Singapore sets visitor record

Singapore has made it quite public over the last year that it wishes to increase the number of visitors to the city-state, to keep it in competition with regional rivals like Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Unfortunately for culture lovers, Singapore’s chosen route was to make it more like the other capitals, and tear down everything old and build yet more shopping centres. The sad part is that it worked. The Singapore Tourism Board is reporting record numbers of visitors in 2007, with the 10.2 million target being bested as 10.3 million people paid the peninsular tip a visit.

Divya Panickar, tourism board director for North and Western Europe says, “We are delighted by the record breaking visitor arrivals to Singapore for 2007. It is particularly pleasing to see that more and more British holidaymakers are choosing to discover the unique delights and experiences that Singapore has to offer. And as the figures show, Singapore is so much more than just a stopover destination, with visitors choosing to spend more time to discover our vibrant, multicultural island.”

Multicultural indeed, with the traditional Chinese river houses demolished so Louis Vuitton can beam neon across the water, just like every other city in the world. Shame on you Singapore, you bland, bland harlot.