TEHRAN, May 8 (MNA) – Iran and Singapore here on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on tourism, said a report released by the Iranian Students News Agency.
The said MOU was inked during a visit paid between Iran’s Minister of Commerce Mohammad Shariatmadari and Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Lim-Hung Kiang heading a delegation.
“Tourism is among good areas of cooperation”, Shariatmadari said, expressing hope that the potentiality is used more seriously in the future.
Moving the economic cooperation from the simple trading to the joint ventures is among the issues stressed by the countries, he said, adding, “Given Singapore’s know-how and potentialities, the mutual cooperation on constructing and handling the Iranian hotels is among the necessary fields.”
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The early success by Las Vegas gaming companies in Macau and the anticipation of what lies ahead there and in Southeast Asia has made Singapore the hottest new tourism prospect in Asia.
With millions of potential customers in China alone expected to travel as current restrictions continue to ease and Singapore positioned as one of the dominant crossroads of the region, it's clear why more than a dozen companies are vying to build two integrated resorts in a place many expected would never have casinos.
It also makes it even more intriguing that Las Vegas Sands Inc. executive William Weidner chose to
With Indians emerging as the top spenders among tourists visiting Singapore, the Southeast Asian country is now wooing the nouveau riche from smaller towns and cities.
"From Bangalore to Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and other emerging metros, we are targeting them all through our new marketing strategy," says Lim Neo Chian, Singapore Tourism Board's chairman.
"India is a very important market for us. Besides our sixth largest visitor generating market, Indians have emerged as the top spenders in Singapore," he says.
Indians on an average stay for six days and their spending is nearly 300 dollars. Japanese spend higher than them, but their
Emirates Holidays, the tour operating arm of Emirates Airline and one of the largest wholesale tour operators in the Middle East, declared a revenue of Dhs 355 million (US$97 million) for the financial year ended 31st March 2004 - an increase of 23 per cent over the previous year.
Around 100,000 tourists travelled with Emirates Holidays over the past twelve months, with the top destinations proving to be the U.A.E, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Mauritius, the Maldives, Singapore, Lebanon and India. The six destinations growing fastest in popularity were Singapore, Australia, Switzerland, Austria, Hong Kong and New Zealand.
The past
Singapore Gambles on Casinos to Boost Tourism
The casinos are expected to be operational by 2009. Lee was optimistic the Las Vegas-style resorts would radically alter the skyline and lifestyle of a city-state better known for its strict regulations and disciplined population.
"We want Singapore to have the X-factor — that buzz that you get in London, Paris or New York," Lee said, appealing for support for his first major project since becoming prime minister last August.
He said that while other major capitals had been reinventing themselves, Singapore was losing its share of the global tourism market and in danger
Integrated resorts only one part of govt's tourism promotion
The decision to host two integrated resorts is only one part of the government's overall development plan for the tourism industry.
Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang stressed the move was not an act of economic desperation.
Indeed, the minister said the Singapore economy was doing well.
Mr Lim was speaking to reporters after witnessing the launch of a double MBA programme by Nanyang Technological University and Japan's Waseda University.
Well before a decision was taken for two integrated resorts, the government had already spelt out ambitious targets for the tourism