Singapore's 'Winter in the Tropics' awaits Middle East travellers

Travellers from the Middle East looking for a winter break need look no further than Singapore, where the city-state's annual 'Christmas in the Tropics' festival promises to enchant visitors with a magical line-up of festivities.

'Year-end is a special time in Singapore with our main shopping area Orchard Road - adorned with spectacular decorations and lights - is really quite unmatched. Visitors from the Middle East will be able to experience Singapore's warm hospitality and enjoy an array of captivating festivities, choral and dance performances - providing truly memorable experiences for the entire family,' said Siew Kheng Kang, Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, Singapore Tourism Board.

The winter travel season is steadily gaining popularity among Middle East travelers, with many planning their vacations to Singapore to coincide with the special year-end celebrations and the amazing annual street light up.

Stretching from Orchard road down to the Marina Bay area, the famous 'Light Up' is the longest display in Asia, with complimentary rides aboard open-top HiPPO buses providing visitors with a picture-perfect view of the city's magnificent arches, impressive water-displays, and intricate street lighting.

Apart from the Light-Up, another key highlight is the 'Celebrate Christmas in Singapore' event, under the theme 'Christmas - It's All About Love', when visitors can look forward to nightly Christmas-themed performances at various locations along Orchard Road, as well as a colourful parade of floats from 15 to 24 December.

Other entertainment highlights during Christmas In The Tropics include performances such as 'Scrooge - The Musical', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', 'The Nutcracker - Xmas Fairytale on Ice', 'Swan Lake' and 'A Crazy Christmas'; the popular ZoukOut outdoor dance festival on Sentosa, and the 'Classical Greece at the Louvre', showcasing priceless pieces from the famed Louvre for the first time at the National Museum of Singapore.

A host of shopping perks are also available during this period, including late night shopping hours, DHL express shipping service specials to save on excess baggage fees, and the Global Refund, giving tourists who shop at any Global Refund affiliated retailer the opportunity to win a host of major prizes, including a free shopping holiday.