Singapore is 2nd most popular destination in Asia: MasterCard index
The fireworks display at the opening of the SEA Games in Singapore Sports Hub. Photo: Ernest Chua/TODAY
Singapore — Singapore is the second most popular destination in Asia with 11.81 million international overnight visitors, according to MasterCard’s Asia Pacific Destinations Index.
And the top three countries where the Republic’s visitors are from are Indonesia (16.1 percent), China (13.9 percent) and India (7.3 percent).
Bangkok takes the top spot as the most popular destination in Asia with the most number of international overnight arrivals with 21.9 million visitors. Tokyo is placed third with 11.76 million visitors. Kuala Lumpur takes the fourth spot with 11.3 million visitors.
Ms Deborah Heng, group head and general manager, MasterCard Singapore, said: “Despite greater competition from countries in the region such as Thailand and Malaysia, Singapore has proven herself resilient in attracting a growing pool of visitors, coming in second.”
The Asia Pacific Destinations Index ranks 167 destinations, including island resorts, towns and cities, from 22 countries across Asia Pacific by the total number of international overnight arrivals, cross-border spending and the total number of nights spent at each destination.
In terms of where tourists spent the most money, Singapore ranked third at US$14.1 billion (S$20.2 billion), trailing behind Seoul (US$14.4 billion) and Bangkok (US$15.2 billion).
According to the index, tourists in Singapore last year stayed an average of 4.7 nights and spent US$255 per day here.
Here are the top ten rankings:
INTERNATIONAL OVERNIGHT VISITOR NUMBERS
1. Bangkok – 21.9 million
2. Singapore – 11.81 million
3. Tokyo – 11.76 million
4. Kuala Lumpur – 11.3 million
5. Phuket – 9.3 million
6. Seoul – 9.2 million
7. Hong Kong – 8.3 million
8. Pattaya – 8.1 million
9. Bali – 7.2 million
10. Osaka – 6.5 million
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
1. Bangkok – US$15.2 billion
2. Seoul – US$14.4 billion
3. Singapore – US$14.1 billion
4. Tokyo – US$11.9 billion
5. Kuala Lumpur – US$10.5 billion
6. Bali – US$10.3 billion
7. Taipei – US$9.5 billion
8. Phuket – US$8.0 billion
9. Hong Kong – US$6.7 billion
10. Sydney – US$6.0 billion
TOTAL NIGHTS STAYED BY INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS
1. Bangkok – 107 million
2. Sydney – 83 million
3. Kuala Lumpur – 68.5 million
4. Tokyo – 67.8 million
5. Bali – 65.2 million
6. Seoul – 55.6 million
7. Singapore – 55.3 million
8. Melbourne – 53.3 billion
9. Brisbane – 52.3 billion
10. Taipei – 42.3 billion
AVERAGE NIGHTS PER TOURIST
1. Bali – 9.1
2. Kuala Lumpur – 6.1
3. Seoul – 6.0
4. Tokyo – 5.8
5. Bangkok – 4.9
6. Osaka – 4.8
7. Singapore – 4.7
8. Phuket – 4.4
9. Pattaya – 3.4
10. Hong Kong – 3.3
