Singapore receives record visitors
An AFP report says that Singapore’s tourism industry enjoyed a banner year in 2007 as a record 10.3 million visitors came to the city-state, the government said Wednesday.
Last year’s visitor arrivals was up 5.4 percent over 2006 and surpassed the Singapore Tourism Board’s target of 10.2 million for 2007, the government agency said.
“This is the highest annual visitor arrivals recorded for the Singapore tourism sector,” the tourism board said in a statement.
Tourism receipts in 2007 also set a new milestone of 13.8 billion Singapore dollars (9.65 billion US), up 11.3 percent from the year before, it said.
The majority of visitors came from Indonesia, China, Australia, India and Malaysia which together accounted for 51 percent of the arrivals last year, it said.
Local hotels earned record room revenues of 1.8 billion dollars, up almost 23 percent from 2006.
Lacking natural attractions, Singapore has embarked on a major campaign to spruce up its tourist appeal.
It is building new attractions, including two casino resorts expected to open by 2010, and is trying to become an arts and entertainment centre.
The island-state is also hosting its first Formula One Grand Prix in September this year. The September event will be the first ever night race in Formula One history, promoters said.
A report by The Mole and AFP
John Alwyn-Jones
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