Gulf visitors to Singapore have continued to increase, as the nation state has been named Asia’s Top Convention City for the tenth year in a row by the International Congress and Convention Association, said Dubai-based tourism board officials.

“Singapore continues to attract the world to its growing number of conventions and events, and an increasing number of them are from the Gulf.  Singapore is far more than just a world-class tourist destination,” said Mohamed Hafez Marican, area director of the Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.

The top award follows an equally stellar year for tourism as Singapore welcomed record visitor numbers of more than 13.2 million visitors, exceeding its forecast range of 12 – 13 million.

The number of business travellers has also continued to rise, comprising 24 per cent of the total visitors to Singapore. Nearly Dh16 billion ($4.35 billion) in expenditure from this sector contributed around 25 per cent of total tourism receipts.

Another key contributor to Singapore’s success was strong performance in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, which saw a 46 per cent year-on-year growth in the number of key conventions, conferences and tradeshows in 2011, which conveyed increased attendance and participation.

Singapore has also maintained its position as the only Asian city in the Top Five Convention Cities in the World, alongside Vienna, Barcelona, Paris and Berlin, since 2006, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service