Singapore’s Sustainable Tourism Guidelines for Attractions and Venues

The tourism sector has rebounded after the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and brought an influx of tourists back to popular destinations. While it is a significant contributor to the global and national economies, the tourism sector must join the global shift toward sustainable practices to ensure positive impacts for people and the planet. In this light, the Singapore Tourism Board has measures in place to promote sustainable tourism practices in tourist attractions and venues in line with national and international sustainability plans.

A Popular Tourist Destination

Singapore is among the top destinations for tourism worldwide, offering a blend of vibrant modernity and accessibility. In 2023, the Singapore Tourism Board recorded 13.6 million tourists visiting the country, nearly bouncing back to the pre-pandemic number of 19.1 million. The sector also contributes 3-4% of Singapore’s GDP.

Beyond the national economic gain, the tourism sector must be able to benefit the communities and the environment near it. The Singapore Tourism Board has shared standards and guidelines for tourist attractions and venues in an effort to accelerate the country’s sustainability journey.

Efforts for Sustainable Tourism

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Over the years, the board has released multiple programs to support Singapore’s tourism vision of maximizing experience while lowering its carbon footprint.

In November 2024, the board unveiled two guidelines for sustainable tourist attractions and venues. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Attraction Criteria aims to provide sustainability guidance for parks, museums, and other tourist attractions. The criteria revolve around four main themes: developing effective sustainability planning, maximizing social and economic benefits for the local community, enhancing cultural heritage, and reducing negative environmental impacts.

The second guideline is the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) Venue Sustainability Playbook. It was formulated based on a national carbon and waste exercise implemented by the government in 2023. The exercise revealed that the average carbon emission related to MICE venues reached 14.13 kg CO2 per attendee. Additionally, 94% of MICE venue-related emissions can be attributed to energy consumption.

In short, the Playbook offers practical recommendations, frameworks, and examples of best practices for the venues to improve energy efficiency, waste management, and water conservation.

Establishing Standards

Sustainable tourism has become an important part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which highlight mindful practices that consider current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts. Establishing standards and guidelines for key entities in the sector, including attractions and venues, becomes essential.

Meanwhile, international organizations and national governments must also take part in policies and programs, such as tourism tax and public transportation card passes, to reduce emissions. Fostering community-based tourism, integrating tourism into sustainable education, and taking individual actions whenever possible are also crucial part of the whole efforts to achieve sustainable tourism.

Kresentia Madina

Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website | + posts

Madina is the Assistant Manager of Stakeholder Engagement at Green Network Asia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Studies from Universitas Indonesia. As part of the GNA In-House Team, she supports the organization's multi-stakeholder engagement across international organizations, governments, businesses, civil society, and grassroots communities through digital publications, events, capacity building, and research.