On May 10, 2024, Singapore announced that its tourism receipts for 2023 reached S$27.2 billion, surpassing earlier forecasts and nearing pre-pandemic levels. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu noted that the receipts were just shy of S$27.7 billion recorded in 2019, marking a significant rebound from the impacts of COVID-19.

Fu expressed optimism for 2024, predicting a range of 15 million to 16.5 million tourist arrivals and a revenue forecast between S$27.5 billion and S$29 billion. If achieved, this would set a new record for Singapore’s tourism sector.

As of April 2024, 5.7 million tourists had already visited Singapore, representing approximately 90% of the figures from the same period in 2019. The most substantial recovery has been noted among visitors from Malaysia, Germany, Australia, and the UK. In particular, arrivals from China have rebounded to 80% of pre-pandemic levels, aided by festive holidays and the introduction of a visa exemption earlier this year.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) chief executive Melissa Ow emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving these ambitious targets. Fu outlined a three-pronged strategy to bolster competitiveness, which includes:

New Infrastructure Projects: Upcoming attractions such as a wellness facility near Marina Barrage and an experiential center by Porsche at Changi set to open by 2027.

Partnerships to Refresh Tourism Offerings: Two new memoranda of understanding were signed to enhance attractions in the Marina Bay and Sentosa precincts, building on successful initiatives like drone shows during Chinese New Year.

Developing Industry Leaders: The Tourism Leadership Programme (TLP) will be launched to cultivate local leadership in the tourism sector, focusing on upskilling and competitiveness.

Ow also highlighted the enhancement of the Tourism Sustainability Programme to support businesses in adopting sustainable practices and certifications, alongside a new partnership with National Trades Union Congress LearningHub for emerging training courses in sustainability and technology.

As Singapore looks to maintain its recovery trajectory, the introduction of a more compact licensing course for aspiring tour guides and a revised roadmap for the travel agent sector is anticipated in the coming years.