Singapore is preparing to host the much-anticipated inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games, with over 40,000 international visitors expected in the city-state.

Taking place from August 13th-26th, the event will form the centerpiece of a month long celebration in the city, with the whole length of Orchard Road - the main shopping street in the heart of Singapore - adorned to enhance the celebratory mood.

The line-up for this once in a lifetime event includes performances from artistes such as Click 5 and Alarice, alongside regional and local acts.

“The vision of the YOG is to inspire youths around the world to take up sports and embody the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect,” said John Conceicao, Singapore Tourism Board regional director for Europe.

“It is an opportunity for us to extend our signature hospitality to youth athletes, officials and international visitors, and enable them to experience Singapore as an exciting, vibrant, modern and cosmopolitan city that has successfully hosted major international events.”

Holiday at the Youth Olympic Games

The decision to select Singapore as the host for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games recognises its world-class IT infrastructure, air hub status, strong governance and stable economic climate.

The event will add to the list of major international events that city-state has hosted in recent years, including the 2006 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, and APEC Singapore 2009.

Hosting the event Singapore is placing itself at forefront of the burgeoning sports tourism sector – recently examined by the annual World Sport Destination Expo.

The event also dovetails with a milestone period in Singapore’s tourism landscape – coinciding with the opening of two integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, as well as the refurbishment of Orchard Road, and a host of exciting new events such as the Singapore Grand Prix.

Beyond 2010, many other tourism developments and experiences will continue to bolster Singapore’s position as a must-visit destination.

These include development plans for the Mandai cluster including the River Safari, the International Cruise Terminal, and Gardens by the Bay.