Singapore’s Christmas in the Tropics

Singapore’s popular ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ celebrations, which started on 20 November 2010, will run until 2 January 2011.

Visitors can look forward to a season packed with celebratory events and lifestyle experiences, as well as a wide array of fun filled activities and exciting entertainment options. Singapore’s main shopping districts, Orchard Road and Marina Bay, boast a dazzling display of lights to celebrate the Yuletide season.

In an inaugural partnership between the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and ION Orchard, tourists who spend a minimum of Sin$500 at ION shops will stand a chance to be selected as the ‘Star On Orchard’ winner of the day. All daily winners are entitled to activate the Orchard Road Christmas Light-up and ION Orchard’s Christmas Lighting, as well as receive prizes. This will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until 25 December.

“Christmas is a special occasion that many visitors and locals look forward to every year. Over the years, ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ has become a key fixture in Singapore’s tourism calendar, and we have seen many first timers and repeat visitors come to Singapore to enjoy the festivities. We are confident that this year, amidst an evolved tourism landscape, our activities line-up and new tourism offerings will attract even more tourists,” said Mr Andrew Phua, Director of Precinct Development, STB.

About 6.31 million people celebrated ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ last year, visiting both Orchard Road and Marina Bay. This was a slight increase in visitor arrivals compared to 2008.

This year marks the first time that international jeweller, Tiffany & Co., is a major sponsor of the Christmas Light-Up. The American jeweller has partnered many iconic Christmas celebrations over the world, including New York City’s Fifth Avenue Holiday decorations and London’s Somerset House.

"Tiffany & Co. is thrilled to be part of Singapore’s annual Christmas Light-Up which is the highlight of the country’s efforts to celebrate the Holiday season of joy and giving. The blue theme and the blue-accented Tiffany Christmas trees along Orchard Road will serve to enhance our central message of Joy and how Tiffany has sought to enrich the lives of its customers with enduring gifts of extraordinary beauty. All our stores throughout the city will also glow in blue with the thematic window displays, echoing that blue is the color of dreams,” said Ms Hew Yee Min, Managing Director of Tiffany & Co.

The blue section along Orchard Road will see Tiffany & Co.’s three 8 metre-high Christmas trees decked in the iconic Tiffany blue boxes and white bows to mark the magical moments this Christmas.

Christmas Festivities and Seasonal Shopping

This holiday season, event organisers and businesses have prepared a host of lifestyle offerings and experiences ranging from entertainment, dining, retail to spa options.

Members of the public will get to vote via SMS before 5 December 2010 for the ‘Best Dressed Building Contest’ organised by ORBA. A total of 11 buildings along the 2.2 km stretch of Orchard Road will be decked out in their festive best to compete for prizes worth a total of Sin$170,000.

Celebrate Christmas in Singapore takes place on Orchard Road until 25 December this year. For the last seven years, CCIS has told the story of Christmas in various entertaining ways. This year’s theme of “Christmas is Love” will be expressed through song, dance and theatre. During the nine days of CCIS, spectators can revel in the festive spirit with nightly music and drama performances, as well as a drive past of spectacularly decorated Christmas floats.

No Christmas is complete without shopping. Visa, as a strategic partner, is once again collaborating with STB to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Tourists visiting Singapore during the ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ period will enjoy shopping privileges when they transact with their Visa cards.

Meranda Chan, Country Manager, Singapore and Brunei, Visa, said, “From our recent survey on travel intentions in Asia Pacific, we know that travellers planning to visit Singapore are drawn to the city’s food and shopping and would pay extra for new cultural experiences. ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ has established itself as an annual festive event tourists look forward to and Visa will launch a series of attractive cardholder promotions to boost Singapore’s reputation as the preferred destination for shopping and cultural revue.”

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