India ranks among top three tourist sources for Singapore as industry rebounds post-COVID

India has ranked among the top 3 countries contributing to international visitor arrivals with 1.2 million arrivals recorded for the year 2024, according to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) year-in-review report.

The other two countries include China and Indonesia which topped the list with 3.08 million and 2.49 million arrivals respectively.

Last year, Singapore experienced a significant recovery in international tourism with a 21% increase as a total of 16.5 million visitors made its way to the country marking a steady increase from 2023.

In 2019, Singapore witnessed 19.1 million arrivals which was the highest on record.

The STB’s report also noted the continued momentum in Singapore’s tourism sector, driven by visitors from both short- and long-haul markets.

Tourism spending has also seen impressive growth in 2024 where the projection by the board was between SGD 27.5 billion and SGD 29 billion. By September 2024, the tourism receipts reached SGD 22.4 billion, reflecting a 10% increase from the same period in 2023.

The increase in spending highlights the ongoing appeal of Singapore as a top destination for international travelers.

“Our efforts in refreshing products and experiences, along with new collaborations, have strengthened Singapore’s destination appeal,” STB’s Chief Executive Melissa Ow said attributing Singapore’s strong tourism performance to a combination of factors.

A few of the contributing factors to Singapore’s tourism boom has been the hosting of world-class concerts.
Performances by Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift drew huge crowds and boosted the local economy.

These events generated substantial economic benefits and helped the country regain its competitive edge in the global tourism market.