That’s why a government that believes in tourism and crucially is willing to put money behind this is crucial to ensuring the demand side of the equation stacks up.
Recently we heard from tourism representatives of two different countries, both of which offered examples of integrated thinking when it comes to investing in your own product.
Singapore’s joined-up approach
Singapore's Changi Airport was voted the World's Best Airport in 2025 by research firm Skytrax. It was the 13th time the airport has won the award highlighting what an asset it has become for the country.
The airport is now adding a new fifth terminal that will eventually mean a lot more passengers are able to use it.
"Today we've got about 90 million in terms of passenger capacity and with the expansion of Terminal 5, we'll be increasing our capacity by 50 per cent. So we'll hit and we'll be able to manage a passenger capacity of 140 million,” said Rachel Loh, executive director, hospitality & tourism talent - Singapore Tourism Board at IHIF Asia 2025.
Of the world’s top 10 busiest international routes, three of them either start or end in Singapore, highlighting the country’s importance as a travel hub.
"We definitely see this growth, we definitely see this demand and we're building ahead to anticipate that," Loh said.
It’s not just airports where Singapore’s joined-up approach to economic development has been highlighted. Twenty years ago the country started planning what it called ‘integrated resorts’ with two emerging: Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.
“They recently both broke ground for new developments that are upcoming in the next couple of years,” said Loh.
She added: “What's been exciting and interesting for us is that while we had planned integrated resorts and allocated land and had a whole regulatory framework around that many, many years ago, we continue to see the commitment from private sector in rejuvenating and continuing the enhancements of their assets um in Singapore."
Oman’s commitment to transport connectivity
Like Singapore, Oman sees investing in its transport infrastructure as being crucial for visitor number growth.
In 2018 Muscat International Airport opened up a new terminal increasing capacity at the airport to 20 million with the potential to increase this to up to 48 million.
The country is also investing heavily in its road network.
“That matters to tourists … because they need to get to their destination very easily, very safely,” said Shabib Al Maamari, managing director of Visit Oman.
The country is also looking at how its extensive network of ports can be used to further expand the tourism sector.
"The government [has] been doing a very good job in creating these massive infrastructure [projects]. Now we're looking at the private sector also to complement that investment,” he said.
By Patrick Whyte
