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SINGAPORE \u2013 The cruise industry in South-east Asia yielded US$10 billion (S$12.7 billion) in 2024, making up 5 per cent of the global cruise industry\u2019s output. <\/p>\n
Spend per passenger in the region amounted to 2.4 times that of the global average of cruise passengers, or US$2,564 (S$3,259) per visit, said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on April 15, citing figures from the inaugural Economic Impact Assessment of Cruise Tourism for Southeast Asian countries.<\/p>\n
Singapore captured 48 per cent of the region\u2019s 3.9 million passenger visitors.<\/p>\n
The study, produced by travel and tourism industry consulting firm Tourism Economics for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), in partnership with STB, showed that overall, South-east Asia\u2019s cruise tourism contributed US$4.5 billion to regional gross domestic product (GDP). <\/p>\n
The region accounted for 2 per cent of 186 million global cruise passengers in 2024, capturing 5 per cent of global cruise-related GDP.<\/p>\n
STB said the data showed that cruise tourism introduces visitors to the region\u2019s diverse attractions, and helps generate sustained tourism demand beyond the initial cruise visit.<\/p>\n
It also reinforced the strategic importance of South-east Asia in the global cruise landscape.<\/p>\n
With Singapore and Malaysia collectively accounting for 70 per cent of South-east Asian cruise passenger visits in 2024, there remains significant potential for other destinations in the region to develop cruise capabilities to capture a larger share of the growing market, added STB. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis study reinforces South-east Asia\u2019s strong cruise tourism value proposition, driven by a growing middle class, rising demand for diverse travel experiences, and rich destination variety\u201d, said Ms Jean Ng, assistant chief executive, experience development group at STB.<\/p>\n
According to CLIA, global passenger numbers are expected to reach 42 million by 2028, up from 34.6 million in 2024. <\/p>\n
Singapore\u2019s cruise sector saw a bump in both ship calls and passenger throughput from January to September 2025. STB data showed that year-on-year, the number of ship calls rose 10 per cent to 375 for the nine months, while passengers rose over 9 per cent to exceed 2 million passengers. <\/p>\n
STB said that the sector demonstrated strong momentum, thus \u201ccementing Singapore\u2019s position as the region\u2019s leading cruise hub in 2025\u201d. <\/p>\n
There were also major infrastructural developments on the cruise front in 2025.<\/p>\n