Satish Cheney, Channel NewsAsia 30 Nov 08;
SINGAPORE : It may be due to the bad economy or a love of nature, but more Singaporeans are warming up to the idea of having a holiday without leaving the country.
D'Kranji Farm Resort, situated at Lim Chu Kang - usually known for its cemeteries and army camps - is drawing Singaporeans who want an "Old MacDonald's" kind of a holiday.
It costs about S$250 a night to stay in one of the farm villas, and the location seems to be a welcome reprieve for some.
"Out on the drive here, it feels like a road trip... You look around, and there're no skyscrapers. You feel like you're out of the city which is good," said resort guest Chiong Siau.
Besides the farming landscape, guests at D'Kranji Farm Resort get to choose your own seafood, or something more adventurous for dinner.
There are spa treatments for guests as well, and this is helping to bring occupancy rates up - with 70 per cent expected for November.
"It's very relaxing harem" said one resort guest.
"In fact, we've booked here for December holiday already," said another.
For some resort guests, the allure is more than just nature.
"(Some of the guests) used to stay here previously, but because of the development, they moved to housing estates. So, they miss this place. (Coming here) brings back old memories," said Harry Quek, manager at D'Kranji Farm Resort.
The majority of people going to farm resorts to escape their stressful lives are Singaporeans, but the resort management is hoping to bring in people from other countries as well. It has been working with tour agencies from far-away countries such as Russia.
Nature also seems to be a selling point for corporate functions, as well as church camps and schools.
"(With) the church camps and educational programmes, we let people know how things are built... (and) what you're eating, to show the children (where the food) came from," said Don Ho, manager of Business Development at XCL Concepts.
With the resort's expansion in the pipeline, there could be more reason for Singaporeans to holiday at home. - CNA /ls
