Singapore's visitor arrivals figures for November 2003

For the first time since March this year, Singapore recorded a positive year-on-year (y-o-y) growth of almost 8% in visitor arrivals, with a total of 635,213 visitors in November 2003. Indonesia, China, and Malaysia remained Singapore's top markets, accounting for 44% of total visitor arrivals. In particular, visitor arrivals from Indonesia (+51%), China (+20%), and the Philippines (+14%) achieved impressive double-digit y-o-y growth rates.

Visitor arrivals from Indonesia achieved the highest y-o-y growth (+51%), largely fuelled by the increase in holiday arrivals (+118%). In addition, first time visits and repeat visits rose by 97% and 53% respectively.

Arrivals from China increased 20% over November 2002, resulting from strong increases in both holiday (+15%) and non-holiday (+27%) arrivals. In addition, group packaged arrivals and first time visits increased 16% and 14% respectively.

Visitor arrivals from Malaysia increased 2%, resulting from holiday arrivals (+7%) at the start of the year-end holiday season.

Australia registered an increase of 2% in visitor arrivals, as a result of the increase in business-related arrivals (+3%) and general repeat visits (+3%). Repeat visits for the business-related traffic rose by 3%.

Arrivals from South Korea registered the first positive y-o-y growth (+1%) since March this year, driven by an increase in group-package arrivals (+3%). In addition, repeat visits for business-related traffic increased by 7%.

Arrivals from USA also registered positive y-o-y growth (+1%) for the first time since February this year. This growth was mainly led by the increase in business-related arrivals (+6%) and repeat visits (+2%).

Arrivals from Thailand increased 5% compared to the same period last year, brought about by an increase in business-related traffic (+7%), although holiday arrivals declined slightly (-3%).

Visitor arrivals from Hong Kong rose 5% with increases in both holiday (+8%) and business-related traffic (+7%).

Arrivals from Japan registered the best y-o-y performance since April this year, with the lowest y-o-y decline of 30.8%. The y-o-y percentage change in arrivals from Japan for the respective months of April to October this year were -74.6%, -86.1%, -74.5%, -57.0%, -49.8%, -38.9%, and -34.4%. 

Arrivals from the UK also recorded the best y-o-y performance since March this year, with the lowest y-o-y decline of 5.1%. The y-o-y percentage change in arrivals from the UK for the respective months of March to October this year were -16.6%, -41.9%, -53.4%, -43.9%, -17.2%, -8.4%, -15.9% and -11.0%. Business-related arrivals achieved a positive growth of 14% and holiday arrivals declined by 12%.

Visitor arrivals from India declined by 13% in November with declines in holiday and business-related arrivals of 23% and 13% respectively.

Visitor Arrivals for January - November 2003

The y-o-y percentage change in visitor arrivals for January - November 2003 (-20.8%) improved as compared to the y-o-y percentage change for the period January - October 2003 (-23.5%).

Holiday arrivals declined 25.4% in the first eleven months. Indonesia (+0.3%) registered a positive growth amongst the top 12 visitor arrival markets. Holiday arrivals from countries such as Hong Kong (-14.8%), Thailand (-16.2%), UK (-16.3%), the Philippines (-18.7%), China (-19.8%), and Malaysia (-23.6%) registered lower than average decline. In comparison, Japan (-49.3%), India (-38.0%) and Australia (-37.0%) are recovering at a relatively slower pace.

Business-related arrivals declined 18.8% in the first eleven months. China (-6.8%), India (-8.0%), Indonesia (-12.4%), the Philippines (-12.9%), Thailand (-16.5%), UK (-17.5%), and Hong Kong (-17.8%) registered lower than average decline. On the other hand, business related arrivals from South Korea (-28.0%), USA (-25.0%) and Malaysia (-23.2%) are recovering at a relatively slower pace.

Hotel Sector Performance

The average hotel occupancy rate for the month of November improved by more than 3 percentage points on a y-o-y basis to more than 78%, although the average room rates of $117 represents a y-o-y decline of 5%. Total room revenue is estimated to reach close to $80 million, representing a decline of 1.3% compared to the same period a year ago.

See also: Singapore Visitor Arrivals for October 2003