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Love Herring in SwedenFrom artery-clogging casseroles to a fermented concoction that smells alarmingly like vinegary flatulence, Lola Akinmade digs in to a smörgåsbord of herring and explains how to best appreciate Scandinavia’s favorite fish. BOOKS
The Water Is WideBronwen Dickey considers Tim Butcher’s “Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart,” which takes readers deep into the Congo SPEAKER'S CORNER
Vagrant Ruminations of a Compulsive TravelerWhere does the urge to hunt for that “fleeting fix of elsewhere” come from? Peter Wortsman recalls a life of travel inspiration. Q&A
Rolf Potts: Revelations from a Postmodern Travel WriterHis new book “Marco Polo Didn’t Go There” includes his best stories from the past 10 years. Michael Yessis asks him how travel writing has changed in the last decade—and what he sees for the future. AUDIO SLIDESHOW Notes From an Unofficial Tourist GreeterSummer is over, and so is Julia Ross‘ season as an ambassador to travelers in Washington, D.C.’s Woodley Park neighborhood. She’s happy to be off duty. THE LIST
10 Great Travel Race MoviesSlow travel is well and good. But there’s something irresistible about a great travel race movie. World Hum Travel Movie Clubbers Eva Holland and Eli Ellison share their favorite vicarious thrill rides. ASK ROLF
How Should I Spend My Time in Spain?Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel |
TRAVEL BLOG9.10.07
Singapore, Brand That Nation!
Location: Southern tip of the Malay peninsula in Southeast Asia Capital: Singapore City Noteworthy factoids: Durian fruit is not allowed on public transportation. Also, Singaporeans hold the world record for the most people exercising simultaneously while wearing green. Quick travel take: “Singapore has traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens and pearl luggers for towers of concrete and glass, and its steamy rickshaw image for cool efficiency and spotless streets, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a Singapore Sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel.”—Lonely Planet Nearly random quote from travel blogger in Singapore: “Singapore is so freaking SMALL and so easy to travel around in, it is impossible to get lost in Singapore.”—YumiOntheCoast The problem: Singapore is known among Americans almost exclusively for two things. It’s the place where an American teenager was once caned for committing vandalism, and it’s the nation that famously banned chewing gum. In fact, Calvin Trillin is not far off when he wrote in a fine story about Singapore’s food in the Sept. 3 New Yorker (abstract here): “If Singapore tested a nuclear device tomorrow, the stories in American newspapers would mention the gum ban by the second paragraph.” Important overlooked gum-ban factoid: The government loosened the gum ban three years ago, as Trillin points out. You can now buy prescription nicotine gum. Branding strategy: When the government gives you branding lemons, make branding lemonade. Potential slogans: * Singapore: Your Prescription for Fun * Stroll Singapore: Only Memories Will Stick to Your Shoes * Follow the Rules and the Only Cane You’ll See is Sugar * What is Singapore Banning? What Do You Got? * Singapore: So Freaking Small, Only an Idiot Would Get Lost Here Now get out there and Brand That Nation!
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Photo by Alex.ch via Flickr, (Creative Commons). Categories: Weblog • Brand That Nation! • Nation Branding • Singapore 
Permalink • Comments (4)
COMMENTSDurians aren’t allowed on trains or hotels because of its pungent smell so as not to offend people who are not used to it. But most Singaporeans love the fruit, make ice creams, cakes and smoothies from them and they are openly sold near tourist spots like Chinatown.The Esplanade in Singapore is modeled after the fruit, but open one aboard a train, and well, you know what happened to the teenager!
By Mala Mukunda on 9.10.07 at 01:52 PM
Visiting Singapore is like visiting China, India, and Malaysia with the best of the west included. The Hotels beat anything on offer in the UK for their price and standard. The MRT is pristine, cheap and safe. Taxis are regulated and cheap and friendly. Buses easy to get around on and they have TV’s on board. See u there. Singaporean. By Singapore on 10.26.07 at 12:26 AM
I traveled to Singapore in October 2006 for work and I second the comments posted by, ‘Singapore.’ The city is very clean, a melting pot of several different cultures and while riding the MRT I felt more clean and safe than in the DC Metro and the NYC Subway. Kudos! And let’s not forget the food. FABULOUS food! By on 2.25.08 at 12:52 PM
I also agree with ‘Singapore’s’ previous post. Just got back from a weekend break there and had a great time staying in the Marina Bay area. Very clean and a nice break from Bangkok where I live. Enjoyed the new Singapore Flyer, which beat’s my hometowns London Eye hands down IMHO. By on 8.6.08 at 01:05 AM
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The latest focus of Brand That Nation!—our tip sheet for countries that may or may not be considering new branding campaigns and that just might want to improve their image in the U.S. travel market, where simple, easy-to-remember slogans are key: Singapore.
