Thứ Bảy, 22 tháng 6, 2013

Singapore attractions fall victim to haze

AS THE Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) shoots to record highs in Singapore, the city-state’s tourist attractions are seeing smaller numbers and are taking measures to weather the haze.



The Singapore Flyer and DUCKtours suspended operations yesterday to protect employees after PSI readings hit a hazardous high of 371, saying operations would resume when conditions improve. They remain closed today.



Gardens by the Bay had ceased the running of outdoor activities like the Garden Cruiser tram and the seven-storey high Supertree aerial walkway since the PSI exceeded 100 earlier this week.



According to a Gardens by the Bay spokesman, visitor numbers have “declined” and the attraction is now distributing free masks to visitors.



Clement Ng, assistant communications manager of Resort Worlds Sentosa (RWS) said there were “fewer visitors” to the Adventure Cove Waterpark. Though all attractions remain open at RWS, the park has “tweaked the format” of the outdoor shows at Universal Studios Singapore.



At the four attractions under Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), namely – Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, Singapore Zoo, and River Safari – WRS has observed a “small dip” in visitor numbers as well.



WRS said in a statement that the health of park animals was being monitored, but all animals were presently “exhibiting normal behaviour with no noticeable adverse reactions”.



Meanwhile tour operators leading inbound groups to Singapore are adjusting their itineraries. Alicia Seah, senior vice president of marketing and PR, CTC Travel, said: “We have groups from Hong Kong who have been worried, but our local guides have kept this in mind and provided them masks and additional supply of mineral water.” 



Seah added that for outdoor sightseeing tours of Chinatown, Little India and Merlion Park, subject to the tourists’ consent, CTC would suggest showing them these places indoors – from within the bus.


 


Singapore Changi Airport is also taking precautions against the reduced visibility brought by the haze by increasing the time between take-offs and landings, The Business Times reported today.



The same paper quoted a Singapore Airlines source as saying flight operations remained unaffected, but the airline was prepared to divert flights to other airports should the situation deteriorate further.




Singapore attractions fall victim to haze

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