Singapore Crosses 1 Million Indian Visitors in 2025, Tourism Footfall Surges

 

Singapore has crossed a significant tourism milestone in 2025, welcoming over 1.2 million Indian visitors, reflecting a steady 1 per cent growth compared to 2024. The development marks an important chapter in bilateral ties, coinciding with the celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and India.

According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the growth underscores sustained confidence among Indian travellers in Singapore as a preferred international destination.

“The year 2025 marked a milestone for Singapore-India tourism as we celebrated 60 years of diplomatic ties. We’re heartened that over a million Indian visitors chose Singapore, driving robust tourism spending and demonstrating the market’s continued confidence in our destination,” said Markus Tan, Regional Director (India, Middle East, South Asia and Africa), Singapore Tourism Board.

International Arrivals and Revenue on the Rise

Singapore’s overall tourism performance in 2025 has also shown positive momentum. International Visitor Arrivals (IVA) reached 16.9 million, reflecting a 2.3 per cent growth compared to the previous year.

More notably, tourism receipts from India climbed to $1.17 billion in 2025, registering a strong 5 per cent year-on-year increase. This indicates not only a rise in footfall but also higher spending patterns among Indian travellers.

The steady growth in both arrivals and receipts highlights India’s position as one of Singapore’s key source markets.

Diverse Travel Segments Driving Growth

Singapore’s appeal among Indian travellers spans multiple segments. While leisure travellers continue to flock to the city-state for its attractions, culinary experiences, and family-friendly environment, corporate and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel has emerged as a significant growth driver.

“What excites us most is the diversity we’re seeing — from leisure travellers seeking authentic experiences to major corporates choosing Singapore for their MICE events,” Tan added.

Singapore’s reputation as a global business hub, combined with its seamless infrastructure and world-class convention facilities, has strengthened its position as a preferred MICE destination for Indian companies.

Repeat Travellers and Southeast Asia Advantage

Industry experts point to a growing base of repeat Indian travellers choosing Singapore over long-haul destinations.

Anil Punjabi, Chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India (Tafi), eastern region, highlighted several contributing factors. “We are getting a lot of repeat travellers to Singapore now. The devaluation of the rupee has made holidays in Europe and the US more expensive. Apart from that, getting a visa to these places is hard. So, people prefer Southeast Asia destinations like Singapore,” he said.

The affordability factor, combined with ease of travel and proximity, has positioned Singapore as an attractive alternative to Western destinations.

Visa Ease and Connectivity Boost

Another key advantage for Indian tourists is Singapore’s relatively streamlined visa process. Indian passport holders can obtain a Singapore visa within three to five working days, with an overall turnaround time of up to seven days.

Enhanced air connectivity has further strengthened travel flows. In July 2025, STB signed its first-ever Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian airline IndiGo. The partnership aims to boost both leisure and business travel between the two countries through joint promotions and enhanced connectivity.

Strategic Campaigns Strengthen Brand Affinity

To capitalise on the growing Indian market, the Singapore Tourism Board rolled out a year-long “Just Between Us Friends” campaign in 2025. The initiative brought together travel agencies, airlines, payment platforms, and shopping malls to offer exclusive deals and curated experiences for Indian travellers.

STB also launched multiple strategic marketing partnerships to deepen brand affinity and sustain momentum in India. These collaborations targeted key metros as well as emerging tier-II and tier-III cities, expanding Singapore’s outreach beyond traditional markets.

The campaign strategy reflects Singapore’s focused approach to tapping into India’s rapidly expanding outbound travel segment.

Looking Ahead

As Singapore celebrates 60 years of diplomatic ties with India, the tourism surge highlights the deepening people-to-people connections between the two nations. With rising disposable incomes, growing appetite for international travel, and improved connectivity, the Indian market is expected to remain a cornerstone of Singapore’s tourism growth strategy.

The combination of leisure appeal, business opportunities, ease of access, and targeted marketing initiatives suggests that Singapore’s upward trajectory in attracting Indian visitors is likely to continue in the coming years.