INDONESIA
The Jakarta Post-Feb 16
Singapore saw tourist arrivals grow by a modest 6.2 percent to 17.4 million visitors in 2017, with Indonesia ranking second after China as the largest contributor of tourists, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said Tuesday.
The number of visitors from Indonesia rose to 2.95 million, up 2 percent from 2016.
“Jakarta continues to be the largest source of visitors, although most other cities like Surabaya experienced greater growth rates,” STB area director for Indonesia Raymond Lim told a press briefing in Jakarta.
China topped the list with 3 million tourists and India came third with 1.3 million. Other countries with notable increases include Vietnam, the Philippines, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Visitors, however, spent proportionally less, with total spending recorded at S$26.8 billion (US$20.31 billion) last year, 3.9 percent higher than in 2016, according to the board.
The Singapore Tourism Board hopes tourist arrivals to reach 18.1 million this year and spending to reach between S$27.1 billion and $27.6 billion, based on a greater emphasis in developing new attractions and opening access and connectivity by adding more flights and cruise routes.
Singapore has sustained its growth in tourism by adding more attractions to popular sites such as Marina Bay Sands, the Botanic Gardens, China Town and Orchard Road, which is lined with shopping malls. Its latest additions include the Top Skyline ION Sky at Orchard Road, the Digital Light Canvas at Marina Bay Sands and the Dover Street Market.
Events such as the Singapore Fintech Festival, Anime Festival Asia and the Singapore Festival of Fun have also helped to boost tourism.
