Singapore‘s tourism sector reached a milestone early Wednesday morning, when its 9 millionth visitor landed at Changi Airport’s Terminal 2.
The Singapore Tourism Board says the record-setting figure is testament to a strong growth momentum that might also see total tourist receipts break the S$12 billion mark.
With colourful drums, costumed dancers and a rain of petals, it was an unusual morning call for Singapore’s 9 millionth visitor.Dr Vladykina Elena was declared the lucky winner shortly after stepping off her flight from Moscow at 5.04am.
“It’s the first time such a thing has happened to me and it’s unbelievable. I’m like in paradise and I hope everything would be like it was today, with flowers, with other things that were really pleasant,” she said.
The fanfare also marked a homecoming for the Russian, who lived in Singapore 15 years ago.
And what a welcome it was – with complimentary hotel stays, shopping and spa vouchers, even business-class return tickets for two. These prizes are worth a total of S$35,000.
Leisure visitors, like Dr Elena, continue to drive Singapore’s tourism sector, along with those here for business, health and education.
This is the first time visitor levels have surged past the 9-million mark, and in a much shorter time than expected.
Dr Chan Tat Hon, Assistant Chief Executive (Leisure), Singapore Tourism Board, said: “In 1995, we received more than 7 million visitors for the first time in a year but it took us almost 10 years before we hit the 8-million mark in 2004. Now it’s taken us only two years for us to hit the 9 million mark.
“This is a very strong growth momentum that we’re seeing, a very broad-based growth momentum for tourism. Because on top of hitting this 9 million mark, we’re also seeing record high – in hotel occupancy rate, average room rate, and even the total tourism spend.”
The tourism board is confident that, at this rate, total tourist spending is on track to exceed S$12 billion this year.
Source: Channel NewsAsia, 07 December 2006