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Channel NewsAsia, 14 Apr 05 Singapore pushes for more attractions to grow tourism sector By Connie Tan SINGAPORE : Today, tourism contributes about 3 to 4 percent to Singapore's gross domestic product, but the government has big plans to grow the sector. Under the Tourism 2015 vision, the target is to double the number of tourists arriving here to 17 million a year by 2015, and triple tourist spending to S$30 billion. It is hoped this will translate into 100,000 new tourism jobs by 2015. And to keep the visitors coming - and staying longer - there is now a push for new attractions. The zoo, the Night Safari, Chinatown, Sentosa Island, and of course, Orchard Road -- these are the major attractions that have helped Singapore garner between 6 to 8 percent of the tourism market in the Asia Pacific. Last year, more than 8 million tourists visited the Garden City, spending S$9.6 billion. According to some records, Singapore is the world's 11th most popular destination, netting about 1 percent of all international tourists. But it isn't a place that tourists will tarry: on average, visitors only spend 2.5 days here. Said Associate Professor Tan Khee Giap of Nanyang Technological University, "For most of the tourists that come to Singapore, of course the usual complaint is they haven't found enough attractions to keep them longer than what they would like to. "And increasingly, they go to ASEAN neighbours which, in terms of natural scenes and surroundings, have more to offer. I think therefore, Singapore must continue to bring in new items and new ideas apart from the Night Safari and the Merlion." The government wants to attract more visitors to the island state, and it wants them to stay longer. It has set aside some S$2 billion to boost the tourism industry over the next 10 years. Last month, the Singapore Tourism Board revealed plans to revamp Orchard Road, with four new shopping, dining and entertainment developments. And next Monday, the government will announce its decision on the integrated resort, a project aimed at putting Singapore on the world tourism map. Said Francis Phun, chairman of the Association of Singapore Attractions, "I think any new product or attraction in Singapore will be a boost to the tourism business. With the integrated resort, you have a confirmed number of people who are interested -- that is the base that you'll get. "The next level will be if the other components in the integrated resort will be able to bring more tourists. For example, if we have a mega convention centre, definitely it will a boost to the exhibitors and people coming for business." Whatever the decision on the integrated resort, it is clear the tourism industry in Singapore is set for new chapter of growth and challenges. links Related articles on Singapore: general environmental issues |
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