SG’s international visitor arrivals sees 12-fold boost in H122

The country welcomed 1.5 million visitors from January to June.

Singapore's international visitor arrivals (IVA) rose to 1.5 million in the first half of 2022, representing a 12-fold increase from the 119,000 record in H1 2021.

According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Lion City had the most visitors from Indonesia (282,000), India (219,000), Malaysia (139,000), Australia (125,000) and the Philippines (81,000). 

Together, the five countries accounted for 56% of total IVA from January to June 2022.

Foreign visitors are also staying longer in Singapore, STB reported. The average length of stay for visitors has doubled to 7.1 days from 3.4 days in 2019.

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With increased visitor arrivals, tourism receipts also skyrocketed, jumping 213% YoY to $1.3b.

Top contributors to TRs in H1 22 were Indonesia, India, and China which collectively accounted for 32% of TR, excluding Sightseeing Entertainment & Gaming (SEG),

Indonesia and India also registered the highest YoY absolute growth in TR excluding SEG, rising 187% to $95m, and 376% to $97m, respectively.

Looking ahead, STB said tourism in Singapore will likely face some headwinds given the “volatile global political and economic environment and the evolving health situation.”

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The board, however, remains cautiously optimistic about Singapore's tourism, expecting a full-year IVA of four to six million visitors.

STB added that Singapore has a strong pipeline of events that can attract more visitors like the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2022 and the Bloomberg New Economy Forum. 
 
“New and rejuvenated offerings like Hell’s Museum at Haw Par Villa, the Museum of Ice Cream, SkyHelix Sentosa, and the “Avatar: The Experience” at Gardens by the Bay later this year, are also set to attract more visitors,” added STB.