S'pore set for tourism record-breaking year, unveils $360m tourism talent plan
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 25 October 2007 1159 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Singapore is on target to achieve another record breaking year in the tourism industry.

Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen said the sector is set to achieve 10.2 million visitor arrivals and some S$13.6 billion in tourism receipts this year.

According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), this is the first time double-digit growth is being achieved for the sector in Singapore.

Singapore is also getting ready for the spike in manpower demand in the tourism industry, especially with the development of the two integrated resorts and several signature events which Singapore will be hosting to attract the international tourist dollar.

So, the government is investing S$360 million over the next three years in manpower development to train and prepare some 74,000 workers for the growth in the tourism sector.

Dr Ng said: "It will be well worth it and pay dividends many times over. With this plan, Singapore will be better positioned to grow our tourism industry and attract even more tourism investments and exciting tourism infrastructure."

"We can also expect that surrounding countries will also work hard to compete and attract the tourist dollar. Large tourist developments and big events are necessary, but not sufficient to keep bringing back visitors to Singapore," he added.

"A single negative encounter can undo our positive image. This is why it is critical to equip Singaporeans with the service DNA to provide a total positive experience," Dr Ng said.

The plan to train tourism workers will be done through a programme called TOurism TALent or TOTAL, jointly implemented by the STB and the Workforce Development Agency (WDA).

It will have a three-pronged approach.

The first is continuing education and training for 15,000 workers.

The aim is to build up a pipeline of workers through specific skills training for key occupations like chefs, tour hosts, event organisers and even landscape technicians.

The next target group will be some 6,000 students. They will be offered tourism-related disciplines and scholarships.

There will also be a series of campaigns and roadshows to attract retirees, housewives and older workers.

The first one, called "Tourism: A Journey of Discovery", was launched on Thursday at The Atrium@ORCHARD at Plaza Singapura by Dr Ng.

Dr Ng said: "More tourists will mean more jobs for Singaporeans. We can expect some 50,000 to 60,000 new jobs in the tourism industry over the next three years, with a wide range of service careers from managers and accountants to event organisers, surveillance officers and chefs.

"More full and part-time service workers will be needed to be our tour guides, retail assistants, waiters and guest relations officers to give our visitors a Uniquely Singapore experience. The prospects for a career in tourism-related sectors have never been brighter."

A similar roadshow is being planned during the Careers 2008 exhibition in February next year and the first exhibition in the heartlands to reach out to as many people as possible is scheduled for the first quarter of next year.

Dr Ng said the target is to make Singapore a "must-go", "must-see" destination for visitors around the world. - CNA/ir