Question

Ms He Ting Ru: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what is the anticipated increase in tourists into Singapore for the rest of 2022 and 2023; and (b) what is the anticipated increase in Singaporeans travelling overseas for tourism.

Written Answer by Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1. With the implementation of the Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) and streamlining of COVID-19 border measures, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) expects inbound tourism demand to pick up gradually this year. In the first quarter of 2022, there were close to 250,000 visitor arrivals, representing a year-on-year growth of over 250 percent. Forward booking data suggests that visitor arrivals will gather pace in the second half of this year, when the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and a number of other high-profile events are scheduled to take place.  However, it may take several years for visitor arrivals to recover to pre-pandemic levels.

2. As many countries and regions have also reopened their borders to allow fully vaccinated travellers to enter without the need for quarantine, we expect more Singaporeans to travel overseas this year. STB does not collect data on the number of Singaporeans going overseas for tourism.