764,000 MALAYSIANS VISITED SINGAPORE LAST YEAR

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia was one of Singapore's top five
visitor-generating markets last year, contributing about 764,000 visitors,
according to the Singapore Tourism Board.

The other top four markets were Indonesia, contributing 1,745,000 visitors,
China (937,000), Australia (830,000) and India (726,000).

The board said these five top markets accounted for over 50 per cent of
total visitor arrivals to Singapore last year.

However, visitor arrivals to Singapore dipped 4.3 per cent last year as
compared with 2008, touching only about 9.7 million visitors, it said.

It said cumulative tourism receipts for 2009 were estimated to clinch
S$12.4 billion, down 19 per cent compared to the same period in 2008.

The board said Indonesia contributed S$2.12 billion, China (S$1.40
billion),Australia (S$934 million), India (S$891 million) and Malaysia (S$673
million).

These markets accounted for 49 per cent of total tourism receipts during the
period.

The decline in tourism receipts across these markets were due to weak travel
sentiment and lower discretionary spending, it said.

The board also said strong growth in visitor arrivals from Malaysia in the
second half of last year resulted in a 11 per cent growth in tourism receipts.
-- BERNAMA