(Yicai Global) Feb. 14 -- China pipped Indonesia to debut as the largest source of tourism to Singapore last year as the number of inbound tourists to the city state jumped 6.2 percent to 17.4 million.

Visitors from China topped three million for the first time after a 13-percent leap to 3.2 million, Singapore-based news outlet Lianhe Zaobao reported, citing data from the nation's tourism board. Chinese visitors also spent more others for the third straight year as receipts rose 10 percent to over SGD3 billion (USD2 billion). Favored goods were healthcare products, cakes and luxury items.

South Korea was formerly a leading destination for Chinese travelers, but after it allowed the US to deploy a missile defense system in its territory, China banned tour operators from organizing trips to the country.

Almost 40 percent of the Chinese tourists came from its first-tier cities, with improved air networks bumping the figure up 11 percent on the year

Indonesia has consistently led tourism numbers to Singapore, but this year had only a 2-percent gain to just under three million.