Record number of Indian tourists in Singapore: Tourism Board

Mumbai, Aug 9 (UNI) Targetting the ever-increasing purchasing power of the Indian middle class, Singapore witnessed a 15.1 per cent record growth in the number of tourists from India.

For the first half of 2007, Indian arrivals grew by 15.1 percent to reach 3,86,000, a Singapore Tourism Board release stated here today.

Acoording to the Board, the industry earned USD 6.4 billion in the first six months of the year from the 4.9 million tourists, who arrived in the country during the period.

''India 's strong growth can be attributed to a higher disposable income amongst residents as India's Gross Domestic Product grew by 9.1 percent in January to March 2007, thereby contributing to a strong outbound potential. The growth in arrivals to Singapore was driven by a series of branding and promotional campaigns run over the period, such as the 'Integrated Family Campaign' and 'Summer Shopping Campaign', which generated strong destination awareness and interest,'' said Siew-Kheng Kang, Regional Director (South Asia, Middle East and Africa), Singapore Tourism Board.

India, Indonesia, China and Australia alone accounted for 44 percent of the overall visitor arrivals from January to June this year, propelled by strong growth in their respective domestic economies.

UNI