Questions about the hospitality and tourism sector answered:
- What is Singapore’s hospitality and tourism sector?
- Is the hospitality and tourism sector stable if you’re considering a mid-career switch?
- What kind of jobs are there in the hospitality and tourism sector?
- What’s the salary like?
- What are the growth areas in the hospitality and tourism sector?
- What courses or skills are needed to join the hospitality and tourism sector?
About Singapore’s hospitality and tourism services sector
Home to many world-class attractions, such as the Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa Island, and the Singapore Zoo just to name a few, Singapore is known around the world as an exciting travel destination, a modern dining and shopping paradise with a diverse cultural landscape.
A key enabler of Singapore’s economy, the sector encompasses a wide range of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, attractions, and transportation services, and contributes about 4% of Singapore’s annual gross domestic product (GDP).
Size of the market
According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Singapore saw a record 19.1 million visitors and $27.7 billion in revenue in 2019. In the same year, the sector contributed $55.2 billion to Singapore’s GDP.
Aside from promoting Singapore’s image and reputation as a world-class destination for business and leisure, the hospitality and tourism sector helps to attract foreign investment, talent and business opportunities. The sector also creates a multiplier effect on other industries by increasing the demand for goods and services through tourist receipts.
Why is this sector important to Singapore’s economy?
International visitor arrivals to Singapore are expected to reach 12 million to 14 million in 2023, and numbers will increase by 2024. Tourism receipts are also anticipated to climb from $18 billion to $21 billion.
“Our 2022 tourism performance underscores Singapore’s appeal as a leading business and leisure destination for post-pandemic travellers,” said Keith Tan, STB’s chief executive.
With tourism numbers picking up, stakeholders in the tourism sector are riding on the momentum to expand existing infrastructure to meet rising demands.
“To sustain our growth in 2023 and beyond, we will expand our partnerships, build up a rich year-round calendar of events, ramp up investment in new and refreshed products and experiences, and continue to support industry efforts to build the capabilities they need to meet consumer demands,” he adds.
Growth areas and outlook of the hospitality and tourism services sector
In a bid to bring fresh offerings into the sector, Keith shared that wellness will be a key part of Singapore’s tourism offerings in the next decade.
“Singapore is not known as a wellness destination and, frankly, if you ask a lot of locals, they don’t associate Singapore with (that). But when you survey the landscape and see what’s out there (with) companies that provide wellness solutions, there’s a lot available that’s underappreciated and not well known,” he said.
With this new strategic focus, tourism companies are also actively recruiting to support economic recovery, and the emerging sectors of sustainability and wellness have also made new roles and skill sets necessary.
Another key area that the sector is tapping into is the demand for sustainable products and services. Speaking to the Straits Times, Jeannie Lim, STB’s assistant chief executive (policy planning group) shared that with increased environmental consciousness, tourists have a greater interest in sustainable travel options, such as eco-friendly hotels and attractions. She said:
“As tourism businesses continue to push the frontier in developing sustainable products, infrastructure and experiences, we see an increasing demand for green jobs such as a sustainability manager or a carbon accountant.”
Mid-career switch: Why is the hospitality and tourism sector a good choice?
As tourists are returning to Singapore in the millions again, the sector is looking to bolster its workforce to meet the rising accommodation demands and services. Amid a myriad of opportunities in the tourism sector, there is an emerging demand for skillsets in areas such as sustainability, wellness, and digitalisation.
Aileen Wong, Singapore Tourism Board’s director for Tourism Human Capital and Sustainability shares:
“With tourism businesses continuing to push the frontier in developing sustainable products, infrastructure, and experiences, we foresee an increasing demand for sustainability-related jobs.”
With evolving consumer demands and service offerings enhancements, hospitality and tourism companies are looking for service leaders who can drive innovation, improve customer experiences, and streamline operations.
Michelle Woon, head of human resources for dnata Singapore, a ground handling provider at Singapore Changi Airport, shares: “Operational staff supporting the safe and secure aircraft turnaround can rise to supervisory levels roles ranging from flight-in-charge to cargo agents.”
Aside from senior roles, there is also an urgent need to fill specialised roles to support enhanced services.
Ng Gian Heng, Director of Human Resources at Capella Singapore, shares: “At Capella Singapore, we’re looking to hire for specialised roles such as our Capella Culturists. These are highly specialised individuals responsible for curating the entire stay experience for our guests.”
Types of jobs in the hospitality and tourism services sector
Jobs in the sector cover a broad spectrum of roles and don’t necessarily require you to be on the frontline, interacting directly with customers. Here are some examples of job roles in the sector that we’ve compiled for your information:
- Maintenance Duty Technician
- Social Media Marketing Executive
- Procurement Manager
- Advertising Account Executive
- Housekeeping Supervisor
- Human Resource Executive
- Revenue Manager
- Security Officer
- Laundry Assistant
- Facilities Management Executive
What’s the salary like in the hospitality and tourism services sector?
With nearly 4,000 job openings in the tourism industry including roles in sustainability and urban wellness, Singapore’s hospitality and tourism sector is priming itself to come back stronger than ever.
Here are some examples listed on the MyCareersFuture portal:
| Role | Salary Range |
| Business Analyst | $5,500 to $8,800 |
| Concierge/Helpdesk Officer | $1,900 to $3,500 |
| Customer Service Manager | $4,100 to $6,500 |
| Events Manager | $3,500 to $5,000 |
| Food & Beverage Executive | $2,700 to $3,500 |
| Guest Relations Officer | $2,100 to $3,500 |
| Operations Executive | $2,500 to $3,500 |
| Sales/Business Development Manager | $6,000 to $10,000 |
| Sustainability Executive | $3,500 to $5,500 |
| Travel Consultant | $2,000 to $4,000 |
What courses or skills are needed to join the hospitality and tourism services sector?
Jobseekers or mid-career switchers who are keen on joining the hospitality and tourism services sector as a hospitality and tourism worker can get support and On-the-Job Training by signing up for the following Career Conversion Programmes by Workforce Singapore:
STB also launched the Tourism Careers Hub (TCH) in 2022 to render proactive employment and employability assistance, develop sector-specific capabilities and encourage technology transformation and business innovation for all tourism workers and businesses.
“As of December 2022, the TCH has helped matched companies with jobseekers, and filled more than 500 roles in the tourism sector,” said Aileen.
If you need professional advice on navigating your career journey, register here to speak to a career coach. Meanwhile, we have compiled a list of relevant articles to help you learn more about the sector.
Art of Service: These Singaporeans Found a Rewarding Career in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector
Back to Business: Is Now the Time to Consider Switching to the Tourism Industry?
An Insider’s Guide to Switching to a Career in Hospitality
Interesting Careers to Explore in Singapore’s Hospitality Industry
Thinking of a Career in Singapore’s Hospitality and F&B Industry? Here’s What Roles Are Available
Find Out What Drew These Two Singaporeans to the Hospitality Industry
Working in the Travel Industry: 5 Tips to Grow Your Career
Essential Skills for the Hospitality Industry
Hospitality Industry Trends: What You Need to Know When Starting Out
Working in Singapore’s Hotel Industry: Insights From Amara’s SVP
Working in the Singapore Hotel Industry: An Inside Look What a Job is Like
Journeys of Resilient Companies: Chan Brothers Group’s Move From Turbulence to Safe Landings
