Singapore Visitor Arrivals for February 2009

Visitor arrivals to Singapore reached 689,000 in February 2009, registering a decline of 15.2% compared to Singapore's Visitor Arrivals for February 2008. Visitor days were estimated at 2.8 million days, a decrease of 11.6% in comparison with February 2008.

In February 2009, Indonesia (103,000), P.R. China (80,000), Australia(51,000), UK (47,000), and Malaysia (46,000) were Singapore’s top five visitor-generating markets. These markets accounted for 48% of total visitor arrivals for the month.

Among the top 15 markets, Vietnam (+12.3%) and the Philippines (+0.8%)registered growth. The positive performance of Vietnam and the Philippines can be attributed to the inherent strength of these markets. In addition, strong air travel promotions in Vietnam have helped contribute to the growth recorded.

Visitor arrivals in 13 out of the top 15 markets decreased compared to the same month last year. This decline reflects the impact of the current global economic downturn on consumer sentiments and discretionary spending. The large decline of visitors from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong may also be due to the occurrence of the Lunar New Year holidays in each market in January this year, as compared to February in 2008. The depreciation of the Won in South Korea has also likely impacted discretionary spending and South Korean visitor arrivals into Singapore.

Singapore gazetted hotels were estimated to generate Sin$123 million in room revenue, representing a decrease of 28.7% versus February 2008. The Average Room Rate (ARR) in February 2009 was estimated at Sin$205, representing a decrease of 20.6% over February 2008.

The Average Occupancy Rate (AOR) for gazetted hotels was estimated to reach 76% in February 2009, posting a 3.3 percentage point decrease over February 2008. Revenue Per Available Room (Revpar) decreased by 23.9% to reach Sin$156 for February 2009.

In February 2009, Mid-Tier hotels achieved the highest AOR - 79%, while Economy-Tier hotels recorded the smallest decrease (-12.6%). Hotels in the Economy Tier also saw the least decline in Revpar (-17.9%) in February 2009, compared to February 2008.

See also: Singapore Visitor Arrivals for January 2009 and other recent news regarding: Airlines, Aviation, Flights, First Class, Business Class, Hotels, Promotions, New Hotels, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Singapore, Visitor Arrivals, February 2009