(05/02/24) According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB),
the country welcomed 13.6 million international visitor arrivals (IVA)
in 2023, approximately 71% of the number of arrivals in 2019 –
pre-COVID, and within STB’s forecast of between 12
and 14 million visitors.
Preliminary data shows that tourism receipts (TR)
reached between SG$24.5 to $26 billion, around 88-94% of the
amount in 2019 and surpassing the board’s forecast of between
SG$18 to SG$21 billion.
“The robust performance in 2023 signals a
promising recovery for tourism, in line with increasing flight
capacity and growth in international travel demand,” said Melissa Ow,
Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “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’s thriving pipeline of business and
leisure offerings demonstrates our continued appeal as an
attractive and trusted tourism destination, and reflects the
unwavering confidence our partners have in Singapore.”
Visitor arrivals were 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 that posted buoyant recovery included Australia,
South Korea and USA.
Singapore. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com
Tourism receipts reached $20.1 billion between
January to September 2023, with TR across all spend categories
having either exceeded or recovered close to pre-pandemic levels,
compared with the same period in 2019.
For 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).
Visitors also spent more time in Singapore
compared to before the pandemic, with the average length of stay in
2023 being approximately 3.8 days, an increase compared to
3.4 days for the same period in 2019.
Hotel Industry Performance
Singapore’s strong hotel industry performance
in 2023 was driven by growing demand for leisure and
business travel. In 2023, Average Room Rate (ARR) and Revenue per
Available Room (RevPAR) surpassed 2019 levels, reaching $282 (~128%
of 2019 ARR) and $226 (~118% of 2019 RevPAR)
respectively. Average Occupancy Rate (AOR) was 80.1% in
2023, compared to 86.9% in the same period in 2019.
During the year, 3,210 new hotel keys were added
to the market.
Cruise Industry Performance
Singapore’s
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.
In 2023, Royal Caribbean International’s
Spectrum of the Seas and Resorts World Cruises’ Genting Dream
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 and Celebrity Cruises’
Celebrity Edge.
In
addition, STB and Disney Cruise Line signed a MOU to collaborate
on the exclusive five-year year-round homeporting of Disney
Adventure in Singapore from 2025.
Tourism Sector Manpower
As of September 2023, the total tourism
workforce has recovered to around 72,000 – about 88 per cent of
2019 levels.
Programmes such as the Career Conversion
Programme (CCP) for Tourism Professionals under Workforce
Singapore (WSG) aims to support tourism companies to train
new hires and reskill existing workers for job roles in the
tourism related industries including hotel, MICE, attractions, tours
and travel.
Additionally, STB will continue with the Tourism
Careers Campaign, to increase awareness of the dynamic nature of
the tourism sector and encourage jobseekers to pursue their
passions and consider a career in tourism.
2024 Outlook
STB expects the tourism sector’s recovery to continue in 2024,
driven by improved global flight connectivity and capacity as well
as the implementation of the mutual 30-day visa-free travel
between China and Singapore.
2024 international visitor arrivals are
expected to reach around 15 to 16 million, bringing in
approximately SG$26 to SG$27.5 billion in tourism receipts.
“To sustain our growth in 2024 and beyond, STB
will focus on achieving quality tourism, cultivating strategic
partnerships, investing in new and refreshed products and
experiences, and supporting stakeholders in building
capabilities,” said Ms Ow.
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