Singapore to Celebrate Everything Australian This Month

Australia's contemporary lifestyle will be the focus of the month-long celebrations commencing in Singapore today, Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) Managing Director, Ken Boundy said.

'Celebrate Australia', a joint initiative between the Australian Tourist Commission, the Australian Trade Commission and the Australian High  Commission in Singapore, promotes all aspects of Australia's contemporary  lifestyle - from fine wine and food to fashion and film.

"Singapore is a mature tourism market for Australia with 287,000 Singaporeans visiting Australia in 2002 and repeat visitation at more than 70 per cent," Mr Boundy said.

"To ensure this trend of repeat visitation continues it is important to provide Singaporeans with new reasons to visit the destination by increasing their knowledge of the diversity of experiences on offer in Australia.

"Over the next 30 days Singapore will host a showcase of Australian culture and lifestyle including visual and performing arts, fashion, award-winning chefs and Australian film and an education fair as well."

Mr Boundy said among the highlights of the event will be the Australian Wine and Dine promotions in Singapore's leading restaurants.

"The ATC has enlisted the support of Australia's top chefs including award-winning chef Matthew Moran, of ARIA Restaurant in Sydney, to convey the message of the value of Australia's contemporary cuisine to the tourism experience," Mr Boundy said.

"Wine and dine promotions in Singapore's leading restaurants will feature fresh Australian produce, flown in especially for the event, and will assist in promoting Australia as a destination offering gastronomic experiences.

"Such is the appeal of Australia's contemporary fine food and wine, that many Singaporeans are now visiting Australia purely for the gourmet experiences the destination offers," he said.

Mr Boundy added that the Celebrate Australia initiative is a fantastic opportunity to promote Australia as a destination for business, education and leisure travel.

Highlights of Celebrate Australia include:

- Australian Film Festival featuring finalists from Tropfest 2002

- Contemporary Australian Fashion exhibition including designers Gorman, Gwendolyne, Vixen, Wayne Cooper, Huong and Ty & Melita

- Singapore's top restaurants will showcase Australian cuisine and wine as well as wine makers' dinners and cooking classes presented by top Australian chefs including Matthew Moran

- Exhibitions of Australian indigenous art, photography, ceramics, sculpture and jewellery

- Australian painted SBS buses running along Singapore's Orchard Road  Raffles City Shopping Centre promotions.