SINGAPORE ~ Singapore visitor arrivals for 2006 set a new milestone as the city-state welcomed its nine millionth tourist, eclipsing last year’s record of 8.9 million, the government said.

“We are seeing strong growth momentum for the whole tourism sector,” said Chan Tat Hon, the Singapore Tourism Board’s assistant chief executive for leisure.

Singapore’s tourism sector also set new marks in other areas, with average hotel occupancy rates of 85 percent and average room rates of S$164 (US$106) in the first 10 months of the year, the highest levels in the last 10 years, he said.