Record-breaking international arrivals projected for 2025 in Singapore's travel surge
**Headline:** Singapore Leads Global Tourism Growth, Projected to Welcome 16 Million International Visitors in 2025
**Subhead:** Asia Pacific tourism sector shows strong recovery and growth, with China, India, and other countries expected to see increased visitor numbers.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Singapore is poised to break records and outpace regional rivals, with a projected 16 million international arrivals by the end of 2025[1]. Although specific arrival numbers for other countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, and China in 2025 were not detailed in the WTTC projections, broader Asia Pacific tourism trends indicate a strong recovery and growth in these countries' tourism sectors moving toward 2025 and beyond.
China remains the top inbound market in Asia Pacific, with forecasts showing up to 148 million visitors by 2027[2]. There is also a notable increase in travel demand toward Southeast Asia countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, driven especially by Indian tourists seeking short-haul destinations due to geopolitical tensions[3]. Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines show continued growth in visitor arrivals and benefit from visa waivers and improved connectivity, which underpin tourism recovery[4][5].
In terms of employment, the Travel & Tourism sector in Southeast Asia is forecast to hit 51.5 million jobs by 2030, an increase of over 10 million since 2019[6]. By the end of the decade, the Travel & Tourism sector in Singapore is expected to contribute almost $80 billion to the economy, a 19% increase from its previous high in 2019[7].
As the travel industry recovers, the focus on sustainability is becoming increasingly important. The Singapore's Travel & Tourism sector currently uses low-carbon energy to power just under 2.5% of its operations[8]. In response, WTTC is urging the government to bring forward the SAF mandate and increase the minimal usage target in Southeast Asia[9]. Singapore's Travel & Tourism greenhouse gas emissions dropped 4.1% per year between 2019 and 2023, reducing the sector's share from 23.5% to 18.4%[10].
Record numbers of Chinese visitors are set to travel to Singapore in 2022, reaching almost 2.8 million[11]. Malaysia's international visitor numbers are forecasted to rise by nearly 10% above 2019 levels in 2022[12]. The Philippines is expected to come close to its 2019 international arrivals numbers in 2022[13].
International arrivals to Thailand are projected to increase by 5% this year[14]. By 2030, the sector's economic contribution in Southeast Asia is projected to reach nearly $551 billion USD, 48% above 2019[15]. In 2024, the Travel & Tourism sector was expected to generate nearly $379 billion USD for Southeast Asia's economy, representing 9.7% of the region's GDP and supporting approximately 42.5 million jobs[16].
The WTTC President & CEO, Julia Simpson, stated that Singapore is leading global tourism growth and breaking records[1]. With these projections, it seems that the Asia Pacific tourism sector is on the right track to recovery and growth.
[1] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/sgp_economic_impact_2024.pdf [2] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/china_economic_impact_2024.pdf [3] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/india_economic_impact_2024.pdf [4] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/thailand_economic_impact_2024.pdf [5] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/philippines_economic_impact_2024.pdf [6] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/southeast_asia_economic_impact_2030.pdf [7] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/sgp_economic_impact_2024.pdf [8] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/southeast_asia_economic_impact_2024.pdf [9] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/southeast_asia_economic_impact_2024.pdf [10] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/southeast_asia_economic_impact_2024.pdf [11] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/sgp_economic_impact_2024.pdf [12] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/malaysia_economic_impact_2024.pdf [13] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/philippines_economic_impact_2024.pdf [14] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/thailand_economic_impact_2024.pdf [15] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/southeast_asia_economic_impact_2030.pdf [16] https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/asia/southeast_asia_economic_impact_2024.pdf
- With the strong recovery and growth of Asian tourism, businesses in the finance sector may benefit from increased revenue due to the surge in international visitors to Singapore, China, India, and other countries, such as Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and China, in the coming years.
- As travel demand to Southeast Asia countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines increases, driven by Indian tourists and fueled by visa waivers and improved connectivity, it's expected that these countries could see a boost in their lifestyle sectors, particularly in hospitality and retail, catering to these new international visitors.
