VISITOR arrivals have fallen for the fourth straight month and the situation could get grimmer. This year's target of 10.8 million tourist arrivals will not be met given the state of the world's economy.
Perhaps there is nothing much we can do about this. But there is something that needs to be addressed, whether we are in good times or bad.
For a lot of tourists, shopping is still a major attraction in Singapore. And these days, our shops are full of stock, but not so full of customers.
So, how do our prices compare? Are tourists getting value for money here?
An airline cabin crew friend of mine researched the pricing of a basket of tourist buys including a camera, laptop and music system and found that we are not cheaper than Hong Kong or Thailand.
An example: A JVC DVD HiFi system was $59 cheaper in Stanley Street (not much haggling required) in Hong Kong and $34 cheaper in Bangkok.
Then my younger daughter trawled Sim Lim for a Sony digital camera. Three shops demanded an additional $30 for an international guarantee. But she finally got her guarantee card stamped and paid nothing more for it.
Surely, this is not the way to give tourists a Uniquely Singapore experience.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) needs to do more to crack down on errant retailers and make shopping here enough of an attraction for visitors.
Staging the F1 race was a brilliant coup, but a weekend isn't going to feed the baby, so to speak.
Here's one idea: How about getting tourists into a pasar malam? A lot of them will enjoy the haggling and the fun of an open market atmosphere.
Anyone who has been to Bangkok's vibrant Chatuchak street market will tell you that it is an exciting place where you can and should bargain.
And when we do have something colourful on our streets, we don't seem to be selling it as we should. At this year's Thaipusam, I walked the length of Serangoon Road. There were more locals in the busiest parts than visitors. A pity, I thought. A missed opportunity.
By the way, I am perturbed by the STB's invitation for volunteers to be a Uniquely Singapore Friend. They would have to commit at least 96 hours a year, and what is in it for them?
These days, many are struggling just to earn a living. I hope they are at least provided with a cup of tea. Then, what about transport to and from home, and dare I suggest, some pocket money, too?
- The writer is a former Singaporean marketing professional.
This article was first published in The New Paper on Nov 22, 2008.
