IT IS with great pride and admiration that I view the many efforts being taken to host the Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.
However, I feel that the greatest responsibility for making Singapore a great host city for the event lies with Singaporeans themselves.
Singapore was chosen as a venue for the first Formula One night race thanks to its vibrant shopping scene, unique cuisine and tropical climate.
Therefore, service staff should be at their polite and courteous best.
The country's multi-cultural cuisine, which includes fragrant chicken rice, spicy curries and crispy roti prata, will certainly be among the highlights for tourists during this season.
Singaporeans should go out of their way to assist tourists who need help with directions, and perhaps escort them to their destinations if need be.
However, in order to give tourists the best impression of Singapore they can get, we need to get rid of a few bad habits.
Among these are not clearing our trays in foodcourts and hawker centres, and maintaining hygiene in public toilets. Singapore has built its reputation on being a clean and green city, and this is surely the image we wish to project to tourists.
Furthermore, in light of the ongoing scare over melamine-tainted products which are made in China, Singaporeans should take pride in products which are made in Singapore, and let tourists and Formula One viewers see the best of Singapore, both up close and onscreen.
This will work to Singapore's advantage in the long term, and will encourage more to travel to Singapore for leisure, the 2010 Youth Olympics and the integrated resorts. This will, in turn, boost the country's economic
growth.
With the above in mind, we need to keep in mind that good habits should be maintained, and not dropped after the Grand Prix is over.
Let us celebrate all that is good in Singapore, and let tourists see the best of the country.
