Quick takes

Dubai wins 349 event bids in 2023

There is plenty of talk about Saudi Arabia investing a lot of capital into its MICE sector, but this shows just how far ahead the UAE remains. Dubai won a record 349 business event bids in 2023, reflecting a 49% increase in successful bids compared to 2022.

Singapore keeps focused as visitor numbers rebound

The Lion City’s international visitor numbers hit 13.6 million in 2023 – 71% of 2019 arrivals. Accord to the Singapore Tourism Board that figure was within its forecast of between 12 million and 14 million visitors. Tourism receipts were approximately 88% to 94% of 2019 figures.

Indian visa-waivers paying off for Southeast Asia

In recent months, Southeast Asian markets have begun to offer visa-waivers to Chinese and Indian travellers. That strategy has begun to payoff. Indian outbound demand for destinations like Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka have started to increase. Searches for Thailand from India have grown 45% since its visa-waiver came into effect.