A lingering hint of exoticism : postcolonialism and the shifting 20th century tourism representations of Singapore, 1900-1980s

Abstract

Tourism representations of Singapore existed as early as the nineteenth century and have since evolved, and will continue to evolve over time. As images that are distributed to a vast audience, the impact and reach of tourism representations cannot be discounted, making it an ideal tool first for the dissemination of British dominance over the colony and later for nation building in independent Singapore. This study will examine the general evolution of Singapore’s tourism representations from 1900 to 1980s, covering the major periods of colonial, postcolonial and early independent Singapore. It argues for the continuity of certain colonial themes throughout most of the twentieth century, its persistence in post-independence Singapore initially a means to prevent alienation of the West whom the new nation still depended on for economic development. It also argues that while some continuity in colonial themes can still be observed even when the danger of alienation has passed, these themes were gradually being altered and blended with other elements, such as modernity, to form part of Singapore’s national identity. Tourism representations in post-independence Singapore served not only to attract tourists, but also projected an ideal vision and distinctive national identity to its citizens.