A role for all in attracting tourists
I HAVE reservations about the claim that the strength of the Singapore dollar is one of the main reasons for the recent fall in tourist arrivals ("Boost land arrival experience to lure tourists back" by Mr Lee Yong Se; yesterday).
The Singdollar has appreciated significantly in the past 25 years, but tourist arrival figures have been going up in the same period.
Instead, the impression of how Singapore treats foreigners may have impacted tourist arrivals in recent times.
The story of a Vietnamese tourist kneeling at a Sim Lim Square phone shop asking for a refund, after allegedly being conned, went viral on social media, and may have given the impression that shops in Singapore are all out to scam customers.
Reports of protests against foreigners were carried widely by the international media, and may have created the view that Singapore is not welcoming of foreigners.
We all have a role to play in bringing tourists back.
Sim Lim Onn
Dolphins a luxury not worth having
AN ADVERTISEMENT last Friday touted Dolphin Villa, off Sentosa, as a "world first" and a place "where you play and sleep with the dolphins". This is an accolade that Singapore cannot afford to claim.
It is disturbing that the developer is allowed to build houses right in the dolphins' habitat. How will the construction and other human activities affect the dolphins and the marine ecology?
One can easily imagine dolphins ingesting food wrappers or plastic containers that are mindlessly tossed into the sea. It is also very likely that unsupervised children will shoot water guns or throw objects at the dolphins.
This will reverse any hard-earned progress we have made in animal welfare and protection.
Is the "rare luxury" of having dolphins in a few people's backyards worth inflicting a lifetime of suffering on the animals and the destruction of their habitat?
Yap Ching Wi (Ms)
Why no disclaimers for radio, TV ads?
I NOTICE that radio advertisements on non-medical hair loss treatments do not contain the required disclaimer that there is no scientific proof that any product (except certain registered medicinal products) or service can retard hair loss or promote hair growth.
Are radio and TV advertisements exempted from the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice, particularly ads on slimming and hair loss?
Cheng Shoong Tat
