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.