The Singapore Tourism Board has claimed a 3.2% increase in UK visitor numbers to the country in September was largely thanks to the destination’s hosting of a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Brit Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 Formula 1 championship after coming fifth in the Brazilian Grand Prix yesterday. At just 23 years old, he is the youngest ever champion.
Around 34,000 Brits visited Singapore in September, many of whom were attending the motor race which took place at night on the streets of the capital.
Singapore Tourism Board area director northern and western Europe Divya Panickar said: “The impact of the Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix has been a tremendous boost for Singapore, especially from the UK market, at a time when we are experiencing a challenging global economic environment.
“Singapore is inspiring more travellers to visit by hosting world-class events such as the Grand Prix, which Singapore will host for the next four years, as well as undertaking a number of substantial development projects.”
The number of visitors to the country continues to highlight the UK’s importance as a source market for Singapore. Last year 495,693 Brits visited the country making the UK its largest single market.