Singapore Surpasses One Million Indian Visitors in Tourism Triumph

Singapore Hits One Million Indian Visitors Milestone

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced that visitor arrivals from India have exceeded one million, achieving this milestone two months earlier than in 2023. This accomplishment occurred when Singapore Airlines flight SQ-421 from Mumbai landed at Changi Airport on October 31, marking Singapore's one-millionth Indian visitor for 2024. There has been a 12% increase in Indian visitors from January to October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, making India Singapore's third-largest source market for tourism.

Markus Tan, Regional Director of STB for India, the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, commented on this significant milestone: “Welcoming our one-millionth Indian visitor two months earlier than in 2023 demonstrates Singapore’s enduring appeal as a premier short-haul destination for Indian travellers. This milestone reflects our strong tourism recovery and highlights the metros' continued importance as source markets. Beyond the metros, STB is also expanding our reach and appeal of Singapore across diverse regions of India, using targeted marketing efforts and initiatives with the travel trade. We remain steadfast in our commitment to offering novel and engaging experiences that resonate with the aspirations of our Indian guests, ensuring that Singapore continues to be a destination of choice for years to come.”

Singapore has become increasingly appealing to Indian travellers due to its strong connectivity and wide range of experiences that cater to various visitor segments. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has collaborated with popular Indian brands and initiated several marketing campaigns to enhance Singapore's attractiveness. Earlier this year, STB signed a two-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PhonePe to facilitate seamless UPI transactions. Additionally, a strategic partnership was established with MakeMyTrip to create customized travel packages. To further promote Singapore's hidden gems, an exclusive vlog travel series featuring actress Ananya Panday has also been launched.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Sy Yen Chen, General Manager of India, Singapore Airlines, shared, “Singapore Airlines is thrilled to have flown the millionth passenger from India to Singapore this year, an exciting milestone in connecting Indian travellers to our home country. India remains a key market for Singapore Airlines, and we’re proud that our world-class service continues to make us one of the preferred airlines for Indian travellers. Together with our longstanding partner, the Singapore Tourism Board, we’re excited to continue offering fresh, exciting experiences for new and returning travellers and build even stronger ties between India and Singapore in the years ahead.”

Chew Tiong Heng, Divisional Director, Business & Experience Development, Sentosa Development Corporation, shared, “India has consistently been Sentosa’s leading source market, and we take great pride in remaining a compelling and attractive destination for Indian travellers. We are especially delighted by the notable increase in Indian travellers in October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, which reaffirms Sentosa and Singapore’s enduring appeal. The recent launch of Sensoryscape, our multi-sensorial playground, marked the start of a series of transformations that Sentosa is undergoing.  Visitors can expect to see more world-class attractions and leisure offerings moving forward, including the upcoming Singapore Oceanarium and innovative collaborations with industry partners, exemplified by our recent MOU with STIC Travel Group, to enhance Sentosa’s standing in the Indian market across traveller demographics”.  

Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Business Officer – Corporate, MakeMyTrip, said, “Singapore continues to captivate Indian travellers, ranking as the 4th most searched destination on our platform. Searches for Singapore have grown by 11% year-on-year, highlighting a strong affinity for this dynamic destination. Reaching the 1 million visitor milestone is remarkable, and we’re proud to play a role in this journey. At MakeMyTrip, we remain committed to delivering enriching travel experiences for Indians and look forward to deepening our collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board to drive further growth.”

Li Hongyi, Associate General Manager Market Development at Changi Airport Group, said, “India is Changi Airport’s sixth largest market in terms of passenger traffic, and a large part of this is Indian tourists visiting Singapore. Today, there are over 290 weekly flights to 17 Indian cities from Changi, with opportunities for further growth. Changi Airport Group will continue to work closely with the Singapore Tourism Board, airlines, and the travel trade to deepen connectivity to new cities like Surat and Jaipur to spur travel demand between India and Singapore.”

As Singapore approaches 2025, it reaffirms its commitment to providing fresh and exciting experiences for new and returning visitors. Upcoming attractions include “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic,” which will open on November 22, 2024; Singapore Art Week in early 2025; the launch of Minion Land at Sentosa; and the inaugural sailing of Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure in December 2025.