Singapore sees tourism recovery in 2023 thanks to China, Indonesia, Malaysia visitors

Singapore visitor arrivals were up 115 per cent to 13.6 million in 2023, which is about 71 per cent of pre-pandemic levels

Singapore expects the tourism sector’s recovery to continue in 2024, partly due to the implementation of 30-day visa-free travel between China and Singapore

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Tourists visit the Merlion Park in Singapore. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 6:00pm, 1 Feb 2024Updated: 6:21pm, 1 Feb 2024

Singapore saw a 115 per cent increase in the number of visitors last year, from 6.3 million in 2022 to 13.6 million in 2023.

The number in 2023 met Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) forecast of between 12 million and 14 million visitors.

This is about 71 per cent of the number in 2019, before international travel came to a halt in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The increase in visitor arrivals was driven by strong demand from a mix of Singapore’s key markets, led by Indonesia (2.3 million), China (1.4 million) and Malaysia (1.1 million). Other key markets included Australia, South Korea, and the United States.

Countries with most visitors to Singapore in 2023

Indonesia – 2.3 million
China -1.4 million
Malaysia – 1.1 million
Australia – 1.1 million
India – 1.1 million
Philippines – 693,000
United States – 642,000
South Korea – 571,000
United Kingdom – 474,000
Vietnam – 459,000

Singapore’s tourism receipts are expected to register S$24.5 billion (US$18.2 billion) to S$26 billion for 2023, which exceeds STB’s forecast of between S$18 billion to S$21 billion.