Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia Lead Southeast Asia’s Tourism Surge in 2025
Singapore is on track to break its all-time international arrivals record in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 9.6%, with nearly 16 million visitors expected. A major boost comes from India, where arrivals are set to reach 1.25 million—the highest on record. Chinese tourism is also rebounding, with nearly 2.8 million visitors projected for Singapore this year.
Thailand is experiencing a 5% growth in international arrivals, while Malaysia is set to exceed its 2016 peak by 7%, with visitor numbers rising 10% above 2019 levels. India is also a key driver of tourism growth in the region, fueling strong recovery and record-breaking numbers.
The travel and tourism sector is a significant economic force, contributing $66.1 billion to Singapore’s economy in 2024 and supporting 570,000 jobs. Across Southeast Asia, the sector is expected to generate $551 billion by 2030, with employment rising to 51.5 million jobs.
Despite this expansion, sustainability remains a challenge. Singapore has reduced tourism-related greenhouse gas emissions by 4.1% annually since 2019, but low-carbon energy adoption in the sector remains under 2.5%.
The WTTC urges stronger commitments across the region to accelerate sustainable travel initiatives.
