Singapore Rises As One Of The Most Searched Chinese New Year Getaways For Mainland Travellers
Singapore has climbed the ranks as one of the most in-demand overseas destinations for travellers from mainland China during the Chinese New Year period, reflecting a strong rebound in regional tourism and international travel demand.
According to travel platform data reported by The Straits Times, Singapore emerged as the second-most searched overseas destination among Chinese travellers for the festive season. The city-state ranked just behind Paris, with Bangkok taking third spot. Search interest in Singapore reportedly surged more than four times compared to the previous year, signalling renewed confidence in outbound travel.
The spike comes as China rolls out an extended nine-day Chinese New Year holiday, traditionally one of the busiest travel periods in the world. Millions are expected to travel domestically and internationally, boosting the global travel industry, airline bookings, hotel reservations and related tourism revenue.
Singapore Climbs Higher On Chinese Travellers’ Wish Lists
Industry observers say Singapore’s appeal lies in its reputation as a safe, efficient and culturally familiar destination. For many mainland visitors, the city offers a convenient short-haul option with strong transport links, visa-friendly policies and well-developed tourism infrastructure.
Data from Booking.com indicated that Singapore was the second-most searched overseas location for Chinese travellers during the festive break. Meanwhile, travel platform Trip.com identified mainland China as the top source market for inbound travel to Singapore during the holiday, followed by Malaysia and Indonesia.
Travel marketing firm Sojern also reported a broader rebound in outbound demand, noting that flight bookings from China rose by 21 per cent year-on-year, while hotel bookings increased by 23 per cent. Singapore ranked among the regional destinations seeing the strongest growth in bookings, alongside Thailand, Australia and South Korea.
The steady rise in visitor numbers is expected to benefit Singapore’s hospitality sector, retail industry and luxury travel market, particularly during peak festive spending periods.
Changi Airport Expands Capacity For Festive Surge
To accommodate the anticipated influx of travellers, Changi Airport Group announced that six Chinese carriers would operate more than 600 additional flights between Singapore and 15 cities in China during the festive season.
Notably, seasonal flights have been introduced to several secondary Chinese cities, including Nanchang, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Wuhan and Zhengzhou. This marks a widening of connectivity beyond major hubs such as Beijing and Shanghai, reflecting broader demand from across China.
The expansion in flight capacity is expected to further strengthen Singapore’s position as a regional aviation hub and reinforce its role in Southeast Asia’s travel ecosystem.
Why Singapore Is Gaining Ground Over Other Destinations
Analysts suggest shifting travel preferences may also be contributing to Singapore’s rise. Some Chinese travellers are reportedly reconsidering trips to Japan amid geopolitical tensions, instead opting for Southeast Asian destinations perceived as stable and welcoming.
Singapore’s strong air connectivity, established tourism branding and reputation for safety continue to enhance its appeal, even though accommodation and dining costs remain comparatively high.
As outbound travel from China gathers pace, Singapore appears well-positioned to capitalise on the momentum. With increased airline capacity, robust hotel demand and sustained search interest, the Lion City is set to remain a key beneficiary of the festive travel wave and the broader recovery of Asia-Pacific tourism.