Surge in Thai travel to Singapore
July 13, 2010 by Duangrudee Somboonruangsri
Filed under News
BANGKOK, 13 July 2010 – Singapore enjoyed a 26.9% growth in the Thai market gaining 169,171 arrivals during the first five months of the year. During the same five months in 2009 the Thai outbound market generated 133,268 trips to Singapore.
According to Singapore Tourism Board’s statistical report, international arrivals in May registered a 30.3% growth with 946,000 arrivals, the highest ever recorded in May, while 38,915 trips made by Thai tourists represented an increase of 43.8% compared to 27,066 Thai arrivals in May 2009.
Overall, international arrivals from January to May increased by 21.8% with 4,579,112 arrivals.
STB forecasts 11.5 to 12.5 million visitors and S$17.5 to S$18.5 billion in tourism receipts this year. It plans to achieve its target by attracting repeat visitors through lifestyle and signature events such as the Asia Fashion Exchange, the Youth Olympic Games and LIVE! Singapore, the Singtel Singapore Formula One Grand Prix, F1 Rock, and Singapore International Water Week.
Like Macau, casinos are now playing a role in attracting Thai visitors. A strong improvement was measured right after the opening of the Universal Studios Singapore and casino at Resorts World Sentosa.
A second casino opened at Marina Bay Sands, last April, but that is pitching at up-scale gamblers by keeping hotel and venue rates at a higher level.
Thai tour operators sell a three-day/two-night package to Singapore at Bt12,000 for three-star accommodation and Bt17,000 to Bt18,000 for four-star accommodation.
Prices also depend on airline partners, but the popular tours use THAI, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, or low-cost carrier, Jetstar.
Most packages are inclusive of a Universal Studios day-pass and a city tour. If the package includes the giant observation wheel, Singapore Flyer, the cost increases by another Bt1,000.
Singapore Tourism Board Tourism Focus 2010 indicates that in April, Thai visitors stayed for three days. Their average age was 36. In April, a peak month for outbound travel, Thais registered highest growth rate at +57.5%, followed by Malaysians +50.8%, and Indians +30.8%.
