Singapore’s business events sector played a pivotal role in a “landmark year” for the nation’s tourism in 2024, contributing to a record S$29.8 billion (US$22.5 billion) in tourism receipts and a 21 per cent increase in international visitor arrivals to 16.5 million.
This was highlighted by minister for sustainability and the environment and minister-in-charge of trade relations, Grace Fu, during her address at the Tourism Industry Conference 2025 on April 11, 2025.
She added that the “MICE sector had a strong showing, with over 30,000 delegates attending major events like the Asia Tech x Singapore and the Rotary International Convention”. Moreover, Singapore also achieved its best-ever position on the International Congress and Convention (ICCA) Worldwide City Rankings, securing second place globally.
Building on this momentum, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has set an ambitious target to triple tourism receipts from business events by 2040, with STB’s chief executive Melissa Ow noting that collective efforts towards this goal are already “bearing fruit”.
This year, major business events that will be held in Singapore include the inaugural World Sleep Congress 2025; LSI Asia 2025, the first edition of this medtech conference in Asia; the World Robot Olympiad International Finals, which returns to Singapore after two decades; and the 30th edition of SEMICON South-east Asia, with over 18,000 delegates expected.
Looking ahead to 2026, the city-state is set to host the Herbalife Extravaganza 2026 with an anticipated 25,000 visitor arrivals. Meanwhile, the first Asia-Pacific edition of the Passenger Terminal Expo Asia 2026 is expected to bring 3,500 aviation leaders; while Sibos 2027, a major banking and finance conference, is estimated to attract 7,000 delegates.
Messe Berlin, a German trade fair organiser with its Asia Pacific Headquarters in Singapore, will be launching a new tradeshow, Smart Health Asia 2026, targeted at health and tech executives seeking to revolutionise healthcare through digital innovation.
Farther out, Singapore has also won hosting rights for the AIDA World Insurance Congress in 2031; and the 22nd World Conference for Non-Destructive Testing in 2032.
Events hosting in Singapore will benefit from the country’s significant push towards sustainability. Ong Huey Hong, assistant chief executive, industry development group, STB, shared with TTGmice that Singapore is making “good progress” in its commitment to environmental responsibility.
As of March 2025, 100 per cent of all purpose-built MICE venues (such as Resorts World Convention Centre, Sands Expo and Convention Centres, and Singapore Expo); 80 per cent of members in the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers; and 60 per cent of hotel rooms are on track to attain sustainability certifications by the end of the year.
Aside from certifications, STB also encourages event organisers to incorporate sustainable materials in their booths. For instance, Ong shared that ReXtore, a Singapore-based company that offers flexible and zero-waste spaces for events and exhibitions, utilised STB’s Business Improvement Fund to develop a product called Staxx.
“It’s like giant Lego blocks that are used to build up a booth, which can be recycled (for the next event). This was actually used at the recent Singapore FinTech Festival,” said Ong.
A Decarbonisation Playbook for Tourism Businesses was also introduced in March this year to support the industry in making this green transition. This is in addition to STB pioneering a MICE Venue Carbon Baseline last year to minimise carbon emissions for business events.
