Singapore Visitor Arrivals for March 2009

Visitor arrivals to Singapore reached 790,000 in March 2009, registering a decline of 13.2% compared to Singapore's visitor arrivals in March 2008. Visitor days were estimated at 3 million days, a decrease of 11% in comparison with March 2008.

Indonesia (128,000), P.R. China (91,000), Malaysia (60,000), Australia (55,000), and UK (53,000) were Singapore’s top five visitor-generating markets. These markets accounted for 49% of total visitor arrivals for the month.

Among the top 15 markets, Malaysia (+5.6%), Germany (+4.7%) and Vietnam (+1.9%) registered growth. This can be attributed to the occurrence of school holidays in Malaysia, and ongoing promotions in Germany and Vietnam.

Visitor arrivals in 12 out of the top 15 markets decreased compared to the same month last year, a reflection of the impact of the current global economic slowdown on consumer sentiments and discretionary spending. Korea led the decline recording a mammoth 48% drop in arrivals. Hong Kong came in second place with a 21% drop. Arrivals from the UK fell 14%.

Singapore gazetted hotels were estimated to generate Sin$125 million in room revenue, representing a decrease of 33.3% versus March 2008.

The Average Occupancy Rate (AOR) was 74% for March 2009, a 13.1 percentage point decrease over March 2008.

The Average Room Rate (ARR) was estimated to be Sin$196, representing a decrease of 18.5% over March 2008.

Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) decreased by 30.9% to reach Sin$145 in March 2009.

Hotel room revenue was estimated to reach Sin$125 million in March 2009, a drop of 33.3% against March 2008.

In March 2009, hotels in the Mid-Tier achieved the highest AOR (77%), and the least decline (-11.3%) in AOR.

Hotels in the Economy Tier recorded the smallest decrease (-5.3%) in ARR. Hotels in the Economy Tier also saw the least decline in RevPAR (-24.4%) in March 2009, compared to March 2008.

See also: Singapore Visitor Arrivals for February 2009

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