Filipinos among top visitors to Singapore: Tourism board

Filipinos ranked sixth in the number of tourists who visited Singapore last year, figures from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) showed.
With the country’s economy faring better than other countries, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) Philippines and Brunei area director Sherina Chan said it was no surprise that Filipinos are also the third largest growing tourist market for Singapore, after China and Taiwan.
STB reported 678,000 Filipino visitors to Singapore last year, up 24 percent from the 544,000 who visited in 2010.
Aside from positive economic sentiments in the Philippines, Chan also credited the increasing number of flights between the Philippines and Singapore, especially by low-cost carriers.
Also a factor is some 16,000 Filipinos living in Singapore, which encourages visits from family and friends.
Overall, Singapore found 13.2 million tourists who spent over USD 22 million in tourism receipts.
”This is an indication that Filipinos enjoy Singapore because they keep coming back,” Chan told reporters at a recent briefing.
Chan and tourism players in Singapore held a media briefing to announce new tourism developments in 2012 and to entice Filipinos looking forward to summer break with their tourist attractions.
Among the must-sees in Singapore are the integrated resorts Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, which Chan said has changed the landscape of the island state.
At the Sands, Chan said the 150-meter infinity pool at the top of the three towers, the new Louis Vuitton Island and the Art Science Museum should be worthwhile sights.
At the Resorts World, the Universal Studios began its Hollywood Parade and opened its Transformers ride last December.
She said that new hotels are being put up around Singapore, which range from P1,925 to P13,200 to suit all budgets.
Chan said their busy events calendar makes for an interesting visit to Singapore, with the production of the play Wicked scheduled to run until April, the World Gourmet Summit, Great Singapore Sale, Asia Fashion Exchange, Singapore Food Festival, National Day festivities, Formula 1 Grand Prix and cultural festivals spread out through the year. [PNA]