3 .7 M a r i na B ay: e x plo r e , exchang e, entertain
Fig 88 International Visitors Arrivals in 1965 to 2015, general and recent years (Singapore Tourism Board)
nuary 2005, Minister for Trade and Industry unveiled the Singapore Tourism Board’s bold targets to doubling visitor arrivals to 17 million by 2015. In March 2010, the STB projected a 20-30% increase in visitor arrivals for the year, even if in 2009 there was a drop caused by Global Financial Crisis. 2010 would see the much-awaited opening of both the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. This coincided with other key events such as the F1 Singapore Grand Prix and the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. These offerings were expected to enhance Singapore’s status as a dynamic global city and increase visitor arrivals. Singapore attracted 15,231,469 visitors in
2015, according to the Singapore Tourism Board’s statistics, two million less than expected but it is still almost the doubling of the 2005 arrivals (8,943,029). Tourism receipts was estimated at S$23.6 billion in 2014, compared to S$18.9 billion in 2010, bringing an another stimulation to the boosting economy of the country, even if in comparison of 2013 there was a diminution in tourism arrivals of 3%, due to fewer visitor arrivals from China, Singapore’s second largest source market. In 2017 the number of arrivals are still growing, even if with stable percentage change62. One of the most interesting places in Marina Bay, is the 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay site across the mouth of the Singapore River. The-
Fig 89 Tourist receipt (2005 to 2009 and 2010 to 2014) (Singapore Tourism Board)
Fig 90 International Visitors Arrivals (2005 to 2009 and 2010 to 2014) (Singapore Tourism Board)
re are three gardens will be interconnected via a series of pedestrian bridges to form a larger loop along the whole waterfront and linked to surrounding developments, open public spaces, transport nodes and attractions. The Formula One Singapore Grand Prix has taken place annually since 2008 on a street circuit adjacent to Marina Bay. Since its con-
79