Singapore is a popular destination in south-east Asia for Indian visitors
Singapore, a popular destination in south-east Asia for Indian visitors, is set to break its record for international arrivals in 2025, surpassing other destinations like Thailand and the Philippines, says a forecast by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), a global tourism organisation.
According to a press statement by WTTC, China and India will play a significant role in the growth in tourism in Singapore as over 1.25 million Indian tourists, the highest-ever, are expected to arrive in Singapore, a rise from 1.1 million in 2019.
WTTC says that with 16 million tourists Singapore would surpass pre-pandemic levels by 9.6 pc.
The statement adds that Singapore is likely to receive about 2.8 million visitors from China this year, paving the way for further growth in 2026.
Julia Simpson
“Singapore is setting the pace for global tourism growth, breaking records, and outpacing its regional rivals. With soaring visitor numbers expected from India, and a return of Chinese travellers, the city-state’s tourism engine is running at full throttle. This is not just a comeback, it is a transformation. Singapore is leading in innovation and sustainability, and its travel and tourism sector is on course to be stronger than ever,’’ says Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC.
The tourism organisation adds that by the end of the decade, the sector’s economic contribution is expected to soar to nearly USD 80 billion, reflecting a 19 pc increase from pre-pandemic levels and employment opportunities within the sector are also forecast to rise to over 637,000 jobs, marking an increase of more than 90,000 since 2019.
The statement also adds that in southeast Asia as a whole, the travel and tourism sector is projected to generate nearly USD 379 billion in economic output in 2024, representing 9.7 pc of the region’s GDP and supporting around 42.5 million jobs. By 2030, this figure is expected to reach approximately USD 551 billion, 48 pc above pre-pandemic contributions.
According to the press statement, Singapore has seen a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from its tourism sector by 4.1 pc annually between 2019 and 2023. Moving forward, the upcoming Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate will require all departing flights to incorporate at least 1pc SAF by 2026.
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