More Filipino tourists visited Singapore in ’10

The country’s well-performing economy and increasing number of budget airlines flying Philippine-Singapore route have increased the number of Filipino tourists visiting Singapore last year.

Sherina Chan, Singapore tourism board area director for the Philippines and Brunei, said that these were the factors for the increase of Filipino tourists to Singapore last year.

Chan said over half a million Filipinos who visited Singapore in 2010 pulling the country’s ranking up from eight in 2009 to sixth last year in terms of the number of visitors.

“2010 was a record breaking year for Singapore. We closed the year with $18.8 billion in receipts and 11.6 million visitor arrival. The Philippines number improved last year,” Chan said.

Shopping and amusement parks like Sentosa Island, the Singapore 300, and other attractions continue to draw tourists.

“Singapore is also known as a destination for budget tourists with free shows like the Crane Dance. We try to suit our attractions to every persons needs that’s what we highlight in our “What’s your Singapore” campaign and I believe we have been very successful so far,” she said.

“We expect two million more tourists to come to Singapore as we target 12 million to 20 million in tourist arrivals and $22 billion to $24 billion in receipts,” she said.