The tourism revival continued in February, with visitor arrivals surging by 24.2 per cent to reach 857,000 visitors. -- ST PHOTO: LIM YONG
THE opening of Singapore's first casino during the traditionally travel-friendly Chinese New Year period helped visitor numbers hit a record high last month.
February arrivals reached 857,000 for the first time, a 24.2 per cent increase over the same month last year.
It was also the third month in a row of record visitor arrivals, an indication that the tourism industry is in better shape than ever.
The Chinese New Year holidays were a significant reason for February's strong performance, as the festive season is traditionally a peak period for regional travel. Chinese New Year was in January last year.
Said National Association of Travel Agents Singapore president Robert Khoo: 'Generally, worldwide, people are travelling more as Asia pulls out of the recession.
'But the casino's opening was also an added attraction: Asians do have a bit of a gambling streak in them.'
