• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Chinese visitors lifting Singapore tourism in 2016

Jun 22, 2016 Newsdesk Latest News, Singapore, Top of the deck  


Chinese visitors lifting Singapore tourism in 2016

A new marketing drive by the Singapore Tourism Board and a growing number of Chinese visitors are helping Singapore’s tourism sector recover this year.

A total of 5.53 million tourists visited Singapore in the first four months of 2016, up by 14.1 percent year-on-year, according to data from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) released this month. The strong pickup in tourist numbers has been driven by arrivals of Chinese visitors; a customer segment that has recovered strongly since mid-2015, after earlier declines.

The number of visitors from China increased by 53.2 percent year-on-year in the four months to April 30, to 1.02 million. They accounted for 18.4 percent of the aggregate number of visitors to Singapore in the period, meaning China overtook Indonesia as Singapore’s largest single source market for tourists.

The STB has said that better connections by air, serving second-tier Chinese cities, helped to boost overall inbound tourist numbers. Chinese visitors are viewed as an important target group for Singapore’s casino resorts.

Following a peak of 15.6 million arrivals in 2013, growth in tourist arrivals to Singapore has stalled, declining to 15.1 million in 2014 and 15.2 million in 2015. According to the STB, it is expected there will be up to 15.7 million arrivals by visitors in 2016, representing a growth of up to 3 percent year-on-year.

Credit Suisse Group AG said in an April report that tourist arrivals to Singapore this year would probably exceed the STB forecasts, climbing as much as 8 percent, to 16.5 million, compared to 2015.

The Credit Suisse team stated it expected Singapore to continue to benefit from the growth in Chinese outbound travel. The report added that extensive STB marketing initiatives as well as improved aviation links to Chinese cities “are likely to drive growth in the medium term”.

In April, the Singapore government announced that it would be investing SGD700 million (US$521.8 million) during the period 2016 to 2020, in order to boost tourism to the city state.

“We believe the market is underestimating STB’s extensive digital marketing efforts in China, which has kept Singapore a popular destination for Chinese tourists,” said Credit Suisse.

“With Chinese outbound travel growth unabated, Singapore should also continue to benefit from a recovery in arrivals across ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] as part of a regional tour package,” it added.

Spending among visitors to Singapore fell by 7.6 percent in 2015, as tourism receipts reached SGD21.8 billion, according to official data.

The Singapore government doesn’t give a detailed breakdown of tourism receipts from the city-state’s two casino resorts, but it said that during 2015 “sightseeing, entertainment and gaming expenditure recorded the largest absolute decrease year-on-year”, falling 13 percent compared to 2014.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Macau hits back at Moody’s over credit outlook downgrade
    Macau hits back at Moody’s over...

    Dec 07, 2023  

  • Macau govt now tips 2023 visitor tally to be 27mln plus
    Macau govt now tips 2023 visitor tally...

    Nov 23, 2023  

More news
  • Singapore 2024 casino revenue to rise 10pct y-o-y says Fitch
    Singapore 2024 casino revenue to rise...

    Dec 07, 2023  

  • Pragmatic Play launches Lucky 6 Roulette with a twist
    Pragmatic Play launches Lucky 6...

    Dec 07, 2023  


Latest News

Singapore 2024 casino revenue to rise 10pct y-o-y says Fitch

Singapore 2024 casino revenue to rise 10pct y-o-y says Fitch

Dec 07, 2023  

Fitch Ratings Inc expects gaming revenue in Singapore’s duopoly casino market to expand by 10 percent year-on-year in U.S. dollar terms in 2024, “following a return to over 15 percent higher than...
Read More
Pragmatic Play launches Lucky 6 Roulette with a twist

Pragmatic Play launches Lucky 6 Roulette with a twist

Dec 07, 2023  

McFadden now senior advisor for development at SJM Resorts

McFadden now senior advisor for development at SJM Resorts

Dec 07, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”If they [Star Sydney] can’t prove they are capable of operating with a conditional licence over the next six months, the manager will be retired, and the doors will close”

New South Wales Independent Casino Commission



Most Popular

  • Ben Toh COO of SJM Resorts, Christopher Ip CFO at parentBen Toh COO of SJM Resorts, Christopher Ip CFO at parent December 6, 2023
  • LVS to pay up to US$250mln to boost control in Sands ChinaLVS to pay up to US$250mln to boost control in Sands China December 6, 2023
  • Macau 4Q mass GGR might rise 10pct q-o-q: JP MorganMacau 4Q mass GGR might rise 10pct q-o-q: JP Morgan December 5, 2023
  • Soil remediation work starts at MGM Osaka siteSoil remediation work starts at MGM Osaka site December 5, 2023
  • McFadden now senior advisor for development at SJM ResortsMcFadden now senior advisor for development at SJM Resorts December 7, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us