Singapore's Chinese tourist attraction rate has recovered to 96% compared to before the pandemic, while Thailand reached 63% and Indonesia 48%.
According to data from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), more than 327,000 Chinese visitors visited Singapore in February, up 96% from the same period in 2019. The number of Chinese air ticket bookings to Singapore in the first quarter is estimated to be 101% higher than before the pandemic. Data from Cicium shows that the number of Chinese visitors will continue to increase in the coming months.
Singapore’s Chinese visitor recovery rate far exceeds that of its neighboring markets. Thailand has a Chinese visitor recovery rate of about 63%, Indonesia 48%. In Europe, Chinese arrivals in 2024 are expected to be 40% lower than in 2019, while in the US, the figure is 73%.
Tourists take photos in front of the Merlion statue in Singapore. Photo: AFP
Visa exemption policies, focusing on promoting itself as a safe destination, and organizing many unique cultural and entertainment events have helped Singapore benefit from the Chinese tourist market. During the Lunar New Year, many Chinese tourists flocked to Singapore to visit relatives and friends, and to relax. The website of the Chinese State Council Office in February also stated that "Singapore is one of the countries that benefit the most from attracting Chinese tourists."
Zhuo, who lives in Xiamen, said that "being laid back is one of the attractions of Singapore". In addition, the island nation is highly appreciated for its accessibility, and visitors can easily integrate into local life thanks to the more than 70% ethnic Chinese population.
"Singapore is modern, clean, and expensive," Zhuo said as she walked past the country's iconic Merlion Park. Zhuo said she still felt "at home" in Singapore because she "can still communicate in Mandarin and Hokkien."
Chinese tourists are said to be “big spenders” despite a sluggish domestic economy and weaker consumer sentiment than before the pandemic. Trip.com data shows that the average cost of a trip to Singapore for Chinese visitors is expected to increase by 30% compared to 2023.
Edmund Ong, CEO of Trip.com Singapore, said the increase in Chinese visitors to Singapore was "a good sign". "Not only did the number of visitors increase, but the average spending per visitor also increased," Ong said.
Singapore is also taking steps to attract young Chinese. Yu Peixin, a 20-year-old student at the Shanghai University of Science and Technology, attended the final of Taylor Swift’s six-night concert tour in Singapore in early March. Yu spent more than 4,000 yuan ($556) on the flight, double the usual price. She said it was “worth it” to see Swift perform.
Tourists like Yu are proof that the Singapore government’s exclusive deal with Taylor Swift “has paid off.” The influx of concertgoers to Singapore contributed $225 million to Singapore’s GDP in the first quarter.
Yu and Zhuo both took direct flights from Shanghai and Xiamen to Singapore. Economic hardship and expensive tickets did not deter them from traveling to Singapore.
Lim Ching Kiat, executive vice president of the Aviation and Cargo Development Centre at Changi Airport, said the advantage of the Singapore-China market is its diversity. In addition to tourism and business, many visitors come to visit relatives. They always feel safe and comfortable in Singapore. "I walked around Singapore myself. People are very friendly," Zhuo said.
Anh Minh (According to SCMP )
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