India fourth-largest tourist market for Singapore

India Business
India fourth-largest tourist market for Singapore
By IANS, Feb 23, 2007 - 8:04:25 PM

New Delhi, Feb 23 - With 659,000 visitors in 2006, India has emerged as the fourth largest tourist market for Singapore, even as the city-state recorded global receipts of Singapore $12.4 billion and posted double-digit growth of 14.5 percent with a record 9.7 million arrivals.

'With the stupendous performance by the India market in 2006, the outlook for 2007 looks extremely upbeat,' a Singapore Tourism Board - statement issued here Friday said.

Indonesia -, China - and Australia - were the only countries ahead of India, from where arrivals were 12.9 percent higher than in 2005.

To attract more tourists, the Singapore Tourism Board is strengthening its collaboration with key trade entities across India and has kick-started this through a 14-city trade road show that is currently underway and reached New Delhi Friday.

'While extending its overall reach to target the ever-growing potential of secondary towns - to entice first time travellers, the board will continue to work with its trade partners in key metros to promote repeat travel to the island city by showcasing new experiences. It will also add buzz to existing flagship annual events such as the Great Singapore Sale and Christmas in the Tropics.

'With a growing variety of new entertainment and nightlife options for younger travellers, combined with a multitude of options to shop, the road show will also help reinforce Singapore's position as a leading lifestyle destination for the well-heeled traveller,' the statement said.

For the family segment, the board 'will continue to strengthen the communications of its kids-friendly product offerings to the Indian family,' the statement added.

Asia as a whole continues as an important source market for Singapore, contributing 7.1 million visitors or 72.9 percent of the total visitor arrivals, an increase of 9.2 percent over 2005.

'This strong performance can be attributed to successful marketing and promotional efforts as well as better connectivity and increasing affordability of air travel,' STB Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Lim Neo Chian said.