S'pore sees rise in visitors

S'pore sees rise in visitors

SINGAPORE (AFX-ASIA): The Singapore Tourism Board said it expects visitor arrivals this year to rise 6 percent-8 percent after rising 10.50 percent in 2000.

"We are making a cautious projection based on the global forecast that the U.S. economy may be headed for a slowdown," the board's chief executive Yeo Khee Leng said.

Besides the U.S. economic slowdown, rising oil prices and deteriorating political situations in some of Singapore's key markets are also expected to dampen travel demand, he said.

Among Singapore's key visitor markets are Indonesia, Japan, the UK, Malaysia, China, South Korea, India and Hong Kong.

To boost visitor arrivals, Singapore has lined up key events, including the staging of Miss Saigon, along with fashion shows by designers Kenzo and Christian Dior.

In addition, Caltex Singapore will also host a masters gold tournament, while Manchester United will play an exhibition soccer match, he said.