Windfall for Singapore hotels as record tourists arrive

Singapore (ANTARA News) - Singapore's hotel sector looks set to
continue its spectacular rebound as room rates and visitor numbers hit
record levels and the city-state unveils numerous sparkling
attractions, experts say.

The inaugural Singapore Airshow, which bills itself as Asia's largest
aerospace and defence event, starts the year off with thousands of
foreign visitors expected in February.

About the same time the Singapore Flyer, the largest observation wheel in the world, is to open.

Events will peak in September when Singapore's first Formula One Grand Prix races through the city's famously pristine streets.

Even before the new attractions Singapore's tourist arrivals hit fresh
peaks, with record high visitor numbers every month last year, said
Quek Swee Kuan, the Singapore Tourism Board's (STB's) deputy chief
executive for international operations.

"Similarly, the hotel sector has had an exceptional year, with hotel
occupancy and room rates at an all-time high," Quek told AFP.

Latest STB figures showed 837,000 visitors in November, the largest
number ever for that month, while average hotel room rates set a new
milestone of 226 dollars (158 US) a night, up almost 30 percent over
the previous year.

The average occupancy rate in November was 88 percent, meaning rooms were virtually filled every night, analysts said (*) END

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