- Flight bookings for travel to Singapore during the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2025 season have been climbing since June
- 75% of visitors plan on staying two to seven days while in Singapore for the races
- Hospitality businesses roll out limited-time experiences and deals to boost takings
The promise of a thrilling night race and an impressive entertainment line-up featuring high-profile international acts over three days, from October 3 to 5, 2025, is drawing overseas Formula 1 fans to Singapore. Flight data shows bookings for Singapore ahead of the races are up since June, while hotels are enjoying a more lively booking pace compared to 2024.
Sojern’s latest travel insights noted that flight bookings had begun climbing in early June, with volumes now tracking four per cent higher year-on-year at the same lead time.
Data identified Australia as the leading source market for flight bookings for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2025 race week, comprising 18.7 per cent of total booking volume.
South Korea (12.2 per cent), the UK (7.8 per cent), China (11.4 per cent), and Taiwan (6.8 per cent) make up the rest of the top five markets.
Long-hual markets have shifted to a lower gear, noted Sojern researchers. Booking momentum from Europe, the Middle East, and North America is slower this year compared to the last.
Solo travellers lead bookings, but Sojern has highlighted a pick up in bookings by family groups – 19 per cent this year versus 12.5 per cent in 2024.
Race fans are arriving at different stages – Asia-Pacific travellers favour flying into the city-state on October 2, while Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) fans are giving themselves two to three extra days in Singapore before the tracks heat up. North Americans touch down as early as a week prior.
Indeed, visitors are maximising their time in Singapore, with 75 per cent of visitors planning to stay two to seven days – up from 72 per cent in 2024. Longer stays are more common among EMEA, US and Canadian travellers than Asia-Pacific visitors.
Wong Kar Ling, chief strategy officer and managing director, Southeast Asia for Ascott, said the home of the original F1 night race “continues to draw visitors from around the world each year, significantly boosting business for the hospitality industry”.
She told TTG Asia that Ascott is “running almost 30 per cent ahead in revenue from race period stays compared to last year, supported by an uplift in average daily rates”.
“As we approach the October race weekend, occupancy across our diverse portfolio of properties spanning hotels, serviced residences and social living properties in Singapore is tracking well above 60 per cent, which aligns with broader market performance. Based on past years’ trends, we expect to hit an occupancy of over 90 per cent across our portfolio in Singapore over the race weekend,” added Wong.
Wyndham Singapore Hotel, an upscale property in the heart of the civic district and within walking distance of several entry gates to the race circuit, will run at almost full occupancy for the race weekend, according to its spokesperson Gilbert Ong.
Ong attributed the strong demand to the hotel’s central location near Marina Bay.
“The majority of our bookings are from international guests, many of whom are specifically here for the F1 races,” he added.
While F1 race fans “show a clear preference” for track-side and city stays, evidenced by a faster booking pace at Ascott properties close to the race hub, Wong noted that Ascott’s hotels elsewhere are benefitting from an “increasingly diverse international audience” that is attracted to the Singapore races.
“A growing segment of visitors now weighs factors such as value for money and authentic local experiences when selecting their accommodation. This shift reflects the race weekend’s evolution from a niche motorsport event to a broader lifestyle and entertainment destination,” she explained.
An opportunity to boost takings
Hospitality businesses in Singapore are banking on the festive vibes of the race weekend to attract both local guests and foreign visitors, dangling limited-time experiences and deals to boost takings.
Wyndham Singapore Hotel is leveraging its prime location and million-dollar view of the race circuit from its Sky Lounge on the 22nd floor, with a lavish dinner party on October 5, when the Grand Prix flags off.
Ong said the hotel fielded “numerous enquires” before details of the one-night-only special race dinner were released this week.
At The Robertson House by The Crest Collection, a property along the historic Singapore River, a multi-course Dr Robertson’s Culinary Voyage is served, introducing guests to flavours of the past and present while paying homage to the municipal councillor from colonial Singapore.
Race festivities extend to Sentosa island, where Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa is hosting a Race Car Simulator Challenge from October 3 to 5 at LeBar for spending guests. Participants stand to win stays, feasts, and bottles of bubblies.
Arapally brings over 20 years of international hospitality and sustainability experience. She founded Sustainability Kiosk in 2022, a platform with more than 70 validated solutions that help hotels reduce waste, cut costs, and progress towards net zero while maintaining operational efficiency. The platform has worked with groups including Minor Hotels, The First Group, and Millennium Hotels.
