SINGAPORE, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Singapore witnessed 12 percent increase in visitors spent for the first six months in 2016, said Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on Tuesday.
STB said tourism receipts (TR) grew by 12 percent to reach 11.6 billion Singapore dollars (8.14 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2016. The growth in TR was mostly volume-driven due to a strong growth of visitor arrivals of 13 percent from January to June this year.
The authority noted that the growth in TR was backed by higher expenditure in shopping, accommodation and food and beverage.
"This helped to offset the fall in sightseeing, entertainment and gaming that was due largely to a decline in gaming revenue as reported by the integrated resorts," said STB in their quarterly report.
STB also observed that "more visitors are choosing to stay in paid accommodation, particularly in mid-tier hotels."
