Singapore tourist arrivals rise 7.1 percent in September, first increase in 2009

SINGAPORE — Singapore tourist arrivals rose in September for the first time this year, boosted by holidays in neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia.

Singapore received 799,000 tourists last month, up 7.1 percent from last year, the Singapore Tourism Board said Tuesday. Arrivals fell 5.3 percent from August, the board said.

Arrivals from Indonesia — Singapore's biggest source of tourists — jumped 51 percent and those from Malaysia increased 27 percent as the Hari Raya holidays fell in September this year and October last year.

Singapore hosted its second Formula One Grand Prix race in September, the only night race on the tour.

Singapore's economy, which relies on trade, finance and tourism, emerged from recession in the third quarter. The government expects the economy to shrink up to 2.5 percent this year after growing 1.1 percent last year.

Hotel revenue fell 28 percent to $140 million Singapore dollars ($100 million) in September as hotels slashed room rates 31 percent to attract customers, the board said.

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