SINGAPORE, 12 May 2026: In 2025, Singapore achieved a record of SGD32.8 billion in tourism receipts and welcomed 16.9 million visitors, the Singapore Tourism Board Chief Executive Melissa Ow reported during last week’s Tourism Industry Conference 2026.
“Last year, I spoke about Tourism 2040, STB’s roadmap for the next chapter of quality tourism growth for Singapore,” she told a packed house of tourism leaders attending the annual gathering. “It sets out how we will respond to rising global competition, shifting demographics, and emerging opportunities, to reach our goal of SGD47 to SGD50 billion in tourism receipts by 2040. I am pleased to share that we are making good progress towards this long-term ambition.”
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Changi Airport welcomed an all-time high of nearly 70 million passenger movements, while Singapore welcomed 375 ship calls and over 2 million passengers in passenger throughput.
The completion of the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore expansion further reinforces Singapore’s status as Asia’s leading cruise hub.
The Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2025 attracted the second-highest crowd since its first race, with over 300,000 attendees across three days.
Singapore’s MICE industry continues to demonstrate robust growth.
In 2025, MICE tourism receipts grew by more than 35% from 2024, reaching SGD2.3 billion.
This year, STB projects SGD31 to SGD32.5 billion in tourism receipts and 17 to 18 million in international visitor arrivals, while recognising that the ongoing tensions in the Middle East pose unprecedented challenges to the tourism industry.
“Our tourism businesses are under strain from the crisis, and global uncertainty will persist. While visitor arrivals held up in the first quarter with a 3% year- on-year growth, we expect muted demand in the months ahead,” the STB CEO cautioned.
In the year ahead, STB will intensify efforts to strengthen sector performance and resilience through the three pillars of Tourism 2040:
- Cultivating future Demand to seize high-growth opportunities;
- Creating an attractive Destination, as we push ahead with new initiatives to strengthen tourism products and experiences;
- Advance the development of a future-ready tourism sector.
She noted: “The SGD740 million tranche of the Tourism Development Fund will enable industry partners to pursue opportunities under these three pillars.”
Cultivating future demand
Singapore remains a vital air hub, maintaining strong connectivity to key visitor markets, including China, Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, India, and beyond.
“Market diversification is a priority. We are establishing new flight connections to Palembang and Belitung in Indonesia; West Sydney, Newcastle and Sunshine Coast in Australia; and Dalian in China.” Ow noted
In 2026, Singapore’s hotel landscape welcomes new additions and transformations.
TUI Hotels & Resorts will debut in Singapore with Asia’s first The Mora property. Other new hotel openings include Asia’s largest Mövenpick hotel; Varel Singapore, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel; and the newly rejuvenated Frasers House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Singapore.
(Source: Singapore Tourism Board)
