Tourism plays a vital role in the Singapore economy. Many factors have contributed to making it the country's key industry, including cultural diversity, economic stability, high standard of living, an intoxicating mix of tradition and modernity, cleanliness, a pollution-free environment despite large urban settlement and industrialization, modern infrastructure and high-end transportation. Since the Vietnam-Singapore Tourism Agreement was signed in 1994, bilateral cooperation in tourism between the two countries has flourished considerably. However, there is still much room for further cooperation in this sector.
Tourist attractions
The island nation is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations of the world.
It has a total of 60 islets. Each of these islets is unique in its own way and has a lot to offer to its visitors. The cultural diversity of Singapore is a reflection of its colonial history and Chinese, Malay, Indian and Arab ethnicities. While every nook and corner of this small nation reflects modernity, the age-old charm is conserved in its ethnic variety and architecture with historical buildings, museums, thrilling parks. The zoological and botanical gardens add to the uniqueness of the island. Furthermore, Singapore is said to be a shopper’s paradise with a huge variety of shopping malls and shopping centers which are always bustling with the busy shopaholics. Every year, tourists from all over the world flock to Singapore to get a glimpse of some of the major tourist attractions the place offers.
The Business Travel & MICE have strongly developed and also been the key drivers of Singaporean tourism sector, creating exceptional experiences for Business & MICE visitors and establishing a vibrant Business & MICE environment with strong industry players, robust alliances and world class infrastructure.
Thus, according to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Tourism receipts from January to December 2010 were estimated at S$18.8 billion, exceeding the year’s forecast range of S$17.5 – S$18.5 billion. All components of tourism receipts grew by double-digit in 2010. Shopping, Sightseeing & Entertainment and Accommodation made up 61 percent of tourism receipts. International visitor arrivals to Singapore reached $11.6 million in 2010, registering a year-on-year increase of 20 percent. The high growth of 49 percent in tourism receipts is attributed to higher per capita spending and strong international visitor arrivals due to positive economic sentiment, and
the opening of two integrated resorts in 2010. These marked 2010 was the great year for Singapore's tourism industry with more visitors and more high-spending ones.
Singapore- an important investor in Vietnam tourism
Since the Vietnam-Singapore Tourism Agreement was signed in 1994, bilateral cooperation in tourism between the two countries has flourished considerably. Singapore has so far helped Vietnam train about 2,000 officers, travel staff, investing in 20 tourism projects in Vietnam.
Furthermore, Vietnam and Singapore agreed to forge cooperation in infrastructure development and tourism in 2010. The agreement was reached at the 5th conference on Vietnam-Singapore economic linkage held in the Central Highland resort city of Da Lat in March, 2010 under the co-chair of Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc and Singaporean Minister of Industry and Trade Lim Hng Kiang.
Another positive signal of tourism cooperation between the two countries is the US$900 million large resort near the historical town of Hue which have been invested by Banya Tree - a Singapore-based group specializing in tourist resorts, hotels and other property projects.
Dang Yen
Vietnamese
