The Southeast Asian city-state welcomed 908,000 visitors in March, a record high for March, the Singapore Tourism Board said in a statement.

The average length of stay increased at a faster pace, with visitor days rising 14.1 per cent from a year ago to 3.4 million days, and hotels reporting a 16.8 per cent increase in room revenue to $189 million.

The average hotel room rate rose 23.8 per cent in March from a year ago to hit $238 a night, the tourism authority added.

Singapore is an Asian business centre and receives many visiting executives and bankers every month. It is also trying to boost its services sector to offset a weakening manufacturing industry. -- REUTERS