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February 2006 | |
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A Word from the STB's Deputy Chairman & Chief Executive
It is always good to start a new lunar year with happy news.
The tourism sector finished 2005 on a high note, generating an estimated S$10.8 billion in tourism receipts (TR), a growth of 10% over 2004. This exceeded our target of S$10.4 billion. Singapore also received a record 8.94 million visitor arrivals (VA) last year, a growth of 7% over 2004, again surpassing our target of 8.9 million visitor arrivals. With the average length of stay increasing from 3.2 days to 3.4 days, our total visitor days achieved double-digit growth of 14% to reach 30.6 million days. The hotel sector also performed well. Average Occupancy Rate was a healthy 84% and hotel room revenue posted double-digit
growth of 15% to reach S$1.2 billion.
On the back of a bullish year, we are looking forward to an exciting 2006 ahead. We have set new targets – to achieve S$12 billion in TR and attract 9.4 million in VA. This means we have to grow by 11% and 6% respectively in TR and VA.
The 2006 targets are in line with achieving the STB’s long-term targets of attracting 17 million visitors and S$30 billion in TR by 2015. To maintain our TR growth momentum, we will put more emphasis on driving higher tourist spend this year, even as we try to get more visitor days out of our current stock of hotel rooms.
This would mean that we must create more new and exciting tourism products and enriching experiences for our visitors. This is why in this issue, we share with you news of an improved Night Safari; a new attraction on Sentosa, a first for South-east Asia; a new joint agreement with Malaysia as well as the launch of Phase II of the Uniquely Singapore branding, which we hope will give our partners even more ammunition to market Singapore to discerning travellers.
The highlight though was the homecoming last month of the Uniquely Singapore Clipper, which had come home for a break before departing on their next leg to Qingdao on 27 January. The Uniquely Singapore Clipper, a magnificent 68-feet, state-of-the-art racing yacht, represents Singapore in the Clipper 05-06 Round-The-World Yacht Race together with nine other global cities. The Race began its prestigious journey on the world’s longest run round-the-world course of 35,000 nautical miles from Albert Dock in Liverpool, United Kingdom on 18 September 2005. This is the first time that Singapore is a destination on the race route. Singapore is proud to be part of this Clipper Round-the-World Race and one of the host cities for two weeks. From the time the first yachts sailed in on 15 January to the day they departed on 27 January, it has been a wave of celebrations.
I am looking forward to the five weeks of festivities lined up for this Lunar New Year and I hope the Year of the Dog brings you good health and abundant prosperity.
Meanwhile, do continue to send us your feedback and suggestions.
Sincerely,
Lim Neo Chian | |
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Leisure Events
From Lunar New Year festivities to Thaipusam rituals and traditions, Singapore celebrates its multi-ethnicity. Watch the Chingay Parade of DreamS, win prizes in a lucky dip and enjoy a whole range of Chinese cultural festivities. Celebrate the International Tourist Guide Day 2006 at some of Sentosa's signature attractions...
Business Events
One of the biggest air shows in the world, Asian Aerospace, will kick off the February calendar as the movers and shakers of the aviation world flock into Singapore to learn about what is new in the world of flight...
SingaporeMedicine Events
The 15th Singapore LIVE conference will feature the very first SingLIVE FELLOWs course, a full day programme of intense didactic lectures to understand the basics and 'tools of the trade' for coronary intervention...
In-market Activities
In February, the STB heads down under to take part in a series of tradeshows in Australia and New Zealand while Singapore Education hits the road in P R China to showcase educational opportunities in Singapore to Chinese students...
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For information on more events, do visit the STB's other websites:
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The STB publishes research and statistics for the tourism industry.
For more research reports, please visit the Tourism Resource Centre.
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