S'pore tourism booms

25 May 2010 2048 | World Travel News

THE Singapore tourism sector is booming again with April chalking up yet another month of double-digit growth from a year ago.

The latest data from Singapore Tourism Board released on Tuesday showed that April's tourist arrivals surged 20.4 per cent, with some 938,000 foreigners visiting Singapore's shores. All 14 out of the 15 top markets recorded growth, with the Thais, Malaysians and Indians leading the pack. Thailand grew 57.5 per cent, Malaysia 50.8 per cent and India 30.8 per cent.

Indonesians remain Singapore's top market with 163,000 arriving, up 8 per cent from last year. Average room occupancy was lower than March's but was still up 15 percentage points from last April to hit 85 per cent. Average room rates also went up 12.2 per cent from last year to hit $211. Room rates have been on a steady upward trend this year.

STB attributes the growth to the 'continued improvement of the economic climate'.

Sourced=straitstimes