Visitor: Flyer must do more to pack them in
I HAVE just returned home to Britain, after spending a few weeks in Singapore enjoying the sights, sounds and food.
On a Wednesday afternoon, I took a party of nine to the Singapore Flyer.
It was a lovely experience. Pity, there were more staff than customers. Even the lack of customers, of any customers, in the shops around the attraction was evident.
It's not surprising that the Flyer is not flying high.
First, the location is wrong. It is too far from the hub of any of the tourist areas.
The wait for the Marina Sands integrated resort to open will be too long and too late.
Also, gamblers will be more interested in spinning the wheels on the tables than spinning up in the clouds.
Second, one cannot compare the pricing of the London Eye to Singapore's standards and tourist numbers.
Hence, the Singapore Flyer is pricey. The view from the London Eye is breathtaking. The view from the Flyer is not quite.
Third, it is a pity the management and the Singapore Tourism Board are not doing enough to advertise and promote the Flyer.
Every tourist coming to Singapore should receive a 40 per cent discount voucher to encourage him to visit the Flyer.
After all, going around empty won't bring in the bucks. It's sad to see the Flyer going round empty.
It may well be an idea to reduce the admission charge, for now.
It is also important to attract Singaporeans via schools and the like, into the wheel. Special family tickets at greatly reduced prices during off-peak hours may lure customers.
And forget the lavish banquet champagne stuff. It's typically nouveau Singaporean, which appeals to only a few.
The Flyer needs to pack them in. I'm sorry, but at the rate it's going, the Flyer may stop turning soon.
Reggie Joseph
Stafford, England
I HAVE just returned home to Britain, after spending a few weeks in Singapore enjoying the sights, sounds and food.
On a Wednesday afternoon, I took a party of nine to the Singapore Flyer.
It was a lovely experience. Pity, there were more staff than customers. Even the lack of customers, of any customers, in the shops around the attraction was evident.
It's not surprising that the Flyer is not flying high.
First, the location is wrong. It is too far from the hub of any of the tourist areas.
The wait for the Marina Sands integrated resort to open will be too long and too late.
Also, gamblers will be more interested in spinning the wheels on the tables than spinning up in the clouds.
Second, one cannot compare the pricing of the London Eye to Singapore's standards and tourist numbers.
Hence, the Singapore Flyer is pricey. The view from the London Eye is breathtaking. The view from the Flyer is not quite.
Third, it is a pity the management and the Singapore Tourism Board are not doing enough to advertise and promote the Flyer.
Every tourist coming to Singapore should receive a 40 per cent discount voucher to encourage him to visit the Flyer.
After all, going around empty won't bring in the bucks. It's sad to see the Flyer going round empty.
It may well be an idea to reduce the admission charge, for now.
It is also important to attract Singaporeans via schools and the like, into the wheel. Special family tickets at greatly reduced prices during off-peak hours may lure customers.
And forget the lavish banquet champagne stuff. It's typically nouveau Singaporean, which appeals to only a few.
The Flyer needs to pack them in. I'm sorry, but at the rate it's going, the Flyer may stop turning soon.
Reggie Joseph
Stafford, England