Tourist arrivals to Singapore continue to drop

[williamsF1]

Tourist arrivals to Singapore continue to drop
Channel NewsAsia - Friday, October 31

SINGAPORE: Even with the Formula One race, tourist arrivals to Singapore in September declined year—on—year. This is the fourth straight drop for Singapore’s tourism sector.

Visitor arrivals to Singapore reached 739,000 in September, down 4.1 per cent from the same period last year. Visitors from Indonesia, Australia, China, India and Japan accounted for more than half of the figure.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said: "The decline in visitor arrivals in the recent months reflects the challenging global economic environment and outlook for the tourism sector, which may continue into 2009.

"With the current global economic climate, there is now a general air of uncertainty which has impacted consumer sentiments and discretionary spending. Visitor arrivals and tourism receipts are expected to fall short of the 2008 targets."

Visitor arrivals surged from September 25—30 this year compared to the same period in 2007, due largely to the 2008 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix and pre—Hari Raya traffic.

The growth in visitor arrivals peaked at 30.3 per cent from September 25—27 and from September 28—30, there was an 11.7 per cent increase, compared to the same periods in September 2007.

In contrast, visitor arrivals from September 1—24 this year recorded an average decline of 10 per cent from a year go.

STB said visitor arrivals and tourism receipts are expected to fall short of this year’s targets and it will continue its efforts to increase visitor spending during the year—end festive period.

It added that Singapore’s gazetted hotels were estimated to generate S$186 million in room revenue in the same month, a growth of 26.3 per cent compared to September 2007.

The average room rate during the period was estimated at a record S$306, 49.5 per cent higher than 2007.


— CNA/ir/vm

they talk cock say the F1 will boost tourism, all bullshit nonsense. F1 followers only follow their fav team to the destinations to support & have a holiday at the same time. they're not so stupid to travel to the destinations so frequently after visiting the places.

in fact, many just visit once, then tell themselves "ok, i've been to this place b4, next time go other places, no need to go back to the same place again"

only gullible idiots will believe that visitors continue coming back yr after yr. who knows, maybe those that keep coming back only fall within 2-5% of all who came before, not for shopping & spending $, but only bcos their suppor their fav teams.

later, gahment will surely give bullshit excuse say global financial crisis is the main reason. no matter what, they never admit that they too stupid to assume.

 

[DrPanacea]

The IRs are going to be two humongous WHITE elephants, jkust like the MIW.
A case of bad decision at a bad time by the world's HIGHEST paid.

 

[sir cum-a-lot]

The IRs are going to be two humongous WHITE elephants, jkust like the MIW.
A case of bad decision at a bad time by the world's HIGHEST paid.

Spot on, mate! It appears that lawyers & scholars are a bunch of idiots who know nuts about strategy. Any aspiring business person would know that optimism is good, but must never discount the calculation of risks in bad times. And if the bad times cannot sustain, it's likely not a wise choice to kick start, unless there's more than sufficient funds to hold & wait out the bad times.

Fancy them digging a bigger hole, when they've not patched up the smaller ones.

 

[johnny333]

The IRs are going to be two humongous WHITE elephants, jkust like the MIW.
.

Going to cannabalise on the Spore Pools customers lah.

Those uncles & aunties don't have to ques up outside anymore. They can burn up the savings faster

 

[congo9]

Spot on, mate! It appears that lawyers & scholars are a bunch of idiots who know nuts about strategy. Any aspiring business person would know that optimism is good, but must never discount the calculation of risks in bad times. And if the bad times cannot sustain, it's likely not a wise choice to kick start, unless there's more than sufficient funds to hold & wait out the bad times.

Fancy them digging a bigger hole, when they've not patched up the smaller ones.

Anyway , when they build the IR. The world is just so peaceful. The sub prime crisis which just started at 2007 june/ july period. They didnt expect it to morph into a ugly monster now and it going to turn uglier in another 6 to 8 momth time in this region.

I really pray that average singaporean can tide through all these crisis. Never mind the greedy Minster and MIW. I just hope that they can wake up from their insatiable greed. In the mids of their greed , i really prayed that GOD give them a some conscience and wisdom to treat the people they are task to take care better in not so good times.

Well, i think the MIW can go against singaporean to build casino. But they cant go against GOD ...... when singapore is called upon to be a spiritual HUB for this region to spread the gospel of peace and love. God is not sitting there and doing nothing.

God love MIW but he also love the common people on street too !

 

[sir cum-a-lot]

Anyway , when they build the IR. The world is just so peaceful. The sub prime crisis which just started at 2007 june/ july period. They didnt expect it to morph into a ugly monster now and it going to turn uglier in another 6 to 8 momth time in this region................... God love MIW but he also love the common people on street too !

Mate, any analysts out there who've been studying the market would've told u to be prudent with your expenditure since late last yr, and if you have the means, then, make the quick buck & conserve.

The sub-prime crisis didn't just collapse overnight, it was crumbling & flaking progressively. Only idiots wearing that white uniform were in a dreamland, assuming that nothing's gonna happen. Its very clear that they severely lack foresight, totally innert & unaware of global events.

Fancy them calling themselves Div-1

 

[The_Latest_H]

A government who has no foresight, no imagination, and poor evaluation skills cannot claim to be victims in difficult times.

To claim otherwise speaks badly of themselves, honestly.

 

[tonychat]

Real tourists go to Thailand and not Sg.

 

[SIFU]

tourist go to thailand mainly to look for cheap sex...

 

[chupacabra]

The numbers are worst than you think. The visitors to sinkeeland is also made up of malaysians on work permits coming in and out on their wave scooters.

Plus where do they get the 50k figure for the F1 event??

The coming months will be bad for the tourism board. Since they link everyone that comes in peesai as tourist than malaysians retrenched by sinkapore factories will add to the falling tourist number.

Serve them right. I will not be surprised if they decide to break down this figure in the future to save face.

 

[kiwibird7]

I really hope the S'pore Tourist Promotion Board is reading this.

There is really NOTHING much to see or do in Singapore for tourists. The tourist sites do not offer value for money and are quite dull and boring. The weather is NOT conducive for outdoor sightseeing. It is either TOO HOT or its pouring torrential rain and there are simply too many people all over the place for comfort.

The supposedly FOOD PARADISE is a myth, overpriced food that doesn't taste good either at the hotels or at the food centres. Add in the titbits/tea and towel & the double ++ to the food bill and you get a whopper of a bill.

For Malay, Indian, Peranakan Food (Malaysia, Indonesia) gives better value for money. For Chinese/Cantonese cuisine (Malaysia or HK) is a better bet for value.

Shopping isn't cheap nor are the service standards high enough to rave about. For crying out loud, I even got a DELL laptop(made in Malaysia) cheaper in NZ than if I bought a similar one in S'pore even after paying 12.5% GST in NZ.

Modern city attractions are a dime a dozen in many other locales beside what S'pore has to offer. Exotic or natural scenery, S'pore does not have. Culture and Arts are all artificially contrived or cheap imitations of what other countries already have.

 

[Bigfuck]

Wah lao how can u insult of seekolar? Their fragile pride wounded. Now LKY need to pay them more money to keep them happy with your money. hahahahaha!

 

[depeche]

I really hope the S'pore Tourist Promotion Board is reading this.

There is really NOTHING much to see or do in Singapore for tourists. The tourist sites do not offer value for money and are quite dull and boring. The weather is NOT conducive for outdoor sightseeing. It is either TOO HOT or its pouring torrential rain and there are simply too many people all over the place for comfort.

The supposedly FOOD PARADISE is a myth, overpriced food that doesn't taste good either at the hotels or at the food centres. Add in the titbits/tea and towel & the double ++ to the food bill and you get a whopper of a bill.

For Malay, Indian, Peranakan Food (Malaysia, Indonesia) gives better value for money. For Chinese/Cantonese cuisine (Malaysia or HK) is a better bet for value.

Shopping isn't cheap nor are the service standards high enough to rave about. For crying out loud, I even got a DELL laptop(made in Malaysia) cheaper in NZ than if I bought a similar one in S'pore even after paying 12.5% GST in NZ.

Modern city attractions are a dime a dozen in many other locales beside what S'pore has to offer. Exotic or natural scenery, S'pore does not have. Culture and Arts are all artificially contrived or cheap imitations of what other countries already have.

True...very very true...there's simply nothing much to see for tourist...real sad!

 

[po2wq]

I really hope the S'pore Tourist Promotion Board is reading this.

There is really NOTHING much to see or do in Singapore for tourists. The tourist sites do not offer value for money and are quite dull and boring. The weather is NOT conducive for outdoor sightseeing. It is either TOO HOT or its pouring torrential rain and there are simply too many people all over the place for comfort.

The supposedly FOOD PARADISE is a myth, overpriced food that doesn't taste good either at the hotels or at the food centres. Add in the titbits/tea and towel & the double ++ to the food bill and you get a whopper of a bill.

For Malay, Indian, Peranakan Food (Malaysia, Indonesia) gives better value for money. For Chinese/Cantonese cuisine (Malaysia or HK) is a better bet for value.

Shopping isn't cheap nor are the service standards high enough to rave about. For crying out loud, I even got a DELL laptop(made in Malaysia) cheaper in NZ than if I bought a similar one in S'pore even after paying 12.5% GST in NZ.

Modern city attractions are a dime a dozen in many other locales beside what S'pore has to offer. Exotic or natural scenery, S'pore does not have. Culture and Arts are all artificially contrived or cheap imitations of what other countries already have.

agree 2 wat u say la ...

sg gt no space, no resources ... oni resource r sporeans ... n sporeans nt nice 2 c oso ...

but wat u expect dem 2 do? ... gif up n 黃飛鴻收檔? ...

 

[singveld]

singapore size is a big problem to promote tourism.

so, if they visit singapore once, most will not come back again until donkey years.

STPB should be realistic in making targets.

But also a lot of people never travel outside their countries, like the amercian and french.

hotel cost is another thing. gov should bring down the cost of decent hotel.
a search on internet for price of singapore hotels
will send people OFF

 

[Bigfuck]

If yoy pay STPB staff 1000 dollar and commission base salary, you get the right people If you pay 5-10K and above, you get shitanabays.

 

[tonychat]

Just ask around those foreigners around the region, Most of them will say it is boring in Singapore and nothing to do. I dun see Singapore Tourism board so up. If they are so up , why many says that Singapore is boring.

 

[dupersuper]

sinkapore has abolutely nothing of interest to tourists.
its only attractive to shoppers, and with recession, of course there will be less shoppers.
anything that is vaguely either fun, historical, interesting is fuxxed up by the gahment trying to churn a profit for themselves but ultimately destroying it.

 

[sage]

No identity to start with. Now full of prcs and ah nehs every where, tourists might as well visit or stay put in China and India.

 

[The MilkMan]

of cos,it will continue to drop.
times are really bad,so all of them will be very selective and thrifty.