The city-state recorded 1.61 million international visitor arrivals in August, down 1.2% from July but unchanged from a year earlier, according to the latest Singapore Tourism Board data.

Overnight visitors accounted for 1.24 million arrivals in August, up nearly 6% from July, but down 2.2% from a year ago.

Tourists pose for photographs at Merlion Park in Singapore, Jan. 27, 2023. Photo by Reuters

In August, the top five source markets for tourists to Singapore were: China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and India.

Of the five markets, only China and Malaysia recorded year-on-year growth in visitor contributions during the month.

The city state is increasing public investment in the tourism sector, aiming to attract between 17 million and 18 million visitors in 2026 amid geopolitical tensions and rising competitions from Southeast Asian countries, The Straits Times reported.

Singapore is seeking to boost year-end tourism by launching new routes and increasing flight frequencies to Asian tourism hubs and Europe.