Singapore ended 2002 up 0.6 per cent in terms of tourist arrivals – a modest performance, but a welcome result after…
Singapore ended 2002 up 0.6 per cent in terms of tourist arrivals – a modest performance, but a welcome result after two years of decline. Following the events of 11 September 2001, tourist arrivals in Singapore suffered four consecutive months of negative growth – -9% for the four months overall – resulting in a full-year decline of 2%. Arrivals continued to be weak in 2002, with six of the first nine months recording downturns. But, as for many other destinations worldwide, the `dead cat bounce` effect in the last few months produced some good growth figures.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is especially pleased that it beat its 7.5 million target last year, and is confident that the positive trend will continue.
Its big three markets – Japan, China and India – registered double-digit growth in the month of December. These markets compensated for a decline out of Australia. Australians frequently make a stop in Singapore en route for Bali which, since the bombings in October, has lost its appeal.
The Chinese market is the major source of growth, partly attributed to the fact that, since last August, Chinese businessmen have been able to get a visa in three days instead of 14 and can make multiple trips here for five years, not just one.
STB, which has recently undergone a major restructuring and has had a new director since 1 February, has been promoting Singapore intensively, especially in Asean countries where it spent S$2 million in a special promotion that offered discount vouchers worth S$240 each to tourists.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
