THE global economic slowdown, rising inflation and high oil prices have put the brakes on Singapore's tourism industry, raising concerns about meeting this year's target of 10.8 million visitors.

After 51 months of consecutive growth, tourist arrivals here fell in July - the second dip in a row.

Although 916,000 foreigners visited Singapore last month - the highest number since January - and visitor days was up by 4.7 per cent, the arrivals still fell by 3.8 per cent, compared to last July's 953,000 visitors.

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