Singapore’s appeal to Indian travellers grows with strong air connectivity and diverse attractions
Singapore recorded a 21% increase in international visitors in 2024, reaching 16.5 million arrivals—the highest since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) expects the number to rise further in 2025, with projections between 17 million and 18.5 million, nearing its pre-pandemic peak of 19.1 million visitors in 2019, reported business-standard.com.
China, Indonesia, and India lead visitor arrivals
According to STB data, the top three visitor markets were:
- Mainland China: 3.08 million
- Indonesia: 2.49 million
- India: 1.20 million
Other key markets, including Japan, Taiwan, the UK, and the US, also saw growth in visitor numbers, contributing to Singapore’s booming tourism industry.
Tourist spending expected to reach record highs
Tourist spending in 2024 is forecast to be between S$27.5 billion and S$29.0 billion ($20.3 billion to $21.4 billion), potentially surpassing the pre-pandemic record of $27.7 billion in 2019. In the first nine months of 2023 alone, visitors spent $22.4 billion.
Why Singapore is a top choice for Indian travellers
Singapore’s popularity among Indian travellers is driven by:
- Air Connectivity: 280 weekly flights operate between India and Singapore, covering major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru, as well as Tier 2 cities such as Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, and Trivandrum.
- New Attractions: Post-pandemic experiences like the Museum of Ice Cream have captivated tourists with interactive exhibits.
- Proximity: A short flight time of 3.5 to 5 hours makes Singapore an accessible and convenient destination.
A vibrant calendar of events, concerts, and family-friendly attractions has further boosted visitor numbers, alongside strong MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism and a thriving cruise sector.
India-Singapore ties to be a focus in 2025
Marking 60 years of diplomatic relations, Singapore and India will celebrate with a series of tourism and business initiatives to strengthen bilateral ties. The Singapore Tourism Board aims to enhance marketing efforts and drive long-term tourism growth through its Tourism 2040 roadmap.
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