Indian tourists are playing a major role in driving Singapore’s luxury retail sector, emerging among the top global spenders on high-end goods despite a broader global slowdown in premium consumer spending, reported the Press Trust of India.
According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Indian tourists spent S$812.17 million in the first half of 2025 – a 4.4 per cent increase over the same period last year.
India remains one of Singapore’s “most commercially significant markets,” said Mr Mark Shaw, chairman of the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA), which manages the city’s iconic shopping belt.
“Indian travellers have high spending power and tend to stay longer, averaging 6.3 days per visit. This leads to greater discretionary spending across retail, dining, attractions, and accommodation,” Mr Shaw noted, highlighting increased footfalls at Orchard Road’s Christmas Market and Village.
India’s growing base of affluent consumers is fuelling demand for jewellery, high-end fashion, and luxury experiences. The Mastercard Economics Institute’s 2024 Travel Trends report noted a rising appetite for premium products among Indian outbound travellers, reflecting both higher disposable incomes and evolving aspirational lifestyles.
According to the PTI report, Indian arrivals reached 1.03 million in the first 10 months of 2025, marking a 2.6 per cent year-on-year rise. Singapore, meanwhile, welcomed 14.25 million visitors overall during this period – a 2.5 per cent increase.
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15 Dec 2025 13:35
