Eid travel packages set to attract Middle East travellers to Singapore

Already a popular destination with travellers from the region, Singapore holds a special attraction at the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, when the Islamic festival Hari Raya corresponds with the Eid Al Fitr holiday and draws thousands of interested tourists.

To mark the occasion, Singapore hosts spectacular lighting and decorations across the city, street festivals, live shows and special shopping promotions, offering visitors a diverse range of entertainment.

Organisers say the festivities will be the biggest, brightest and most colourful in its history. A range of companies - including Singapore Airlines (SIA), Emirates Holidays, Thai Airways and Star Cruises - are offering special travel deals as an added incentive to attend the festival.

"Hari Raya is an important festival in Singapore, where around 15 percent of the population are Muslim," said Ke-Wei Peh, Area Director - Middle East and Africa Region, Singapore Tourism Board.

"It also draws a significant number of visitors from around the world - and particularly from the Middle East - who are drawn to its mix of spectacle and spiritual development. We hope to welcome high numbers from the region in 2006," he added.

Singapore Airlines' two-night stay, includes complimentary and discounted sightseeing tours and dining and shopping offers.

Thai Airways is promoting a four-day, three-night stay while Star Cruises, flying with Qatar Airways, offers a four-day, three-night cruise on board the 'SuperStar Virgo' - the only cruise ship in the world that has an authentic Indian restaurant that is certified "halal."

Visitors will also be able to hop on the famous open-top "Hippo Bus" shuttle service, which runs from Orchard Road to Little India, Kampong Glam, Chinatown and back to Orchard Road.

An increasingly popular tourism destination for Middle Eastern tourists, the South East Asian island-state welcomed a total of more than 870,000 worldwide visitors in August, a rise of 7.2 percent over the corresponding period in 2005 and a record high for visitors to the city during August.

Hotel occupancy rates for August reached 86.9 percent, indicating a growth of almost two percentage points from the same period last year, while hotel room revenue for the month of August also rose to S$121.4m, up 22.2 percent on the 2005 figures.