TOURISM REVENUE (Measures and programmes to arrest decline)

Column: 2926

TOURISM REVENUE:

(Measures and programmes to arrest decline): The following Question stood in the name of Mdm Ho Geok Choo -

12. To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry in view of the Singapore tourism landscape seeing challenges marked by safety and security threats as well as intense competition from and investment to regional destinations, what measures and programmes are being planned and administered to arrest the decline in tourism revenue in Singapore .

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan (Hong Kah): Question No. 12, Sir.

The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, Sir, 2003 was a challenging year for the tourism sector. Despite the SARS crisis and security threats, the industry weathered the crisis well. By December 2003, our monthly tourist arrival and hotel occupancy rates had climbed back to pre-SARS levels.

Column: 2927

In the first quarter of this year, Singapore attracted 1.9 million visitors - 3% more compared to the same period last year before SARS struck. The outlook for the tourism sector continues to be positive for the rest of the year. STB hopes to achieve 7.6 million visitor arrivals for 2004, back to 2002 levels.

To sustain tourism growth amidst rising competition, STB will adopt three key strategies. Firstly, it will intensify its market promotion particularly in the high growth markets of China, India and ASEAN. STB recently appointed popular Singapore singer "Ah Du" as the Celebrity Ambassador for Singapore in China. I hear he is already helping Singapore garner many new fans. To market Singapore in India, STB has harnessed the powerful influence of Indian cinema. Singapore will be hosting the 2004 International Indian Film Academy Awards this weekend.

Secondly, STB will continue to target high growth visitor segments such as international patients, students and business travellers. This month, STB will be launching Singapore Business Roadshows in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain to raise the profile of our healthcare services in the Middle-East. We will also anchor more signature conventions and events here to position Singapore as the ideal place for international buyers and sellers to meet, trade and exchange ideas.

Thirdly, we need to rejuvenate our existing attractions and develop new ones to enhance the tourist experience. STB, in consultation with industry players, is drawing up a tourism roadmap for the next 10 years that will serve as a common reference for this effort. To attract new investments into the tourism sector, we are prepared to review and

Column: 2928

relax our rules when there are good reasons to do so.