Saudi Arabia has emerged as a top tourism market for Singapore, following a 23 percent increase in visitor arrivals to the city-state in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008 figures. Arrivals from the Middle East and Africa region expanded 5 percent in the period. Singapore continues to attract record numbers of Middle East visitors with 30,000 visitors arriving in the first quarter of 2009, representing a five percent increase over 2008. Visitors from UAE grew 10 percent in the said period. In a two-day roadshow in the Kingdom to promote “Fabulous Singapore Stopover” package under the “Uniquely Singapore” 2009 campaign slogan, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), together with Singapore's leading travel and tourism companies, offer fascinating opportunities for tourists. Garry Pinto, assistant manager of STB for Middle East and Africa, told the Saudi Gazette that this year, Singapore has unveiled “family-friendly attractions” such as the Wild Wild West Water Theme Park and the Sentosa Island Resort which has 3 themed lagoons. Despite the global economic downturn which affected the industry (10.1 million visitors entered Singapore in 2008 compared to 10.4 million in 2007), he said STB records showed that there was a 16 percent growth in visitor arrivals from the Middle East in 2008, registering S$14.8 million in tourism receipts against the preceding year. Min Liu, manager, hotel reservations department, Hong Thai Travel Services (S) Pte. Ltd., told the Saudi Gazette that after 9/11, the industry went into a tailspin. She said that despite the 30 percent cut in hotel rates, hotels are experiencing only 60 percent occupancy. Nonetheless, the growth in Saudi visitor arrivals is further boosted by the commencement of Singapore Airlines' daily direct flights between Riyadh and Singapore and Jeddah and Singapore. To also charm the Saudi travel market, STB, in collaboration with Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport launched the “Fabulous Singapore Stopover” package offering transit passengers to experience Garden City for just US$1. The package is offered to Singapore Airlines passengers from now to Sept. 30, 2009. The package “is a key example of the Singapore Tourism Board's 2009 Reasons to Enjoy Singapore Campaign,” said Jason Ong, area director for the Middle East and Africa, STB. The visiting Singapore delegation includes leading travel companies and hotel groups such as Pacific Arena, East West Executive Travellers, The Park Hotel Group and The Marina Mandarin. “Saudi travelers enjoy a fresh and exciting, family-friendly travel destination,” said Ong. “We are introducing Singapore's top travel companies and hotels to update and network with the Saudi travel trade.” “We have taken steps to improve the visa process for Saudi travelers, with additional visa processing facilities and a reduction in the processing time to five working days, and we are looking at further measures to improve this process.” “With smoother visa processing facilities coupled with the daily flights between Saudi Arabia and Singapore, we look forward to welcoming a record number of Saudi families this summer,” he added.
