Singapore Dressed Up To Party Like It's 2019 For F1 Return
Muhammad Irfan Published September 27, 2022 | 12:00 PM
Singapore, Sept 27 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Sep, 2022 ) :With tickets selling fast and party suites costing up to $70,000 a night, Singapore is putting the pedal to the metal when it hosts Asia's first Formula One race this weekend since the pandemic.
Tens of thousands of fans are expected to converge for the Singapore Grand Prix from Friday to Sunday as the night race roars back after a two-year absence because of Covid.
Adding to the party atmosphere, Red Bull's Max Verstappen could retain his world title on the floodlit street circuit around the Marina Bay district.
But one of the most glamorous races on the F1 Calendar has always been about more than just the racing.
Away from the track, the city-state will be letting its hair down with concerts by Westlife, Black Eyed Peas and Suede, plus American rapper Fatman Scoop and Dutch DJ Oliver Heldens.
More upscale parties are boasting caviar and champagne on the menu, and diners can dig into an F1-themed "Roaring Dinner Feast" and "Fuel Up Brunch".
About 25 corporate meetings and events, including the Forbes Global CEO Conference, are also scheduled, allowing executives to mix work and play.
"It signals to the world that Singapore is back in business and that our ability to stage world-class, high-quality events remains undimmed," Ong Ling Lee, an executive director at Singapore Tourism Board (STB), told AFP.
Authorities have not released numbers, but ticket sales for Singapore's biggest event since the pandemic have already exceeded 2019, when 268,000 spectators watched, said Ong.
Race tickets cost from Sg$98 ($70) to nearly Sg$10,000.
- 'Coming-out-of-Covid party' - Singapore has removed all Covid restrictions, except for mask-wearing inside buses and metro trains, after vaccinating most of its population of nearly six million and deciding to live with the virus.
"From a global perspective, this is the brightest light to shine on Singapore since the pandemic," Song Seng Wun, an economist with CIMB Private Banking, told AFP.
"This is Singapore's grand coming-out-of-Covid party." Covid wrecked Singapore's economy with its deepest-ever recession in 2020 and in 2021 visitor arrivals plunged to 330,000, from 19.12 million in 2019.
But it shifted to endemicity earlier this year and last week overtook Hong Kong as Asia's premier finance centre in a global ranking list.
Seeing Singapore emphatically open up has "put pressure" on other Asian economies such as Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong to also relax travel curbs, said Song.
"Formula One is also shining the spotlight on Asia in terms of who is seriously going back to business." Hotel bookings have been brisk, even with room rates estimated to be up to 50 percent higher than they were pre-Covid.
Prices have surged past Sg$2,000 a night, especially for those around the circuit.
"There's a lot of pent-up demand for those race enthusiasts looking forward to come back to Singapore," said Marcus Hanna, managing director of Fairmont Singapore and Swissotel The Stamford.
- $70,000 party suite - For many, the socialising is as important as the racing.
F1 after-party specialist Amber Lounge has a "Noir Suite" for up to 25 people at the five-star Fullerton Bay Hotel costing Sg$100,000 a night. The hotel's F1-inspired dishes include a "Pit Stop Cake".
The nearby Marina Bay Sands casino and hotel complex is offering a "Mandala Weekender", where guests can enjoy a variety of musical entertainment and parties.
US hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd, Grammy-nominated artist Kelis and popular British drum and bass musicians Rudimental are among those featured.
The tourism board said that the F1 has generated more than Sg$1.5 billion in tourism receipts since its Singapore debut in 2008.
"For me, it's not just about the race, I want to go around to see who is coming to the party, to see whether the buzz has come back," said Song, the economist.
"I think it's back with a vengeance."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
5 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
15 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
17 days ago