Singapore's Integrated Resorts boost tourism

Latest data from Singapore Tourism Board (STB), tourism receipts from January to December 2010 were estimated to reach S$18.8 billion, exceeding the year’s forecast range of S$17.5 – S$18.5 billion.

Shopping, sightseeing andamp; entertainment and accommodation made up 61% of tourism receipts.STB attributed a significant proportion of the high growth of 49% in tourism receipts to the opening of the Integrated Resorts last year.

Singapore also came out tops in the Union of International Association’s (UIA) global rankings as the world’s ‘Top International Meeting City, beating perennial favourites Paris and Vienna in October in 2008.

In 2007, business travel and events earned over S$5 billion for the MICE sector, as compared to the S$4 billion in 2006, accounting for 40 per cent of total tourism receipts for Singapore in 2007.

Also, business travel and MICE visitors accounted for almost three million of the country’s 10.4 million visitors that was received in 2007.With both integrated resorts now open, focusing on different markets, the MICE options and offerings within Singapore are expected to grow even bigger.

Source = etravelblackboard