OPENING ADDRESS BY MR LIM HNG KIANG, MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AT ITB ASIA OPENING CEREMONY ON 21 OCT 2009, 9AM AT SUNTEC SINGAPORE
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Introduction
Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to join you today
at the opening of ITB Asia 2009. Let me begin by extending a warm
welcome to all our overseas visitors.
Singapore is very honoured to be the host destination for the Asian
edition of the world’s largest travel trade show for the second
consecutive year.
Recovery In Asia- Pacific
Since the last ITB Asia, the world travel industry has
indeed been feeling the effects of the downturn. The good news is
that the Asian Development Bank upgraded growth projections for
Asia from 6% to 6.4% in 2010[1] and
commented that the region will be “poised to lead the
recovery”.[2] With
intra-regional travel accounting for more than 80% of travel
traffic in the Asia-Pacific[3], the
projected higher economic growth and potential increase in outbound
travel in Asia bodes well for all of us.
Beyond the region, surveys carried out by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) show that
the Asia-Pacific remains a top choice for more than two-thirds of
travelers from the UK and the USA.
Seizing Opportunities in Tourism
Although Singapore’s visitor arrivals last year
dipped 2% compared to 2007, Singapore’s tourism industry is
well-positioned to seize the opportunities in this recovery, just
like the other Asian markets. Last year, the Singapore economy
registered a record $15.2 billion in tourism receipts. 2008 was
also a record year for Singapore’s business travel industry, where
we welcomed 3 million business travellers and MICE visitors and
registered nearly $6 billion in tourism receipts.We have been ranked
first for the ease of doing business in the World Bank’s
Doing Business 2009
report for the fourth consecutive year.
In another first for Singapore, the recently
concluded 2009 Singapore GP Season featured the world premiere of F1 RocksTM.at Fort
Canning Park. Altogether, the FORMULA ONE race and its surrounding
festivities provided an unrivalled opportunity to showcase
Singapore as a vibrant and exciting destination to a global
audience.
Stimulating the Tourism Industry in
Singapore
I would like to encourage local and international
business partners to continue to work together and seize the
opportunities presented as we ride out the downturn
together. On its part, the Singapore government continues to
work closely with the industry through various
initiatives.
Earlier this year, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) launched the $90 million
BOOST - Building on
Opportunities to Strengthen Tourism –
initiative to grow Singapore’s mindshare as an attractive
destination and stimulate visitor arrivals into Singapore. Under
this initiative, STB also kick-started two marketing campaigns,
“2009 Reasons to enjoy Singapore” and “2009 Reasons to meet in
Singapore”.
STB’s efforts have yielded results. From January to August
this year, visitor arrivals totaled 6.2 million, putting Singapore
well within the forecast of 9 to 9.5 million visitors by the end of
the year.
STB also launched the enhanced
“BE in Singapore” or “Business Events in Singapore” incentive
scheme in February this year. Since then, STB has received close to
300 new applications, more than double the number received in the
same period last year. Of these new applications, more than 80 per
cent have been approved to date. These new events are expected to
generate a combined total of $250 million in tourism receipts up to
2012.
ITB Asia Demonstrates Confidence in
Asia
The Asia-Pacific travel market has tremendous potential for
growth. ITB Asia is well-placed to tap into these abundant business
opportunities and it is already doing so. I notice that this year’s
instalment of ITB Asia carries a stronger focus on Asian
destinations and venues.
I am heartened to note that interest in ITB Asia remains
strong, with a higher number of National Tourism Organisations
(NTOs) and a higher number of exhibitor organisations participating
this year. I would like to congratulate Messe Berlin for
successfully staging this milestone tourism event once again in
Singapore for Asia's benefit.
I am confident that ITB Asia will continue to grow in
strength and stature as the region’s leading tourism trade show to
attract even more travel professionals and visitors from around the
world.
Conclusion
On this note, I wish all delegates a very rewarding and
fruitful time at ITB Asia and, to our visitors from overseas, an
enjoyable stay in Singapore.
Thank you.