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Emphasis is on quality and not unabated tourism growth

We refer to Mr Richard Hartung’s commentary, “It’s time to rethink tourism” (Aug 20).

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Oliver Chong, Executive Director, Communications & Industry Marketing, Singapore Tourism Board

We refer to Mr Richard Hartung’s commentary, “It’s time to rethink tourism” (Aug 20).

Tourism is not only an important economic sector that brings growth and jobs to Singapore. Tourism development is also a key strategy for Singapore to extend its lead as a competitive and compelling global city.

For example, to attract the new investments in headquarters and professional services that Mr Hartung advocates, Singapore must remain competitive as a destination for business visitors and compelling as a vibrant, liveable city.

We are not pursuing unabated tourism growth, as he suggested. Rather, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) emphasises quality tourism growth by focusing on the visitor experience and encouraging tourists to do and spend more in the local economy.

The STB has also been working closely with the industry to improve its productivity and create good career pathways for Singaporeans in the sector. Our tourism industries have also incorporated sustainability into their businesses.

This includes initiatives such as Sustainability Guidelines, which were introduced for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry, and the biennial Green Hotel Award that recognises local hotels for their efforts to conserve the environment.

Attractions such as Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Zoo help to sensitise our urban population to the importance of appreciating and co-existing with nature.

Mr Hartung cited real estate consultancy Chesterton International’s finding that “Singapore faces a dire shortage of hotel rooms”. Actually, we have a healthy pipeline supply of 12,200 hotel rooms over the next few years to meet projected tourism needs.

We will continue to develop our tourism sector to help keep Singapore a vibrant place for locals to enjoy, tourists to visit and businesses to thrive.

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