ScoobyDoes: Couldn't agree more, although I was in Hong Kong in December, I found the food in the food court at shopping malls, double of what Singapore charge.
But I do agree, that tourism will be difficult unless it becomes Cheaper, like Denmark, it's difficulty to attract tourism is a long haul, although Singapore is specialising more in bio chemistry, and agricultural industries it will be almost impossible to become independent from it's main source of income.
Many ignorant people in Singapore are just not aware of the dependency Singapore has on the expat, and how it would effect the whole country, if expats pulled out.
The knock on effect of expats losing their positions is not a good sign, for what is to come, local unemployment is very real too.
I wouldn't expect any significant change in tourism for at least 10 to 20 years, like QRM stated.
The planning of the future is well on the way for Singapore and one major person, who took a taxi, wanted to go to the terminal 4 site, the actual recovery of land from the sea, is on going, terminal 5 will also come no doubt.
Recession does effect all, although even without a recession, Singapore must handle the cyclic ups and downs of the electronics industry, i guess all they are doing is to diversify there portfolio of offerings, to minimise risk.
Which makes sense not to rely to heavy on the electronics and other established sectors for export markets. Creating jobs in other sectors must be a plus, keeping the locals employed is just another task to solve in the long term.
There is no doubt, the government is not at all stupid, compared to the likes of many Countries, that squabble over politics and get nothing done at all, but line their own pockets.
It appears that Singapore is still a targeted Country for money laundering, according to the CIA fact book, does this mean the financial industry is still not clean in Singapore?
Resm, you are quite right, terminal 3 and the others are all suffering, with tourism down, but it's all part and parcel of the recession, like you say, the task will be difficult, but the government is quite firm, on its planning and to be honest, I am quite impressed with Singapore government results since i was first here in 1970.
I wish the UK could perform just as well, although that is a dream of 60 million other people too.
But what to expect when political parties lie and cheat their way into the hearts of blind people, and it happens in many many Countries.
Singapore quality of life, proves that it has done well in comparison, although some people are never satisfied, it would be wise for all locals to understand the importance of the expatriate in Singapore and the relevance on the Country as a whole, when expats start losing their jobs. There is a knock on effect, that will hit locals.
