Singapore tourism hits high

Singapore raked in S$18.8 billion (US$2.7 million) in tourism receipts last year, the highest in ten years.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said this is a 49 percent increase from 2009.

Shopping, sightseeing & entertainment accounted for majority of the tourism receipts.

STB said the high growth in tourism dollars is due to higher spending per person, and more international visitors due to positive economic sentiment and the opening of the two Integrated Resorts.

International visitor arrivals to Singapore reached 11.6 million last year, a 20 per cent increase from 2009.

Indonesia, China, Malaysia and India were the top five international visitor-generating markets.