KUALA LUMPUR - Singapore’s tourism sector achieved a record performance in 2025, with tourism receipts climbing to S$32.8 billion (US$25.9 billion).

The figure surpassed the previous high of S$29.8 billion recorded in 2024.

Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu announced the latest figures during the Tourism Industry Conference 2026 on Friday, as reported by CNA.

Ms Fu also unveiled an additional S$740 million allocation for the Tourism Development Fund over the next five years.

The latest injection comes on top of more than S$300 million committed in 2024.

“Our strong performance in 2025 is encouraging, but we cannot afford to be complacent. There are challenges on the horizon, given the Middle East energy crisis and its knock-on effects on consumer spending.

“This funding will support our ambitions under Tourism 2040, charting the next chapter of growth and ensuring that Singapore remains a compelling destination,” Ms Fu said.

Ms Fu, who is also Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, said part of the funding would support tourism businesses through targeted grants.

A S$5 million grant will help companies undertake marketing activities and strengthen attendance for business events hosted in Singapore.

Another S$5 million will be channelled into a market access fund aimed at helping firms expand into new international markets.

Under the Tourism 2040 strategy, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) projects tourism receipts to reach between S$47 billion and S$50 billion by 2040.

Speaking at the same conference, STB chief executive Melissa Ow said Singapore welcomed 16.9 million visitors in 2025.

She described the figures as steady progress towards the country’s long-term tourism targets.

The tourism sector’s strong performance was supported by record traffic through Changi Airport and robust cruise demand.

Changi Airport handled nearly 70 million passenger movements in 2025, marking an all-time high.

Cruise traffic also surpassed two million passengers during the year.

Despite the strong performance, Ms Ow warned that tourism demand could soften in the coming months due to ongoing global uncertainty.

She said the conflict in the Middle East continued to pose challenges for the industry.

“Our tourism businesses are under strain from the crisis and the global uncertainty that persist,” Ms Ow said.

She noted that visitor arrivals still rose 3 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026.

However, STB expects demand to weaken later in the year.

The tourism board projects between S$31 billion and S$32.5 billion in tourism receipts this year.

International visitor arrivals are forecast to reach between 17 million and 18 million.

“STB has already stepped up our efforts to support our industry partners to overcome immediate challenges. We will monitor the situation and adjust our support as needed,” Ms Ow said.

Speaking to reporters after the conference, Ms Ow described Singapore’s 2025 tourism performance as “exceptional” and growth as “exuberant”.

She added that consumer confidence had been affected by tensions linked to the Middle East conflict.

The tourism board is also encouraging industry stakeholders to diversify into new visitor markets to strengthen long-term resilience.

“It may not immediately yield a result, but it's something which we're hoping they will appreciate is critical as they build resilience and competitiveness in the mid to long term,” she said.

Singapore is also pressing ahead with new infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening the tourism and cruise sectors.

Ms Ow announced that the Singapore Cruise Centre at HarbourFront will relocate to a new purpose-built terminal adjacent to the existing facility.

The new terminal is scheduled to open on July 15.

It will feature a dedicated VIP lounge for premium travellers and an automated baggage handling system.

Authorities are also studying plans for a future Integrated Cruise and Ferry Terminal.

Ms Fu said the proposed development could be located at Straits View beside the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore as part of the wider Greater Southern Waterfront project.

The terminal could accommodate three cruise berths and up to 10 ferry berths.

Passenger capacity is expected to be around 1.5 times larger than the existing Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore and about double that of the HarbourFront Passenger Terminal.

“This represents not only a significant increase in international cruise capacity, but also greater regional connectivity,” Ms Fu said.

The government is also moving ahead with plans under the Greater Sentosa Master Plan.

The long-term development will cover Sentosa and Pulau Brani over the next two decades.

Pulau Brani, which spans 120 hectares, will feature new hotels, attractions and tourism experiences while preserving natural landscapes.

Once completed, Greater Sentosa is expected to attract double the number of visitors it currently receives.

Ms Ow said the Sentosa Development Corporation will soon launch consultancy tenders for major components of the master plan.

New attractions planned for Sentosa include a flight simulation experience by AltitudeX and a day-to-night thrill ride at the upcoming SkySlides in SkyPark Sentosa.

Singapore is also increasing efforts to promote the country through international entertainment and media projects.

STB announced a three-year partnership with South Korean production company Mr Romance.

Its first production under the partnership is a financial drama titled “Buy King”, starring South Korean actors Ju Ji Hoon and Lee Jun Ho.

The tourism board also worked with Indonesian production house MD Entertainment on a romance film titled “Ahlan Singapore”, which will be released on Netflix later this year.

Other upcoming projects include the Japanese film “Magical Secret Tour”, an adaptation of Indonesian bestseller “Life is Beautiful” and Malaysian family drama “The Causeway”.

STB has additionally signed a three-year partnership with Universal Music Singapore to promote travel to Singapore through international artistes and fan-focused experiences.