Hotel & Tours Group

The Singapore Tourism Board has announced a new development project entitled River Safari, which it claims will be the first freshwater river-themed attraction in Asia.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore is investing S$140 million (£66.4 million) in the new attraction, which is set to open in 2011 and expected to attract some 750,000 visitors a year.

Based in the 89-hectare Singapore Zoo and Night Safari compound, the River Safari zone will be home to a variety of wildlife and will also feature facilities for recreational water-based activities.

The Singapore tourism industry's recent focus on natural attractions has led to the opening of the Southern Ridges - a network of bridges and footpaths linking four nature parks - and the Marine Barrage and Reservoir.

Divya Panickar, the tourist board's director in north and western Europe, said: "The River Safari, Marina Barrage and Southern Ridges developments join an already impressive list of nature attractions in Singapore (see Outdoor Activities).

"Apart from the enduringly popular Botanic Gardens, other 'must-see' natural habitats include the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, to name a few."