Singapore Preparing for Shorter GP Season

Raging parties, mouth-watering Asian cuisine, sizzling fashion and red-hot shopping deals are being promised for the Singapore GP Season which returns 18 to 27 September 2009.

Commenting on the objectives behind the Singapore GP Season, Ms Margaret Teo, Assistant Chief Executive (Development Group) of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said, “Singapore has the unique advantage of staging a Formula One race right in the heart of the Marina area and in close proximity to Singapore River and Orchard Road. Through the Singapore GP Season, we want to provide a total race experience for spectators and encourage them to explore our key tourism precincts which are easily accessible and offer a wide range of lifestyle offerings. Ultimately, we want to increase tourism expenditure among visitors during the Singapore GP Season.”

Last year, 30% of those who attended Singapore GP Season events were visitors. This is higher than the average 10-15% visitor participation usually seen at many other leisure events. In addition, visitors who came for the race stayed one to two days longer than the average visitor, and also spent two times more than the average visitor on shopping, and three times more on food and beverage.

The average length of stay in 2008 was 4.1 days and the average per capita expenditure on shopping in 2007 was Sin$337. The average per capita expenditure on F&B in 2007 was Sin$137.

This year’s Season has been shortened to the 10 days surrounding the race weekend. Some of the new events to be featured are Asia On The Edge and Rev Up on Orchard, and returning events such as Amber Lounge Singapore.

Asia On The Edge is a lifestyle festival with a strong Asian focus and one of the key events under the Singapore GP Season. Taking place at the Arts House and around the Empress Place precinct from 18-27 September, it will showcase the best of Asia through food, fashion, arts and crafts and a great, outdoor visual spectacular.

Explaining the inspiration behind the festival, Mr Colin Goh, General Manager, The Old Parliament House said, “In its first year, Asia On The Edge attracted nearly 15,000 people and saw extensive, positive media coverage of the festival both locally and internationally. As a lifestyle festival with a strong Asian focus, the festival sits well with STB’s positioning of the Singapore GP Season. We are confident that this 10-day festival will augment not only the Season, but also the Singapore River and Empress Place as a key tourism precinct.”

True to its promise of being a lifestyle destination, Orchard Road will not only present shopaholics a range of special shopping deals and promotions, but also feature street music, art and entertainment.

For the first time, visual arts lovers will be able to experience the quirkiness and vibrant colours of Brazilian neo-pop artist and sculptor Romero Britto in his exhibition Britto in Singapore, brought in by the Opera Gallery. His works will be on display at an outdoor exhibition in the urban green rooms fronting ION Orchard as well as at the Opera Gallery in the same building.

Mrs May Sng, Chairman of the Orchard Road Business Association, said, “There is going to be much excitement at Marina Bay during the Formula One race and all of us here at Orchard Road are gearing up to add on to the festivities too. Orchard Road is a great street with everything you could want in one compact area and our diverse offerings at Rev Up on Orchard will reflect this, from exciting shopping deals to visual treats along the entire street.”

Lovers of pop opera group Il Divo are in for a treat as the group will be performing hits from their latest album ‘The Promise’ at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 21 September, in what promises to be a spectacular musical and visual journey.

For race fans, renowned Formula One photographer Paul-Henri Cahier will be showcasing for the first time, his stunning photography of the world’s first Formula One night race in The First Night Race Outdoor Photo Exhibition.

Returning after a successful run last year is Amber Lounge Singapore, one of the world’s premier parties that boasts the presence of drivers, teams, celebrities and models.

“I originally chose to hold an Amber Lounge party in Singapore because I felt that it offered all the qualities that I look for in a venue. Singapore is a world renowned destination with a vibrant and sophisticated image and those values fit perfectly with the Amber Lounge brand. I was immediately impressed by the welcome I received when I first traveled to Singapore to investigate the possibility of hosting an Amber Lounge party and the enthusiasm I found amongst the local community made things so much easier from a practical perspective,” said Ms Sonia Irvine, Amber Lounge founder.

“Amber Lounge Singapore takes place on the 26th and 27th September 2009 at the same venue as last year - Temasek Reflection, and we will be working with our local partner, the Conrad Centennial Hotel, once again. Most of the Formula One drivers came into the party after the race last year and we had a lot of international and Singaporean celebrities amongst our clientele on both Saturday and Sunday. As always, our in-house DJ kept the music pumping and the dance-floor was filled all night. It was a fantastic launch weekend for our new venue and I’m expecting that Amber Lounge Singapore in 2009 will be even better,” she added.

In addition to the events under the Singapore GP Season, September will also see many other staple events that visitors and residents can continue to enjoy such as perennial favourite One City Three Festivals showcasing Singapore’s unique multicultural heritage with the Mid-Autumn Festival, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Deepavali celebrations.

Mr Edmund Chua, Assistant Chief Executive of the Destination Experience Group at STB said, “The first Singapore GP Season struck a chord with our audiences and helped to entrench Singapore’s position as an exciting lifestyle destination. This year, we will focus on reaching out to even more people - race fans, corporate guests, leisure visitors and local residents. And we’re not done yet. More events and activities are being planned and will be revealed in the coming weeks. We welcome more industry partners to leverage the opportunities presented by the Formula One race and the Singapore GP Season to make the Season truly special and this September a fantastic time to be in Singapore.”

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