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NewsAsia, 13 Mar 04
MPs want Singapore to be promoted as a family
destination for tourists
By Bridgette See
SINGAPORE : Several MPs have questioned the Tourism Board's new Uniquely
Singapore campaign. They are concerned that it promotes the island's
bar-top dancing and the French Cabaret Show 'Crazy Horse'.
The MPs said Singapore should also be portrayed as a family destination.
Ms Irene Ng, MP for Tampines GRC, said: "It is good that Singapore
is getting to be more relaxed, more fun. But it will be a sad day
if to attract the tourist dollar and the rich jet setters, we have
no compunction of going the way of the Patpong or some of the seedier
joints in the region to sell the city, albeit as a top end, top draw
destination. "I hope that we will also not want to become the Las
Vegas of Asia with big casinos and showgirls, and compulsive gamblers
coming to our shores. Not only is it shallow, it shows up our lack
of creativity."
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry,
said: "We have begun to take small but important steps to signal that
we need a new respect for diversity and openness to ideas. So these
examples that you cited, 24 hour bar-top dancing or bungee jumping,
are just part of that signaling process."
"The problem for Singapore is that Singapore is so middle of the road
that it is in danger of being bypassed...we do need to be bolder and
we do need to allow experimentation at the edges, but we will ensure
that even as we do so, that there are sufficient safeguards to minimise
any domestic social impact or erosion of moral standards."
Singling out the F1 Powerboat race, the recent MTV Asia awards and
the Bollywood equivalent of the Oscars in May, Dr Vivian said the
Tourism Board is working hard to make Singapore the most popular events
destination. He said this would mean having something exciting happening
every weekend from arts, culture to sporting events, and also remaking
Orchard Road into one of the greatest shopping streets in the world.
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