Travellers from the UAE to Singapore make up the single highest total of any Middle Eastern country, according to figures released by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), with these…
Travellers from the UAE to Singapore make up the single highest total of any Middle Eastern country, according to figures released by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), with these figures expected to soar as the island, city-state re-enforces its position as the Food Capital of Asia at this year’s Food Festival in July.
Running from July 1, the Singapore Food Festival has proven to be one of the most popular events on the tourism calendar of the South East Asian island-state, offering a wide selection of gourmet events and ‘good eating’ opportunities.
The festival is set to kick-off with the famous ‘Chilli Crab Chase’ (1 – 31 July), with a two-day opening event or ‘Chilli Crab Fiesta’ on the 1-2 July. The one-month event will offer every visitor over the age of six the opportunity to taste the unofficial signature dish of Singapore – for free – through a cross-country promotion.
“Every year, Singapore is realising an increase in the number of travellers from the Middle East with parties of travellers often making it part of a wider tour of South East Asia,” said Alan Tan, Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) Area Director for the Middle East and Africa.
“The Singapore Food Festival, Arts Festival and of course the Great Singapore Sale alongside being a cool, tropical summer destination to escape the Middle East’s seasonal heat are all contributing factors that are attracting higher numbers of visitors from the region,” added Tan.
While a large number of festival participants come from within Singapore, STB statistics show that the event is attracting a higher proportion of tourists every year. In particular, there has been ongoing growth in the number of Middle East travellers looking to escape the hot summers in Singapore.
One of the events set to be popular in 2006 is the ‘Singapore Food Ball Festival’ (7-9 July), a FIFA World Cup-themed event where every dish is shaped like a ball. Treats on the menu include Hainanese Chicken Rice Balls, Glutinous Rice Balls (Tang Yuan), Takopachi Octopus Balls, Fish balls, Crab balls, Spaghetti meatballs, Hakkas Suan Pang Zi and ice balls.
The week ahead offers a uniquely Singaporean experience as the ‘Wedding Feast on the Bay’ (28-30 July) invites visitors to enjoy the cuisine and flavours of Singapore’s three main ethnic groups of the island – Malay, Chinese and Indian – through a series of wedding banquets.
As well as providing a plentiful supply of culinary wonders for the visitors and residents, Singapore Food Festival also serves to provide a platform for the region’s Food and Beverage industry and is widely seen as an excellent test-bed for introducing new product and culinary ideas.
The Singapore Food Festival runs throughout the month with a variety of events and activities from 1 – 31 July 2006.
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