Singapore's Project Postcard Wins Over Singaporeans and Residents

The Singapore Tourism Board claims its nation-wide Project Postcard has been a roaring success! Over 153, 000 postcards have been sent out by Singaporeans, permanent residents and foreigners residing in Singapore during the three-week programme. The majority of the cards were sent to China, Australia, the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as more far-flung destinations such as Peru, Jordan, Greece, Luxembourg and Kenya.

Singaporeans and residents took advantage of the prepaid overseas postage on the three postcards distributed to them and gave their overseas friends a chance to win an exciting holiday for two to Singapore on Singapore Airlines, three-nights' hotel accommodation at The Fullerton Singapore, and a S$1,000 shopping voucher.

The first two weekly draws saw two thrilled winners: Mr Bonar Pasaribu who sent a postcard to his cousin Ms Ornella M, in Jakarta, Indonesia; and Ms Zhao Xia, who sent a postcard to her friend Ms Zhang Xue Yan in Xi'an, China. They also won for themselves a S$500 shopping voucher each.

Today, the Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, picked the third and final postcard - sent out by Ms Lu Min Hong, a permanent resident in Singapore who sent the winning card to her brother, Mr Lu Min Hua in Shanghai, China - at a ceremony held at the site of Singapore's first post office, where The Fullerton Singapore now sits. This card was picked from a total of over 88,379 cards sent out in the final week of the programme.

Mr Bonar and Ms Zhao were also present at today's event to receive their prize from Dr Balakrishnan. Ms Lu, 31, a sales promoter who sent out four cards, said: "I am so excited that my card was picked. Now my brother will have a chance to visit me in Singapore. He has never been to Singapore and I am  sure he will have a great time here. Singapore is different from Shanghai in so many ways".

Project Postcard's three different sets of postcards were distributed through national newspapers and postal delivery. These specially-designed postcards featuring tourism icons and various events made a perfect invite for overseas friends and relatives of Singapore residents to visit the Lion City.

STB's Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Mr Lim Neo Chian, said: "We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response shown by Singaporeans and residents. We have seen cards sent out by young children, expatriates, foreign workers and even family members to each other. This project goes to show that everyone can be a great ambassador of Destination Singapore. Today, the tourism industry in Singapore is showing signs of recovery, and we hope that the additional invitations from Singapore residents will provide the additional boost to increase visitor numbers."

Mr Lim added, "Project Postcard received the full support of our sponsors, Singapore Airlines, The Fullerton Singapore and SingPost, and we would like to place on record our thanks to them."

Project Postcard was launched as part of this year's National Day celebrations, and STB's Singapore Roars! marketing campaign, which also includes an online contest programme; amazing travel and accommodation deals; spectacular events and celebrity line-ups; a sure-win lucky draw for visitors along Orchard Road; and a global advertising campaign.