Strong Rebound for Singapore's Tourism Industry

Singapore's tourism industry experienced a strong recovery over the past four months narrowing year-on-year declines in visitor numbers significantly from -70.7% in May 2003 to -6%* in September 2003.

Visitor arrivals have rebounded since June this year, with the latest estimates showing that some 560,000* visitors came to Singapore in September. This puts visitor arrivals from January to September at more than 4.2* million.

Regional markets are leading the recovery, with some seeing significant increases in visitor arrivals* in September compared to the same period one year ago. These markets include China (+24%), the Philippines (+20%), Thailand (+17%), Indonesia (+14%) and India (+8%).

Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the STB, said: "Travel confidence has clearly returned and these markets have more than recovered. In fact, they are posting numbers as good as, if not better, than pre-SARS levels. These signs of a robust recovery show that Destination Singapore has come back stronger and better than ever before."

"We are confident that visitor numbers will stay on an upward curve over the next three months. If all goes well, we will be on track to achieve our target of pulling in 6 million visitors to Singapore for the year of 2003.''

Singapore Roars! With More Irresistible Offers

After Singapore was lifted from the World Health Organisation's list of SARS-affected areas in May, the STB launched Singapore Roars! on 18 June this year, to woo visitors back to Singapore.

To date, Singapore Roars! has seen more than 270 travel packages and deals created and marketed across all markets. These range from wow-value deals to irresistible offers, shopping vouchers, hotel stays and flights packages with fantastic prizes to be won. With STB's Roaring Great Deals! Card, visitors can also enjoy special discounts at numerous restaurants and shops in Little India, Chinatown, Marina Bay, Orchard Road and Geylang Serai.

Over the next three months, visitors to Singapore can also look forward to a stellar line-up of marquee events. Sustaining the buzz in the Lion City in October and November will be the Bollywood Extravanganza, the Elite Model Look 2003, the UIM F1 Powerboat Championship, the 7th Singapore Buskers' Festival and the World Wrestling Entertainment Smackdown.

The Lion City will also be transformed into a glittering city of lights, as Singapore ushers in the year-end festive season with the Deepavali, Hari Raya and Christmas light-ups. Other events such as the Navarathiri and Theemidhi festivals and the Silver Chariot Procession will also add to the festive theme of illumination and festive cheer.

"With a solid line-up of events, Roaring Great deals and attractive travel packages still being churned out in-market, there really is no better time than now to come to Singapore!" said Mr Lim.

STB Better Poised to Promote Singapore as Premier Destination

STB will also be boosting its regional presence to tap the growth of outbound travellers from the regional markets, especially China, India and ASEAN. Offices that have been set up in recent months include Kuala Lumpur, Chennai and Dubai. More will open in the coming months.

To further tap the high-potential ASEAN markets, the Board has also embarked on roadshows in Indonesia and Malaysia and has launched a consumer promotional drive in the Philippines.

STB is also driving the growth of two new segments; education and healthcare services. In August this year, STB launched 'Singapore Education' and embarked on an international drive to promote Singapore as a premier education hub. In October, we will launch 'Singapore Medicine', which will be followed by a host of marketing and promotional activities to grow the medical and healthcare market.

Working closely with the industry partners and sister government agencies, STB had also taken steps to improve the experience of visitors to Singapore.

Some initiatives launched recently include a trial programme to ease visa applications for FIT (Frequent Independent Traveller) Chinese visitors to Singapore, a fixed Electronic Road Pricing fee for foreign motorists driving into Singapore (and eliminating the need to install the in-vehicle unit), the liberalisation of regulations for tour guides, the introduction of 'specialised guides' and the setting up of multi-lingual signages at key tourism locations.  To strengthen Singapore as a must-see destination, STB facilitated the single largest tourism investment in Singapore - the S$200 million Singapore Flyer project. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between STB and the investors on 27 June 03.

Said Mr Lim: "In spite of the difficult times, we have made significant progress in developing Singapore as a choice business and leisure destination. This was only possible because of the close collaboration between STB and industry partners and the support we received from other government agencies. However more challenges lie ahead and we must keep up with our pace of work."

STB Forges Stronger Partnerships through PATA

The STB will be making a strong pitch for the destination at the PATA Travel Mart (PTM) this year, which brings together the key travel trade players in the Asia Pacific region.

Said Mr Lim: "This year has been one of the most challenging for the region's travel trade industry. With the PATA Travel Mart being the first major trade event in the region post-SARS, we see the Mart as an important platform to foster stronger collaborations to renew market buzz and launch a tourism comeback for the entire region."

Delegates at the travelmart will also get the chance to have a taste of Singapore's recent new attractions, including the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, Asian Civilisations Museum, Chinatown walking tours, food tours, the Trishaw Park at Albert Mall and Spa Botanica in Sentosa, through specially-packaged tours for the delegates.

"We hope the delegates will return to taste Singapore at a more leisurely pace, either on their own, or when they bring more visitors to Singapore," added Mr Lim.

*Figures above are estimates, based on 1-22 September statistics