Singapore achieved a new record for its tourism sector when it received its 10 millionth visitor this week. Sanjeev Bhandari 36, landed at Singapore’s Changi Airport to a surprise welcome from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

This year’s achievement of ten million visitors surpasses last year’s record arrivals of 9.7 million visitors and continues the upward trend from 2004 when Singapore crossed the eight million mark, which took a decade for Singapore to reach since achieving seven million visitors in 1995. Since 2004 however, it took only two years for Singapore to cross the nine million mark, and now only one year to reach the ten million mark.

Observing this strong growth momentum that Singapore’s tourism sector is experiencing, STB’s Deputy Chief Executive, Quek Swee Kuan, noted: “This year has seen record high visitor arrivals for each month this year compared to the same month in previous years. In July, we also had the highest ever visitor arrivals recorded in a single month with 951, 000 visitors. Similarly, the hotel sector has had an exceptional year, with hotel occupancy and room rates at an all-time high.”

He added: “Looking at the growth momentum that we have been enjoying, we are on track to achieve our 2007 tourism receipts target of $13.6 billion, setting another record and ensuring that we remain on track to achieve our Tourism 2015 targets.”

Mr Bhandari, who is in Singapore for holiday, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Geeta Bhandari 34, son Karan 7 and daughter Hiya 4. They were warmly received at the airport by STB’s Deputy Chief Executive Quek Swee Kuan and an entourage of performers showcasing Singapore’s unique blend of the modern world and rich cultures.

On being Singapore’s 10 millionth visitor, Mr Bhandari said: “This is very exciting as this is my first time here and I am now Singapore’s ten millionth visitor. My kids had wanted to celebrate Christmas here as we had heard a lot about Singapore from the things to see and do, especially the shopping. That is why we decided to come to Singapore.”

Compared to the same period in 2006, the first nine months of 2007 showed a strong 7.1% growth in visitor arrivals with 766,000 visitors. During this period, the Average Room Rate (ARR) grew by 19.5% to S$192, while Average Occupany Rate (AOR) reached 86%. Revenue per available room (RevPar) hit S$165.9 and gazetted hotels in Singapore generated a total room revenue of S$854.4 million.