Typical Dragon, you could say - energetic and raring to go, which is why I suppose it's upon us earlier than usual this year.

I was watching a National Geographic video the other day about the global population hitting seven billion people soon. Such a sobering milestone can get one thinking about space and over-crowding, but yet, it's not more space that we need; it's balance.

IApparently, standing shoulder to shoulder, all 7 billion of us would just fill the city of Los Angeles. So perhaps what we truly need to address is the balance of where we live, how we consume and who among us has access to drinking water, for example.

My wish this year, hence, is for balance: balance in how Singapore continues to develop and attract visitors and remain a liveable city for its own people, balance in your business approach as you ride out the challenges the Dragon will bring us, and of course balance in all our harried lives.

In this first issue of P@SSPORT of 2012, we bring you a balance of stories - wishes from travel leaders, a look at trends ahead from industry experts, a how-to guide on social media and the range of activities and events held in Singapore as we celebrate the beginning of a new year.

Next month, we continue to celebrate heritage and culture with the last leg of Spring Festival at Chingay 2012. So come on down and join in the fun at our annual street carnival that promises to be a splash, literally.

On behalf of the Singapore Tourism Board, I would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous lunar new year!

Sincerely,
Oliver Chong
Director
Communications