Singapore is becoming the choice of many Indians for Holidays  due to its proximity, accessibility and the tourist attractions.
The number of Indian travellers to Singapore during the first half of 2012 stood at 4.78 lakh, an increase of six percent compared to the same period last year.
G.B. Srithar, area director, South Asia, Singapore Tourism Board, Thursday said the figures were a testimony to the fact that Singapore remained an ideal destination for Indians.
“In the current scenario, Indians are looking for shorter holidays and short stay in an international destination like Singapore which is close to them,” he said at a news conference here.
He said the economic slowdown did not have any impact on the number Indian travellers to Singapore as for the upper middle class, a holiday has become a “necessity” at least once a year.
India is the fifth largest visitor generating market for Singapore after Indonesia, China, Malaysia and Australia. During 2011, the number of Indian travelers was 8.69 lakh, an increase of five percent over 2010.
Singapore’s tourism receipts during 2011 were 22.36 billion Singapore dollars, an increase of 18 percent over 2010. The total number of visitors were 13.2 million, up by 13 percent.
In terms of contribution to Singapore’s tourism revenues, India is third largest market after Indonesia and China. India’s contribution has gone up from 911 million Singapore dollars in 2010 to 1.1 billion in 2011, indicating that Indians spend more, especially on accommodation.
The tourism board announced second phase of its marketing campaign in India, which was launched in March this year. With the slogan ‘Singapore – the holiday you take home with you’, the board is trying to woo the visitors, especially families and couples, by focusing on latest tourism offerings.
“With the recent launch of Gardens By The Bay, Marina Bay Cruise Centre and the soon-to-be-opened Marine Life Park at the Resorts World Sentosa and River Safari, Singapore continues to offer plethora of exciting and enriching experiences,” Srithar said.