Tourism - The rivalry between Hong Kong and Singapore
Which Is the better destination for tourists + business people?
Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong for 53 years - I know the place.
I have personally completed 2,340+ Private Tours and Experiences (over 6,500+ guests) since April 2011 and I am considered one of the finest Private Tour Guides in Asia.
A blog post with a difference
Please do visit Hong Kong in 2025 | Travel, Tourism, Tours, Tips, Daily Life and my personal thoughts on Hong Kong.
Hong Kong | Pearl of the Orient
Customised Private Tours & Experiences in Amazing Hong Kong
Pearl of the Orient
Private Tours Cultural Tours Walking Tours Sightseeing Tours City Tours Night Tours Transit Tours Shore Excursions
Carefully Crafted Personalised and Customised Itineraries by Jamie | Hong Kong’s Most Experienced Private Tour Guide For :
Solo Travellers Friends Families Seniors Couples Business People
J3 Group Hong Kong | J3 Consultants Hong Kong | J3 Private Tours Hong Kong
Creating Memories That Will Last A Lifetime
Book Now
Tourism - The very real rivalry between Hong Kong and Singapore
Which Is the better destination for tourists + business travellers?
click on the image to enlarge
This is the fabulous Forest Valley at the Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore, this is an amazing garden and waterfall at the airport
As you may know I have very recently started to use AI as a research tool, I am a typical writer and I get writers block when confronted with a blank screen, AI is proving very helpful in getting me the information I need and it saves me an awful lot of time which means I can pump out more blog posts!
Every image tells a story, in this instance I am posting just 4 images but it absolutely highlights the rivalry between Hong Kong and Singapore when it comes to tourism, we all know that this rivalry exists but it is never officially mentioned by either Government, so I let the images speak!
click on the image to enlarge
This is the Hong Kong response! a small waterfall on a large monitor at arrival hall A at Hong Kong International Airport. not exactly a real rain forest like in Singapore Changi Airport.
I have lived in Hong Kong for 53 years, I love Hong Kong, I was married here, we have raised a family here, it is my home but when it comes to tourism in Hong Kong, sometimes you just have to grit your teeth at some of the inexplicable decisions that are made here (or not made) when it comes to tourism.
Every day these days there are reports on tourism in Hong Kong and the online newspapers love to get quotes from so called Industry veterans (quite often vice presidents of some unknown tourism union or other!) who are full of endless pithy quotes but fall well short of actually suggesting something concrete and viable oh and something that actually makes sense and works.
For quite a few years now I have been writing posts on many tourism subjects in Hong Kong, the good the bad and the ugly and like it or not, Singapore is our main competitor.
I have been to Singapore many times over the decades, we had our honeymoon in Singapore a long time ago, we both love the place but we could never, ever live there but it is a seriously good place to visit and in many cases related to tourism they make us look like amateurs in Hong Kong.
This is most odd as Hong Kong is one of the great cities in the world, as a visitor there is so much to see and do (a lot more than Singapore) and we have world class attractions here (and no, I am not talking about Disneyland) but for some reason Singapore outperforms Hong Kong.
One of my latest suggestions is that the Hong Kong Tourism Board send 50 teams of 2 people to the 50 biggest tourist destinations in the world (cities) for a week and get the full report on tourism in each place which can then be used for future planning and projects, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has a massive budget every year (it does make your wonder what they spend it on) and this would not be that expensive
The HKTB budget for 2025 | 2026 is HK$1.235 Billion or US$158 Million
You can do an awful lot with that and that is my message to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, re think your strategy
But back to that pesky rivalry thing
Singapore Changi Airport is a marvel, it is a tourist attraction in it’s own right and for transit passengers it is simply amazing and that image of the rainforest in the airport is quite real.
I have been to Hong Kong International Airport quite a few times recently and I have only just noticed that in Arrival Hall A there is a large vertical monitor showing a waterfall with gentle water noises in the background, I was actually speechless, Hong Kong International Airport is vast, it opened in 1998 and it is clinically efficient to the nth degree but it sucks for transit passengers unless they book a transit tour as the airport is a long way from town., there are simply not enough seats (it is a very busy airport) and yet it has a lot of large open spaces which could serve a better purpose than just having another restaurant or shop.
I also noticed that behind the artificial electronic waterfall is a huge big ass TV screen, it is massive but to be honest there was nothing interesting being shown on the screen
This leads nicely onto the other comparison, the Observation wheels in both Hong Kong and Singapore.
I have written a few blog posts on this subject
In a nutshell, size matters
Hong Kong Observation Wheel is 60m in height
Singapore Observation Wheel is 165m in height
Amazingly the Hong Kong Government at one stage considered and actually approved a very large Observation Wheel to be built in Kowloon on top of the Ocean Terminal looking across Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong Island, a postcard view to beat all postcard views and then inexplicably that project was canned in favour of a much smaller wheel and located near the Star Ferry Pier on Hong Kong Island and the wheel was just 60m height,
It is dwarfed by skyscrapers and the view of Kowloon is useless, the view of Kowloon from Victoria Peak (behind the wheel) is at 428m and staggering, in a nutshell at 60m height it is just not high enough - whoops….
…..and finally there is one other major issue | problem related to tourism and that is the 2013 new Cruise Ship Terminal at the site of the old airport in Kowloon
We already have a cruise ship terminal next to the Star Ferry in Kowloon in a perfect location in town, it is called the Ocean Terminal
The newish Kai Tak Cruise Ship Terminal (2013) could not be in a worse location for transport and Cruise Ship Passengers hate the location, lots of traffic jams all around the terminal and it is an awful long way from the nearest subway station and oh, taxi drivers have to be paid to go there given its inconvenient location… so what is the issue, well quite simply 10 years before the terminal was opened it was agreed that there would be a subway station at the Cruise Terminal to connect passengers to the main lines, a brilliant idea and yet for one reason or another it was never built and when it was opened in 2013 the Cruise Terminal has been plagued by issues related to transport (in between vessels arriving it is a ghost town) finally after years of negative publicity the Government has finally green lit a subway station or some form of green rail transport system at the Cruise Terminal and it is at least 5 - 7 years away from being completed,
The Terminal should never ever have opened without a subway station given the location of the terminal and recently the Tourism Minister was sacked (the sacrificial goat) over this mess
Somehow you could never imagine this happening in Singapore.
At the end of the day many interesting tourism attractions never see the light of day, not because of money but because of bureaucracy and so much red tape and yet we have some great attractions that where green lit and built in record time (The NP 360 Cable Car to the Big Buddha on Lantau Island) and the remarkable work done on making and extending waterfront promenades on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon
So all is not lost
One final point on this rivalry which does not exist officially - Singapore did everything possible to get on the Formula One car racing circuit, we did not and ended up doing rather pathetic e car racing which just made people laugh and was quickly canned.
To determine which city, Hong Kong or Singapore, is the better tourism destination, particularly in terms of attracting high-spending tourists and Western tourists (from the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe), and to address the perception of their attractions and any governmental statements on their rivalry, I’ll analyze available tourism statistics from 2015 to 2025, provide total tourist arrivals for 2024, and offer an informed opinion based on the data. The analysis will cover tourist spending, visitor demographics, perceptions, government statements, and the appeal of attractions.
Tourism Statistics (2015–2025)
Hong Kong
Visitor Arrivals:
2015: Approximately 60.8 million visitors, with a significant portion from mainland China (45.7 million).
2018: A record 65 million visitors, with mainland China dominating (51 million).
2019: 55.9 million, with a 14% decline due to protests (Mainland: 43.7 million; non-Mainland short-haul: 8.2 million; long-haul: 4.8 million).
2020–2022: Sharp decline due to COVID-19 restrictions, with 3.6 million in 2020, 0.2 million in 2021, and 0.6 million in 2022.
2023: 34 million visitors, recovering but below pre-pandemic levels.
2024: 44.5 million visitors, a 31% increase from 2023, with 34 million (76%) from mainland China.
From January to April 2025, 16 million visitors were recorded, indicating continued growth.Tourism Expenditure:
2011: Per capita spending was HK$7,333.
2014–2018: Per capita spending declined from HK$8,000 in 2014 to HK$6,614 in 2018.
2023: Total spending was HK$177.9 billion.
2024: Inbound visitors spent HK$195 billion (US$25 billion), a 9.6% increase from 2023 but 23.8% below 2019’s HK$256 billion.
Average Per Capita Spending (2024): Approximately US$562 (HK$195 billion ÷ 44.5 million visitors).
Contribution to GDP:
2018: Tourism contributed 4.5% to Hong Kong’s GDP.
2024: Contribution fell to 2.7%, reflecting a shift toward short-stay, cost-conscious travelers.
Key Markets:
In 2024, top non-Mainland markets included Taiwan (1.24 million), Philippines (1.19 million), USA (884,000), South Korea (854,000), Japan (560,000), Thailand (522,000), Singapore (466,000), Malaysia (406,000), India (378,000), and Australia (371,000). Long-haul markets like Canada and Australia showed strong growth in Q4 2024.
Singapore
Visitor Arrivals:
2015: 15.2 million visitors.
2019: A record 19.1 million visitors.
2020–2022: Drastic decline due to COVID-19, with 2.7 million in 2020, 0.33 million in 2021, and partial recovery in 2022.
2023: 13.6 million visitors.
2024: 16.5 million visitors, a 21% increase from 2023.
From January to April 2025, 5.71 million visitors, a 1.08% increase over the same period in 2024.
Tourism Expenditure:
2023: Total spending was S$27.2 billion (US$20.3 billion).
2024: Total spending reached S$29.8 billion (US$22.4 billion from January to September, with full-year estimates at S$29–30.5 billion), a 9.6% increase from 2023 and 46.8% above 2019 levels.
Average Per Capita Spending (2024): Approximately US$1,804 (S$29.8 billion ÷ 16.5 million visitors).
click on the image to enlarge
When it comes to Observation Wheels | Ferris Wheels - Hong Kong is sadly lacking, ours is 60m in height and in totally the wrong location, in Singapore it is 165m in height which is the height of a 42 storey building! top that as they say!
Contribution to Economy:
Tourism is a major contributor to Singapore’s economy, though exact GDP percentages are not specified in the data. The sector’s strong recovery and high per capita spending suggest a significant economic impact.
Key Markets:
In 2024, top markets were Mainland China (3.08 million), Indonesia (2.49 million), India (1.2 million), Malaysia, and Australia. Other notable markets with growth included Japan, Taiwan, the UK, and the USA.
Analysis of High-Spending Tourists
Hong Kong:
In 2024, Hong Kong’s tourism receipts were US$25 billion for 44.5 million visitors, yielding an average per capita spend of US$562. The data suggests a reliance on high-volume, lower-spending visitors, particularly from mainland China (76% of arrivals).
Long-haul markets like the USA, Canada, and Australia contribute higher per capita spending, but their volume (e.g., USA: 884,000; Australia: 371,000) is relatively small.
Hong Kong’s focus on cost-conscious, short-stay travelers and a decline in per capita spending (from HK$8,000 in 2014 to HK$6,614 in 2018) indicate challenges in attracting high-spending tourists.
Singapore:
Singapore’s tourism receipts in 2024 were US$22.4 billion (January–September, with full-year estimates at US$29–30.5 billion) for 16.5 million visitors, resulting in an average per capita spend of US$1,804.
This is significantly higher than Hong Kong’s, reflecting Singapore’s positioning as a premium travel destination. Key high-spending markets include Mainland China (US$3.58 billion), Indonesia (US$2.13 billion), and Australia (US$1.44 billion).
The 25% growth in sightseeing, entertainment, and gaming spending, along with a 17% increase in accommodation spending, underscores Singapore’s appeal to affluent travelers.
Conclusion:
Singapore attracts higher-spending tourists, with per capita spending over three times that of Hong Kong. This is driven by its focus on luxury experiences, high-profile events, and premium infrastructure like Marina Bay Sands and Jewel Changi Airport.
Hong Kong’s tourism model, heavily reliant on mainland Chinese visitors with shorter stays and lower spending, lags in attracting high-spending tourists.
Western Tourists (USA, Canada, Australia, Europe)
Hong Kong:
2019: Long-haul markets (including USA, Canada, Australia, UK) accounted for 4.8 million arrivals, with the USA (1.2 million) and Australia (0.5 million) among the top ten markets.
2024: The USA contributed 884,000 visitors, Australia 371,000, and Canada showed strong Q4 growth (exact figures unavailable). Europe (e.g., UK) also contributed, but specific numbers are limited. Long-haul markets grew by over 50% in 2024, though they remain a small fraction (less than 10%) of total arrivals.
Challenges:
Hong Kong’s recovery for Western tourists is still hampered by perceptions of political instability (e.g., 2019 protests, national security law) and reduced flight connectivity. U.S. and Canadian travel advisories warning of restricted civil liberties may deter visitors, it should be pointed out that Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the world and welcomes visitors with open arms.
Personally speaking, Hong Kong is NOTHING like it is portrayed in the overseas press
Singapore:
2019: Specific Western tourist numbers are not detailed, but long-haul markets like Australia, the USA, and the UK were significant.
2024: Australia (top five market), the USA, and the UK showed strong growth, though exact figures for Western countries are not fully specified. Singapore’s total of 16.5 million visitors includes a diverse mix, with Western markets benefiting from strong air connectivity (41 million international seat capacity in 2024, 98% of 2019 levels).
Advantages: Singapore’s stable political environment, low crime rate, English as a dominant language, and marketing as a “City in Nature” enhance its appeal to Western tourists. Events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix and family-friendly attractions (e.g., Singapore Zoo, Sentosa) further attract these markets.
Conclusion:
Singapore likely attracts more Western tourists due to its safer perception, better flight connectivity, and diverse, modern attractions. Hong Kong’s long-haul market is growing but faces challenges from negative perceptions and lower visitor volumes from Western countries (e.g., USA and Australia combined: ~1.25 million vs. Singapore’s broader appeal).
Perception of Tourist Attractions
Hong Kong:
Key Attractions: Victoria Peak (The Peak), Tian Tan Buddha, Hong Kong Disneyland (7.7 million visitors in 2024), Star Ferry, and Victoria Harbour’s skyline.
These are iconic but often cited as traditional or less innovative compared to Singapore’s offerings.
Perception: A 1999 International Market Research Study by the Hong Kong Tourism Board noted high rankings for Chinese food and shopping but identified a need to diversify into cultural and heritage experiences (e.g., Tai Kwun Centre).
Recent efforts like the “Hello Hong Kong” and “Night Vibes Hong Kong” campaigns aim to rebrand the city as a cultural hub but a strong Hong Kong dollar deter some tourists.
Challenges: Hong Kong’s attractions are seen as less modern, and its tourism recovery lags behind regional competitors due to reliance on mainland Chinese visitors and reduced appeal to Western markets.
Singapore:
Key Attractions: Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Sentosa Island, and Jewel Changi Airport (80 million visitors in 2024).
These are marketed as innovative and sustainable, aligning with the “City in Nature” campaign.
Perception: Singapore is perceived as a modern, safe, and environmentally friendly destination with a strong focus on luxury and family-friendly experiences.
The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 ranked Singapore 13th globally (3rd in Asia), excelling in business environment and international openness but lower in natural and cultural resources (40th). Its attractions are seen as cutting-edge, supported by events like Singapore Art Week and the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Advantages: Singapore’s investment in integrated resorts (Marina Bay Sands, Resorts World Sentosa) and green spaces enhances its appeal. The high visitor numbers to Jewel Changi Airport and Sentosa suggest strong global draw.
Conclusion: Singapore is generally perceived to have better, more modern tourist attractions due to its innovative infrastructure and diverse offerings. Hong Kong’s attractions, while iconic, are seen as less dynamic, and its tourism narrative is overshadowed by political concerns.
Government Statements on Hong Kong vs. Singapore Rivalry
Hong Kong:
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has acknowledged the need to compete with regional destinations like Singapore. In its 2023–24 Work Plan, the HKTB outlined strategies like the “Hello Hong Kong” and “Events Capital of Asia” campaigns to counter competition from Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, which offer visa-free travel to attract mainland Chinese tourists.
Dane Cheng, HKTB’s executive director, acknowledged “twisted perceptions” about Hong Kong, particularly in long-haul markets, due to protests and security laws, indicating efforts to reposition the city as a safe, vibrant destination.
A five-year tourism blueprint (announced December 2024) aims to increase tourism ascendancy tourism’s GDP contribution to 5% by 2029.
Explicit Rivalry Statements: While no direct government statements single out Singapore as a rival, the HKTB’s focus on regional competition (e.g., visa-free policies by Singapore) and the need to diversify source markets beyond mainland China implicitly acknowledges Singapore’s competitive edge.
Singapore:
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) emphasizes Singapore’s position as a “City in Nature” and a premium destination, with statements from STB’s Chief Executive, Melissa Ow, highlighting efforts to enhance destination appeal through events, family-friendly attractions, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) events.
Singapore’s government has historically framed its tourism strategy as a response to regional competition, including Hong Kong, particularly with the development of integrated resorts like Marina Bay Sands to counter Hong Kong’s appeal.
Explicit Rivalry Statements: A Skift article notes the rivalry extends beyond banking, with Singapore’s hotel market outperforming Hong Kong’s due to higher occupancy (77% vs. 73%) and average daily rates (US$314 vs. Hong Kong’s lower rates). The STB does not directly name Hong Kong but emphasizes Singapore’s edge in attracting high-profile events and luxury travelers.
Conclusion:
Both governments recognize the competitive landscape but avoid explicit naming of each other as rivals. Hong Kong’s statements focus on overcoming perception challenges and diversifying markets, while Singapore emphasizes its premium positioning and infrastructure investments, indirectly highlighting its advantages over Hong Kong.
Total Tourists in 2024
Hong Kong: 44.5 million visitors.
Singapore: 16.5 million visitors.
Total: 61 million visitors combined.
Opinion on Which City Is the Better Tourism Destination
High-Spending Tourists:
Singapore is the clear winner, with an average per capita spend of US$1,804 compared to Hong Kong’s US$562 in 2024. Singapore’s focus on luxury experiences, modern attractions, and high-profile events attracts wealthier travelers, while Hong Kong’s reliance on high-volume, lower-spending mainland Chinese visitors limits its appeal to this demographic.
Western Tourists:
Singapore likely attracts more Western tourists due to its stable political environment, English-language accessibility, and diverse, family-friendly attractions. Hong Kong’s recovery in long-haul markets is strong (e.g., USA: 884,000; Australia: 371,000), but negative perceptions remain coupled with travel advisories, hinder its appeal.
Singapore’s robust air connectivity and modern image give it an edge.
Perception of Attractions:
Singapore is perceived as having better, more innovative attractions (e.g., Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay) due to its investment in modern infrastructure and sustainable tourism. Hong Kong’s attractions (e.g., Victoria Peak, Disneyland) are iconic but less dynamic, and its tourism narrative is overshadowed by political concerns.
Overall Destination:
Singapore is the better tourism destination for most travelers, particularly those seeking modern, safe, and premium experiences. Its higher per capita spending, stronger appeal to Western tourists, and innovative attractions give it an advantage.
Hong Kong excels in volume (44.5 million vs. 16.5 million visitors) and cultural authenticity but struggles with perceptions and lower spending per visitor
My insider tip
Please note that in general if you book a tour on Viator or Tripadvisor you generally have NO control over what guide will lead your Private Tour of Hong Kong and this is the most important component of the tour. I urge you to check the actual company website and book via their website and do not forget to read Tripadvisor reviews as well.
© Jamie Lloyd | J3 Consultants Hong Kong | J3 Private Tours Hong Kong |
| 2010 - 2025 All rights reserved. |
Click on any image to enlarge to full screen
Current images from my Instagram feed
