{"id":51693,"date":"2026-05-12T07:46:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T23:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=51693"},"modified":"2026-05-12T07:46:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T23:46:36","slug":"singapores-resilient-tourism-faces-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=51693","title":{"rendered":"Singapore\u2019s resilient tourism faces challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SINGAPORE, 12 May 2026: In 2025, Singapore achieved a record of SGD32.8 billion in tourism receipts and welcomed 16.9 million visitors, the Singapore Tourism Board Chief Executive Melissa Ow reported during last week\u2019s Tourism Industry Conference 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year, I spoke about Tourism 2040, STB\u2019s roadmap for the next chapter of quality tourism growth for Singapore,\u201d she told a packed house of tourism leaders attending the annual gathering. \u201cIt sets out how we will respond to rising global competition, shifting demographics, and emerging opportunities, to reach our goal of SGD47 to SGD50 billion in tourism receipts by 2040. I am pleased to share that we are making good progress towards this long-term ambition.\u201d<\/p>\n

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STB Chief Executive<\/em> Melissa Ow speaking at the Tourism Industry Conference on 8 May.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

STB CEO: Speech standouts\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Changi Airport welcomed an all-time high of nearly 70 million passenger movements, while Singapore welcomed 375 ship calls and over 2 million passengers in passenger throughput.<\/p>\n

The completion of the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore expansion further reinforces Singapore\u2019s status as Asia\u2019s leading cruise hub.<\/p>\n

The Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2025 attracted the second-highest crowd since its first race, with over 300,000 attendees across three days.<\/p>\n

Singapore\u2019s\u00a0 MICE industry continues to demonstrate robust growth.<\/p>\n

In 2025, MICE tourism receipts grew by more than 35% from 2024, reaching SGD2.3 billion.<\/p>\n

This year, STB projects SGD31 to SGD32.5 billion in tourism receipts and 17 to 18 million in international visitor arrivals, while recognising that the ongoing tensions in the Middle East pose unprecedented challenges to the tourism industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur tourism businesses are under strain from the crisis, and global uncertainty will persist. While visitor arrivals held up in the first quarter with a 3% year- on-year growth, we expect muted demand in the months ahead,\u201d the STB CEO cautioned.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the year ahead, STB will intensify efforts to strengthen sector performance and resilience through the three pillars of Tourism 2040:<\/p>\n