Singapore gets record visitor arrivals, tourism receipts in 2016

VISITOR arrivals and tourism receipts to Singapore hit record highs in 2016, with arrivals growing 7.7 per cent to 16.4 million and receipts expanding 13.9 per cent to S$24.8 billion.

Visitors spent more on food and beverages, shopping and accommodation last year, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said on Tuesday.

Top visitor source markets were China, Indonesia and India.

This year, STB forecasts arrivals of 16.4 million to 16.7 million while tourism spend is expected to clock S$25.1 billion to S$25.8 billion.

Last year, Singapore hosted over 410 business events, 15 per cent more year on year. These generated some S$611 million in tourism receipts, up 28 per cent from 2015.