Bernama
31st Jan 2008
SINGAPORE, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Singapore aims to achieve S$15.5 billion in tourism receipts and attract 10.8 million visitor arrivals to the republic this year.
The numbers are a year-on-year increase of 12.2 per cent in tourism receipts and 5.4 per cent in visitor arrivals.
Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran said tonight these targets were achievable if the industry players could leverage on the cruise, hotel, and business travel and meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) industries.
Speaking at the Singapore Tourism Board Industry Night here he said cruise industry had been identified as the new growth opportunity for Singapore's tourism sector, with 1.5 million cruise passengers expected throughout Asia by 2010.
He said more international cruise companies were strengthening their presence in the region, using Singapore as a homeport for their ships as they cruised within Asia.
He added a new International Cruise Terminal at Marina South here would be developed to attract the new generation of larger cruise ships to Singapore.
Singapore expects its tourism activities to increase this year with the recent opening of Changi Airport Terminal 3 and the commencing of several inaugural major international events such as the Singapore Airshow, Singapore International Water Week and the upcoming 2008 Formula One race.
About 500 tourism industry players attended the annual event.
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