Singapore has reported a 30 per cent rise in Middle East visitors this summer, who came to experience two new multi-billion dollar integrated resorts and a raft of world-class events.

Latest figures from Singapore Tourism Board (STB) show that 46,559 people travelled from countries in the region to Singapore between July and September this year, up from 35,786 in the third quarter of 2009.

This peak in summer visitors matches a strong growth trend for the whole of 2010 to date, with Singapore chalking up a 25 per cent increase in regional visitors during the first nine months of the year.

Overall, almost 113,000 people travelled from the region between January and September with most arriving from the UAE. The UAE accounted for 42,549 of Middle East visitors during this first nine months of 2010.

Central to 2010’s strong tourism growth are a wave of new projects that herald a new phase in Singapore’s tourism development, a statement said. One of the top attractions is South East Asia’s first Universal Studios theme park located on Resorts World Sentosa, which since opening in January has proved a huge hit with families wanting to experience the 24 unique rides, including the world’s only Madagascar attraction.

June witnessed the official opening of the long awaited Marina Bay Sands which boasts state-of-the-art luxury in its 2,560 hotel rooms and suites, designer shopping centre, convention centre and six celebrity-chef restaurants.

The resort’s crowning feature is the 340m long Sands SkyPark which sits 60 storeys high and features the world’s largest outdoor infinity swimming pool, offering visitors a spectacular panoramic view of Singapore.

Summer 2010 also saw Singapore host the world’s first Youth Olympic Games that drew athletes and spectators from around the world, while Singapore’s annual F1 night race and Ramadan celebrations continued to entice growing numbers of regional visitors looking for unique and exciting experiences in a welcoming environment, the statement said.

New hotels which have opened recenly include Fullerton Bay Hotel which sits along Singapore’s historic Clifford Pier, Wanderlust and Klapsons.

“Our new website YourSingapore.com has empowered travellers to plan their holiday itinerary and learn more about our attractions and events before they leave,” said Jason Ong, area director for the Middle East and Africa, STB.

The most prominent attraction due to open in 2011 is the 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay development which involves three distinctive waterfront gardens in the heart of Marina Bay.

Some highlights of the new attractions for 2011 include the opening of the International Cruise Terminal, the architecturally acclaimed lotus-shaped museum at Marina Bay Sands, the start of a year-long run of the Lion King Musical.

A breakdown of STB’s figures for January to September 2010 show visitor arrivals from the UAE rose by 13 per cent compared with the same period in 2009, while Saudi Arabia saw numbers up by 12 per cent, Qatar experienced a 20 per cent rise and Kuwait an impressive 54 per cent increase, added Ong.-TradeArabia News Service