Boat Quay gets SG$5 million makeover

The Singapore Boat Quay will soon be getting a SG$5 million makeover.This comes as majority of its stakeholders have given the green light to the plans to enhance the Outdoor Refreshment Areas (ORAs) along the promenade at Boat Quay. When completed next year, diners and visitors can look forward to an "improved ambience and enhanced public realm," said the URA.This project was initiated by Singapore River One (SRO) as part of its plan to enhance the Singapore River precinct. These were submitted to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to implement and a tender has been called for the enhancement works.Wilson Tan, chairman of SRO said, “As part of our place management efforts for Singapore River, we want to improve the physical environment and capitalise on the strategic location of Boat Quay within the Central Business District. We believe the enhanced ORAs will offer a better visitor and dining experience.”Ng Lang, chief executive officer, URA said the Singapore River is an important precinct that reflects the Singapore history and the Boat Quay area in particular, offers a unique riverside dining experience.The URA also appointed a consultant team last year to develop detailed proposals for the enhancement of the promenade and how the works could best be implemented. This included designing new ORA structures as well as creating three open spaces with new public seating and enhanced landscaping.Marketing has reached out to URA for more details on how it hopes to market the area to locals and tourists.Last month, Singapore Tourism Board also announced its plans to rejuvenate Orchard Road in a bid to attract more tourists to Singapore. The government will work closely with industry stakeholders to rejuvenate the area and “enliven and showcase the Singapore lifestyle and cultural precincts.”STB is currently conducting an “Envisioning Orchard Road” exercise that is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. Also to provide more leisure options for tourists and Singaporeans and refresh its tourism assets, STB is working with Temasek Holdings to create a nature-themed attraction in Mandai.These initiatives were launched after the nation saw a challenging year in 2014 with tourism receipts for the year held steady at SG$23.5 billion, while International Visitor Arrivals (IVA) stood at 15.1 million, representing a 3.1% year on year decline.This came despite STB pushing out integrated marketing campaigns in seven key markets – Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Australia, ​China and Vietnam.