Well, according to Amadeus and Forward Data SL, a market research and consulting company, the majority of arrivals are expected from Australia, the UK and the USA.
Bookings for the F1 period, made until 1 September 2012, show that overall bookings for the F1 are currently 3% lower than at the same time in 2011, reflecting the possible impact of global downturn.
However the data shows that a surge in last minute bookings can be expected.
Top trends identified:
• Australia is the recurrent principal source country overall for inbound visitors to Singapore during the F1 with 23% of bookings, followed by the UK (12%) and USA (8%).
Australia carries over its status as top source country from last year, with fans eager to see if Webber will add to his two wins on the circuit during the famous Singapore night race.
• F1 fans from London currently represent the highest number of travellers from any one city (9% of total bookings)during this period.
High off the success of the 2012 Olympic Games, it seems Londoners are heading to Singapore for the F1 to continue their support for some of the world’s most iconic sporting events that 2012 will see. Sydney follows in second place with 8% and Melbourne with 6% of total bookings.
• The UK, Australia and New Zealand show recurrent support for the Singapore F1, but New Zealand F1 fans show double digit growth in 2012.
Travellers from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand show higher anticipation when booking for the Singapore Grand Prix than other countries, booking further in advance than neighbouring Asian countries. Current bookings observed suggest that Australia and New Zealand could increase its relevance this year thanks mainly to a huge 34% growth seen in bookings from New Zealand compared to 2011.
• Last minute bookings tipped to fill the stands.
Despite current booking numbers dipping 3% lower than at the same time last year for the F1 period, it is expected that last minute bookings could still have a major impact on the final picture. Looking at booking data just three weeks before the first race in 2011, 33% of the final 2011 F1 arrival figures had not even been booked yet.
• Race goers making a long weekend of it; new alternative to the traditional romantic weekend.
Thursday 20thSeptember shows peak arrival numbers (14.9% of total bookings for the period), two days before the qualifying race takes place, suggesting that visitors arriving for the F1 are making a long weekend out of the famous Singapore leg of the circuit this year. Furthermore, 2012 will see more couples arriving in Singapore with one third of current bookings for the F1 period being held by people visiting Singapore with a partner, up 7% on 2011’s final arrivals into Singapore.
David Brett, President Amadeus Asia Pacific, said, “Our analysis highlights the significant opportunity for travel providers and businesses in Singapore over the F1 period, particularly between 20thand 23rdSeptember, when hotels are likely to see a surge in bookings. In particular, the research highlights that the window for air bookings to Singapore is not yet closed, with many more last minute flight, and subsequently hotel, bookings still expected in the run up to the event.”
