Tourism Industry Conference 2026
Tourism Resilience in an Evolving World. Discover highlights from the Tourism Industry Conference 2026, where we focus on future-proofing the tourism sector.
Last updated 8 May 2026
About TIC 2026
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Held annually, the Tourism Industry Conference (TIC) is organised by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and attended by tourism stakeholders, related businesses, and media.
This year’s theme, Tourism Resilience in an Evolving World, focuses on future-proofing the tourism sector and features a special exhibition of integrated tech experiences and AI solutions, along with a showcase of the Orchard Road rejuvenation plan and the Greater Sentosa Master Plan.
Key Highlights from TIC 2026
Opening address by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Ms Grace Fu
Ms Grace Fu opens the Conference by highlighting 2025’s record-high tourism receipts. She announces the $740 million Tourism Development Fund, which supports STB’s ambitions under Tourism 2040 as we chart the next bound of growth. She also shares updates on key infrastructure developments, precinct rejuvenation projects and industry development initiatives in the areas of digital transformation and capability building. In response to the Middle East energy crisis, she announces various measures to drive visitor demand and to build innovative experiences, reiterating STB’s and the industry’s partnership in strengthening Singapore as an attractive, world-class destination.
Read the full speech by Ms Grace Fu
Speech by Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, Ms Melissa Ow
Ms Melissa Ow opens her presentation by announcing a record-high of $32.8 billion in tourism receipts and 16.9 million visitor arrivals in 2025, as well as the industry’s achievements in 2025. She highlighted the tourism sector’s efforts in laying a strong foundation to navigate present challenges like the Middle East energy crisis, and bolster growth for the future. Looking ahead, she shares key projects that will support the three pillars of Tourism 2040 – to drive demand, create an attractive destination, and advance the development of a future-ready sector.
Read the full speech by Ms Melissa Ow
Tech Plenary: Building Tomorrow’s Travel: Harnessing Data & Technology for Tourism Growth
Chief Technology Officer, Singapore Tourism Board, Mr Jordan Tan and Guest Speaker, Mr Girish Dilip Patil, Head of Technology (GenAI), Amazon Web Services ASEAN
Mr Jordan Tan announces STB’s AI Playbook for Tourism and the new Tcube Centre of Excellence (CoE), two key announcements for accelerating tech transformation in the industry. The AI Playbook for Tourism and Tcube CoE provide tourism businesses with the tools and resources to harness data and AI capabilities, enhancing productivity and visitor experience.
Guest speaker Mr Girish Dilip Patil also shares how advancements in AI are paving the way for smarter, more efficient tourism enterprises.
Strengthening Destination Competitiveness Through Consumer Insights and Segment-Focused Marketing
Sharing by Assistant Chief Executive, Marketing Group, Singapore Tourism Board, Mr Kenneth Lim
Mr Kenneth Lim unveils STB’s refreshed marketing strategy to support Tourism 2040, through longer-term partnerships, deeper consumer insights and the shift towards long-running marketing content. He shares key announcements in STB’s marketing, including the partnership with Universal Music Singapore and the upcoming Families with Kids campaign.
Presentation deck by Mr Kenneth Lim
Driving Growth Amidst Volatility
Sharing by Assistant Chief Executive, International Group, Singapore Tourism Board, Mr Oliver Chong
Mr Oliver Chong shares an update on tourism performance from Singapore's top source markets in 2025 and STB’s overall focus areas for leisure and MICE marketing in 2026. He also covers the performance and outlook of Singapore's key source markets including Greater China, Southeast Asia, Australia, India, North Asia, Europe and the US, and STB’s strategies to drive growth amidst a challenging and evolving global landscape.
Presentation deck by Mr Oliver Chong
Exhibition Highlights
This year's TIC features a special exhibition highlighting robotics and AI solutions, as well as showcases for the Orchard Road rejuvenation plan and the Greater Sentosa Master Plan — reflecting STB's commitment to keeping Singapore a vibrant and dynamic destination, primed for investment opportunities, growth, and transformation.
Downtown MICE Hub Networking Session, 15 May 2026
At the Tourism Industry Conference on 8 May 2026, the Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Grace Fu, announced that we have identified the Straits View area, near Marina Bay as the potential location for the Downtown MICE Hub (DMH).
The DMH is envisioned as an integrated development where delegates could seamlessly experience world-class MICE facilities, accommodation, dining and retail, entertainment, and attractions. This development would allow Singapore to host large events and grow MICE capacity in the city centre, to meet STB’s ambition to triple MICE tourism receipts by 2040.
STB intends to launch a Request for Proposal (RFP) in 2027 to appoint a master developer and MICE operator; developers will be required to partner MICE players to jointly submit tender bids. To facilitate these partnerships, STB is holding a networking session on 15 May 2026, where developers and MICE players can meet, network and find out more about this exciting opportunity.
This networking session is only open to developers and MICE players. To secure your place, please complete the form at Form SG by 13 May 2026, 1200hrs. Due to limited capacity, registration is limited to 2 participants per company. A non-disclosure agreement will be sent to your email post-registration. Please complete it latest by 14 May, 1500hrs. For any questions, please email STB_DMH_Networking_Session@stb.gov.sg.
About the Tourism Industry Conference
The Tourism Industry Conference is organised annually by STB as a collaborative platform for the tourism and travel sector to discuss strategies and opportunities for the sector moving forward.