Singapore and tourism
Singapore and tourism
Singapore's economy has benefited substantially from tourism.
Millions of tourists, mainly from Indonesia, visit Singapore
annually. But Singaporeans do not seem to be fully aware of this
fact. Some of them are not particularly honest to foreign
tourists.
Earlier this month my husband and I visited Singapore for the
`Singapore Great Sale' campaign. I had some unpleasant
experiences during my visit to the country.
* I bought a bottle of perfume (White Linen Estee Lauder) at
Takashimaya shop, Orchard Road, at the cost of S$75. But the same
article only costs $61 at Changi Airport, plus a small gift. The
Singapore Great Sale campaign is not entirely true.
* My husband and I registered for two tours at a small counter
in the Hotel Excelsior. The young female official offered us the
cost of the tours for $148 and I paid right away. But later I
found that the correct price is only $136. The official had made
some scribbles on the bill sheet so that I could not read it
clearly and could not ask for an explanation on the matter,
because the lady did not show up for the next three days.
* Even when we had our breakfast I was cheated. I had my
breakfast at a restaurant which is painted green near the
Singapore Design Center. On the first day I paid $7, while on the
second day it cost me $5 for the same menu. There must be
something wrong with the cashier.
The money does not really matter to me, but I feel I have been
cheated. It is this dishonesty that has caused inconvenience to
me. I believe many Indonesian tourists visiting Singapore have
had similar experiences.
F. FAUZIA
Depok, West Java
Singapore's economy has benefited substantially from tourism.
Millions of tourists, mainly from Indonesia, visit Singapore
annually. But Singaporeans do not seem to be fully aware of this
fact. Some of them are not particularly honest to foreign
tourists.
Earlier this month my husband and I visited Singapore for the
`Singapore Great Sale' campaign. I had some unpleasant
experiences during my visit to the country.
* I bought a bottle of perfume (White Linen Estee Lauder) at
Takashimaya shop, Orchard Road, at the cost of S$75. But the same
article only costs $61 at Changi Airport, plus a small gift. The
Singapore Great Sale campaign is not entirely true.
* My husband and I registered for two tours at a small counter
in the Hotel Excelsior. The young female official offered us the
cost of the tours for $148 and I paid right away. But later I
found that the correct price is only $136. The official had made
some scribbles on the bill sheet so that I could not read it
clearly and could not ask for an explanation on the matter,
because the lady did not show up for the next three days.
* Even when we had our breakfast I was cheated. I had my
breakfast at a restaurant which is painted green near the
Singapore Design Center. On the first day I paid $7, while on the
second day it cost me $5 for the same menu. There must be
something wrong with the cashier.
The money does not really matter to me, but I feel I have been
cheated. It is this dishonesty that has caused inconvenience to
me. I believe many Indonesian tourists visiting Singapore have
had similar experiences.
F. FAUZIA
Depok, West Java