Singapore’s tourism sector is actively engaged in a significant hiring drive, demonstrating strong recovery as international visitor arrivals continue to rebound. In the second quarter of the year, over 5,000 job postings were listed on the government’s MyCareersFuture portal for the sector, highlighting the urgent demand for talent. This recruitment push aims to rebuild the workforce and meet the increasing demand for travel experiences.
Singapore Tourism Sector’s Robust Hiring Drive
The tourism sector, which previously employed nearly 60,000 individuals in 2019, saw its workforce reduced to about 33,000 jobs by the end of 2022. This represents a substantial gap that needs to be filled as the industry recovers. Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan noted that the sector has experienced a 35 per cent increase in jobs from the first to the second quarter of 2022. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) indicates a need for approximately 25,000 jobs to meet the demand for new experiences and return to pre-pandemic workforce levels. Employers are actively seeking to attract and retain talent, with some entry-level hospitality positions offering 30 to 40 per cent higher pay compared to pre-pandemic figures.
Addressing Talent Shortages and Workforce Development
To address the talent shortage, various initiatives are being implemented. The STB, in collaboration with the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA), is organizing recruitment fairs. One such fair, scheduled for the first week of September, will feature over 30 companies offering more than 1,000 positions. These efforts build on previous successes, such as the Tourism Careers Conference, which attracted over 260 individuals for upskilling and reskilling. Additionally, more than 1,700 individuals have been placed in tourism roles through SGUnited Jobs and Skills initiatives. The Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programme for Hotel Professionals has seen 34 per cent of its participants remain employed in the sector after one year. The STB continues to work with industry partners and educational institutions to attract job seekers, upskill the workforce, and transform jobs.
Future Outlook and Support Initiatives
The outlook for Singapore’s tourism sector remains optimistic, with projected international visitor arrivals for 2023 estimated between 12 million and 14 million, and tourism receipts expected to reach S$13.8 billion to S$14.3 billion. While these figures represent a strong recovery, they are still below the 2019 levels of 19.1 million international visitors and S$27.7 billion in tourism receipts. To support this growth, the government is providing substantial funding. The next tranche of the Marketing Partnership Programme (MPP) will receive S$25 million to help companies market Singapore as a destination. Furthermore, the Tourism Development Fund provides S$10 million to support businesses in their transformation efforts, which includes enhancing employee capabilities and modernizing business models. These initiatives underscore the commitment to strengthening Singapore’s position as a leading global travel destination.
Key Points
- 5,000+ job postings on MyCareersFuture portal in Q2 for the tourism sector.
- Nearly 60,000 jobs in tourism pre-pandemic (2019).
- About 33,000 jobs in tourism as of end-2022.
- 35 per cent increase in tourism jobs from Q1 to Q2 2022.
- 25,000 jobs needed to meet demand for new experiences and return to pre-pandemic workforce levels.
- S$13.8 billion to S$14.3 billion projected for tourism receipts in 2023.
- 12 million to 14 million international visitor arrivals projected for 2023.
- S$27.7 billion in tourism receipts in 2019.
- 19.1 million international visitor arrivals in 2019.
- S$25 million for the next tranche of the Marketing Partnership Programme (MPP).
- 30 to 40 per cent higher pay in some entry-level hospitality positions compared to pre-pandemic.
- Over 1,700 individuals placed in tourism roles through SGUnited Jobs and Skills initiatives.
- Over 260 individuals upskilled or reskilled via the Tourism Careers Conference.
- 34 per cent of individuals who completed Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programme for Hotel Professionals remained employed in the sector after one year.
- S$10 million under the Tourism Development Fund to support companies.
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