Christmas in the Tropics 2009

This Christmas in the Tropics is set to be a jolly one, jam packed with celebrations and lifestyle experiences from 7 November 2009 to 3 January 2010. Compared to previous celebrations, the duration of this year’s light-up is slightly longer to allow visiting APEC delegates a chance to enjoy what could be the brightest Christmas celebration along the equator.

‘Christmas in the Tropics’ is a key event on Singapore’s tourism calendar and the experience remains a dazzling one even after 25 years. Many tourists from all over the world come to Singapore to celebrate this festive season.This year, Orchard Road and Marina Bay will have different themes. As the first Christmas light-up after the Orchard Road infrastructural enhancements have been completed, key features such as the urban green rooms have been leveraged for the light-up. For the first time ever, Singapore River joins in the Christmas festivities with special promotions for revellers and party-goers.

Under the direction of the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA), the Christmas light-up on Orchard Road is themed “A Christmas All Decked Out” to showcase fashion as one of the key experiences of shopping on Orchard Road. Various snowmen, reindeers and even Santa Claus have been given style makeovers and are decked up in the latest fashions of the season.

Over at Marina Bay, the Baywatch Association presents a unique waterside experience with “A Glitzy Christmas by the Bay”. The light-up at Marina Bay this year is 3.7km long and will stretch across the Esplanade Drive.Drawing inspiration from the mythological tale of the Midas Touch, the streets from Raffles City, circling Suntec City, Millenia Walk, Singapore Flyer, Marina Square, The Esplanade, Citylink Mall and Clifford Pier will be transformed into a glittering extravaganza of gold.

Celebrating “Christmas by the Singapore River”, one of Singapore’s most–visited nightlife and entertainment precinct, will also be decked out in their holiday best from 20 November 2009 to 3 January 2010. Visitors to the Singapore River will enjoy a traditional Christmas as they partake in the irresistible festive retail, nightlife and food and beverage promotions along the river, set against the backdrop of traditional Christmas-themed music and dance performances on Read Bridge at Clarke Quay, carolling at Arts House, Empress Place and ice-skating performances at Central.

Key Highlights of Christmas in the Tropics 2009

i) Celebrations Hotel Deal This year end, 13 hotels along Orchard Road have came together to launch the ‘Celebrations Hotel Deal’. This package is valid for stays from 7 November 2009 to 3 January 2010. For every two nights’ stay booked, guests get the third night free. In addition, the Christmas experience is complemented with a complimentary Christmas Light-up night tour for two, food vouchers and discounts off selected attractions.

ii) 2-plus-2 attractions promotion For every two paying adults, tourists will receive two additional tickets free. Participating attractions and merchants are:

• Singapore Flyer

• Sentosa

• The Mint Museum of Toys

• Selected DUCK & HiPPO Tours

• Singapore River Cruises

• National Orchid Garden

iii) Complimentary Open-top Bus Ride for visitors The open-top bus is the best way to get up close and enjoy the stunning visual feast presented by the shimmering lights and decorations of the Light-Up. Overseas visitors just need to show their passports at the Singapore Visitor Centres to redeem their free bus ride.

SHOPPING SPECIALS i) Grab and Go contest Every S$300 spent (with a maximum of 3 combined receipts) entitles shoppers to participate in a “Grab and Go” contest. Participants will get an opportunity to grab vouchers and prizes in a giant suitcase structure. Over $200,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs during the eight-week long campaign. The top prize worth more than $30,000 will consist of 600,000 KrisFlyer miles from Singapore Airlines (equivalent to 7 Economy Class or 4 Business Class tickets to New York), shopping vouchers and hotel accommodation. In addition, contestants that charge all receipts to Visa will get double the amount of time in the booth.

ii) Visa’s Gift with Purchase promotion and lucky draw Christmas in the Tropics is one of the signature events that STB is partnering Visa under a recent MOU signed on 6 October 2009. Besides joint marketing efforts to promote Singapore and its events to Visa’s cardholders across the globe, Visa is also launching a Gift with Purchase promotion for Christmas. A minimum spend of $500 with Visa entitles shoppers to a 25 Hours watch. Visa cardholders spending a minimum of S$500 will also stand a chance to enter a lucky draw with a grand prize of S$10,000. Information about the promotion can also be found at www.visagoexplore.com/sg.

iii) Special edition “All Decked Out” T-shirts Spend $300 in retail purchases in a maximum of three same-day receipts and redeem a free special edition “All Decked Out” t-shirt by NewUrbanMale (NUM).

iv) Other retail specials Tourists stand to receive an Anteprima gift with minimum spend of $700 in a single receipt at Paragon. At the EpiCentre, shoppers from overseas who purchase a 8GB iPod touch will receive an $80 rebate as well as a limited edition Tofu-Oyaku casing. Over at Funan Digitalife Mall, tourists spending a minimum of $800 will receive a free digital photo frame.