Visitor numbers to Singapore see huge decline

Visitor numbers to Singapore dropped 3.1 percent to 15.1 million last year, the steepest decline since the global financial crisis.

The biggest drop in overall arrivals came from Indonesia, the biggest market last year, which fell 2 percent to 3 million as the rupiah depreciated.

The number of travellers from China fell 24 percent to 1.7 million, while arrivals from Malaysia, Japan, Philippines and Australia also dwindled.

Singapore’s Tourism Board said the China’s tourism law, regional unrest and last year’s aviation disasters were to blame for deterring tourists.

“We had somewhat stormy weather,” Tourism Board Chief Executive Lionel Yeo told reporters in Singapore, adding that the board will revise an estimate made in 2004 for this year’s arrivals to reach 17 million.

Tourism receipts totaled S$23.5 billion ($17 billion), unchanged from the previous year.

Singapore - home to major casinos Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa - has been experiencing low growth amid a softening global economy.

 

Latest Intelligence

Latest issue

PATA CEO sees slow recovery, but optimism for future

AGB Podcasts