Transforming Tourism Through Events
In recent times, concerts, sporting events, and various entertainment activities have significantly boosted Singapore’s tourism revenue. Chee Hok Yean, President of HVA Asia Pacific, emphasized this trend while sharing insights at the TDM Global Summit Singapore 2025.
Evolution of Event Spaces
Chee pointed out the expanding event spaces available in Singapore:
- China Exhibition
- Singapore Expo
- Esplanade
- SunTec
- Royal Ascent
- Eagle Stadium
- SKA Theatre
These venues predominantly occupy the central region of Singapore.
Expanding MICE Infrastructure
Critical developments are underway to enhance the infrastructure for hosting more concerts and exhibitions. Chee stated:
“We have the NS Square, which is set to finish in about a year. Additionally, Marina Bay Sands plans to add a tower with a 15,000-seat capacity.”
(Translation: NS Square会在大约一年的时间内完成，滨海湾金沙计划增建一个容纳15,000人的塔楼。)
The data gathered from the Singapore Tourism Board highlights a growth in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) travelers, with a rise from over 800,000 in 2019 to nearing 1.2 million in 2024.
2023 to 2026
There are numerous incentives for events, with government grants fostering public-private partnerships aimed at bolstering infrastructure for concerts and entertainment. The outlook shows steady growth from 2023 leading into 2026 with events like tennis tournaments, the SEA Games, and the Singapore Grand Prix scheduled.
Concerts Driving Numbers
Concerts have become pivotal in influencing travel habits. Notably, Taylor Swift’s concert is expected to trigger a spike in visitor numbers in March 2024:
“Visitor arrivals soared to nearly 10,000, marking a substantial increase attributed to concert attendance.”
(Translation: **游客人数接近1万，显著增加归因于演唱会的参与。)
Rising Visitor Expenditure
Visitor spending increased from approximately $6 billion in Q1 2023 to $8 billion in the current year, facilitating growth across various sectors including accommodation, shopping, and dining. Chee concluded:
“To attract more tourists, a diverse array of events and experiences is crucial.”
(Translation: **要吸引更多游客，丰富多样的活动和体验至关重要。)
