<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>May 18, 2009
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Stopping in S'pore for US$1 <!--10 min-->
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'I was tired and the offer was there. Otherwise, I would have gone straight to Sydney, even though it's 24 hours of flying,' said Mr Simkin. -- ST PHOTO: CHIN HUI WEN
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->BRITISH telecommunications entrepreneur Roger Simkin had not planned to visit Singapore. He was on his way to Sydney, Australia, from London. But he could not resist the offer to stay here for one night since it cost him only US$1 (S$1.47). That is no typographical error.
This promotional hotel rate is part of the Fabulous Singapore Stopover package organised by Singapore Airlines, Changi Airport and the Singapore Tourism Board.
It was introduced to promote travel to Singapore as people have cut back on travelling during the recession. Tourist arrivals in Singapore are down 13.2 per cent from 911,000 in March last year to 790,000 in March this year.
Mr Simkin, 37, did not hesitate to take up the offer. He says: 'I was tired and the offer was there. Otherwise, I would have gone straight to Sydney, even though it's 24 hours of flying.'
Instead he got some rest in Singapore at the Peninsula Excelsior hotel in Coleman Street and enjoyed the nightlife scene at Clarke Quay just a short walk away. The stopover deal began on April 15 and may be booked until June 15 for travel up to Sept 30. It includes a US$1 stay at a three- or four-star hotel, unlimited free use of the SIA Hop-on bus to visit attractions and free entry to places of interest such as Sentosa, the National Orchid Garden and the zoo.
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Stopping in S'pore for US$1 <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
'I was tired and the offer was there. Otherwise, I would have gone straight to Sydney, even though it's 24 hours of flying,' said Mr Simkin. -- ST PHOTO: CHIN HUI WEN
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->BRITISH telecommunications entrepreneur Roger Simkin had not planned to visit Singapore. He was on his way to Sydney, Australia, from London. But he could not resist the offer to stay here for one night since it cost him only US$1 (S$1.47). That is no typographical error.
This promotional hotel rate is part of the Fabulous Singapore Stopover package organised by Singapore Airlines, Changi Airport and the Singapore Tourism Board.
It was introduced to promote travel to Singapore as people have cut back on travelling during the recession. Tourist arrivals in Singapore are down 13.2 per cent from 911,000 in March last year to 790,000 in March this year.
Mr Simkin, 37, did not hesitate to take up the offer. He says: 'I was tired and the offer was there. Otherwise, I would have gone straight to Sydney, even though it's 24 hours of flying.'
Instead he got some rest in Singapore at the Peninsula Excelsior hotel in Coleman Street and enjoyed the nightlife scene at Clarke Quay just a short walk away. The stopover deal began on April 15 and may be booked until June 15 for travel up to Sept 30. It includes a US$1 stay at a three- or four-star hotel, unlimited free use of the SIA Hop-on bus to visit attractions and free entry to places of interest such as Sentosa, the National Orchid Garden and the zoo.
