Indian visitor numbers to Singapore crosses 1 million mark – ET TravelWorld

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced today that visitor arrivals from India have surged past the one million mark, two months earlier than in 2023. This milestone was achieved when Singapore Airlines flight SQ-421 from Mumbai touched down at Changi Airport on October 31, bringing in Singapore’s millionth Indian visitor for 2024.

With a 12 per centincrease in Indian visitors from January to October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, India is Singapore’s third-largest source market for tourism. Commenting on the achievement, Markus Tan, Regional Director of STB for India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, said: “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 not only reflects our strong tourism recovery but also highlights the continued importance of the metros 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’s appeal to Indian travellers has been bolstered by strong connectivity and its diverse range of experiences catering to different visitor segments. In India, STB has partnered with popular Indian brands and launched various marketing initiatives to elevate Singapore’s appeal.

Earlier this year, STB signed a two-year MOU with PhonePe for seamless UPI transactions and a strategic partnership with MakeMyTrip to tailor unique travel packages. An exclusive Vlog travel series featuring actress Ananya Panday was also launched to showcase Singapore’s hidden gems.

Commenting on the occasion, Sy Yen Chen, general manager – 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 both new and returning travellers, and to building even stronger ties between India and Singapore in the years ahead.”

As Singapore approaches 2025, it reaffirms its commitment to providing fresh and exciting experiences for both new and returning visitors. Upcoming attractions include “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic” opening on 22 November 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.