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hmm, Jul gonna be the worst, but come Aug, Lunar Ghost mth is coming, may draw tourists loh. Reason is that the local tour guides will sell the traditional attration of wayang shows in town liao.
Lol. Find ways to make bets against the IR
Time to short hotel counters?
July 27, 2008, The Sunday Times
Tourists numbers fall in Singapore amid global economic downturn
By Serene Luo
SINGAPORE'S booming tourism market has finally fallen prey to the worldwide economic slowdown, rising inflation and burgeoning oil prices.
In its latest report, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said 4.1 per cent fewer visitors came here in June, compared to the same month last year - a dip for the first time in 51 months.
The number of visitors from Indonesia - Singapore's largest visitor-generating nation - fell from 180,000 to 153,000; while China visitor numbers declined from 77,000 to 70,000 .
Tourists also spent 0.2 per cent less in the first six months of the year, compared to the same period last year.
STB's deputy chairman and chief executive Lim Neo Chian said there was 'a general air of uncertainty, which has impacted consumer sentiments and discretionary spending in many tourism destinations, including Singapore'.
This may continue into the next few months, he said.
Business visitors from countries like the United States, which is suffering a sub-prime crisis, may also find the strong Singapore dollar a turn-off, as hotel rooms and other items will seem more pricey.
Mr Lim said that the STB was monitoring the situation and may 'adjust our strategies or review our targets'.