Singapore Tourism Board launches S$2 million domestic tourism drive

To stimulate domestic tourism and to encourage Singaporeans and residents to step out of their homes, get back onto the streets and enjoy life, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced today that it will invest Sin $2 million over the next two months in a "Step Out! Singapore" programme.

Driven by the STB, the programme comprises attractive offers, and an exciting line-up of events and activities throughout May and June. More importantly, the programme, which emphasises the importance of exercising vigilance in a SARS environment, encourages everyone to have fun in a socially responsible manner.

"Indeed, with the knowledge and assurance that individuals and establishments around us are exercising social responsibility and taking the necessary precautions against SARS, we can and should begin to live life again. Everyone should "step out" - of their homes and their current mindset of fear and anxiety," said Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the STB.

The S$2 million funding will be provided to attractions and sightseeing companies, shopping and F&B establishments as well as event organisers, and will be used as seed funding for advertising, promotions and event organisation. Most importantly, the necessary precautionary measures will be in place at the various event venues and attractions.

Major events already in the works include:

· A two-day fun and entertainment event entitled "Singapore Cares - Keeping our Spirit Alive, Let's Go Party" at Fort Canning Park offering blockbuster movie screenings, mural painting competitions, music performances by leading local artists and celebrity appearances by popular MediaWorks artistes;

· A 22-day series of events themed "Celebrate Life on the Bay! - in support of The Courage Fund" in the Marina Bay and Raffles City precinct culminating in appearances and stage performances by popular MediaCorp artistes;

· Great Singapore Sale promotions;

· Singapore Arts Festival and street festivals;

· Special shopping and F&B deals at Orchard Road, Chinatown, Little India and Boat Quay;

· Attractive packages and discounts for visits to many of the things Singapore is famous for including the Zoo, Bird Park and Underwater World;

These events and incentive packages have been selected by the STB for support because of their wide appeal to Singaporeans as well as their commitment to put in place responsible precautionary measures against SARS.

Each organiser and venue owner will give their assurance to ensure daily temperature check of staff. They will also be required, where appropriate, to provide temperature checks for guests and to display prominent signage on SARS precautions. These measures will have to comply with the relevant Ministry of Health guidelines.

"The injection of the S$2 million will help to stimulate the tourism sector in Singapore, which has been hard-hit in recent weeks. We hope Singaporeans will let their hair down at these events, and have fun and spend. With the attractive offers lined up, we hope they will spend generously. As a ball-park estimate, we expect this initiative will generate an increase of up to S$100 million in direct and indirect economic spin-offs", said Mr Lim.

"The return of normalcy and vibrancy in the local scene is a necessary pre-condition for the return of the leisure travellers to Singapore. We hope 'Step Out! Singapore' will accelerate this process, building up the activities that we have seen over the last couple of weeks. This, together with the success in the SARS containment efforts, will set the stage for the recovery of the tourism industry", Mr Lim added.

In order to keep the door open to additional good ideas from the industry, the Board has set aside additional S$200,000 to support a few more projects. Proposals will be evaluated based on creativity, innovation and feasibility. Like current supported projects, they must also incorporate the necessary precautionary measures against SARS. All proposals should be submitted to the STB by 20 May and projects must be implemented by mid July this year.

To further generate awareness of the "Step Out! Singapore" programme and to encourage the public to have fun in a socially responsible manner, "Step-out! Singapore" will also incorporate a concurrent "Step Out! and Be Spotted" contest on 9 May, which will run till the end of next month.