Singapore Tourism Board intensifies campaign in PHL

CEBU, Philippines -  Recognizing the growing number of Filipinos picking Singapore as their top leisure destination in Asia, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) intensifies its promotion campaign in the Philippines, including Cebu.

Singapore Tourism Board’s newly appointed area director for Philippines and Brunei Sherina Chan led the delegation to aggressively promote Singapore in Cebu, showcasing the new attractions and year-long events to further excite tourists all over the world.

Chan personally announced the newly transformed Singapore, including the establishments of more theme parks for all ages, Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium at the 49-hectare Resorts World at Sentosa, entertainment, musicals, and museums which are put together in one roof, the City Garden, Asia’s first River Theme Park, the new ION Orchard shopping and leisure destination, among others.

“We keep adding things and attraction to entice people to come and discover the different facets on the island,” said Chan in a press conference held at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

According to Chan, last year was a landmark year for Singapore as it saw 11.6 million visitors who contributed SG$18.8 billion to overall tourism receipts.

Singapore posted 20 percent increase in arrival last year compared to 2010, while tourism receipts grew by 49 percent year-on-year.

“What was icing on the cake was the fact that we saw a record number of travelers from the Philippines visiting Singapore last year with a 26 percent increase in visitor numbers, totaling 544,000 travelers,” Chan said.

The growing number of Low Cost Carriers (LCC) entered in the Philippines, is one of the primary contributors to the growth of Filipinos visiting Singapore, fueled also by the record growth of GDP in the Philippines, which allowed people to easily afford to go to other countries like Singapore for vacation, and total relaxation.

“The visitor arrival growth were driven by positive economic sentiment in source markets, the growth of LCCs, the development of new tourism products such as the two integrated resorts, and effective marketing and promotional activities,” she said adding that the various business, lifestyle, and cultural events in Singapore’s busy calendar throughout the year also played a part in attracting foreign visitors spending.

Cebuanos for instance, she said that the year-long events in Singapore, specifically the Universal Studio, among others entice more Cebuanos to visit the “new” Singapore now.

“Filipinos love to see what’s new, what’s exciting,” Chan said.

Although, previously known as quietly expensive destination, especially for budget-conscious Filipino travelers, Chan said that Singapore has designed attractions and destinations that will suit the different budget-requirement for tourists.

“We are aware that a destination needs to suit the different travelers’ budget requirement,” she said.

Over-all, the STB is forecasting 12 to 13 million visitor arrivals for 2011 and S$22 billion to S$24 billion in tourism receipts.

“We have had many ‘wow’ developments come on-stream these last two years, so the message of an exciting, transformed destination is totally real. I have this one wish—for Singapore to continue being a magnet for discerning Filipino visitors, and fore Filipinos to come and discover the many facets of this island that I call home,” Chan concluded. (FREEMAN)