Singapore is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world., offering a diverse range of experiences — from its rich culture and cuisine to its blend of traditional and modern tourist attractions. To learn more about Singapore and the latest developments there, My Kolkata had a candid conversation with Renjie Wong, the Area Director – India (Mumbai), Middle East and South Asia, Singapore Tourism Board in Kolkata.
Edited excerpts from the interview follow.
My Kolkata: How have the lifestyle and tourism markets in Singapore evolved and coped post-pandemic?
Renjie Wong: Singapore, as a destination, changes rapidly and frequently, much like India. Every time you return to Singapore, there’s a completely different set of things to see, do, and enjoy. I visit Singapore once every two-three months, and each time, there are a whole bunch of new places I want to explore — whether it’s retail, designer shops or a new part of town that has become popular with trendy restaurants.
Post-pandemic, the pace of change has only accelerated. There are new restaurants and Singaporeans creating businesses that focus on lifestyle and leisure.
Singapore is also interesting because it is not only a global city, but you also have Singaporeans embracing their own heritage. In the food, art, and culture scenes, for instance, Singapore is constantly evolving as a destination, with locals drawing not only on global influences but also on our own identity.
What’s new in the lifestyle sector from Singapore for the global and the Indian market?
I would say that Indian travellers are leading the way as global consumers because they are always on the lookout for new, exciting, and different experiences when they travel. I can think of two key things that are really exciting for the Indian travellers. First, is the range of new attractions available — not just family-friendly ones, which Singapore is well-known for, but also attractions that appeal to younger travellers. Whether they are on a solo trip, a bachelor’s trip, a friends’ trip, or a honeymoon, there’s something for everyone.
A glimpse of Sentosa Singapore Tourism Board
What are some examples of these, you may ask. We’ve all heard about Sentosa that’s famous for Universal Studios, the Sea Aquarium, and so on. But many people don’t realise that Sentosa is a big island. Other than the well-known attractions, there are really cool beach clubs, luxury resorts, and developments with a variety of different attractions.
One example is an area that faces the sea — a beautiful part of town — where there are several new attractions that are particularly exciting for younger travellers. This includes Hyper Drive, an e-go karting experience where you can race against your friends, collect points, and enjoy light projections — almost like a real-life Mario Kart. It’s all indoors, spread across three stories. Next to that is a mini golf zone, which is always a hit with everyone. Plus, there are beach clubs that overlook the sea.
HyperDrive — a popular hotspot for young tourists in Sentosa Singapore Tourism Board
Even in the family-friendly space, we’ve seen that existing attractions are offering new experiences. For example, Bird Paradise is our new bird park, which replaced the famous Jurong Bird Park that was located in the west of Singapore. The new bird park opened last year and is now situated near the other wildlife parks in Singapore.
What’s fascinating about Bird Paradise is that, unlike a traditional bird park where you watch birds from behind a glass wall or in cages, here, you actually enter the enclosure with the birds. There are seven larger-than-life aviaries. These are the habitats that are huge areas covered with nets, but are each meant to replicate a different part or habitat of the world. For instance, you have the Amazonian rainforest, the tropical jungles of southeast Asia with the respective wildlife and birds that you see in these places. This offers a whole new way of interacting with and understanding wildlife.
Experience the oneness with nature and wildlife at the Bird Paradise Park Singapore Tourism Board
I would also like to mention the new experiences within existing attractions, such as Gardens by the Bay. It is one of our iconic and much loved landmarks in Singapore. They have a rotating roster of new experiences. One of these is the Aurora Borealis, inspired by the Northern Lights. Through a combination of technology, light, sound and mist, it replicates the mystical nature of the Northern Lights right in the heart of the City Centre at Gardens by the Bay. If you have seen the Gardens by the bay, you know it feels almost like you are in the Avatar world.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore — Garden by the Bay reigns the chart when it comes to favourites among travellers Singapore Tourism Board
How strong is the relationship between India and Singapore in the tourism sector?
India and Singapore have a long-standing friendship in the tourism sector. Singapore has been popular among Indian travellers for a long time due to our shared history, and when travellers come to Singapore, they often feel a sense of home and familiarity.
What consistently inspires us is that when travellers visit Singapore, they seek a few key things. Apart from the wonderful world-class experiences, they appreciate the fact that Singapore is safe and convenient, there is the hygiene factor and it’s easy to get around.
Travellers today are no longer just ticking off bucket list items or visiting one big attraction or monument. They want to see a destination and understand how people live in another country, celebrating both the differences and the commonalities. I think between Singapore and India, in particular, there is a very strong connection and an affinity for Singapore as a destination.
Are there any plans for visa-on-arrival for Indians?
One of the things we’re thankful for is that it’s fast and easy to apply for a Singapore visa. And for that, we owe our gratitude to our friends at the Singapore consulates and the Singapore High Commission. It’s important to us that the process remains easy, fuss-free, and quick for Indian travellers when they want to visit Singapore. We are constantly working with our Consulate and High Commission to fine-tune and refine the process, but our commitment remains to ensure that it is hassle-free for Indian travellers to get a Singapore visa.
Renjie Wong at the roadshow organised by the Singapore Tourism Board in Kolkata recently Amit Datta
Why would you recommend someone choose Singapore for a holiday? How affordable is it?
As I mentioned previously, Singapore, as a destination, is truly a game-changer. Indian travellers are adventurous and have access to a diverse range of places to visit, even within India. But what sets Singapore apart is that it offers a very high return on investment (ROI). Singapore is easy and convenient to visit. We are connected across 17 different getaways across India with 288 weekly flights to Singapore. Once you land, getting around Singapore is effortless.
Singapore is known for its food. What are some of the culinary experiences that you would recommend for travellers?
That’s a tough question because there’s so much to explore (laughs). What sets Singapore apart is its hawker centres, where you get both traditional and local fare. Singapore’s street food is recognised by UNESCO as part of our Intangible Cultural Heritage. It’s precious because at a hawker centre you are eating alongside locals.
There’s a wide range of food options, from traditional dishes to next-generation businesses rethinking what it means to be a hawker. They’re transforming classic dishes like chicken rice or vegetarian vermicelli into contemporary formats. That’s one end of the spectrum.
On the other end, Singapore, by virtue of being a global city, has some of the finest restaurants in the world. Whether you are talking about the Michelin stars to Asia’s 50 Best lists, the World’s 50 Best lists — we have all of that. Food for us is culture — it’s an experience.
Hawker centres are an integral part of Singapore’s cultural and culinary heritage Singapore Tourism Board
Indian fashion designer Rahul Mishra recently showcased a fashion line in Singapore. Are there more such collaborations brewing with Indian talents?
Yes. The collaboration with Rahul Mishra was wonderful because it’s rare to find someone as creative and visionary as Rahul, who truly understands what an extraordinary experience is. He is all about craft and meticulous attention to detail, transforming an ordinary piece of clothing into something memorable for the most special occasions. That’s why it was so rewarding to work with him.
He came to Singapore and created an entire collection inspired by the city, taking it as a destination for weddings and photoshoots, and reflecting what he considers the classic Rahul Mishra bride.
Beyond that, our focus in the Indian market is always on identifying like-minded partners, who share our vision and creative spirit. We aim to collaborate with game-changing visionaries, who can tell the story of Singapore. While I don’t want to spoil the surprise, we have a few exciting projects coming up that are similar in nature to this partnership with Rahul Mishra.
Is there anything new from the Singapore Tourism Board that you would like to discuss?
Honestly, it’s hard to answer what’s new, because Singapore has something that pops up every day. One of the things I do want to highlight is that, according to our data, Indian travellers are increasingly exploring different aspects of Singapore.
While traditional attractions are very popular, Indian travellers are eager to discover other parts of Singapore. For instance, Tiong Bahru, a charming art deco precinct on the outskirts of town, features a fantastic hawker centre. Surrounding it are delightful shops, Instagrammable art galleries, independent boutiques, bookstores and wine bars.
A sneak peek of Joo Chiat — a place that must be on the itinerary when in Singapore Singapore Tourism Board
Another precinct that’s getting very popular amongst Indian travellers is Joo Chiat. Historically, it was liked by the Peranakan community in Singapore. The Peranakan are a community with influences from various Southeast Asian cultures, including Malay and Chinese, which contributes to the precinct’s distinctive charm.
Tell us about three travel experiences one must not miss when in Singapore. Your recommendations…
As an insider tip, I would definitely recommend checking out Gardens by the Bay. There are two beautiful restaurants inside. In the Flower Dome, there is a Michelin-star restaurant called Marguerite. They offer botanical fine dining with refreshing food and a beautiful tasting menu, complete with cocktail, wine, or non-alcoholic pairings. Above Marguerite, there’s also a cafe called Hortus, which serves delightful high-tea sets.
Another recommendation would be exploring the immersive walking tours available in Singapore. These tours are not like the usual ones, as our tour providers have a magical ability for storytelling. For example, when you visit Chinatown, you’re not just seeing the monuments but also learning about the people who lived there — both prominent figures and everyday individuals.
Among the highly recommended tours when in Singapore are the night cycling tours, which help tourists discover Singapore in a new way Singapore Tourism Board
Some of the more interesting types of tours that we have are a night cycling tour around the downtown Marina Bay area or a third-generation hawker tour, where you go to a hawker centre to meet young chefs who are innovating traditional dishes while preserving the essence of our hawker culture.
Number three is from the perspective of our food options. Orchard Road is world famous for shopping in Singapore. However, many people don’t know that the basements of the shopping malls house some of the best street food, offering a wide variety of affordable options. As you go up the floors, you’ll find excellent restaurants serving Japanese cuisine, dim sums and Malay dishes.
