Excerpts from the keynote by Ong Huey Hong

At the TDM Global Summit Singapore 2025, Ong Huey Hong, the Assistant Chief Executive for Industry Development and Chief Sustainability Officer at the Singapore Tourism Board, provided an insightful overview of the future vision for tourism in Singapore, focusing on the ambition to establish the region as a premier destination for large-scale business events. She noted:

“This event meditated our visions of becoming the region’s premier destinations for high carnival business events, we wish to play host to many more such events, establishing ourselves as the destination of choice for the industry’s most significant conversations. Bring together the most influential decision makers like ourselves and generate substantial economic impact.”

In her address, she highlighted the rapid growth projected for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector, predicting it will double in value over the next decade. She emphasized a balanced approach to growth:

“It is also about creating sustainable growth that benefits both visitors and our local communities today, the hotel industry enjoyed the highest average room rates in Asian cities at $269, international visitor arrivals reached 12.9 million, tourism receipts remain very robust at 15.7 billion in the first half of 2025.”

Ong also reaffirmed the alignment of these goals with the Singapore Green Plans 2030 and their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050:

“Our MICE industry shows commitment through the sustainability roadmap, with targets for six purpose-built MICE venues and 80% of Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers to attain sustainability certification by 2025; we are on track to achieve these ambitious targets.”

Singapore ranks first in Asia and 13th globally on the 2025 Global Destination Sustainability Index. She concluded with a call for collective efforts:

“The future of tourism will be shared by our collective commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence. Together, we can create a tourism industry that not only drives economic growth but also delivers exceptional experiences and sets new standards for what travel can and should do.”