The latest data from Tourism Western Australia (TWA) shows that Singapore is now the number one source of foreign visitors, with Singaporeans accounting for 24% of all international arrivals in the September quarter, despite Singapore’s relatively low population. Indeed, Singapore arrivals are already back at 80% of pre-Covid numbers, with 270 flights per week between Changi and Perth Airport, and the Lion City’s love affair with Western Australia looks set to continue.

Pre-Covid, Singapore was Western Australia’s third largest international market, after China and the UK, but in the post-Covid world, Perth’s proximity, accessibility, and safety have brought Australia’s largest and most diverse state to the forefront of travellers’ considerations across the Indian Ocean.

“We are thrilled to see a large and growing appetite amongst Singapore residents to visit Western Australia and to venture further than Perth,” said Carolyn Turnbull, managing director of Tourism Western Australia. “In the post-pandemic world, travellers are increasingly seeking wide open spaces, nature-based tourism, authentic indigenous experiences, and immersive gourmet trails, and these are all things that Western Australia offers in abundance.

“With 87% of Singaporean travellers being repeat visitors, we know that once people come, they want to return, because we are delivering quality experiences that visitors can’t get anywhere else.”

Singaporeans live on just 697 square kilometres of land, so the opportunity to explore the vast and dreamlike landscapes of Western Australia is an increasingly tempting proposition, offering star-studded skies, road-trip adventures, fresh air and freedom across WA’s 2.67 million square kilometres of vivid contrasts and colours.

Western Australia’s tourism operators stayed busy during the state’s prolonged shut-down, developing new experiences and tours, opening new hotels and resorts, and investing in more Indigenous tourism offerings to entice visitors back.

Ava Ang, Tourism Western Australia’s country manager for Singapore and Malaysia said TWA’s efforts in promoting the state to Singaporeans were clearly paying off, but that it was time to double down on efforts to ensure this growth continues.

“Western Australia is attractive to Singaporeans because it’s close, offers outstanding natural attractions and wildlife, and boasts some of the best dining experiences you will find anywhere, but we can’t become complacent because as the world opens up, other destinations will start competing for their share of Singaporean visitors.”

TWA recently launched its Walking On A Dream campaign in Singapore, hoping to inspire more residents to step away from the everyday and into Western Australia’s otherworldly wonders. The campaign focuses on the state’s bubble gum pink lakes, majestic whale sharks, stunning vineyards, and dramatic coastline to highlight unique experiences you can only get in WA. They have also partnered with the popular Grab superapp to launch a campaign where Singaporeans can win trips and discounted flights to discover Western Australia. The response to both campaigns has been overwhelmingly positive, with entries to the Grab promotion at record highs, further proving the deep desire amongst Singaporeans to visit the home of the quokka.