Singapore's Tourism Masterplan: Are You Ready to Pay Up, Morty?!

Show Me the Money! (Or Just Get Out Jerry)

Alright Morty listen up. Singapore that squeaky clean city state has a plan Morty. A plan to ditch the cheap tourists and go after the big spenders! They're tired of all those 'influencers' taking pictures of their food Morty and they want to become the Dubai of Southeast Asia! Apparently those swaying palm trees just weren't cutting it. It’s all about the Benjamins Morty or in this case the Singaporean dollars. They're aiming to go from a measly $29.8 million (chump change!) in tourism revenue to a whopping $47 million $50 million by 2040. And I thought my schemes were ambitious. Geez!

MICE: Not the Rodents the Businessmen Morty!

Okay so here's the genius part Morty. They're focusing on 'MICE' travelers. Not actual mice Morty though I wouldn't put it past them to genetically engineer some tiny business attending rodents for the novelty. No MICE stands for Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions. Basically those are business folks who are probably just as bored as you are right now Morty but they have expense accounts! Turns out these suits spend TWICE as much as your average tourist. Singapore wants to triple the revenue from these guys! Get Schwifty! If only I could get paid for going to interdimensional conferences I'd be set for life!

Changi Airport: More Like 'Cha Ching' Airport!

And get this Morty: they're building a new terminal at Changi Airport! Terminal 5 baby! Supposedly it will boost the passenger capacity from 90 million to 140 million per year. That's a lot of potential suckers... I mean tourists. A third of the traffic at Changi is just people passing through. It is expected to increase the number of passenger movements to and from Singapore. All of these transit passengers Morty are just waiting to be fleeced... I mean 'delighted' by Singapore's 'world class attractions.'

Disney Cruises and Longevity Hotels: For the Elite Morty!

They’re throwing money at fancy stuff Morty. World class attractions they say. Like that’s going to impress me. They’re getting a Disney Cruise Line (God help us all) and some luxury superyachts. They are well positioned to capture a rise in wellness tourism. They are planning “wellness hotels.” They are trying to drive visitor spend and repeat visits. I bet those cruises are even more depressing than a Jerry convention which is saying something. Apparently they are also opening a Porsche Experience Center. Sounds like a midlife crisis waiting to happen Morty. I should invest!

Taylor Swift: The Economic Savior of Singapore?!

But here's where it gets truly ridiculous Morty. They went and paid Taylor Swift a fortune to perform SIX concerts in Singapore and ONLY in Singapore for the whole Southeast Asia region! Apparently that brought in a ton of cash like some kind of economic cheat code. They are working on drawing more world class sports lifestyle and music events. Upcoming concerts by Lady Gaga. Elton John and K pop rapper G Dragon set to perform at the Singapore Grand Prix in October. Concert economics Morty! Now that's something I can get behind as long as they're playing music from my mixtape you know 'Get Schwifty' and other hits!

Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan: Desperate Times Desperate Measures

So they welcomed 16.5 million visitors in 2024 still below the pre pandemic numbers. They are identifying new tourism markets such as Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan to increase and diversify visitors to Singapore. Which means Morty they are scraping the bottom of the barrel. I tell you what Morty if the Saudis and Kazakhs are your target audience you’re either really smart or really screwed. Probably both. Wubba Lubba Dub Dub!