Trip.com has observed a sharp rise in inbound travel bookings to Singapore for the July-August period, driven by international sports fans attending two major events: the World Aquatics Championships 2025 and the Singapore Festival of Football 2025.
Bookings for the World Aquatics Championships period (July 11 to August 3) rose by 31 per cent compared to the same period last year. Travel demand during the Singapore Festival of Football (July 23 to 27) increased by 50 per cent year-on-year.
The events are expected to draw thousands of international visitors, reinforcing Singapore’s position as a key destination for sports and event tourism in Asia.
Most people travelling to Singapore for the World Aquatics Championships 2025 are millennials, making up 53 per cent of bookings. Generation X follows at 26 per cent, while Gen Z accounts for 17 per cent. Only 5 per cent of travellers are from the Baby Boomer generation.
Indonesia saw the biggest jump in travel bookings to Singapore during the event, with a 36 per cent increase compared to last year. Other strong markets include China (+24 per cent), Thailand (+16 per cent), Malaysia (+14 per cent), and Hong Kong (+11 per cent).
Nearly half of all visitors are booking four-star hotels. Three-star hotels make up 31 per cent of bookings, while 23 per cent chose five-star stays.
Elsewhere in South-east Asia, major sporting events are also driving tourism. Travel to Jakarta for the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships is up 151 per cent. Bangkok’s SEA Games saw a 93 per cent increase. Manila’s Volleyball Men’s World Championship grew 32 per cent, and the Women’s tournament in Phuket and Bangkok rose by 10 per cent.
“Sporting events like the World Aquatics Championships and the Singapore Festival of Football are powerful catalysts for international travel. Singapore is increasingly positioned as a hub for global sporting spectacles, drawing visitors from around the world,” said Edmund Ong, general manager, Trip.com Singapore.
“Younger travellers are especially keen on travelling for live sporting experiences and are opting for more premium accommodation. This reflects the growing appeal of event-driven tourism and underscores the importance of catering to the evolving needs of sports fans on the move.
Ong added that with Singapore hosting major events such as the World Aquatics Championships 2025, the growth of sports tourism is expected to drive travel flows across the region and benefit the broader travel industry.
