Singapore launches tourism campaign in China after hit by MH370 mystery and Thai crisis

Singapore is mounting a drive in China to market itself as a standalone tourism destination, officials said yesterday, after a drop in Chinese arrivals to neighbouring countries also affected the city state.

The Straits Times reported yesterday that Singapore's tourism sector was being hurt by Chinese travellers' reluctance to visit Malaysia due to the ongoing flight MH370 mystery, and Thailand because of its political crisis.

The five million yuan (HK$6.2 million) marketing campaign, which will last until October, will encourage Chinese travellers to visit Singapore alone.

It is jointly organised by Singapore airport operator Changi Airport Group (CAG), the Singapore Tourism Board and Chinese and Singaporean travel agencies.

The CAG said Changi handled 1.87 million passengers to and from China between January and May, a 1.7 per cent drop from the year before, but Singaporean officials declined to link this directly to events in nearby countries.

Out of a total 15.5 million visitors to Singapore last year, 2.27 million were from China, according to government data. They spent a total of US$298 million, making them the biggest tourist spenders in the city state.