Singapore tourism takings hit $6 billion as hotel revenue rises 12 per cent on last year

Tourists view the Marina Bay Sands resort hotel and casino from a pier at Merlion park in Singapore on June 24, 2014. The tourism receipt tally in Singapore rose to $6 billion in the first quarter of 2014, a five per cent increase on the same pe
Tourists view the Marina Bay Sands resort hotel and casino from a pier at Merlion park in Singapore on June 24, 2014. The tourism receipt tally in Singapore rose to $6 billion in the first quarter of 2014, a five per cent increase on the same period last year. -- PHOTO: AFP 

SINGAPORE - The tourism receipt tally in Singapore rose to $6 billion in the first quarter of 2014, a five per cent increase on the same period last year.

The growth was driven mainly by sightseeing, entertainment and gaming, which went up by 19 per cent, according to a report by the Singapore Tourism Board.

Meanwhile, gazetted hotel room revenue grew by a robust 12 per cent to hit $0.8 billion in the first quarter, with overall revenue per room edging up by 2.2 per cent.

International visitor arrivals, however, held steady at 3.9 million. There was a 14 per cent dip in arrivals from China, which followed a new tourism law introduced in October last year, which clamped down on cheap shopping tours sold at or below cost.

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