Tourism Development In Singapore

Executive Summary

This report will provide in-depth details on the background of Singapore Tourism Board (STB) from its establishment to the success it is today, how they overcame problems, and what they resources do they provide for tourists. Through overseas promotional campaigns in early years, and mindful use of government allocated funds, STB managed to attract crowds to Singapore. Initiatives by STB in the beginning of tourism development gained support from locals for tourism development.

Over the years, STB’s achievement can be seen through the increased tourist numbers and expenditures. However, the seemingly endless flow of foreigners into the country has given rise to unsettling feelings in locals.

Recommended actions:

• Educating

However, this could only happen if locals understood and knew the potential positive impact on Singapore that tourism can bring. One such impact is the multiplying effect that tourism will have on Singapore’s economy. With that in mind, STPB started organising tourism related activities to encourage local involvement in the country’s tourism development. “Tourist Week” was one of the initiative to show Singaporeans that tourism would benefit locals. Business owners, taxi drivers, hawkers and more, took part in the event, where they provided venues as attractions, and took part in friendly competitions. Visitors to these venue would then spend money, giving locals more

One of the reasons was Singapore’s lack of cultural and historical appeal to tourists in comparison to neighbouring countries.

In light of this situation, a tourism task force was assembled to propose a plausible approach to reignite Singapore’s tourism sector. The task force was a combined effort involving government officials, and those from tourism related business, such as hoteliers, and convention organisers.

The task force identified areas of improvement and provided ideas and recommendations such as enhancing existing, and developing new attractions, preserving historical sites, and developing new infrastructure that could be used as venues for events and conventions. A five-year Tourism Product Development Plan was revealed in 1986, aiming to increase total tourist expenditure and visits to Singapore. In accordance to the recommendations of the task force, the government dedicated S$1 billion to the preservation and revitalisation historical areas, and the development of new attractions. This led to the restoration of places such as Little India and Chinatown, and the creation of Sentosa. These locations continues attract tourists and even locals