February 22, 2017: Singapore cements its position as one of the leading tourist destinations in South East Asia with its record 16.4 million international visitors in 2016, registering an increase of 7.7 per cent over the same period in 2015. In addition, tourism receipts reached a high of S$24.8 billion in 2016, reflecting a growth of 13.9 per cent over the same period in 2015. The strong tourism receipt came on the back of visitors spending more on Food and Beverage, Shopping and Accommodation. Despite the challenging global economy and intensified competition, Singapore has managed to attract more quality visitors to contribute to its economic growth. 

This weekend, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is showcasing some of its best street food at the Eat the World DXB festival taking place from 23 to 25 February at Burj Park in Downtown Dubai in an effort to celebrate its culinary diversity that has helped put Singapore on the global map. 

GB Srithar, Regional Director for South Asia, Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board said “Singapore welcomed 80,212 visitors from the UAE in 2016, a modest growth of about 2 per cent from the previous year. STB remains engaged in this market for the long term and is committed to working with partners to grow the mindshare and tourism contribution further. We are confident, beyond our reputation as a culinary hotspot in Asia, Singapore has so much more to offer the families in the UAE and the region who are looking for that quality holiday together.” 

The Eat the World DXB festival, which is part of the Dubai Food Festival will feature five Singaporean food vendors, including Artichoke, Kerbside Gourmet, Makan Makan, Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah and Chef Shen Tan alongside international food trucks from the USA and UK. STB will also be featuring Master Chef Asia winner Woo Wai Leong, renowned Chef Bjorn Shen and the highly acclaimed Dubai-based Singaporean chefs, Reif Othman and Akmal Anuar as part of its line-up of culinary talents at the live cooking demo stages of the festival. 

Mohamed Firhan Abdul Salam, Area Director for Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board said: “We are pleased to be associated with Eat the World festival as it is a great platform to introduce Singaporean street food and the best of our culinary talents to the residents of the UAE. We hope more visitors from the UAE will fall in love with not just our cuisines but with the country as well. Singapore is a perfect year-round destination for families from the UAE with its myriad of world class leisure experiences, rich multi-cultural heritage, unparalleled shopping and dining options including wide availability of halal food.”

Philip Lowery, Director of Food Market Events Middle East and organizer of the Eat the World festival is struck by the culinary passion of Singaporeans and is excited to introduce Eat the World Singapore in 2018. He said “Singapore is a natural choice to bring our successful brand Eat the World in Asia – it has excellent infrastructure, a vibrant food scene and most importantly, people who are seriously passionate about food!”