September 27 is celebrated as the World Tourism Day. The United Nations World Tourism Organization has been celebrating this day since 1970, to help raise awareness about the important role played by tourism within the international community and how it impacts the cultural, social, political and economic value globally.
"Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development" is the theme for World Tourism day 2017.
Sustainable tourism is defined as tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. It should thus make optimal use of environmental resources, respect host communities and ensure viable, long-term economic operations so that benefits are equitably distributed among all stakeholders.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development after recognising the importance of international tourism in fostering better understanding among people everywhere, leading to greater awareness of the rich heritage of various civilizations.
In Singapore, there are several heavenly tourist spots that can capture the hearts of people from all over the world. On this day dedicated to tourism, let us explore Singapore and its many wonders.
Here is a list of the six top rated tourist destinations in Singapore.
Sentosa Island
Sentosa is Asia's leading leisure destination and Singapore's premier island resort getaway, located within 15 minutes from the central business and shopping districts.
Singapore is not known as a beach destination, but if you want some sun and sand, Sentosa Island is where you can find it.
Visitors can play volleyball at the free courts or get into the water and try out kayaking and skim-boarding.
The Underwater World Aquarium lets visitors swim with dolphins and admire ocean life.The famous Merlion, located on the island, is the statue which has the head of a lion and the body of a fish. It is located at One Fullerton, Singapore, near the Central Business District.
You can even get a sneak peek into the country's heritage at Fort Siloso, the country's preserved fort which is on Sentosa Island.
Chinatown
Chinatown makes you feel like you have taken a short trip to China, with their authentic Chinese food and red lanterns. You could easily spend a few days wandering through these -narrow streets.
Family-run goldsmith shops, medicinal halls and teahouses ply their trades next to sleeker neighbours such as hipster bars and lifestyle shops.
The Sri Mariamman Hindu temple at the Chinese Heritage Centre is a place not to miss.
China town has been made very tourist friendly with heritage markers installed throughout the neighbourhood in English, Japanese and simplified Mandarin so that tourists can have a good understanding of the area.
Wi-Fi is available to all, so no worries about keeping your social media accounts up to date with your visit.
Singapore Zoo
The Singapore zoo is one place that you should not miss.
The facility is nicely-maintained, and the animals are treated well, with an ample amount of green area available for them to move about.
Singapore zoo is home to families of chimpanzees, zebras, Komodo dragons and white tigers, to name a few. The orangutans are particularly impressive, and visitors can watch as babies and adults alike swing high above their platforms and snack on bananas. Guests can have a real up-and-close with nature, in the night safari and river safari as well as the Jurong Bird park. The Singapore zoo allows a personal experience where the guests can have breakfast with the orangutans. The tour also allows transportation from and to your hotel.
Raffles Hotel
This pilgrim building is one of the world's last fantastic nineteenth century lodgings and was once visited by literary luminaries such as Rudyard Kipling and Joseph Conrad, in addition to film star Charlie Chaplin. Built in 1887, the Raffles Hotel has been a Singapore milestone for more than a century. The established engineering and tropical green enclosures give a refined setting and speak about another aspect of Singapore's changed and rich history.
The Raffles Hotel is situated in Singapore's Colonial District, also home to a few other notable locales. Among them is the Raffles Landing Site, where Sir Stamford Raffles is said to have ventured shorewards in 1819. The story has it that he saw the little angling town and perceived its potential as a port. So he acquired the land from the Sultan of Johor and welcomed Chinese and Indian workers to move there. Thus the seeds of Singapore's multi-ethnic personality were sown.
Botanic Gardens
Singapore got its first UNESCO World Heritage nomination for the botanic greenery enclosures, and for all good reasons. The botanic greenhouses safeguard bits of Singapore's legacy. In fact, you can visit the greenery enclosures' and its legacy of trees by means of strolling trails, which are rationed there to secure the city's tree species. Also try to visit the amazing National Orchid Garden. Different attractionsthere include an eco-plant, eco-lake, bonsai garden, models, and a few different patio nurseries and unique locales.
Marina Bay
Marina Bay Sands is an incorporated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. At its opening in 2010, it was charged as the world's most costly independent casino property at S$8 billion, including the land cost.
It has an extravagant hotel and a shopping centre with a channel going through it. Marina Bay Sands Skypark is a vantage point for taking in the entire city. The Skypark's viewing deck and infinity pool are found in the ship that tops the hotel. Only hotel guests are allowed to use the infinity pool but anyone can visit the observation deck. From the skypark, you can see the innovative double helix bridge, the port, the Gardens by the Bay, and the impressive skyline. While up there over the city, visitors can get a snack or an espresso at the housetop eatery or get a few mementos from the gift stand. You can buy a photograph of yourself green-screened before the hotel as it's altogether lit up during the evening, yet the cost is steep: 50 Singapore dollars. It is better to request a kind visitor to snap a photograph of you. The extravagance and tastefulness of the Marina Bay Sands represent Singapore's taste and culture.
Singapore Flyer
On the off chance that the perception deck at the Marina Bay Sands doesn't exactly do it for you, take a chance at having tea at the Singapore Flyer, the world's biggest perception wheel. Choose from several different packages that allow you to be served and pampered while enjoying a view that encompasses not only Singapore but also the Spice Islands of Indonesia and Malaysia's Straits of Johor. Flights are available at 30 minute intervals from early morning until late evening, so you can pick which perspective of the city you need to appreciate: the start of another clamouring day or when Singapore is aglow after dull.
