In a city with no shortage of ambitious developments, a fresh wave of projects – alongside renewed efforts to rejuvenate some of Singapore’s most iconic precincts – emerged as key themes at Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) annual Tourism Industry Conference 2026.

Speaking at the 8 May event at Resorts World Convention Centre, STB chief executive Melissa Ow struck an optimistic note, pointing to strong momentum toward Singapore’s long-term Tourism 2040 ambitions. “In 2025, we achieved a record of $32.8 billion Singapore dollars in tourism receipts and welcomed 16.9 million visitors to our shores.”

Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations, described Singapore’s stellar tourism performance as being “driven by a strong lineup of events and experiences through 2025”, while stressing the need to find “fresh ways to tell the Singapore story together”.

Singapore would continue refining its marketing strategies to meet travellers seeking “meaningful and captivating experiences” said STB chief executive Melissa Ow. Photo Credit: Natalie Joy Lee

Elevating Singapore’s cruise hub position

With cruise demand in Asia continuing its upward trajectory, Singapore is moving to expand its cruise infrastructure to support rising homeport and transit traffic.

The government is studying the feasibility of a new integrated cruise and ferry terminal at Straits View, adjacent to Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS), as part of the wider Greater Southern Waterfront development. The area has also been identified as the potential site of the future Downtown MICE Hub, complementing the upcoming wellness attraction at Marina South Coast.

The proposed terminal could accommodate three cruise berths and up to 10 ferry berths, increasing passenger handling capacity to 1.5 times that of the existing MBCCS and twice that of the current HarbourFront Passenger Terminal.

Meanwhile, the HarbourFront Passenger Terminal will relocate to a new purpose-built facility adjacent to the current terminal and reopen as Singapore Cruise Centre (HarbourFront) on 15 July 2026. Key enhancements will include a dedicated VIP lounge and an automated baggage handling system.

Orchard Road refresh to bring new concepts and energy

Included in the refresh: Live Nation's first Southeast Asia venue, a 3,000-capacity hall in Singapore’s Orchard Road hosting global and local acts. Photo Credit: Live Nation

Singapore’s iconic Orchard Road shopping belt is set for a visible refresh through new concepts, experiential offerings and pop-up spaces designed to drive footfall and inject new vibrancy into the district.

Under the new Orchard Road Rejuvenation Initiative launching in mid-2026, enhancements will include upgraded building facades, experiential concepts, art installations and expanded night-time programming. ION Orchard’s new 3D Grand Facade Screen, featuring reimagined Singapore landmarks, offers a glimpse of the district’s evolving direction.

Art and culture will play a larger role within the Tanglin precinct, anchored by the redevelopment of Tanglin Shopping Centre into a mixed-use project featuring retail, office, wellness and cultural spaces.

Within Tanglin, four heritage bungalows on the 1.9ha Seton Close site have been rezoned for hotel use. “The site presents an opportunity to develop a unique, low-density hospitality concept,” said Ow.

On the opposite end of Orchard Road, STB will soon launch a tender for 37 Emerald Hill, the former site for Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, for a mixed-used development comprising both hotel and lifestyle concepts. Nearby, the former Faber House is set to reopen in late 2026 as the NoMad Singapore, Asia Pacific’s first NoMad property under Hilton.

Entertainment offerings are also expanding. The 3,000-pax Grange Road Events Venue – Live Nation’s first event venue in Singapore – is currently under construction and will host a wide range of entertainment from live music concerts to international touring acts and community and MICE events.

The Somerset belt will introduce four youth-focused zones, including a skate park, while the Dhoby Ghaut precinct will see a significantly expanded Istana Park featuring a nature playgarden, open lawn and activity promenade for events and community gatherings.

Greater Sentosa taking shape

A rezoned beachfront area to offer events spaces, with the possibility of a new beachfront hotel under consideration. Photo Credit: Sentosa Development Corporation

The Greater Sentosa Master Plan – encompassing Sentosa and Pulau Brani – “holds exciting potential for the development of world class attractions, hotels, F&B, outdoor events and festivals, in an island setting,” said Ow.

Envisioned as “Singapore’s island playground and sanctuary in a global city”, the 120ha Pulau Brani will feature hotels, attractions and lifestyle experiences while preserving much of the island’s natural elements.

Once completed, Greater Sentosa is projected to attract twice as many visitors. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Singapore’s island destination received 16.9 million visitors.

Meanwhile, Sentosa will broaden its green assets through skywalks, coastal trails and waterfront promenades. Beachfronts will be rezoned to serve as large event spaces, with the possibility of a new beachfront hotel under consideration. Connections between Greater Sentosa and the mainland will be enhanced, including water taxis and an upgraded Sentosa monorail.

New attractions are also in development, including an immersive flight simulation experience by AltitudeX and a new day-to-night thrill ride at the upcoming SkySlides within SkyPark Sentosa by AJ Hackett.