SINGAPORE reported fewer international visitors last year, the first annual fall since 2009, hurt by a stronger Singapore dollar and a drop in the number of Chinese tourists amid slower regional tourism growth.

    International visitor arrivals fell 3 percent last year to 15.1 million, missing the Singapore Tourism Board’s forecast of an increase of 5 to 8 percent from 2013.

    However, visitors stayed longer and spent more, helping tourism receipts stay flat at S$23.5 billion (US$17.3 billion), according to preliminary estimates.

    Singapore, which relies on tourism for about 4 percent of its economic output, is often a pitstop for travelers who combine it with trips to neighboring countries.

    But two mishaps involving Malaysian Airlines flights, political unrest in Thailand and a new Chinese law that clamps down on ultra-cheap tour packages have taken their toll.

    VIP volumes are also under pressure at Singapore’s two glitzy casinos, Las Vegas Sands’ Marina Bay Sands and Genting Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa, as China’s economic slowdown reduce the number of wealthy players at their tables.

    The STB did not give a forecast for 2015 yesterday, but said it would not be able to meet a 10-year plan to grow visitor arrivals to 17 million this year due to unforeseen circumstances such the 2008 global financial crisis.

    (SD-Agencies)