Singaporean Travel Surge: Anticipated Record-Breaking International Arrivals in 2025
Singapore's travel and tourism sector is set to make a significant comeback, with international arrivals projected to reach nearly 16 million in 2025. This figure represents a 9.6% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The growth is primarily driven by strong demand from key Asia Pacific markets such as Mainland China, Indonesia, and India, which are expected to continue fueling the surge in visitor numbers. Singapore's position as Southeast Asia’s safest and most desirable destination, coupled with its emphasis on tourism excellence and continuous urban development, is also contributing to its appeal in the post-pandemic recovery phase.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Draft Master Plan 2025 aims to enhance visitor experiences and infrastructure, further bolstering Singapore's tourism appeal. However, a full recovery in arrivals is expected to lag until 2026, with continued growth through the medium term (2027-2029), due to global macroeconomic challenges.
In comparison, Thailand is projected to break records this year with a 5% growth in international arrivals. Malaysia, another regional competitor, is expected to see a rise in international visitor numbers, almost 10% ahead of 2019 levels, and is forecast to surpass its previous high reached in 2016 by almost 7% this year.
By the end of the decade, the travel and tourism sector is expected to contribute almost $80 billion to Singapore's economy, 19% above its previous high in 2019. The sector is also forecast to support over 637,000 jobs in Singapore by the end of the decade, marking an increase of over 90,000 more since 2019.
India is expected to fuel a significant tourism surge in Singapore, with arrivals projected to increase from 1.11 million in 2019 to 1.25 million in 2025. In contrast, low-carbon energy currently powers just under 2.5% of Singapore's travel and tourism sector, a figure that the WTTC is urging the government to address by bringing forward the SAF mandate to this year and increasing the minimal usage target.
By 2030, Southeast Asia's travel and tourism sector's economic contribution is projected to reach nearly $551 billion USD, demonstrating the region's potential for continued growth in the sector. The WTTC's projections suggest that Singapore will maintain a strong edge in Southeast Asian tourism by leveraging safety, strategic source markets, and ongoing investments in tourism infrastructure.
Sources: [1] WTTC (2025), Singapore Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Report [2] WTTC (2024), Singapore Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Report [3] CNBC (2022), Singapore set to surpass all-time international arrivals record in 2025 [4] Straits Times (2025), Singapore Tourism on the rise: Record numbers of Chinese visitors expected in 2022 [5] WTTC (2023), Southeast Asia Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Report
- The growth in Singapore's travel and tourism sector is also expected to positively impact the country's finance sector, as the projected increased visitor numbers could boost local businesses and contribute significantly to Singapore's overall economy.
- As Singapore's focus on sustainable development continues, there's a growing emphasis on incorporating eco-friendly practices in the travel and lifestyle industry to meet the demands of environmentally-conscious visitors, which could potentially reshape the business environment in the sector.
