A new Singapore Visitors Centre (SVC) in Orchard Road will feature a handy inquiry booth where visitors to the Republic can pop by and get their queries answered quickly.

The canopy window section will be manned daily by a knowledgeable staff member to render immediate assistance to tourists passing by.

Located in front of Ngee Ann City, the new SVC was deployed today, taking over its predecessor, which was set up in July last year and saw an average of some 21,000 tourists a month.

It is housed in a specially designed air-conditioned container, is twice the size of the original, and can be deployed across the island.

Mr Ken Low, Assistant Chief Executive (Brand & Communications), Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said: "We see the SVCs taking on a more mobile nature so that they can be deployed easily to strategic locations and events where pedestrian traffic is high, thereby making information and service channels more easily accessible."

"The mobile SVCs can also be easily brought to key outdoor events which do not require permanent SVCs on site."

There are already plans to deploy a mobile SVC near the city circuit for the inaugural 2008 FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, said the STB in a media release yesterday.

The new SVC is furnished with vibrant red walls and sleek pearl white finish counters accentuated by colourful displays of a wide array of brochures, event information, visitor guides and maps.

Customer Service Officers will be on hand as well to lend their assistance and suggest itineraries to visitors.

The centre is open daily from 9.30am to 10.30pm.

Photos: STB