Vibing:1 million Indians hit Singapore

Who is Singapore’s third largest tourism source market?

• Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced 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 31 October, bringing in Singapore’s millionth Indian visitor for 2024. With a 12% increase 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.
• Markus Tan Regional Director of STB for India, the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, commented on this significant milestone: “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 Singapore’s reach and appeal 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 Airlines authorities have expresses enthusiasm to have flown the millionth passenger from India to Singapore this year, an exciting milestone in connecting Indian travellers to their home country.
• Li Hongyi, Associate General Manager Market Development, Changi Airport Group statted, “India is Changi Airport’s sixth largest market in terms of passenger traffic and a large part of this is Indian tourists visiting Singapore. Today, there are over 290 weekly flights to 17 Indian cities from Changi, with opportunities for further growth. Changi Airport Group will continue to work closely with the Singapore Tourism Board, airlines, and the travel trade to deepen connectivity to new cities like Surat and Jaipur to spur travel demand between India and Singapore.”

Why are Indians so drawn to Singapore?

• 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.
• The recent launch of Sensoryscape, themulti-sensorial playground, marked the start of a series of transformations that Sentosa is undergoing.Visitors can expect to see more world-class attractions and leisure offerings moving forward, including the upcoming Singapore Oceanarium.

Singapore - Conveninet, Comforting Destination for Indians

• One of the primary reasons behind the increasing influx of Indian travellers to Singapore is its unparalleled accessibility. With a plethora of direct flights connecting major Indian cities to Singapore's Changi Airport, getting to the Lion City has never been easier. Whether it's Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, or Chennai, travellers have a wide array of flight options at their disposal, making Singapore an attractive choice for a quick getaway or a longer vacation. Changi Airport, in itself, is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Singapore.
• Singapore's visa policies play a significant role in luring Indian visitors. The city-state offers hassle-free visa procedures for Indian passport holders, including e-visa facilities and visa-free transit for 96 hours. Indian travellers can apply for a Singapore visa online, which costs INR 2,700. The visa processing time is just 5-6 working days, and the visa is issued for a period of up to 30 days, with validity of up to 2 years. It’s a multiple-entry visa.
• Singapore's eclectic mix of attractions and experiences appeals to a wide range of Indian travellers. From iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay to family-friendly destinations like Sentosa Island and Universal Studios Singapore equivalent to Disneyland, there's something for everyone in the Lion City.
• Singapore's vibrant cultural scene, bustling shopping districts, and delectable culinary offerings ensure that Indian visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring the city's myriad charms. With a sizable Indian diaspora residing in Singapore and a shared heritage rooted in centuries of cultural exchange, Indian travellers often feel a sense of familiarity and connection when exploring the Lion City.

Editor’s Note