I genuinely wanted to know more about where else to sightsee in Singapore. At the ground floor I saw an outlet called “Tourist & Transit Hub” and I thought I’ve hit the jackpot. There were brochures at the counter and the place did look like a tourist information centre. I have no idea why the place is named that way but knowing how ‘unique’ Singapore is, I thought it was meant to be yet another cool branding strategy to reinforce our “Uniquely Singapore” image.
I approached the counter and asked if I could take some brochures. The not-so-attentive staff motioned me a ‘yes’ and so I took one brochure of “Attractions Directory – Visitor Information” and another one on the Singapore Flyer itself. Very well! The centre has a comfortable ambiance. There was a huge flat panel TV surrounded by a good number of comfortable sofa – all empty. In front of the TV was a small round table with some local newspapers. At one end of the centre was an Internet kiosk and there were two men surfing the Internet in this wonderfully air-conditioned place called “Tourist & Transit Hub”.
While waiting for Cynthia and my mother (from HK) to finish their fish spa (more write-up about that later), those empty sofa seemed like a big magnet to my tired body. As my butt making its way to those seats, I heard a female voice from behind me.
“Can I help you,” said the not-too-friendly staff. “Erm, not really at the moment. I just wish to sit down and read through the brochures,” I replied politely waving the brochures in the air. “This place is for group tourists only,” said she. I was speechless for a moment standing just an inch away from the sofa and there was hardly a soul in the room! “How about individual tourists?” I asked. “You can’t sit here. Sorry,” she insisted.
I couldn’t think of anything else to do but to leave. Actually, if she was to allow me to stay, I really wouldn’t mind giving up my seat should the group tourists actually turn up. How about renaming the center to “Exclusive Group Tourist Lounge”?
I-have-only-my-stupidity-to-blame aside, the Singapore Flyer is actually a charmingly huge structure able to see – as quoted by my mother who has seen the Flyer advertisement in Hong Kong – Malaysia and Indonesia. (She actually said Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta and I said no way.) The Singapore Flyer has 28 capsules and it takes 30 minutes to complete one round. Deep inside my heart, I knew my mother wanted to take the Flyer so … well, she is above 60 so her ticket was S$24. Both Cynthia and I have to pay S$30 each to go up.
Being an engineer at heart, I marvelled at the beautiful and symmetric structure. Although there is probably nothing much to see by now except the Integrated Resort construction site, the highway, the sea, the Marina Bay area, and some of the city buildings, I think it will be a nice view once the Integrated Resort is completed.
The Singapore Flyer is not perfect. My humble wish-list would be:
- Make each capsule a mini-museum of Singapore history and introduce the current attraction spots. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, can be made subtle, and if done right, add new meanings to the experience. Look, the Flyer has trapped up to 20 tourists in each capsule for 30 minutes and they are not going anywhere. Why not help them to know Singapore more? It is actually getting quite boring after the first 3 minutes.
- Dedicate an area for a museum of the Singapore Flyer itself. What was the building process, how high is the capsule at topmost position, and etc. People like to boost about what they have done overseas.
- Have some automated mechanism to clean the capsule every now and then during the day. Singapore rains often and if it is the view we are selling, it is quite a turn off to see through those dirty windows (like in our case).
- Turn the entire area into a mini-carnival. Add in the clowns and live music, stores to play games and win soft toys. Make it a fun and colorful place that is memorable. Right now, the Singapore Flyer looks like some sort of business centre to me.
- (Perhaps rename “Tourist & Transit Hub @ The Singapore Flyer”)
There aren’t many interesting shops in the Singapore Flyer except one – the fish spa where there are tons of fish in the tank ready to nibble your feet’s dead skin away. My mother is the brave one but Cynthia, I am not so sure. After reading an article by my blogger friend EastCoastLife on “doctor fish therapy”, I insisted that Cynthia should try. The package (30 minutes fish spa and 10 minutes shoulder massage) was quite expensive, S$38. According to ECL, it only cost her S$10 per half an hour!
They both love the results feeling the renewed freshness of the skin. Cynthia observed that her feet looked whiter. My mother loved it so much that she grabbed my sister for another session the next day. Now that my mother is back in Hong Kong, we all know what she misses the most here (definitely not us, sis!).
29 replies on “Got Kicked Out From Tourist & Transit Hub @ The Singapore Flyer But Overall Experience Is Positive”
haha… sounds… abit sad… 😀 but no lar… it’s good that we can still make her trip memorable and interesting though she has visited Singapore for soooo many times.. hehe! Quite an achievement indeed! 3 cheers for my Big Brother! 🙂
Hey, I think the Singapore Tourism Board should give you a prize… at least a free package Sentosa Resort for 4 pax (pls invite me and Benny to accompany you two… hehe…) if you send them your comments!!! 😀 But honestly, you are quite true that the whole place is quite plain and dull… You are perfectly right that if they add some music, the whole place will become more lively! Anyway, when the tourism spots are so scare in Singapore, they should make each one more outstanding… AND FUN!!! :>
I thought one of the wish-list should be – UP the customer service, PLEASE?! What attitude is that? Was it crowded in the first place? If not, I don’t see any problem sitting down and reading the brochure. What is this ?Sorry, Singapore Flyer…at least I won’t be the one giving you good reputation via word-of-mouth. So much about marketing. Bleh!
I hope STB really gets to know this and give you a free ride in the capsule.
a little feedback to STB and Stomp would help make them MUCH MORE FRIENDLIER.
ok, perhaps not Stomp but an email feedback to the management team would be good. 🙂
Agree with tigerfish. That is just ridiculous. I have never been treated unceremoniously in even the slightest way by the Singapore Visitors Centre booth at Orchard (because I can never differentiate Far East Plaza and Shopping Center…). I don’t see why this should be different.
Singapore is a crap place where customer service, courtesy and understanding the needs of people are concerned. The only thing that does the real talking is money.
Hey Cynthia and your mum were in uniform huh. Were you in pink top and black bottom too? 🙂
Your mom was saying that from the highest point of the flyer, maybe she can see KL and Jakarta.. Not that the flyer was advertised there..
The customer service incident reminds me of an act in “Meet the Parents” where Greg couldn’t board the aircraft before “other passengers” who sit in other rows were allowed to board the plane.
There were no other passenger besides him of course.
One of the biggest mistake in customer service is a belief that a smile would make everything alright. To the giver, maybe, but to the recipient, it doesn’t always work.
Woah… now Cynthia can understand what your mom says better than you… and I believe you speak to your mom in Cantonese?!
Actually in comparison, I think the customer service in Jakarta is generally much better than Singapore’s. It leads me to wonder perhaps customer service is a in-built attitude towards people, that is grown out of custom and the way people are brought up, as well as our education system?
Lora – I know! I actually run out of ideas where to bring mom around in Singapore. Perhaps a goat farm next time. Not sure if she is into animal farms.
Erm … don’t think Singapore Tourism Board is so generous. Ha ha ha.
Tigerfish – You also think it is a bit weird eh? I have been to tourist centres in UK, America, Australia … all of them are very friendly. They really don’t mind people just sit by the bench and do nothing.
Not sure if I want a free ride at the capsule … ha ha ha. Perhaps during NDP firework.
Xinyun – Hmmm … perhaps I shall just drop STB and the Singapore Flyer management a friendly email. I would be very happy (and more proud!) if the Flyer can be more successful. Thanks for the suggestion!
Farinelli – Well, I think the only difference is that the one at the Flyer is supposed to be “exclusive” to group tourist only. As I thumb through the brochure, I actually could have qualified as a group tourist. If I am willing to part my close to S$100 for the Flyer ride, some of the items inside are within reach.
Darkspore – Oh, I am so with you on this one. Singapore really should up the customer service level … across ALL service industries.
Cynthia – Oh, my mom did mention about the advertisement of the Flyer in Hong Kong even long before the Flyer was officially open to the public.
You know … there wasn’t even a smile 🙁 … when they actually asked me to leave.
Oh no! The rude service at the Visitor Centre is not acceptable to me. I’ll feedback to the Singapore Flyer management too.
The fish spa is expensive at beauty salons and tourist hubs! I got mine at a fish farm… so that explains the cost. For my S$10 (half hour fish spa), I still get a little towel and a pair of slippers!
ECL – I know! I checked your site after our visit then only realized that there is a much value for money place.
I’m sure there will be next time when my mom visits again 🙂
The experience you had at the Tourist Centre was C.R.A.P.
Singapore still sucks lah, in terms of customer service.
But it’s still better than here………. and waaaaaaaaaaaaay better than Hanoi.
Oh the fish thing sounds majorly interesting! I will try it if I have the chance the next time!
G – Well, I really not sure if it is meant to be a tourist centre. Though it does have all the tourist brochures. The name does suggest that.
Yes yes, go for that fish spa. I think you would love the result … once you get over the fear like Cynthia did if any.
With regard to the views expressed here on “Got Kicked Out From Tourist & Transit Hub @ The Singapore Flyer …….” I too wish to share mine.
My overall experience at Singapore Flyer was a negative one. The surround around of the SF is not fully developed yet. Actually visitors riding on the capsules would really be bored with the much construction going on in this area at the moment.
If you wish to avoid paying that S$29.50 and yet feel what was it like up there, you could take a lift up one of the highest office buildings at Marina bay / Marina Square area to get your views there. Exactly the same. Moreover, you will enjoy better “freedom” of not having to trap into the capsule for 30 mins.
A Singaporean – Hi, thanks for sharing. You are right. The view is not that exciting at the moment. They should have some discount or something.
Where my office is at is about 40 floors above ground so the view itself is not new to me. I was hoping that the Flyer will bring me new experience, which is not quite.
Hopefully the Singapore Flyer will improve. I think I shall do my share of helping and send in my suggestion in a constructive way.
I have a bad experience too at the Singapore flyer on 02May08.I bought my daughter Amabel and my Parent to Singapore Flyer.The place is very beautiful but too bad… their service is damn bad and rule.
We had a very bad impression with them.
My helper bring Amabel to the toilet to change her diaper; the indian cleaner scolded my maid for changing diaper in the 2nd floor toilet. My helper apologies to her 3 times but she keeps scolding her.After the whole incident so she told me about it, i am so piss off with the attitude.
How dare she is trying to bully a helper and our precious daughter.
How can it be that toilet cannot change baby’s diaper.
There is no poster or rules saying that ‘No changing of diaper in the toilet’
At the point of time i so angry and confronted the indian cleaner, got another indian cleaner with her also; they never apologies but defending that the management pass down the rules said no changing of baby’s diaper in the toilet and gave a very very bad attitude and even raised up her voice and slam the toilet’s door. My mum so angry that she went toilet pulled the cleaner out again.she reply us if not happy please complain to the SF management
I am so angry, complained to the management. They apologized and explained that is the cleaner’s fault and there is no such rule that no changing of baby’s diaper is allowed in the toilet.
Anyway we are going to write up to complain about their services cause it really spoil the Singapore image to tourist if this kind of service is continue.
JnL – I am shocked to hear that (and thanks for sharing)! I think Singapore should buckle up and be more service oriented now that we are going to have more and more tourist attraction spots such as the IRs.
I think the Singapore Flyer should add a baby changing room (I hope I got the term right) for parents – fathers or mothers or helpers – to take care of the babies. Quite a basic requirement, no?
Better submit my this blog entry to Singapore Tourism Board. Thanks for the idea.
They have the baby changing room located at the 1st floor ,i find out after this incident.My concern is why we cant change the diaper at the toilet and i hate the way cleaner reply and ans us is very very rude.How can you challenge the vistors?
Jnl – I agree. They don’t need to be rude at all. These are the touch points that the STB should look into. I hope they put in better training and awareness programme for the cleaners instead of firing them. I think something must be wrong with the system.
hi! I’m currently doing a project on Singapore Flyer. Hope you can take some time to help me do survey on it. Thanks (:
here’s the link:
http://www.online-survey.net/survey-1339
Jaselyn – Hi, I have done the survey and good luck with your school project. Can we see the overall results?! 🙂
how about viewing the fireworks on top of the Flyer? national day can book liao.. better view leh… .
Taxi – Good idea. Do you know what time the firework begins? I bet all the slots are fully booked for this year!
Hey check out my blog for another bad experience.
Wendy
[…] “The Singapore Flyer you meant,” I interjected. “Yes, have you been up?” “Yes, once.” Someone else cut in, “There was a recent power failure.” OK, I have vaguely heard this […]