Singapore replaces Thailand after tsunami
12/1/2005 16:04
Gu Jia/Shanghai Daily news
Following a
downturn in business in Southeast Asia, tours to Singapore during the
post-tsunami period have increased by 20 to 30 percent, compared to the same
time in the previous year, the Youth Daily reported today.
The Singapore
government has invested 2 billion Singapore Dollas (US$ 1.16 billion) to
establish a tourism development fund to support the construction of facilities,
training courses for the Chinese guides, and setting up signs in Chinese around
the city.
"Instead of Thailand, Singapore is now the leader among the
Southeast Asia tourist destinations. This provides a profitable opportunity for
us," according to several local famous travel agencies, including the Shanghai
Tea Metropol International Travel Service Co., the Woman International Travel
Service Co., and the China Travel Agency.
The two-day to 14-day free
packages, priced at 2,400 to 3,700 yuan (US$ 290), are the most preferred.
Experts have estimated a 1,500 yuan increase in the packages during the Spring
Festival holiday.
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