S'pore likes courteous tourists
Singapore has voted. Its tourist idols are the Japanese, while the
least-favoured visitors hail from mainland China.
These two sets of tourists are at the opposite ends of the courtesy
spectrum in a survey of perceptions of inbound tourism.
The Japanese come out tops also in Hong Kong, Indonesia and
Thailand in the regional tourism survey. In Singapore, 46 per cent
of its residents considers visitors from the Land of the Rising Sun
the most polite. Europeans come in second, while Americans are
third with 12 per cent of the votes.
Interestingly, a minority of 6 per cent finds Americans the most
impolite, while 14 per cent feel Indian tourists are worse, and
almost half of the 913 respondents are none-too-impressed by the
manners of mainland Chinese.
Singaporeans pick shouting, spitting and not queueing up in an
orderly fashion, in that order, as the most impolite tourist
behaviour, reported market research company Synovate.
However, the respondents admitted Singaporeans could do better as
well.
"Singaporeans are aware that good manners work both ways and,
despite their gripes, almost three-quarters believe their fellow
citizens should be friendlier towards visitors," said Synovate's
managing director in Singapore, Ms Miranda Cheung.
Out of the four countries polled, Singaporeans are the most
grateful for the tourist trade. Specifically, the vast majority
cites additional jobs and an improved economy as the big pluses of
tourism, although only 7 per cent works in a job that relates to or
benefits from tourism.
The less tangible benefits from increased cultural interaction
matter to 73 per cent of the respondents.
According to Synovate, however, "despite the broad support for
tourism and an acknowledgement of the rewards it can bring, some
Singaporeans see its downside".
Almost a quarter believe that tourism has diluted local culture and
about a fifth find "there is far too much tourism in my country at
present".
Another 17 per cent believe tourism places too much strain on local
infrastructure while a smaller group "dislikes the large numbers of
foreigners who spend their vacation exploring (Singapore)", said
Synovate in a press release yesterday.
Overall, though, Singaporeans are keen to impress tourists, said Ms
Cheung.
"The level of tourism that Singapore receives can have its
drawbacks but with 73 per cent of residents believing that more
should be done to encourage tourism, it's clear that the majority
of Singaporeans welcome visitors, and their wallets, with open
arms," she said.
