Singapore enters top 10 global city destinations

Euromonitor International’s index listed the top 100 most attractive cities.

Singapore has climbed into the top ten of the world’s most attractive cities for the first time, ranking ninth in Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Index 2024.

Vishnu Vardhan, Research Manager at Euromonitor International, said, “Singapore has been consistently ranked among one of the best travel cities globally. This year too, the city performed well and made it to the top 10 list.”

He pinpointed three critical areas contributing to Singapore's rise in the rankings: strong economic and business performance, progressive tourism policies, and significant infrastructural developments.

“The city continues to rank number one when it comes to economic and business performance. This is because of factors like strong GDP per capita, disposable income, and consumers' ability to spend on products and services,” Vardhan noted.

Tourism policies also play a crucial role. In 2024, Singapore is set to enter a mutual visa exemption agreement with China, aiming to double the flow of tourists compared to 2023. “Singapore Tourism Board continues to invest in exploring tourism-friendly policies making entry to the country easier for travelers,” Vardhan highlighted.

“In 2024 we will see a paperless clearance system introduced at all the terminals of Changi Airport, which is expected to significantly boost the operational efficiency of one of the busiest airports in the world,” he added.

Despite these advancements, Singapore faces challenges in sustaining its tourism growth, mainly due to its limited size and higher costs compared to other Southeast Asian destinations. Vardhan noted that “at a time when the global economy is slowing down, travelers are on a lookout for destinations which are more pocket friendly, and this might impact the tourism flows for the city.”