Posted by Sara Welch under TravelResponses (0)

This may be the cleverest publicity stunt I've ever heard of: Starting on Monday, the Singapore Tourism Board will begin auctioning several "Luxury Singapore Escape" packages on eBay. The packages include round-trip airfare to Singapore on Singapore Airlines from Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, four nights at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore, a half-day city tour, and airport-to-hotel transfers.

Six Singapore packages good for two passengers each will be auctioned on eBay over the next three weeks, beginning on August 22, 26, and 29, and September 1, 5, and 9. Each is valued at $2,128 including government taxes and fees, but the minimum bid for each package is just $8.99.

The most bizarre thing about this, to me, is how it flies in the face of Singapore's conservative image. Then again, the Lion City recently announced that--despite protests by religious groups--it would be introducing casino gambling. And now it's selling itself on eBay. Clearly, the destination is shifting its image. What's next, TV commercials starring William Shatner?