Singapore’s tourism sector continues to grow from strength to strength with a 5% increase in its year-on-year Middle East-based visitor arrival numbers for the first half of the year drawn by the burgeoning range of premier attractions, hotels and tourist amenities.

The growth in regional visitors to Singapore comes as the island’s integrated resorts move toward fully opening their numerous facilities. Louis Vuitton recently unveiled its unique Island Maison concept at the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, complementing the opening of the cutting-edge Avalon and Pangaea nightclubs.

Meanwhile, the Resorts World Sentosa integrated resort recently opened its Maritime Experiential Museum & Aquarium on 15 October with a replica of a 9^th Century Arabic dhow as one of the highlights of the museum. 

Airlines have begun to meet this increased demand through the introduction of new flights or services. By the end of October, Emirates Airlines will increase its flight capacity from 21 flights a week to 26, while by 3 November, Qatar Airways will have doubled its capacity to Singapore from 7 to 14 flights a week. Singapore Airlines has also completed the refurbishment of its planes that fly to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, offering a greatly improved product in its two premium cabins.

“Singapore continues to evolve to meet the increased needs of the discerning traveller, and I am heartened that the increase in air and sea services will allow Middle East travellers to access ‘Asia’s Green Dynamo’ with even greater ease and convenience,” said Jason Ong, Area Director, Middle East & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board,

The coming 12 months will see the city-state’s transformation gather apace, with the opening of the 101 hectare Gardens by the Bay project which will offer

plant-based edutainment, horticultural displays, garden craftsmanship and floral artistry – further strengthening Singapore’s claim to be the “City in a Garden. http://www.gardensbythebay.org.sg/ 

Meanwhile, at USS on Resorts World Sentosa another blockbuster ride is scheduled to open later this year – the much-anticipated Transformers® attraction, based on the popular box-office-hit movie series, will join 21 rides and shows already running at the park, which include the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, Shrek 4-D Adventure, Revenge of the Mummy and Battlestar Galactica. http://www.rwsentosa.com/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore

Other key projects include the completion of Asia’s first River Safari and the much awaited new International Cruise Terminal (ICT), which will bring cruise visitors directly into the centre of Singapore.