In the second quarter of this year, tourism revenue in Singapore reached 6.81 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 5.9%. Chinese tourists made the largest contribution, accounting for 970 million yuan of the total revenue.
According to the latest data from the Singapore Tourism Board’s official website, revenue from various tourism sectors—including shopping, accommodation, sightseeing, entertainment, and gaming—improved year-on-year. However, the catering industry experienced a decline, with revenue dropping by 4.3% compared to the same period last year.
For the first half of this year, Singapore’s total tourism revenue amounted to 14.9 billion yuan, reflecting a robust 19.6% increase year-on-year.
Despite these gains, total revenue in the second quarter saw a 15.6% drop compared to the first quarter. This decline was primarily seen in consumer spending on shopping, accommodation, and related services, which fell between 9% and 14%. Revenue from the tourism, entertainment, and gaming sectors plummeted by 28.4%, which has been attributed to the international concerts by major artists like Taylor Swift and Coldplay held during the first quarter.
Tourism Industry Shows Signs of Strong Recovery
In a response to Lianhe Zaobao, a spokesperson from the Singapore Tourism Board highlighted that the tourism sector is on the path to recovery. The spokesperson projected that the country’s tourism revenue could reach between 27.5 billion and 29 billion yuan by the end of the year, with an expected influx of 15 to 16.5 million visitors.
“The country boasts a strong lineup of world-class events and attractions, including performances by renowned international artists such as Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran. Popular attractions like Mandai’s Bird Park and Sentosa’s Sensoryscape help maintain Singapore’s appeal as a leading global tourist destination,” the spokesperson said.
Experts Weigh In on the Factors Driving Growth
Goh Xueling, Director of the Hotel and Tourism Management Course at Temasek Polytechnic’s Business School, credited the recovery of international tourism, improved flight connectivity, mutual visa exemptions between Singapore and China, and the rise in leisure and business activities as key drivers of growth in the tourism sector. Additionally, new attractions and hotel projects are contributing to increased tourism revenues.
Dr. Li Junhong, a senior lecturer in the Department of Hospitality and Service Management at Republic Polytechnic, echoed similar sentiments. He emphasized the importance of the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry in attracting international visitors. “The MICE sector is a significant factor in drawing tourists who spend more during their visits,” he added.
Chinese Tourists Lead in Spending
Chinese tourists once again topped the list of spenders in Singapore during the second quarter, contributing 970 million yuan. Indonesia and Australia followed, with contributions of 664 million yuan and 455 million yuan, respectively. Notably, these figures exclude revenue from tourism, entertainment, and gaming sectors.
Goh highlighted that Singapore’s luxury shopping malls, premium retail products, and high-end brands are particularly appealing to Chinese tourists. “Compared to other short-term visitors, Chinese tourists tend to stay longer in Singapore, which increases their expenditure on accommodation,” she noted.
Li expressed optimism about the tourism industry’s growth trajectory, suggesting that the sector may soon return to pre-COVID-19 levels. He noted Singapore’s strategic geographical location as a gateway for international trade and tourism. “With world-class infrastructure, strong connectivity, and a dynamic tourism environment, Singapore remains a top destination for both business and leisure travelers,” he said.
A Promising Future for Singapore’s Tourism
Goh also pointed out that Singapore is well-prepared to adapt to changing tourist preferences, thanks to the introduction of new leisure activities, hotels, and MICE events. These developments, she argued, will diversify the tourist demographic and promote long-term growth in the tourism sector.
The Singapore Tourism Board spokesperson added, “As summer travel picks up, we remain optimistic about the performance of the tourism industry in the coming months.”
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