Singapore is on track to achieve record-breaking international arrivals in 2025, surpassing other Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand and the Philippines. The country’s travel and tourism industry is expected to generate nearly $80 billion for the economy by the end of the decade, supporting over 637,000 jobs.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently revealed that Singapore is set to exceed its previous record for international visitors this year. According to the latest projections, arrivals will reach almost 16 million in 2025, reflecting a 9.6% increase compared to pre-pandemic figures in 2019.
India is expected to play a major role in this surge, with visitor numbers rising from 1.11 million in 2019 to a record 1.25 million in 2025. Despite a slower global recovery in outbound travel from China, Singapore anticipates welcoming nearly 2.8 million Chinese visitors this year, laying the foundation for further growth in 2026.
Singapore’s Tourism Momentum
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, praised Singapore’s tourism momentum, stating, “Singapore is leading the way in global tourism, breaking records and surpassing its regional competitors. With strong visitor numbers from India and a resurgence of Chinese travelers, the city-state’s tourism sector is thriving.”
In 2024, travel and tourism were projected to contribute $66.1 billion to Singapore’s economy, making up 9.8% of GDP and supporting a record 570,000 jobs. By 2030, the sector is expected to grow by 19% from 2019 levels, reaching nearly $80 billion and supporting over 637,000 jobs—an increase of more than 90,000 positions.
Sustainable Tourism Initiatives
Singapore has also made significant strides in environmental sustainability. Between 2019 and 2023, greenhouse gas emissions from travel and tourism decreased by 4.1% annually, reducing the sector’s share from 23.5% to 18.4%. The country’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate, set to take effect in 2026, will require all departing flights to use at least 1% SAF.
Regional Tourism Growth
Across Southeast Asia, the travel and tourism sector was projected to contribute nearly $379 billion to the region’s economy in 2024, accounting for 9.7% of GDP and supporting approximately 42.5 million jobs. By 2030, this figure is expected to rise to nearly $551 billion—a 48% increase from 2019—while job support will expand to 51.5 million, adding over 10 million new positions.
Despite the optimistic outlook, the WTTC continues to advocate for stronger environmental initiatives, urging governments to accelerate SAF implementation and raise the minimum usage target.