Singapore claims new record with 9 millionth visitor
Singapore’s tourism sector reached a milestone early Wednesday morning, when its 9 millionth visitor landed at Changi Airport’s Terminal 2, with the Singapore Tourism Board saying that the record-setting figure is testament to a strong growth momentum that might also see total tourist receipts break the S$12 billion mark.
With colourful drums, costumed dancers and a rain of petals, it was an unusual morning call for Singapore’s 9 millionth visitor, with Dr Vladykina Elena declared the lucky winner shortly after stepping off her flight from Moscow at 5.04am.
Dr Elena said, “It’s the first time such a thing has happened to me and it’s unbelievable. I’m like in paradise and I hope everything would be like it was today, with flowers, with other things that were really pleasant”.
The fanfare also marked a homecoming for the Russian, who lived in Singapore 15 years ago, with the welcome including complimentary hotel stays, shopping and spa vouchers and business-class return tickets for two, totalling S$35,000.
This is the first time visitor levels have surged past the 9-million mark, and in a much shorter time than expected and Dr Chan Tat Hon, Assistant Chief Executive (Leisure), Singapore Tourism Board, said: “In 1995, we received more than 7 million visitors for the first time in a year but it took us almost 10 years before we hit the 8-million mark in 2004. Now it’s taken us only two years for us to hit the 9 million mark.
“This is very strong growth momentum that we’re seeing, a very broad-based growth momentum for tourism, because on top of hitting this 9 million mark, we’re also seeing record highs in hotel occupancy rate, average room rate, and even the total tourism spend.”
The tourism board is confident that, at this rate, total tourist spending is on track to exceed S$12 billion this year.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists