Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said it expects at least a ten per cent spike in number of Gulf visitors to the country this summer lured by its family-friendly attractions, refined shopping experience and a sleepless nightlife.

Singapore has already received more than 14,000 visitors from the UAE during the first quarter of 2012, up 8 per cent compared to the same period last year, said STB area director for the Middle East and Africa, Mohamed Hafez Marican.

One of the most cosmopolitan melting pots in Asia, Singapore offers visitors from the Middle East quality family-friendly attractions, a refined shopping experience, a sleepless nightlife, and luxurious hotel accommodations amidst lavish flora and fauna.

'With all the recent investment in entertainment infrastructure, we are now offering a truly differentiated holiday experience to Gulf visitors – a ‘new’ Singapore,' said Marican at a press conference in the presence of Jose Thachil, marketing manager Gulf, Singapore Airlines and Archit Nair, regional sales manager, Shangri-La Hotel.

The STB had forecasted 12 to 13 million visitor arrivals last year and between $17.5 and $19.1 billion in tourism receipts. This was an increase from record highs of 11.6 million visitor arrivals and $14.9 billion in 2010.

Large investments made into entertainment infrastructure are now rapidly beginning to pay off and world-class luxury airline and hotel brands better promote themselves across the region.

Many existing attractions have been renewed, while new attractions will be available to Gulf visitors who want to get away, said Marican.

'We are optimistic that our visitor numbers from this region will increase at least by another ten per cent this summer over last year, and we are excited to show our Middle Eastern vacationers what Singapore has to offer,” he stated.

“We invite our visitors from the Middle East to check out the latest hotspots, like Gardens by the Bay and the River Safari, along with the many hotel developments, like Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort,” he added.

The recently launched Gardens by the Bay are housed in the heart of Singapore’s new downtown, near the Marina Bay Sands. The lush garden setting is ideal for the enjoyment of local and international concerts and entertainment.

“Singapore’s international society is welcoming and refreshing with its world-class accommodations, shopping and entertainment experiences,” said Marican.

Working in conjunction with the Singapore Tourism Board are Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Hong-Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, which offer Gulf visitors exceptional travel and deluxe hotel accommodations.

SIA travellers can lounge in the spaciously 60’ and 64’ pitched recliner seating in First Class while enjoying an extensive movie list and popular TV shows available on demand on each 10.4” screen with noise-cancelling headsets.

Upon arriving in Singapore, vacationers can unwind in style at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort, the only resort in Singapore with a beachfront location, said Archit Nair.

'After completing an S$80 million makeover, the resort boasts 454 rooms, seven dining and entertainment options, a 100 square metre children’s club, the Sea Sports Centre, and many swimming pools and outdoor Jacuzzis, all surrounded by a lush, natural environment,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service