The Singapore Tourism Board has set targets for visitor arrivals and spending for 2006. It is looking to increase arrivals to 9.4 million, an increase of 6 percent above the tally of 8.94 visitor arrivals posted in 2005. In addition, it is aiming for an 11 percent increase in tourism spending. Lim Neo Chian, the board's deputy chairman and chief executive, says Singapore needs to continue its momentum, and the 2006 targets are in line with the board's long-term visitor-spending targets. To maintain momentum, he adds, the board will boost emphasis on driving higher spending, while trying to get more visitor days from Singapore's current stock of hotel rooms. "This would mean that we must create more new and exciting tourism products and enriching experiences for our visitors," he says. "We will need to sustain our efforts in focusing on key target markets and building the Uniquely Singapore brand in 2006. In addition, we will continue to transform and remake Singapore into a vibrant and must-visit destination through working with local and international tourism players to bring in or develop world-class products."
