like the bicycle spokes. Previously, the spokes led to the hub, where the casino was, but now lead to all amenities," he told a media crowd of about 1,100 journalists and television crew from over 60 countries, specially brought in for the resorts opening celebrations.



Adelson highlighted that among Las Vegas Sands Corp's integrated resorts, the MBS is the fourth, with the casino only occupying less than 10 per cent of its amenities.

He said for countries serious about boosting tourism and creating new jobs, the integrated resort model was unmatched.

"The MBS will now be the reference point by which all new tourism projects will be judged," he added.

He also said Singapore was already benefitting from the MBS with its tourist arrival figures on the rise since its soft opening on April 27.

The resort has been receiving about 125,000 visitors daily and about 500,000 people entered the casino this month.

Adelson said the casino expected its visitors to come from three market segments.

The primary segment he explained, comprised Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia with the second being Thailand and the Indo-Chinese countries while the third has Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Japan, India and the Philippines.

According to Adleson, he planned to open similar integrated resorts in the Mediterranean region, either in Spain, Greece or Italy, and in Seoul or Inchon in Korea, if local laws are in tune with his company's policy.

As part of the opening celebration, the rest of the hotel's 2,560 rooms and suites were thrown open for guests, along with additional shops, restaurants and facilities at Asia's largest expo and convention centre at the MBS.

Tomorrow, the much-anticipated 340-metre long rooftop strip, Sands SkyPark, will open. It is shaped like a floating ship in the sky and sits 60 stories high on three hotel towers like cricket-stumps and features swimming pools and gardens.

The MBS will continue to open additional features including theaters, a museum and crystal pavilions next year.

-- BERNAMA





Read more: http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/20100623161641/Article/#ixzz0rk0jd3zu

25,000 visit Marina Bay Sands casino daily

People queue up to enter the Marina Bay Sands casino in Singapore

25,000 visit Marina Bay Sands casino daily



SINGAPORE : The casino at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) sees an average of 25,000 visitors every day - a third being Singaporeans.

This was revealed at the official opening of Singapore's second integrated resort (IR) on Wednesday.

Marina Bay Sands refused to disclose revenue figures, only to say it is on track to meet the projected revenue of over US$1 billion by 2012. 60-70 per cent of this is expected from the casino floors.

Marina Bay Sands' CEO Thomas Arasi said this month alone, some 500,000 people passed through its casino.

In contrast, Resorts World Sentosa, which opened its casino during the Lunar New Year period in February, said it saw some 60,000 punters at its casino within three days of opening.

In a statement to MediaCorp, Resorts World Sentosa said: "As an integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa focuses on increasing visitor numbers to the entire resort, and not only the casino. The resort is on track to hitting its target of 13 million visitors a year. This breaks down to over 1 million visitors a month."

Marina Bay Sands was quick to add that unlike other entities in Las Vegas, its casino is not a hub but a destination in itself.

Sheldon Adelson, Chairman & CEO of Las Vegas Sands said: "I know that MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) facilities don't make money; showrooms don't make money. If you spend US$150-250million, building a theatre and producing a show, you can't get a return on it, so we need the casino to subsidise those returns.

"These amenities feed on one another and I don't believe that any casino should be more than 10 per cent of the total amount of built space."

The casino at Marina Bay Sands makes up just under 2 per cent of its entire floor area.

Marina Bay Sands has given the assurance that proper safeguards are in place to prevent problem gambling.

It was also revealed that a few minors slipped through security to enter the gaming floors in the early days of the casino opening.

"Basically those problems were training problems with the security guards... We think we've gotten over that. The safeguards, in terms of addictive gambling, we have that in our rules and regulations to try and identify those individuals in that category," said Michael Levin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands.

Separately, Adelson said he is ready to work out a settlement with the Inter Pacific Bar Association over an ongoing lawsuit.

The association held the first major conference at the resort.

But the event was besieged with problems, which included a power outage at one of the meetings.

"Our policy is to make love, not war. In the 40-year history of my being in the trade show and convention business, I have only sued two people. We don't want this to be perpetuated, we want to resolve the matter amicably if we can and finish it," said Adelson.

About 65 per cent of the integrated resort is now open. That includes all the 2,500 hotel rooms, convention facilities and about one-third of the retail shores.

The museum and theatre is expected to open by the end of the year and the flagship show "The Lion King" is expected to start its run by the end of the first quarter of 2011. - CNA/jy/ls

Why Singapore?

Two years ago, Jim Rogers sold his New York home, packed his bags, and left for Singapore. If you spend no more than three minutes on the ground here, you will see why.

For the internationalist, Singapore is as close to ‘perfect’ as could possibly be imagined:

1) It’s clean. And I mean eat-off-the-streets clean. Most big cities (Buenos Aires, New York, even Paris) feel like they need a good pressure wash… not Singapore. The air quality is clear, the bay water is blue, and the buildings almost glisten in the sunlight.

2) Everything just works. One of the problems you frequently encounter when you move overseas is that normal, everyday things aren’t up to the same standards that you are used to… internet service goes down, the hot water heater breaks frequently, the gas stations arbitrarily shut down, etc.

In Singapore, you can expect exactly the same standard of service and excellence as you would in London or San Francisco.

3) What crime? It doesn’t exist. Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world, right up there with Dubai and Vatican City. Ironically, visible police presence is minimal, contrary to western opinion that cops are walking around caning people for spitting on the street.

Singapore is a very popular place to visit. It is a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arabic and Western cultures. It is also one of the unique places in the world where there are in fact no conflicts between the cultures. Singapore is considered to be one of the safest places in the world! The homicide rate is only 0.38 per 100 000 inhabitants. This is extraordinary low if we compare it for example with Venezuela and Honduras that have 58 and 52 intentional homicides per 100,000 people respectively.

4) Great amenities. Healthcare in Singapore is second-to-none; in fact, it is promoting itself heavily as a medical tourism destination. Check out the Parkway Health center for more information.

The nightlife in Singapore is also pretty good… it’s not as wild as, say, Manila or Bangkok (darts, anyone?), but I would say it’s just as nice as London– plenty of restaurant choices, nightclubs, go-go bars, shopping, etc.

5) Last but not least, Singapore is open for business. It seems as if a bunch of really sharp entrepreneurs sat together in a back room somewhere several decades ago and devised plans for their own version of Galt’s Gulch.

Everything in Singapore is designed for business, and entrepreneurs in particular– from the residency program to investment incentives, I’m hard-pressed to think of a government that is more supportive of commerce than Singapore.

They are doing everything they can to attract the brightest minds and the best business people, all of whom make the city-state a better place.

I’m most impressed with the financial infrastructure, which I will be discussing in more detail tomorrow. Banking and corporate structures in Singapore are so clean and transparent, I would be shocked if it weren’t THE dominant world financial center in 20-years, and likely 10-years.

So is there any downside? Sure.

For starters, the cost of living can be ridiculous– Housing is by far the biggest expense, with average sales price for residential property in the neighborhood of 1,000 Singapore dollars per square foot, roughly $700 (US)… so a little 2-bedroom apartment will set you back about a half-million. Not cheap.

Fortunately, other things aren’t too bad. Food at the grocery store is actually quite reasonable, and the quality is excellent… so if you are into organic living, you won’t have any problems in Singapore.

Gas prices are also reasonable– diesel fuel runs about $3.30 / gallon, and a taxi ride just about anywhere in town will only set you back a couple of bucks.

And as for that dinner out on the town? Expect to pay Chicago prices, plates ranging from $15 to $50 depending on the quality of the restaurant. A Big Mac will set you back about $2.90 (US).

Testimonial of Tushar Salokhe

I am very thankful and grateful towards you for the support and co-operation.

All the experience in Singapore through the course was unforgettable.



In future also if somebody ask me I will recommend the Nanyang, where all teachers are initative, helpful,and motivate the students for bright future.



I am not going empty handed from Nanyang but carrying treasury of knowledge which will be helpful in my work place.



I will be going to New Zealand for work and will give first priority to Nanyang for my postgraduate studies.



Once again thank you very much!



Tushar Salokhe

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark: A view to die for!!!

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark: A view to die for!!!
By Angela Lim – June 21st, 2010




After months of anticipation, the “surfboard” sitting atop the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is ready to be unveiled to the public this Thursday.

Yahoo! Singapore got an early sneak peek at what is officially known as the SkyPark, and all I’ve got to say is — prepare to be wowed.

Standing at a dizzying 200m, the S$150 million SkyPark is a spacious lifestyle venue the size of two football fields or 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Designed like a tropical resort, the Skypark features stone walkways lined with timber decks and palm trees surrounding the infinity pool and jacuzzi tubs.

The public observation deck offers a glorious view of both the city skyline and the Marina Bay seafront. Check out the spectacular panoramic view from the top.

Enhancing the stunning landscape is the 150m infinity pool – the highest swimming pool in the country – that fittingly seems to stretch endlessly into the horizon. Hotel guests get to splash in and enjoy a luxurious dip more than 50 storeys above ground.

The up-and-coming rooftop hangout also houses a variety of restaurants and bars perfect for soaking in the breathtaking view. At $20, $14 and $17 for adult, child and senior citizen admissions respectively, the SkyPark costs less than the Singapore Flyer (S$29.50 for adult admission), which it overlooks.

For those who have been watching the progress of the SkyPark’s construction, the ”surfboard” is actually curved like a boomerang when one is viewing it from one end to another. Rimmed by 2m-high glass panels,visitors can get right up to the edge of the observation deck jutting out over the hotel towers for a spine-tingling view.





As part of its opening celebration this Wednesday, MBS is hosting the first-ever World Championship Climb in which 21 professional climbers will scale the facade of the three interlinked 55-storey hotel towers to the SkyPark on the 57th floor.

Hot favourite Team Commonwealth climber, Tim Emmett, 36, tells Yahoo! Singapore that this competition is a “first ever” for him and that MBS is the tallest building he’s scaled so far.

“It is a beautiful piece of architecture with the infinity pools and an incredible view. Can’t wait to take a splash after I’m done with the climb!” he gushes.

22-year-old student Marcus Chan tells Yahoo! Singapore, “The S$20 admission is slightly pricey but I’m curious to find out if the view from up there is really that amazing.”

MBS CEO Thomas Arasi sums up the top-of-the-world experience best by saying, “It is like a stage set before the city and the waterfront…When you are up at the Skypark, you will feel as if you are sitting on a cloud overlooking everything around you.”

Britain's Jobless: 2.47m Now Out Of Work

Unemployment increased by over 20,000 between February and April, as did the number of people classed as "economically inactive", official figures have shown.

Some 2.47 million people are now out of work in the UK after a rise of 23,000 - giving a jobless rate of 7.9%.

However, the number of people claiming jobseekers' allowance last month fell by 30,900 to 1.48 million, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Long-term and youth unemployment both increased, but the most striking figure was a 29,000 rise in the number of people classed as economically inactive.

That took the total to 8.19 million, which is some 21.5% of the working age population.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling told Sky News the figures underlined the challenge faced by the new Government.

"The reality is we have stubbornly high levels of unemployment, with a small increase in the last quarter," he said.

"Our goal is to get employment as low as we possibly can and we will only get that if we can get a vibrant and dynamic private sector creating jobs again."

Mr Grayling also defended the coalition's planned spending cuts, which a leading economist predicted would see 500,000 jobs lost.

The minister said reducing the deficit was a necessary step in generating wealth and enterprise.

"The Government can't provide an endless source of money to create jobs in this country," he said.

However, the shadow work and pensions secretary Yvette Cooper told Sky News the coalition appeared to have accepted unemployment was a price worth paying.

She added it was "terrible and shocking" that 90,000 planned jobs would disappear as a result of scrapping grants for the Future Jobs Fund.

"They want to make cuts now because they think it is more important to do that than support jobs," she said.

"I think that's the wrong approach and will cost us more in the long-term. If you support jobs, you save money in benefits payments."

The latest ONS figures also showed public sector employment fell by 7,000 in March to 6.09 million, while employees in private firms increased by 12,000 to 22.78 million.

Average pay increased by 4.2% in the year to April, down by 0.1% from the previous month.

Singapore GP reports a strong start to hospitality sales

Singapore GP reports a strong start to hospitality sales
•67% of available hospitality passes taken up
•Inventory increased by 5%
24 May 2010














Singapore, 24 May 2010 - Hospitality sales for the 2010 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX tickets have had a strong start. With more than four months still to go before the race, 67% of the hospitality inventory has already been taken up.
The hospitality inventory consists of Paddock Club, Sky, Club and Green Room passes situated at optimal viewing locations around the circuit park.
Outside of the Paddock Club, the most popular facilities have been the Pit Straight, Turn 1 Sky Suites and Turn 2 Club Suites. The Green Room, first introduced last year at Turn 3, was extended to new locations at Turn 1 and Turn 2 for 2010, and remains a popular choice. The Green Room at Turn 2 is already fully sold out.




“Each year we refine and improve the hospitality experience based on customer research and feedback. For 2010, we introduced a range of product enhancements by revising menus, offering more options for customisation, upgrading facilities and providing a dedicated entertainment line-up for hospitality guests," said Colin Syn, Deputy Chairman of Singapore GP Pte Ltd.
To meet the strong demand, race promoter Singapore GP will be increasing the available hospitality inventory by 5% from the previously announced 10,000 tickets to 10,500 tickets per day.



“It is great to see such a large number of clients who joined us in 2008 but missed last year’s race back again in 2010. Feedback on the numerous improvements made to all the hospitality offerings have been overwhelmingly positive and will contribute to an even more memorable guest experience,” said Darren Chen, Director of Corporate Sales, Singapore GP.
To ensure that guests continue to enjoy top-notch hospitality service, Singapore GP is also increasing the number of Suite Ambassadors hired this year. The elite crew, which are specially trained for the event, have had rave reviews over the last two years.
Of last year’s guests 96% commented that the overall service rendered at the hospitality suites was excellent, with many clients asking for the same Suite Ambassadors to return to their suites this year.
The three-day hospitality passes for the 2010 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX are priced from S$3,500 for the Green Room to S$8,000 for the Formula One Paddock Club™ ticket.

Singapore tops 'MOST COMPETITIVE NATIONS’ list

Singapore tops 'MOST COMPETITIVE NATIONS’ list
By Angela Lim – May 21st, 2010

It’s official — Singapore is now the world’s most competitive nation.

In the latest edition of the World Competitiveness Yearbook released by the Lausanne-based Institute for Management Development (IMD), Singapore dethroned the United States from its 16-year reign at the top. Hong Kong comes in a close second after the Lion City.

The yearbook is widely regarded to be the most updated and comprehensive ranking of the management of governments, businesses, people and infrastructure in industrialised and emerging nations. 58 key countries are assessed based on 320 different criteria including economic performance, government and business efficiency, exports, level of corruption and infrastructure.

Under business efficiency, it listed key criteria such as productivity, labour market, finance, management practices as well as attitudes and values.

Switzerland, Australia, Sweden, Canada, Taiwan, Norway and Malaysia make up the Top 10 http://www.imd.ch/research/publications/wcy/upload/scoreboard.pdf.

Stephane Garelli, Director of IMD’s World Competitiveness Centre, observed that while Asian nations were as badly-hit as others by the financial crisis, they had the ability to pull themselves out of recession much faster.

He tells TIME, “Singapore and Hong Kong suffered during the recession, but demonstrated a striking ability to rebound.”

Compared with the Western world, both countries are reaping the benefits of strong expansion in the surrounding Asian region, he adds.

He points out that during the first quarter of 2010, Singapore’s economy grew 13.1% and China’s 11.9%, while Europe struggled with a projected growth of only 1% this year.

As the largest industrialised nations like Japan, Germany and Great Britain continue to be saddled by debt, emerging economies like Brazil, Russia, India and China are becoming more robust.

“For the first time, the emerging economies seem to create an economic bloc, which becomes increasingly self-sufficient and encompasses markets with a growing middle class, raw materials, money and global brands,” Garelli says.

Source : http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/05/21/singapore-tops-most-competitive-nations-list/

Tourism contributes some 4% to Singapore’s GDP and is set to grow, boosted by a SGD 2 billion Tourism Development Fund.

Tourism contributes some 4% to Singapore’s GDP and is set to grow, boosted by a SGD 2 billion Tourism Development Fund.

Singapore’s reputation for shopping and dining is world-renowned and in recent years, our buffet of choices to tourists has both widened in scope and deepened in sophistication. Today, Singapore is well-regarded internationally as an all-round leisure and business destination.

The amazing two Integrated Resorts (IRs) has opened in 2010, they will boost tourism figures exponentially, with their engaging combination of convention and exhibition facilities, themed attractions, entertainment venues, recreation facilities, and hotel and retail mix. Marina Bay Sands will be an iconic centrepiece of the Marina Bay area when completed. With a development investment of S$3.84 billion by Las Vegas Sands, it will be one of the most expensive and lavish casinos in the world. Resorts World at Sentosa by consortium Genting International and Star Cruises will embrace a more family-encompassing entertainment theme, featuring the first Universal Studios in Southeast Asia, the world’s largest Marine Life Park and a destination spa.

Even before the opening of the IRs, other recent tourist magnets have created buzz and international attention, including the Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix night race and the Singapore Flyer.

Major employers in the tourism and hospitality industry include hotels, attractions, Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhitbitions (MICE) sector, travel companies, retail establishments and food and beverage enterprises.

Careers in Tourism & Hospitality

Industry News


Tourism & Hospitality Industry Overview
Tourism contributes some 4% to Singapore’s GDP and employs about 150,000 people. Visitor arrivals to Singapore reached 9.7 million in 2009, with tourism receipts from January to December 2009 reaching $12.5 billion.

Exciting Developments
The opening of the two Integrated Resorts (IRs) Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands in 2010 is expected to boost tourism figures exponentially, with their convention and exhibition facilities, themed attractions, entertainment venues, recreation facilities, as well as hotel and retail mix. Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix night race and the Singapore Flyer have also created buzz and attracted international attention.

Career Opportunities
Major employers in the tourism and hospitality industry include hotels, attractions, the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, travel companies, retail establishments, food and beverage enterprises and the two Integrated Resorts.

The tourism industry accepts committed and passionate individuals from all disciplines of study. Fresh entrants as well as mid-career professionals are welcome.


Attractions
Singapore’s attractions sector is bustling with popular tourist sites such as Universal Studios, the Singapore Flyer, the Zoo and the Night Safari.


Meetings , Incentive Travel, Conventions & Exhibition (MICE)
MICE activities play a significant role in strengthening Singapore’s positions as a tourism centre in Asia. Currently, more than 6,000 MICE events are held in Singapore annually.







Hotels & Accomodation
The hotels and accommodations sector has been performing well consistently. Upcoming developments and investments point to a continued, positive outlook for the sector in the mid to long term.




Integrated Resorts
Together, the two Integrated Resorts are expected to employ 20,000 directly, with another 30,000 jobs created throughout the economy.


About Singapore
In the heart of Asia lies Singapore – a bustling, world-class city state that has made waves around the world for its business excellence, connectivity to the world and its innovation.

Singapore has been consistently acknowledged as a global business hub – one that features developed infrastructure, political stability, open business policies, a skilled workforce, the use of English as the main working language and respect for intellectual properly rights. To date, more than 7,000 multinational companies have set up bases in Singapore, next to 100,000 small and medium enterprises. Business owners all over the world regard Singapore as an ideal location to grow their businesses, with many of them using the country as a springboard to tap into other emerging markets in Asia.

Besides being ranked by Doing Business 2009 (an annual report by the World bank Group which compares business regulations in 181 countries) as the world’s easiest place to do business, Singapore has, among its many accolades, the top ranking in the 2008-2009 Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum as being the most competitive economy in Asia, and was also ranked by the Worldwide Quality of Living Index 2007 (by Mercer Human Resource Consulting) as the top Asian country for its quality of life.

Global talent accounts for about 30% of the workforce, attracted by open recruitment policies, low personal taxation, a meritocratic society that embraces diversity, and a high quality of life in a cosmopolitan environment.

Steady Recovery for 2010

Apr 29, 2010 / Straits Times

ECONOMISTS looking for reasons to upgrade their Singapore growth forecasts into double-digit territory were presented with plenty yesterday.
A review by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) found that the economy's recovery from the global recession has been stronger than rebounds from previous downturns.
In fact, the economy has rallied so sharply that it is now about 2.8 per cent above its previous peak in the first quarter of 2008, the MAS said in its twice-yearly macroeconomic review yesterday.
And with the recovery broadening and global demand returning, the economy is likely to continue on a 'firm recovery path' for the rest of the year.
This is likely to raise hopes of higher economic growth than the Government's official forecast of 7 per cent to
9 per cent this year. Economists have suggested that even double-digit growth is not out of the question, as long as the economy stays on the recovery path in the coming months.