Just recently the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) held a conference in China to discuss how the tourist industry has direct relevant impact on and from the global recession.

The conference pinpointed that the Pacific Asian market was the fastest growing in the tourism / holiday market throughout the world, however, it has also been directly affected by the recent economic down turn.

Tourist arrivals in the Pacific and Asia have been estimated to have increased to 3% from January2008 and October 2008, however this is a small rise in comparison to the 10.5% rise over the 12 months of 2007.

This now is a pattern that is being recorded in all world regions,though UNWTO are now stressing that holidays and tourism are emerging as ‘strong potential contributors for global economic recovery’.

Geoffrey Lipman, UNWTO assistant secretary general stated:

Tourism can deliver more than most sectors for the economy as a whole. Mobility is hardwired into the human gene. Tourism – for business and leisure – underpins trade, communication and modern lifestyles. It is one of the biggest export sectors and a vital increasingly important part of the development agenda.

The conference was a two day event and also covered the long term future of the holiday and tourist industry in general considering the positioning of the industry in facing the global economic challenges ahead.

Just recently its’ the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) that has reason to celebrate as the Asian state has seen an increase in family holidays and travellers seeking flights to its country. Certain key figures from STB recently represented the organisation at the EIBTM business travel awards which was a huge event for the industry held in Barcelona; Singapore Tourism Board picked up a good number of accolades.

Amongst the awards STB received were accolades for ‘top international meeting city’, (voted Asia’s main/most popular country/city for meetings) along with being voted Asia’s top ‘convention city’.

The STB claim that many of these accolades have come from the success of major global events such as the ITB Asia Travel Show which they say has helped to cement their status as the premier destination in Asia for travel, conventions and meetings.

STB’s Director for Europe, Oliver Chong, said:

“The success of ITB Asia has further sealed Singapore’s reputation for excellent infrastructure and its proven track record of service delivery. We are confident that ITB Asia will grow in terms of size and quality after the first year and solidify its position as a leading tourism tradeshow in the region.”

After a number of major developments to boost tourism in Singapore a number of leisure developments have been built including the Singapore Flyer which is the largest observation wheel in the world and based within Marina Centre. All the recent development and awards mean that STB are hopeful in seeing an increase in flights in 2009.

After a particularly successful year in Singapore’s travel and tourism industry, the Singapore Tourism Board has made an announcement that it is developing some ambitious plans for its future.

This year, highlights in the city-state have included the first Formula One race to take place at night, a new terminal opening at Changi international airport and the Singapore Flyer’s opening, the world’s tallest observation wheel.

A spokesperson for the Singapore Tourism Board, Divya Panickar, confirmed the plans include the first casinos in Singapore, a Universal Studios theme park and several new holiday resorts with a range of leisure and retail facilities and hotels suitable for luxury holidays.

Ms Panickar added: ‘Other lifestyle attractions visitors can look forward to by the end of 2010 are a new international cruise terminal and Gardens by the Bay across the mouth of the Singapore River.  All these investments in the tourism sector will transform Singapore’s landscape and help Singapore achieve its ambitious target of attracting 17m visitors by 2015.’

Singapore is more popular than ever with European visitors and UK travellers to the city state increased by 3.2 percent in September.  Further growth is also expected as the Singapore Tourism Board say that visitors are starting to view Singapore as a vibrant city.

Last week, Singapore Airlines received another Airbus A380, its sixth A380 to date, and has now launched another daily flight between Singapore and London Heathrow Airport.

This is the second daily flight they are operating between the two airports.

The sixth super jumbo Airbus A380 was received on the 18th September after a flight from the manufacturer’s Toulouse delivery centre in France.

Singapore Airlines still has another thirteen A380’s on order with an optional further six airplanes to be confirmed.

The two daily flights from Singapore started on Saturday 20th September and this is the first route in the world to have a twice-daily flight with the superjumbo.

This is not the first landmark set by the carrier as Singapore Airlines was also the first carrier to start using the A380 back in October of last year and since then, it has been introducing the aircraft to its international network.

Other cities that are served by the super jumbo are Tokyo and Sydney.

Singapore Airlines also announced earlier this month that it would be easing its fuel surcharges on short and medium haul flights, following a drop in fuel prices.

The Singapore Tourism Board claims the city is fast becoming the top entertainment spot in Asia.  Singapore has various upcoming events and attractions over the next few months.

At the end of this month, Singapore will play host to the high profile Formula One Grand Prix, and will be the first race in the motor racing sport’s history to take place at night.

In addition, Singapore GP Season will run from the 20th September to the 5th October, and there will also be the Singapore Biennale 2008 and the Singapore River Festival.

Next year, those taking luxury holidays to Singapore will be able to take advantage of the new Marina Bay Sands resort opening in 2009, which will include Singapore’s first casino and an ArtScience Museum.

Other attractions in Singapore include the world’s largest observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer, and the harbour front VivoCity shopping centre.

Divya Panickar of the Singapore Tourism Board said: “Singapore has changed greatly over the past few years and people are constantly overwhelmed with its diversity and variety.  It is no longer perceived as just a stopover destination and with the wealth of new entertainment facilities and attractions and major world events, is fast becoming the place to visit in Asia for a fun packed and varied holiday, complete with a unique Singaporean twist.”