A new $15-million fund will be set aside to develop tourism associations, said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on Monday.

These include precinct associations that oversee certain business districts like Sentosa, Chinatown and Orchard Road, as well as industry groups like the Society of Tourist Guides Singapore.

The fund, unveiled at the annual Tourism Industry Conference, will help such groups do more such as organising festive events, and training and hiring staff, said the STB. This would in turn "create authentic visitor experiences" in the areas, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Mr S. Iswaran, who was guest of honour at the event held at the Suntec Convention Centre.

Singapore's "tighter labour market" also constrains its ability to sustain high growth in tourism arrival rates, he added.

"We need a more durable growth model... Emphasising quality, visitor experience and increased spending from each tourist, rather than just growing visitor arrivals alone," said Mr Iswaran, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry.