Singapore Tourism Board Forecasts 25-30% Decline in Tourists Due to 'Corona Shock'

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] It is forecasted that the number of tourists visiting Singapore this year may decrease by about 25-30%.

According to local media including the Singapore daily The Straits Times on the 12th, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) predicted the day before that the number of tourists visiting Singapore would decrease by about 25-30% as the global spread of COVID-19 continues.

This is a much larger decline in tourists compared to the 19% decrease during the 2003 SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak, when more than 30 deaths occurred in Singapore.

Keith Tan, the head of the Tourism Board, said, "Looking at the statistics at this point, the number of foreign tourists is decreasing by an average of 18,000 to 20,000 per day," adding, "The COVID-19 situation this year is at least as serious as during SARS, and it could possibly be worse."

China, which accounts for about 20% of all tourists to Singapore, dealt a decisive blow by banning overseas group travel to prevent the spread of the virus.

Tan added, "Back in 2003 when SARS occurred, Chinese visitors to Singapore accounted for only about 9% of all foreign tourists."

However, he also noted that the forecasted decline in tourists could change depending on the duration of COVID-19 in China and its spread to other regions, leaving room for possible changes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.