Visa-free policy boosts tourism, exchange with Singapore

Since the mutual visa-free policy between China and Singapore was implemented on Feb 9, travel between the two countries has surged, significantly boosting tourism and fostering cultural exchanges and people-to-people connections.

In the first half of the year, China reclaimed its status as the largest source of foreign tourists for Singapore, while the number of Singaporean visitors to China has also risen notably.

Pedro Li, 29, from Kunming in Yunnan province, recently returned from a trip to Singapore and highly recommends it as a travel destination.

"Compared with other Southeast Asian countries I've visited, I particularly appreciate Singapore's safety and enjoyable environment," said Li, a travel blogger who has visited more than 20 countries.

"Singapore is a clean garden city, with lush greenery and a vibrant atmosphere. Every day you can see people jogging, cycling at night and socializing outdoors. The cultural diversity here is remarkable, with places like Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam each offering unique cultural experiences on this small island.

"Singapore is probably one of the hottest overseas travel destinations for Chinese travelers this summer. Since the visa-free policy came into effect, many of my friends have visited the city-state, especially during events like Taylor Swift's concerts. When I visited it in early August, I found some of my friends are traveling in Singapore as well."

Statistics validate Li's observations. Data from Trip.com Group reveal that flight bookings by Chinese tourists to Singapore from January to June have doubled compared with the previous year, highlighting a robust recovery and rising travel demand.

Andrew Phua, chief representative and executive director of Greater China at Singapore Tourism Board, attributed the rebound to the 30-day mutual visa-free arrangement that allows Chinese travelers to plan trips to Singapore at short notice.

From January to July, Singapore welcomed 1.86 million visitors from the Chinese mainland, a year-on-year increase of 183.6 percent and reaching 84.5 percent of 2019 levels.

"July, which marks the start of summer vacation, also saw strong performance, with the number of visitors to Singapore exceeding that of 2019," Phua said.

Before the pandemic, China was Singapore's largest source of foreign tourists for three consecutive years. Although Chinese tourists ranked second behind Indonesia in numbers last year, they generated the highest tourism revenue for Singapore.

"We are heartened that Singapore remains one of the top destinations for Chinese travelers," Phua said. "In addition to Singapore's reputation as a family-friendly, bilingual and safe destination, our diverse range of tourism offerings, including a wide array of attractions and a robust events calendar, makes Singapore an attractive destination choice for Chinese visitors."

The Singapore Tourism Board is dedicated to keeping Singapore an attractive and accessible destination for visitors from China, a key source market, Phua said. "We are working closely with travel trade partners to promote Singapore's refreshed destination offerings and collaborating with key Chinese payment gateways and banks to offer visitors greater convenience and benefits when spending in Singapore."

Edison Chen, vice-president of Trip.com Group, said: "Singapore remains one of the most popular destinations for global travelers. We aim to strengthen our partnerships and attract more travelers for a unique experience in this beautiful country."

Phua said Chinese visitors are seeking more immersive and in-depth experiences, as well as customized small-group travel itineraries. "Sustainability is also a key theme that Chinese travelers are increasingly paying attention to when traveling," he added, highlighting that Singapore's tourism sector is aligning with these preferences.

Not only are Chinese tourists flocking to Singapore, but the number of Singaporean visitors to China is also on the rise. Since the implementation of the mutual visa-free policy, flight bookings by Singaporean tourists to China have surged.

Data from Trip.com Group showed a 246.2 percent year-on-year increase in bookings from Feb 9 to Aug 14, highlighting the policy's positive effect on travel convenience and tourism between the two countries.

Popular destinations for Singaporean tourists in China include Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Beijing and Kunming, reflecting a broad interest in exploring China's diverse cities and cultural landscapes.