Tourist arrivals up by 7.1% in Singapore

As per the recent statistics by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), tourist arrivals for the first quarter of the current year were up by 7.1 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Around 17.4 million visitors arrived last year and their spending hit $26.8 billion. “The winds are in our favour because the outbound growth potential in the Asia-Pacific is the highest in the world. In our backyard, there is going to be growth in travel from a growing Asian middle class,” said STB chief executive Lionel Yeo.

“While there is a higher demand for travel in the region, there has also been a concerted effort by more Asian economies to invest in their own tourism destinations and attractions over the last five to six years. The implications for Singapore, I think, is that connectivity and gateway advantages matter, which is why Changi (Airport) is such an important partner for STB,” he said.

The STB chief has also expressed his views about the increasing competition and the threat of disruption means. He also said that Singapore must keep ahead and also mentioned about opportunities for collaboration among Asean nations even as they compete, such as promoting the area’s growing cruise industry.