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According to the Department of Tourism in Karnataka, the state is preparing itself to make Karnataka the leading tourism destination. They are ready to set forth a policy which in effect makes tourism the primary economic activity. The intention of the state is to create employment and generate revenue from taxes. It is projected that tourism will be the perfect vehicle to achieve this.

Mysore, Coorg, Hampi, Pattadkal-Badami-Aihole, Bijapur and the coast from Ullal and Karwar, will be priority zones for development. In the future, construction projects related to tourism may not be required to follow the standard operating procedures with regard to government approval of land use. In an effort to gain momentum with this project, additional incentives may be given, separate from the allowances offered within the existing industrial policy. Concessions on investments in the tourism sector have been extended for a variety of taxes and application charges.

The Department of Tourism is planning initially to improve the general infrastructure in order to sustain long term growth. The long term goal is to make Karatnaka the leading tourism destination in South Asia and to ultimately become the number one location for meetings, conferences and exhibitions. This will require the design and construction of convention centers and exhibition halls. Again, reaping the benefit of the creation of employment and future tax revenues. Many hotels, ranging from budget to five star hotels in Bangalore will be required, to accommodate the influx of tourists and businesspeople.

For the less business minded tourist, there are plans to promote cruises from Mangalore, eco-tourism through dense jungle in a zone stretching from Coorg to Karwar; a survey of traditions & society around Hampi, Pattadkal, Badami, Aihole, Bidar, and Bijapur; health & fitness tourism in Bangalore; and culture tourism which will be achieved by identifying one historic building in each district in order to set up a visitors center and to exhibit and nurture the tradition of local arts and crafts.

Mumbai has the same reputation in India as Manhattan has in New York, both of these cities seem to never sleep. In Mumbai there are so many options for entertainment that travelers are often overwhelmed with their number of choices. As in NYC, the people of Mumbai have hectic and busy lifestyles. Their busy lives do not put a damper on their hunger for nightlife however, and perhaps just serve to increase the need for the fun and the atmosphere one enjoys when one is where one wants to be, and not where one needs to be. It’s no surprise that there are many pubs, restaurants and hotels. Mumbai, India attracts tourists as well, visitors with the knowledge of what the city has to offer.

There are many rock concerts, symphony performances and music festivals throughout the year. As well as film festivals, which highlight the documentaries and the regional film makers as well as those internationally well known, as this is Bollywood after all. Live theater is thriving here as well, starting years ago with the Privthi Theater, and gives local actors and talent the venues to perform and further perfect their craft. And just as with the film industry, the theater festivals occur here year round, much as in the U.S. cities of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. There are museums for those so culturally inclined with some of the most extensive collections of Indian art and sculpture in the region.

The Mahalakshmi Horse Track is also a popular for of entertainment. Many of the rich and famous of India, and around the world attend the races, and the club at the track is considered to be one of the most elite in Mumbai. The races run from November through February, with the much awaited for Derby occurring on the 1st Sunday of that last month of the season, February. It is a black tie event, and an extravagant and exhilarating evening in the city. The track also houses one of the most gourmet restaurants of Dubai, Gallops. The cuisine varies from western to traditional and is filled day and night. The options for a fun time in this city are, indeed, endless.

Many of the tourist attractions in Singapore are steeped in history, either through the architecture or mythology. And while most are entertaining and provide loads of fun for the whole family, they are also educational and interactive, giving visitors a five star Singapore experience which provides visitors with not only incredible experiences, but the knowledge of the history behind the memorials and landmarks they have visited. This serves to bring the past very much into the modern world, something that people of Singapore do on a a daily basis with just about every aspect of their lives, be it recipes for the fine food, the customs and even religious practices.

One such architectural structure dating back to the colonial time period, was once a convent. Chijmes, pronounced as ‘chimes’ of a bell, dates back to the World War II occupation of Singapore by the Japanese. There has been some restoration, making certain characteristics of the building more modern. However this is intricately blended with aspects left historical in design and structure. There are delicately designed stained glass windows, historical wall paintings and frescoes, along side trendy restaurants and boutique, designer shops. The chapel still stands, and aside from the chapel itself, stands the Caldwell house, oldest house in Singapore. There are many wine bars and coffee shops as well as some of the finest art galleries in Singapore, housing works from Thailand artists, Japanese, Chinese and a host of other internationally known craftsman as well.

Another such site, interactive in nature, is the Merlion on Sentosa Island. The merlion is an iconic figure throughout Singapore, which gives significance and recognition to the fact that Singapore has relied on the land of their country and the water surrounding it. With a fish body and a lions head, sculptures of the merlion are found in various locations around the city. This was first designed for advertising purposes in the mid 1960′s, but has become for many a symbol of what it is to be Singaporean. The largest of these monuments is found on Sentosa island, and is reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island. It stands thirty-seven meters. Visitors climb up through the body of the sculpture to the viewing deck, the mouth of the lion. There is also a deck on the very top of the beasts head, offering the mostspectacular views of Sentosa and surrounding sea. Some, actually most native Singaporeans pass this icon off as an advertising ploy, millions of visitors each year visit and photograph the image.

Lee Hsien Loong is becoming to modern Malaysian society, much in the way that Plato became to ancient thinkers of Rome and modern thinkers today, a prince, a philosophical prince. His intelligence has never been questioned. His father was the previous Singapore Prime Minister, so from an early age he was groomed to take over that position. And one anonymous Singaporean shopkeeper stated that what was once the father’s ambition, the son has now achieved. The story reads as a Shakespearean play. Educated at Harvard and Cambridge, he follows much of the Confucian philosophies that so guided his father during his term as prime minister. What the country is expecting is a radical shift in governmental leadership, born out of a system of traditional beliefs.

The director of Asia Economic Forecasting, David Cohen, remarked that while many find the succession a bit…questionable…no one would ever doubt his competency to lead this country. Citizens of Singapore are well aware of the cultural restrictions they live within, and are also aware that while Lee is modern and forward thinking, his is still a man that has been involved for years, in the oppressive governmental control, as first a cabinet minister and then the Deputy Prime Minister. Singapore has had the reputation in many foreign countries over the years as, quite frankly, a somewhat intense place to visit. Gum chewing was outlawed until very recently. A more congenial and welcoming manner would benefit all aspects of business for this country, from the corner Singapore boutique hotel, to the petrol stations to the opera.

Many aspects of Singapore are censored. In the past, the media kept hidden certain circumstances while exposing those issues that were permitted in being exposed. One such set of stories showed the softer side of Lee. One that his advisers have insisted upon, not just for the cameras, but in reality. Lee insists on taken the changes slowly. He is meanwhile supporting moves forward in technology,logistics and matters of social change.

Former Singaporean Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, spoke recently at a convention concerning the necessities of smaller countries involved in the international economic world. He covered his philosophies on foreign relations and the absolute need of smaller countries to create and maintain relationships with larger, more prosperous and more powerful countries. He emphasized that the involvement with other countries are not based emotionally, nor even out of acts of goodwill, that it just the way that it must be to economically survive and remain of relevance. Larger countries he states, have much more freedom, geographically than smaller countries such has his own. For a country the size of Singapore to continue to exist, they must make as many allies as possible. He states as well that Singapore must remain independent and must constantly predict the ways of the future so as to better retain the difference necessary to remain important. For many years, the people, the advanced technology, and the ethics of business have ensured that Singapore remains to have something to offer to the rest of the world not commonly found in other countries. Five star businesses in Singapore, such as resorts and convention centers have remained prosperous and tourism grew and the international business world ventured to Singapore to learn the ways of the Singaporean workers.

He sites the example of the economic crisis in America currently. He believes that along with the resilience of the American people and the creativity of the current political leaders, that the relationship between China and the U.S. will serve to help the situation in America dramatically. The ‘friendship’ with China is important he says, as currently economic growth in China is stable and increasing by just about ten percent. So while it is true that the U.S is experiencing no growth, or sometimes a negative growth, they have sided with an economic giant and that consequences of that relationship will prove extremely beneficial for America and the years to come. For the continued success of Singapore he believes that creative and intuitive leaders must be one step ahead of the global market, to be able to not only notice trends, but to predict them. So that not only is Singapore there for the changes, but so that they are some of the ones leading the pack. In this way, Singapore will remain relevant, different, and independent.

As we say goodbye to winter, we can welcome color back into our daily lives. Interior decorating for the springtime doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot, and you can still make your home look bright and cheerful with some simple changes that will make a big difference.

Keeping It Neutral

Work with the neutral colors you used in the wintertime to save money on updating your home for the springtime. Use bright colors or pale pastels to complement the neutral pieces already in use.

Embellishing What You Have

Take what you’ve got and add spring to it. Martha Stewart suggests adding magnetic flowers to your table cloth or adding a lining to your plain lampshade. Be creative.

Brighten Up Every Room

Start using your windows again. Pullback the curtains and open your blinds to let the natural sunlight into your home.

Bring In The Green

Plants and flowers can be an inexpensive way to bring spring into your living space. If you don’t want to use a lot of water or spend a lot of time caring for plants, some varieties of fern are inexpensive and require very little water.

The largest ethnic group that contributes to the cultural diversity of Singapore is the Chinese. Chinese immigrants make up more than seventy five percent of the local population. Thus, Chinatown in Singapore. This area, once an enclosed enclave consisting of those only from China started to evolve close to 1821 upon the arrival of the immigrants from the Chinese province of Fujian. Every one of the travelers at this time were men, who congregated and set up their homes along the river in Singapore, Telok Ayer . At that time, all the water for the households was carried up from the river. Many did relocate to various other neighborhoods in Singapore as the city grew, most maintained their residence in Chinatown. During the 1960′s this area became over populated and many were relocated during the initial stages of the Housing Development Program created by the Singaporean government. All urban development during this time was under strict supervision and was required to adhere to various requirements.

Chinatown remains to this day, quite culturally diverse, from the restaurants to the luxury Singapore hotels, it is divided into sections that are still based upon the regions of China the different immigrants originated from. Even the names of the streets reflect the origins of the cultures, and businesses and merchants offering services and products are located within these sections. The architecture of the shops and buildings are hard to classify, as elements of Victorian and Baroque styles are often combined. Many are painted quite delicately and intricately and in the process of restoration, that is being respected, the pastel colors being restored to their original hues. And while most of the architecture show evidence of European influence, most are still baffled as to how this came to be given the times in which the buildings were originally constructed. In all it is a blend of tradition that is becoming very common to the island of Singapore and brings many visitors wishing to experience the flavors and the sights and sounds of an area so incredibly rich with history and culture.

Dubai Fashion Week kicks off today, April 5th, and runs through Thursday, April 9th at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai, UAE. The event hopes to promote local designers and solidify Dubai’s position in the global fashion industry.

This year’s event will showcase the work of 28 designers, including some of the best in the Middle East, such as Manish Malhotra, Swetty Exclusive, HSY, and Pria Puri. The event will also feature the work of the winners of the Emerging Talent Competition, which highlights new regional talents.

Fashion Week brings together fashion professionals such as designers and models with retail buyers and media from around the world. Designers will be showing their Autumn/Winter 2009 collections, giving attendees a chance to preview what clothing will be in demand later in the year.

Look for regional and even international celebrities and fashionistas to attend the event. While it may be difficult to find a five star hotel in Dubai with a vacancy, there will be plenty of opportunities to rub elbows with the ultra rich and famous at the event and at supporting social events throughout the city.

Fashion Week is organized by Concept Events, a member of the Concept Group, and overseen by an advisory board of fashion industry experts.