Visitor arrivals to increase

Visitor arrivals to increase

SINGAPORE (DPA): The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is revising
its forecast for visitor arrivals this year amid a stronger-than-
expected surge, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Following a 13 percent decline in 1998 to 6.24 million with
the industry wracked by the economic crisis, the STB initially
forecast a 1 to 3 per cent rise to 6.35 million for 1999.

"We are confident of the visitor arrivals surpassing 6.35
million," the spokeswoman said, citing the improved performance
during the first six months.

Visitor arrivals rose 9 per cent year-on-year to 3.33 million
for the six-month period, but June showed the strongest growth at
18 per cent.

Hotels reported their overall occupancy rate grew 4.5 points
to 77 per cent in the first half of this year. Keen competition
however depressed room rates which fell 12.1 per cent, the STB
said.