| Visitor arrivals to Singapore reached 9.7 million last year, underscoring the strong performance in the final quarter of 2009 and exceeding the year’s forecast of 9 – 9.5 million visitor arrivals. Tourism receipts from January to December 2009 were estimated at S$12.4 billion, reaching the upper-bound of the forecast of S$12 – S$12.5 billion. |
Singapore has become an acclaimed tourist hub of the world. Many factors have contributed to this including cultural diversity of the country, picturesque landscape, intoxicating mix of tradition and modernity, high standard of living, economic stability, effective law and order management, cleanliness, pollution-free environment despite large urban settlement and industrialization, religious and ethnic tolerance towards all, modern infrastructure and high-end transportation. English is one of Singapore's official languages and is spoken widely.
The colonial past of the island nation contributed to interaction with Chinese, Malay, Arab and Indian ethnicities which enriched its cultural diversity. The state is very clean and environmentally friendly and conserves its natural and historical heritage. The public transport system is robust which covers most, if not all, of the public attractions.
Convent of Holy Infant Jesus Chapel or CHIJMES is well-known historic building complex in Singapore, founded by Rev Mother St. Mathilde with three sisters. In 1854, they established the Convent with 14 students. By 1894, the enrollment leapt to 167 and in 1904, to 300, when the students were presented for the Junior Cambridge Examination.Read More
International trade in Singapore as a proportion of total local output is considered without parallel in modern history. Merchandise exports have averaged over 130% of GDP since the mid-1980s. At the same time, services exports play a very significant role. One important feature of Singapore's trade performance has been the changing composition of exports to progressively higher capital and skill intensive products.Read More