Impact of Haze on Tourist Arrivals and Attendance of Major Events
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the impact of transboundary haze on tourism and major events, as raised by Mr Saktiandi Supaat. Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing reported that while tourist arrivals reached 14.3 million by September 2019, the haze likely moderated growth during those months. He noted that while major economic disruptions were avoided, the government prioritizes economic diversification to ensure resilience against such external shocks. The Minister emphasized the necessity of regional collaboration to implement haze mitigation measures and prevent recurring impacts on outdoor activities and public health. He concluded that ASEAN must work together to address the haze’s consequences on regional economies and its significant contribution to global warming.
Transcript
19 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what is the impact of the haze on tourist arrivals in Singapore; and (b) what has been the impact of haze on attendances at major events here.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: From January to September 2019, tourist arrivals grew by 2.1% compared to the same period in 2018 to reach about 14.3 million. We are unable to ascertain the exact impact of the haze on tourist arrivals, but it is possible that our tourist numbers could have grown even more if not for the haze in August and September.
Transboundary haze has been a persistent problem in our region and could have a negative impact on outdoor activities. The extent of the impact depends on the severity and duration of the haze. For this year, we have been fortunate that it has not caused major disruptions in our economy thus far. However, this may not always be the case if the haze persists. This is why it is important for Singapore to continue working with our neighbours to implement haze mitigation measures and to ensure our economy is sufficiently diversified to remain resilient to external shocks.
The impact of transboundary haze is far-reaching. It is not just Singapore's economy and the health of our people that are affected, but the economies and health of those in the region as well. The fires also released large amounts of greenhouse gases which add to global warming concerns. It is important for ASEAN countries to work together to tackle this serious problem, and prevent the haze from recurring.