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Growth in tourism shines spotlight on retail, hospitality sectorsIT'S THAT time of the year when tills are ringing and various players in the retail and hospitality sectors are wishing for festive spending and merry-making.自存倉Singaporeans often cite travelling and shopping as their favourite pastimes, right up there with eating. It is no wonder then that the year-end holidays and Christmas and New Year season are some of the busiest times of the year for retailers and the tourism trade.A National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (Natas) straw poll in September of 20 outbound travel agencies found that Singaporeans are not only travelling longer, they are also heading to more exotic locations like South Africa, Mongolia and the Maldives.So it is no surprise to know that local travellers are forking out between $1,500 and $2,000 for their package or free-and-easy travel bookings these days, an increase of 20 per cent from last year.As more locals head overseas for their well-deserved getaways, or make do with "staycations" in Singapore, tourists are likewise exploring what our little red dot can offer.The result is a healthy growth in the tourism industry with international visitor arrivals and tourism spending at record highs last year. Arrivals stood at 14.4 million with $23 billion spent, according to the Singapore Tourism Board.The "rising middle class" in Asia is a powerful driver of consumer businesses, which are becoming increasingly sensitive to massive travel phenomena like China's Golden Week, a semi-annual seven-day national holiday.India is also a force to be reckoned with in the l迷你倉isure and hospitality industry. Google India listed "Singapore" as one of the top searched countries for international travel, just behind the Maldives and ahead of Paris and New York.Celebrating the numbersAS A casual shopper or avid vacationer yourself, you might be wondering what these numbers mean for you. For one, you can benefit from promotional offers and perks like frequent flyer miles or credit card points. In addition, you may want to put on your investor's hat and explore the industries which could benefit from the expected increase in Asian spending and travel.Some companies you may have encountered during this season of gift-giving, holidaying and shopping include Courts Asia, Challenger Technologies, Noel Gifts, Parkson Retail Asia, Popular Holdings, Singapore Airlines and Tiger Airways Holdings.The growth in tourism within Singapore and throughout Asia has also provided opportunities for businesses in the leisure and hospitality industries.Some examples of businesses that may benefit from the travel and tourism boom include the likes of resorts, hoteliers, travel services providers, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) operators as well as food and beverage and entertainment providers.You might be familiar with such firms as Genting Singapore, Banyan Tree Holdings, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Far East Orchard, Hotel Grand Central and Amara Holdings.Indeed, you might find many synergies between how and where we spend some of the jolly season and the stocks that might be used to maintain your financial health.The writer is a market strategist at Singapore Exchange.mini storage