Latest news with #GardensByTheBay
South China Morning Post
16-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong must put ‘eco' before ‘tourism' in plans for coastal areas
The Hong Kong government's expression of interest process for developing ecotourism in Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai closed on July 2, marking a crucial milestone in the city's push to become a regional leader in sustainable tourism. These two sites, spanning 120 hectares bordering Deep Bay and including ecologically sensitive coastal wetlands, represent far more than just another development opportunity; they're a test case for how Hong Kong can balance economic growth with environmental stewardship. Over the past two decades, I've been fortunate to work on two extraordinary ecotourism projects that put environmental regeneration at the forefront of design and planning. From the cooled conservatories at Singapore's Gardens by the Bay , where visitors now marvel at thriving biodiversity alongside stunning architecture, to the ongoing planning for the 500-hectare island of Sentosa, these projects illustrate how thoughtful governance can turn sustainability into a captivating visitor experience. While Hong Kong might hesitate to reference a rival , Gardens by the Bay – which has welcomed more than 100 million tourists since it opened in 2012 – serves an essential educational purpose, not least of which is that ecotourism projects succeed when they solve real environmental problems. The conservatories are not just architectural showpieces; they are low-carbon structures that show how tourism infrastructure can contribute to sustainability goals. The project's success comes from integrating environmental function into every design decision, not treating conservation as an afterthought. At Sentosa, this idea is taken even further. With a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 while maintaining its position as a premier tourism destination, the island shows that environmental leadership and commercial success are not mutually exclusive. But achieving these two outcomes requires a different approach to governance – one that puts ecological outcomes at the centre of decision-making rather than as an afterthought.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Special edition SG60 Nets card now on sale for $10
SINGAPORE - A special edition SG60 Nets FlashPay card is available for purchase from July 14. The card commemorating the 60th anniversary of Singapore's independence features a vibrant design inspired by landmarks such as Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands. It is 'a symbol of unity, resilience and shared memories,' said Nets. Each card costs $10, which includes a stored value of $5. It is available at 7-Eleven outlets, SimplyGo kiosks, SMRT passenger service centres and from Travelex foreign currency exchange shops. From July 18, the cards can be purchased at Caltex, Shell and SPC outlets, as well as Buzz convenience stores, JBI Trading outlets and Sunshine minimarts. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Independent Singapore
13-07-2025
- Independent Singapore
LTA arrests 22 drivers offering illegal rides between Singapore-Malaysia
Photo: LTA FB SINGAPORE: A total of 22 drivers suspected of ferrying passengers illegally were caught in surprise enforcement operations carried out by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) at Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay on Friday (11 July). In a statement posted on Facebook yesterday (12 July), the LTA said the raids were launched following tip-offs from the public and officers found drivers were allegedly operating without licenses to provide e-hailing and chartered transport services. According to the LTA, some of the offenders were not only providing illicit rides within Singapore but were also offering unlicensed cross-border trips to and from Malaysia. Enforcement officers seized the vehicles involved at the scene and have commenced investigations. The LTA reminded that operating any form of point-to-point passenger transport service without the necessary approvals is a serious offence and that such activities undermine the livelihoods of law-abiding drivers as well as compromise passenger safety as they lack proper insurance coverage. The public has been urged to avoid engaging unlicensed drivers, as these rides pose significant risks. Without valid insurance, passengers may have no recourse if accidents occur. Under the law, offenders can face fines of up to $3,000, jail terms of up to six months, or both. Vehicles used in such illegal services may also be confiscated. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
Malay Mail
12-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Singapore cracks down on illegal ride hailing at Changi and Gardens by the Bay, 22 drivers caught for offering ride to Malaysia
SINGAPORE, July 12 — Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) said today it booked 22 drivers for providing illegal ride-hailing services at Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay, following tip-offs from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association and members of the public. The enforcement operation, which took place yesterday, also saw the impoundment of the vehicles involved in the unauthorised transport of passengers across the border to Malaysia and also within Singapore. 'Commuters should avoid using such illegal services. They lack proper insurance and pose safety risks to passengers. They also affect the livelihoods of licensed drivers,' the LTA said in a Facebook. The authority added it would continue firm enforcement against illegal point-to-point transport, including cross-border services operating without a valid Public Service Vehicle Licence. Under Singaporean law, those convicted of providing unauthorised ride-hailing services face fines of up to S$3,000 (RM9,960), imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Their vehicles may also be forfeited under current regulations. In December last year, the LTA said it arrested 12 drivers for offering illegal ride-hailing services within Singapore and to Malaysia. The LTA said that their foreign-registered vehicles were also impounded during the operation at Changi Airport. It stated that only Singapore- and Malaysia-registered taxis approved by LTA and Malaysia's Land Public Transport Agency can provide cross-border rides, with Malaysia-registered taxis also requiring an Asean public service vehicle permit. These licensed taxis can only operate at the Ban San Street Terminal in Rochor and cannot offer point-to-point rides in Singapore to ensure fairness for local drivers, according to the Singapore Ministry of Transport and LTA.
CNA
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
SG60 edition of National Day Concert will feature Kit Chan, Taufik Batisah and more
Come down to The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay on Aug 3 for a fun-filled day of performances, a carnival, food booths and fireworks in celebration of SG60. The event – the seventh iteration of the Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert (NDC) – will start at 4.30pm and admission is free. This year's NDC is themed 'Ties That Bloom' and will be hosted by popular personalities Gurmit Singh, Nithiya Rao, Yasminne Cheng and Zhin Sadali. Performances include a mass singalong as local singer Kit Chan delivers her timeless National Day Parade (NDP) anthem Home, accompanied by live sign language interpretation from deaf interpreter Faaiqah Alkaff. Chan will also be joined by singer-songwriter Charlie Lim for a performance of this year's NDP song, Here We Are. Local singer Taufik Batisah will be performing Di Tanjong Katong, Chan Mali Chan and other NDP favourites, joined by 10-year-old multi-instrumentalist Lyla Ng. Meanwhile, Mediacorp radio station Love 972 DJ Chua Lee Lian will deliver her song Friendship Forever while jazz songbird Alemay Fernandez will perform a heartfelt rendition of One People, One Nation, One Singapore. Choreographer Meenakshy Bhaskar will also be leading young talents in a spirited performance of the folk classic Munnaeru Vaalibaa. Others taking the stage include Mediacorp artiste-singer JJ Neo and her mother Lucy Chow; Cultural Medallion recipient Rahimah Rahim, her sister Rozie Rahim and granddaughter ALY; singers and sisters Tay Ke Wei and Tay Ke Xin; couple Annetha Ayyavoo and Mark Sara; local singer Shazza with NP Voices, her a cappella group from Ngee Ann Polytechnic; as well as local rapper Yung Raja performing his latest single Miss Call. The Purple Symphony (TPS) – Singapore's largest inclusive orchestra of musicians with and without disabilities – will bring audiences a heartfelt medley of familiar local tunes in a moving tribute to Singapore's 60th birthday. Audiences can also expect the first-ever live performance of this year's NDC song, Ties That Bloom, by Hady Mirza, now available on melisten. Aside from performances, from 4.30pm, concert-goers can enjoy the pre-concert activities including the Taste zone, a vibrant food street featuring local dishes such as popiah and laksa. At the Play booths, visitors can play classic childhood games like oversized eraser battles, pick-up sticks, goli, or try their luck at nostalgic tikam-tikam booths. Finally, the Create section will allow visitors to pen heartfelt wishes for the nation on giant tingkat installations located at each gate, capture treasured memories at family-friendly art displays and enjoy craft activities – including neonwire crafting and satay keychain workshops. For those seeking a special keepsake, exclusive T-shirts from Mediacorp's inaugural Design Pompipi Competition will be available via blind boxes at S$10 each. Featuring the six winning designs from the kids category, each shirt captures youthful visions of what Singapore means to them. All proceeds from sales will support Gardens by the Bay's community outreach initiative Gift of Gardens, which provides Singapore residents who may not have the resources to visit or are individuals with disabilities, free access to the conservatories.
