Singapore\u2019s tourism sector recovered strongly and demonstrated resilience with a solid performance for 2023. International visitor arrivals (IVA) reached 13.6 million in 2023 (~71 per cent of 2019 IVA), meeting STB\u2019s forecast of between 12.0 and 14.0 million visitors. Tourism receipts (TR) are estimated to reach $24.5 to $26.0 billion\u00a0(~88-94 per cent of 2019 TR), surpassing STB\u2019s forecast of $18.0 to $21.0 billion set out in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ms Melissa Ow, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board<\/a> (STB), said: \u201cThe robust performance in 2023 signals a promising recovery for tourism, in line with increasing flight capacity and growth in international travel demand. Our strategy to attract a healthy and diverse visitor portfolio, comprising long and short haul markets, has significantly contributed to our overall visitor arrivals, longer length of stay and growth in tourism receipts. Singapore\u2019s thriving pipeline of business and leisure offerings demonstrates our continued appeal as an attractive and trusted tourism\u00a0destination, and reflects the unwavering confidence our partners have in Singapore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visitor arrivals were driven by strong demand from a mix of Singapore\u2019s key markets, led by Indonesia (2.3 million), China (1.4 million) and Malaysia (1.1 million). Other key markets that posted buoyant recovery included Australia, South Korea and the USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tourism receipts reached $20.1 billion between January to September 2023. Full-year tourism receipts are expected to register between $24.5 and $26 billion. From January to September 2023, tourism receipts across all spending categories have either exceeded or recovered close to pre-pandemic levels, compared with the same period in 2019. \u00a0For the first nine months of 2023, the top TR generating markets were China, Indonesia and Australia, which contributed $2.3 billion, $2.2 billion, and $1.5 billion respectively in TR (excluding Sightseeing, Entertainment and Gaming).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visitors also spent more time in Singapore compared to before the pandemic. The average length of stay in 2023 was approximately 3.8 days. This is an increase compared to 3.4 days for the same period in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MICE and Leisure Events<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a><\/a>Singapore is a global-Asia node for MICE and business. With business travel to Singapore and the region steadily regaining momentum in 2023, STB remains committed to attracting and nurturing quality business events that align with Singapore\u2019s identified growth and priority industries, such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace and logistics, applied health sciences and financial services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n STB successfully secured several significant business events that took place in Singapore for the first time in 2023. These include SILMO Singapore, transport logistic Southeast Asia, Bar Convent Singapore, the 25th World Congress of Dermatology 2023, Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Global Conference 2023, and the International Trademark Association (INTA) 2023 Annual Meeting Live+. These accomplishments underscore Singapore’s growing prominence as a leading destination for impactful and influential business gatherings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, our robust leisure and sporting events calendar plays a pivotal role in elevating Singapore\u2019s international mindshare and reinforcing our position as an attractive leisure destination. In 2023, Singapore proudly hosted several notable inaugural events, including the successful debut of ART SG, Southeast Asia\u2019s largest ever art fair, in conjunction with the Singapore Art Week. New events like the Capcom Pro Tour 2023 Offline Premier Singapore,Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) Asian Open and WB100 Celebrating Every Story (Warner Bros.) further enriched Singapore\u2019s leisure landscape, contributing to the city\u2019s vibrancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hotel Industry Performance<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Singapore\u2019s hotel industry performance in 2023 was encouraging, driven by stronger demand for leisure and business travel. In 2023, Average Room Rate (ARR) and Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) surpassed 2019 levels, reaching $282 (~128 per cent of 2019 ARR) and $226 (~118 per cent of 2019 RevPAR) respectively. Average Occupancy Rate (AOR) was 80.1 per cent in 2023, compared to 86.9 per cent in the same period in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2023, the hotel industry welcomed an addition of 3,210 new hotel keys. The unveiling of new establishments such as Pan Pacific Orchard, Mondrian Singapore Duxton, Artyzen Singapore, and The Singapore EDITION has redefined the standards of hospitality, and expanded the accommodation options for visitors. Investments made by the private sector in these new hotel developments underscore their confidence in Singapore’s longer term tourism prospects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cruise Industry Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Singapore\u2019s position as a regional cruise hub strengthened in 2023 with a record 2 million passenger throughput received from more than 340 ship calls, since the opening of the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2023, Royal Caribbean International\u2019s Spectrum of the Seas<\/em> and Resorts World Cruises\u2019 Genting Dream<\/em> continued its year-round homeport at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore. TUI Cruises, Marella Cruises and Silversea Cruises continued their seasonal homeport while several maiden port calls were made by Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady<\/em> and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The healthy number of ship calls demonstrates the industry\u2019s commitment to realise the strong potential of cruising in Singapore and the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, STB and Disney Cruise Line signed a MOU to collaborate on the exclusive five-year year-round homeporting of Disney Adventure<\/em> in Singapore from 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Investments that enhance destination attractiveness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2023, Singapore anchored several first-of-its-kind tourism concepts in Singapore, while refreshing and rejuvenating existing offerings. We also tapped on our global network of strategic partners to develop tourism products, and supported tourism stakeholders to leverage technology and innovation, to enhance the overall visitor experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2023 Tourism Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u200bKey Industry Performance in 2023<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2023 Highlights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n