Singapore targets 12-13 million visitor arrivals in 2011

The Annual Tourism Industry Conference, organised by the Singapore Tourism Board, was held at the Suntec Exhibition and Convention Centre on Tuesday morning.

The conference brings together tourism and travel related professionals involved in the tourism industry in Singapore, including Horwath HTL Asia Pacific.

Sentiment at the conference was very positive, with the Singapore Tourism Board reporting an exceptional 11.6 million visitor arrivals in 2010, which accounted for tourism receipts of approximately Sin$18.8 billion – a whopping 49% growth over the challenging year of 2009.

The growth was fuelled by the opening of the two integrated resorts – Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands – and the introduction of a slew of tourism products including new attractions, hotels and international events, such as TravelRave.

In the recent World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2011, Singapore came out tops in Asia Pacific, and was ranked in 10th place out of more than 130 countries. Competitiveness criteria include policy rules and regulations, infrastructure, safety and security, and human resources.

Speaking at the conference, S. Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, highlighted the need for Singapore to move away from quantity-driven tourism to focusing on quality and yield, in order to sustain the growth in the tourism sector.

With innovative ideas, an integrated approach within the industry and greater productivity, Iswaran said he is confident Singapore can ride on Asia’s momentum and position itself for the next phase of growth.

According to Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore is targeting to attract 12 to 13 million visitor arrivals in 2011, bringing in total tourism receipts of approximately Sin$ 22 to 24 billion.

The Singapore Tourism Board also unveiled its new innovative mobile App, YourSingapore Mobile Guide, which will be launched in May 2011. Supported by StarHub, the new mobile guide will be free to download and to use, thus encouraging users to discover the various tourism product offerings in Singapore, from live events and places of interests, to dining options and shopping deals.

Singapore hotels the most pricey in Asia

Singaporeans paid an average of Sin$ 244 for a hotel room night in their own country in 2010, representing a 29% increase over 2009, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index.

With the highest increase for hotel prices paid worldwide, Singapore ranks the fourth most expensive country globally for hotel rooms in 2010. The top three countries are Switzerland (Sin$ 258), France (Sin$ 256) and the United Kingdom (Sin$ 253).

When comparing cities within Asia however, it is a little surprising to not see Hong Kong towards the very top, instead Singapore was the most expensive city in Asia for hotel rooms in 2010 according to Hotels.com. Sydney (Sin$ 220) and Tokyo (Sin$ 199) were the second and third most expensive cities respectively.

Johan Svanstrom, Vice President and Managing Director for Hotels.com Asia Pacific said, “It is no surprise that hotel prices in Singapore are high, but the year-on-year increase of 29% in prices paid last year in Singapore is staggering. Clearly, the hike is fueled by very robust travel demand and growth. Singapore continues to be very attractive as a tourist destination especially with the growing number of attractions, and greater accessibility with low-cost carriers flying to and from the city. In addition, high-end accommodation in Singapore such as the Integrated Resorts continues to increase in popularity among leisure and corporate travellers alike.”

Singaporean travellers were the savviest spenders on hotel rooms when they travelled abroad but the biggest spenders when at home, according to the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index. In 2010, Singaporeans paid an average of Sin$177 per night on hotel rooms overseas but Sin$ 244 on hotel rooms in Singapore.

“This definitely comes expected, especially with the ‘staycation’ trend in Singapore. Affluent Singaporeans are now more willing to part with their money for a relaxing and luxurious stay in a domestic hotel,” said Johan.