Singapore’s Tourism Set to Beat Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines Due to Visitors from China and India
Singapore is making waves in the tourism sector, outperforming its regional counterparts like Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. According to a recent analysis by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), 2025 is on track to be a record-breaking year for the city-state.
Anticipating a significant increase in tourist arrivals, Singapore is poised to attract more visitors than ever before, even surpassing pre-pandemic figures. A large part of this boost is attributed to an influx of travelers from China and India, making these two countries critical to Singapore’s tourism success.
In a report released on February 24, it was revealed that Singapore is expected to welcome 16 million tourists in 2025. This marks a substantial 9.6% increase from 2019, the year prior to the pandemic’s significant impact on international travel.
This anticipated growth positions Singapore ahead of other key destinations in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Specifically, visitors from India are expected to reach 1.25 million, up from 1.11 million in 2019. As for China, projections suggest 2.8 million Chinese tourists will visit Singapore, with this number expected to grow steadily in the coming years.
The President and CEO of WTTC, Julia Simpson, remarked, “Singapore is setting the pace for global tourism growth, breaking records, and outpacing its regional rivals. With soaring visitor numbers expected from India and a return of Chinese travelers, the city-state’s tourism engine is running at full throttle.”
The local news outlets have also highlighted how the travel and tourism sector are estimated to contribute $66.1 billion to Singapore’s economy, equivalent to 9.8% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. The industry is expected to support 570,000 jobs, with projections indicating considerable growth over the next few years.
The tourism sector is anticipated to boost further and could contribute nearly $80 billion by 2030. This represents a growth of nearly 20% from 2019, with employment expected to increase to over 637,000 jobs, marking an increase of over 90,000 positions since 2019.
Meanwhile, in other parts of Southeast Asia, Malaysia anticipates surpassing its pre-pandemic tourism levels by almost 10%, along with a 7% increase beyond the high achieved in 2016. Thailand’s tourism sector is also prepared for an exceptional year with an expected 5% increase in global arrivals. The Philippines is not far behind, nearing the peak it set in 2019.
In this competitive regional environment, Singapore’s strategic initiatives and successful marketing campaigns appear to be paying off, bolstering its reputation as a premier destination for international travelers. The upward trend in visitor numbers, particularly from China and India, is a testament to the city-state’s resilient and robust tourism industry.
