S’pore tourism must ‘up its game’ as Asian travellers get more picky

SINGAPORE — The Asian Attractions Expo 2017 by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) was opened yesterday by Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Trade and Industry Ms Low Yen Ling.

It is Singapore’s third time to host the event, which brings together attraction operators from more than 50 countries, and is expected to attract over 8,000 delegates from across the world.

Covering more than 9,000 square metres at the Marina Bay Sands, the Asian Attractions Expo this year will see more than 300 international companies display their innovations and attractions.

Under the theme Explore a World of New Ideas, the exhibits include state-of-the-art rides, virtual reality attractions, motion simulators, water park attractions, and the latest innovative technology.

As the growing numbers of affluent, middle-class travellers in Asia are “becoming more discerning”, they will seek more “quality and unique experiences”, said Ms Low at the opening of the three-day trade fair.

The Asian attractions industry must rise to the challenge to develop new attractions and experiences to meet the demands and preferences of this expanding segment of the population.

“To ensure that Singapore remains a destination of choice for visitors, we continuously seek to develop new attractions, and rejuvenate our existing attractions.

“One major example is our plan to develop Mandai into a world-class nature-themed precinct and wildlife destination. This will include a new home in Mandai for the Bird Park that is currently located in Jurong, a new Rainforest Park, a nature-themed indoor attraction, landscaped public spaces for recreation and eco-accommodation,” said Ms Low.

The first phase of the new Mandai Precinct is expected to be completed in 2020.

This week, Sentosa Development Corporation unveiled plans to rebrand Sentosa Island as more than a day destination by offering extra night programmes.

Ongoing works to refurbish the Merlion Gateway Precinct and build an elevated walkway to accommodate more human traffic are expected to be completed by 2021.

The tourism sector is one of Singapore’s key service sectors, contributing 4 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product, said Ms Low.

Last year was a record year for Singapore tourism, with visitor arrivals growing by 8 per cent to 16.4 million, while tourism receipts rose by 13 per cent to S$24.6 billion.

The first three months of the year recorded a 4 per cent growth in visitor arrivals, with 1.478 million visitors in March, up from 1.4 million in the same period last year, according to the Singapore Tourism Board.

Visitors from China increased by 13.7 per cent in the first quarter, overtaking Indonesia as the fastest growing market for tourist arrivals here.

Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), the Asian Attractions Expo has been hosted in the region by China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia. Singapore last hosted the annual event in 2013 and 2011.

The Asian edition of the international trade exhibition was inaugurated in Shanghai in 2006, according to MTI.