Singapore’s tourism industry recorded its strongest performance in recent years in 2025, welcoming 16.9 million international visitors and generating a record SGD 32.8 billion in tourism receipts, according to officials. The figures marked a sharp rise from 2024, when the country earned SGD 29.8 billion from 16.5 million tourists, highlighting the city-state’s continued recovery and growth as a major global travel destination.
The announcement was made during the Tourism Industry Conference 2026, where Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Grace Fu, said the strong results reflected the country’s successful efforts to attract leisure travellers, business visitors and international events. Officials attributed the surge in tourism earnings to a packed calendar of entertainment programmes, conferences, exhibitions and business events hosted across Singapore throughout the year.
To further strengthen the tourism sector, the Singapore government also announced an additional SGD 740 million funding support for the Tourism Development Fund over the next five years. The fresh investment comes on top of more than SGD 300 million that had already been injected into the sector in 2024. Authorities said the money would be used to support long-term tourism strategies, improve infrastructure and help businesses expand their international reach.
Speaking at the conference, Grace Fu warned that despite the strong numbers, global uncertainties could impact future travel demand. She pointed to the ongoing Middle East energy crisis and broader economic pressures that may affect consumer spending and international tourism flows in the coming months. Nevertheless, she stressed that Singapore remained focused on strengthening its competitiveness and maintaining its appeal among international travellers.
Under Singapore’s long-term Tourism 2040 strategy, the government is targeting tourism receipts between SGD 47 billion and SGD 50 billion by 2040. Officials said the plan aims to transform Singapore into a more vibrant lifestyle and business destination by investing in new experiences, attractions and urban redevelopment projects. One of the major proposals includes the rejuvenation of Orchard Road, the country’s famous shopping and entertainment district, which authorities plan to convert into a more dynamic lifestyle hub featuring events, greenery and new attractions.
The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector also played a major role in boosting tourism revenue. Reports stated that MICE tourism receipts increased by more than 35 per cent in 2025, reaching SGD 2.3 billion compared to SGD 1.7 billion in the previous year. Singapore’s ability to host large-scale international business events and conventions was seen as a major contributor to the record-breaking earnings.
Singapore Tourism Board officials noted that the country’s airport traffic and tourism activities had continued to grow steadily. Changi Airport reportedly handled close to 70 million passenger movements during 2025, reflecting the broader rebound in global air travel and regional tourism.
Tourism authorities have projected another strong year ahead, estimating tourism receipts between SGD 31 billion and SGD 32.5 billion in 2026, along with an expected 17 million to 18 million visitor arrivals. However, officials said they would continue monitoring global economic and geopolitical developments that could affect international travel patterns.
