With a record number of visitors in December, Singapore finished out a year in which two integrated resorts opened in the island nation and boosted tourism figures by 20 percent. The IRs were established to do just that, as well as bring more meetings and conventions to the city. The results reverse a 2 percent decline in 2008 and a 4 percent dip in 2009.

With more than 11 million visitors in 2010, when the casinos/IRs weren’t even complete, the future is bright for tourism in Singapore. Genting’s Resorts World Sentosa opened in January and Las Vegas Sands’ Marina Bay Sands opened in April.

The economy of Singapore expanded at an almost 15 percent pace in 2010, led by tourism. Fourteen of the 15 markets observed posted increases in 2010. Indonesia recorded an increase of 23 percent, which also represents that nation’s share of the Singapore tourism market. Malaysia was second at a 17 percent increase, with 12 percent of the total visitation (land-based tourism was not included, however, which is significant from Malaysia, which borders Singapore). China was up 13 percent, with 9 percent of the total market, and Australia was up 3 percent with 8 percent of the total market.

Room rates also increased significantly in 2010. The average daily rate was up 17 percent to US$163 and REVpar was up 22 percent to US$136. Marina Bay Sands posted an 84 percent occupancy rate with ADR at US$258.

Tourism Board Chief Executive Aw Kah Peng told the Associated Press that she expects revenue and arrivals to grow again this year.

“We’re on target to reach SG$30 billion in revenue and 17 million visitors by 2015,” Aw said.

Separately, AsiaOne reports that the two IRs drew huge crowds on the first day of Chinese New Year. Resorts World Sentosa registered 55,000 visitors as of 5 p.m. At Marina Bay Sands, the number cited was 235,000.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.