The visa application process for independent travelers from the People's Republic of China (PRC) who wish to visit Singapore has been made easier, a government release said on Friday.

This follows a six-month trial program launched in July 2003, whereby visa applications for independent travelers could be submitted through three travel agents appointed by China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), said the press release of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

With "positive feedback" from independent PRC travelers toward the trial program, the number of CNTA authorized travel agents has been increased from the initial three during the trial to 43 with effect from Jan. 1, 2004, said the STB release.

"These are part of the STB's continuing efforts to facilitate the flow of tourism traffic from China as well as make it easier and more convenient for more Chinese tourists to visit Singapore,” it said.

The number of PRC visitors to Singapore increased by 35 percent year-on-year to over 670,000 visitors in 2002, with a total expenditure of 313.3 million Singapore dollars (US$180 million).

Latest statistics showed that China was Singapore's second largest visitor-generating market after Indonesia in November 2003 with 67,514 visitors, posting an increase of 19.7 percent over the same month of 2002.

(Xinhua News Agency January 3, 2004)