Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com 17 OC TOBER 2018 TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA I T B A S I A S H O W D A I L I E S 13 scene comes at a time when the industry is seeing "massive growth over the last six to seven years", said singer Nathan Hartono, noting that the campaign has "a finger on the pulse of Singapore". Hartono emphasised how the campaign is banking on the crossover appeal of subcultures alongside evergreen offerings to appeal to a wide range of mainstream and niche tourism interests. To help spark interest overseas, "secret" invite-only events featuring musicians, mixologists and DJs in a "pop-up bar" setting will be making stops in destinations such as Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, China, Australia and South Korea progressively over the coming months. A similar push in the arts and culture segment hopes to spur tourism interest. Campaign efforts to highlight this segment include an art and augmented reality (AR) showcase, Atypical Singapore, put together by curator Khairuddin Hori. The showcase, which uses technology to create a more interactive art experience, aims to connect with serious art enthusiasts as well as first-timers when it travels to Moscow in September and Myanmar in November. Seven artists have been picked by Hori across specialisations including performance arts, sculptures, painting, gif animation, video art and augmented reality effects. Sporting ambitions Demonstrating the city's growing ambition as a sporting destination in Asia are its increasing share of international sporting events and festivals, from Formula 1 to World Rugby Singapore Sevens, International Champions Cup and developing areas such as electronic sports, or e-sports. The profile of sporting action cuts a wide swath, including the likes of indoor skydiver Kyra Poh, wakeboarder Sasha Christian, e-sports athlete Ho Kun Xian, and go-kart racer Christian Ho. "Brand personalities like Kyra bring across both the 'evergreen experiences' in Singapore such as indoor skydiving to bungee jumping, with glimpses of other things like laser tag and e-sports," said Lim. Geylang's alleyway stories The "underbelly" of Singapore, such as the Geylang neighbourhood, has traditionally been downplayed in tourism promotion efforts — but there is more than meets the eye. The precinct is also home to the highest concentration of religious institutions and diverse architecture and culture, which shores up Singapore's multiracial and multi-religious identity. "The complexity of Geylang represents some of the issues that Singapore wrestles with: how a city copes with the influx of low-wage migrant workers, gentrification and urban design, and how the new replaces the old," explains Geylang Adventures' Founder Cai Yinzhou. "The move to promote Singapore through its local music and entertainment scene comes at a time when the industry is seeing "massive growth..." – NATHAN HARTONO, SINGER INSTAGRAMMABLE ADVENTURES IN SINGAPORE Old-school charm at The Projector 6001 Beach Road #05-00, Singapore 199589 From its linoleum floors to cinema seats, everything here is old-school and lovingly restored. Don't leave before catching a film or two, enjoying a bite at its retro cafe and taking a photo of its old-school spiral stairs. PHOTO CREDIT: NAOMI NEOH Fancy staying in a tea- inspired room? 25 Marine Parade, Singapore 449536 The elaborate motifs of the Peranakans deck the heritage- inspired rooms of Far East Hospitality's Village Hotels in Singapore. Check out Village Hotel Katong's 'Tuang Teh', or 'Tea Ceremony' room, complete with traditional Chinese and Peranakan motifs, as well as an ornate tea set for guests. Also, expect to be served a cup of milo dinosaur upon arrival — talk about living like a local. PHOTO CREDIT: FAR EAST HOSPITALITY Bike and bites through colourful heritage Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India See Singapore's colourful heritage sights on the Bike and Bites Food Tour by Let's Go Tour Singapore. The tour includes the streetscapes of Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India, passing by old temples, local flower and spice shops. Opportunities for unique snaps include the colourful murals lining the walls of Juice Clinic along Haji Lane. PHOTO CREDIT: NAOMI NEOH Street art and food galore 74 Race Course Road, Singapore 219955 On the Street Art and Food Tour by Wok 'n' Stroll, a local guide will take travellers through a labyrinth of back alleys to visit open-air galleries of contemporary street art. Many of the street artists are unknown even to locals, including those by Yip Yew Chong and Lithania's Ernest Zacharevic. Pictured is a large mural titled A Ride Through Race Course Road by Jaxton Su. PHOTO CREDIT:WOK 'N' STROLL VISIT BOOTH: F05

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