Written reply to PQ on Statistics for Mice Sector in Past Three Years Compared to Pre-Covid-19 Numbers

Question

Mr Darryl David: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what was the number of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) visitors for the past three years; (b) how does this number compare to pre-COVID-19 MICE visitor numbers; and (c) what are Government’s plans, if any, to help the local MICE industry deal with rising costs that might affect Singapore's competitiveness as a preferred MICE venue compared to other regional MICE options.

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong:

1.       Singapore’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry has grown steadily since borders reopened post COVID-19. MICE visitor arrivals reached 830,000 in 2023 and 1.1 million in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic MICE visitor arrivals of 730,000 in 2019. In the first half of 2025, MICE visitor arrivals reached 560,000, indicating sustained momentum in the growth of MICE events attendance.

2.       Singapore’s value proposition as a MICE destination include our world-class infrastructure, excellent connectivity and reputation as a safe, trusted and reliable place to conduct business. To help our MICE industry grow and to stay ahead of regional competition, we are studying the development of a new downtown MICE hub. This hub will enhance our MICE capacity and leisure offerings, and potentially capture a larger share of the growing global MICE market.

3.       We are watching our cost competitiveness closely. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has schemes to further develop our MICE industry. STB’s Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) scheme offers facilitation and funding to encourage the growth of quality events with fresh and innovative content. STB’s programmes^[1] also help MICE businesses adopt more efficient technologies, streamline operations, and upskill workers. This helps our MICE businesses improve productivity, reduce long-term operating costs and strengthen the industry’s competitiveness. We continually review and adjust these schemes if and when necessary to ensure Singapore remains an attractive MICE destination.

^[1]Capability development support schemes include the Business Improvement Fund (BIF), Training Industry Professional in Tourism (TIP-iT) and Tourism Leadership Excellence & Advancement Programme (T-LEAP).