Hosting WTA Championships could bring in S$15m a year: STB

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) estimates that the WTA Championships event could generate incremental tourism receipts of about S$15 million each year.

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S Iswaran

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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) estimates that the WTA Championships event could generate incremental tourism receipts of about S$15 million each year.

Second Minister for Trade and Industry S Iswaran revealed this in a written reply to Nominated MP Nicholas Fang’s question in Parliament.

Mr Fang had asked the minister the likely investment needed to secure and host the event and the likely return on the investment.

On Wednesday, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced that it had picked Singapore as the host city from 2014 to 2018.

Mr Iswaran said the WTA Championships is a major international tennis event, second only to the Grand Slams in stature and global branding.

It attracts more than 40 million viewers across 167 countries.

He added that there is potential to augment the sporting event with an integrated lifestyle festival with considerable tourism and international branding potential for Singapore.

The STB and the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) have assessed that there will be significant spill-over benefits from hosting the event.

Mr Iswaran said the WTA Championships will also provide good opportunities for local tennis development and community engagement.

And Singaporeans will be able to enjoy world-class women’s tennis and associated activities.

He said Singapore athletes and the local tennis fraternity will benefit from training, coaching and interaction with the WTA athletes, coaches and officials.

Singapore companies also stand to gain through complementary business and lifestyle activities, as well as opportunities to build their brands globally.

Mr Iswaran said the government will support a portion of the approved costs, “commensurate with the broader economic benefits that can be derived from this event”.

The STB and SSC will work with all stakeholders to make the WTA Championships an international sporting event that Singaporeans are happy and proud to host, he said.  

- CNA/ir

Hosting WTA Championships could bring in S$15m a year: STB