Southeast Asia’s second largest economy leads region in tourism development

Southeast Asia is worth knowing before you plan the route. , singapore ranked 13th among 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel Tourism Development Index. , the highest position among ASEAN. Consequently, the city state scored 4.89 points, up 3.4 percentage points from 2024 in the biennial ranking released on Friday by the World Economic Forum.

Singapore ranked 13th among 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel Tourism Development Index. For travelers, the practical note is how Southeast Asia fits into a realistic Vietnam day.

Planning a trip around Southeast Asia? V-International Tour & Travel can help shape a practical Vietnam itinerary.

Table of Contents

Southeast Asia in Practice

An international advocacy non-governmental organization think tank based in Switzerland. , indonesia ranked at 23rd, followed by Malaysia at 26th, Thailand at 38th, Vietnam at 52nd. However, the Philippines at 57th, and Laos at 75th. , the index measures factors policies that enable sustainable resilient development of tourism like business environment.

How to Place Southeast Asia in Your Route

Key figures include $740 million, $584 million, $300 million. These numbers show how Southeast Asia is unfolding in practice.

Useful reference points: $740 million, $584 million, $300 million. Keep these in mind while you plan around southeast asia.

What to Expect on the Ground

Safety health conditions, price competitiveness, air transport infrastructure, ground port infrastructure, tourist services infrastructure. For example, , natural resources, and cultural resources. For instance, indeed, singapore received high scores in business environment, safety security, travel policy enabling conditions, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, tourists pose for photos at the Merlion Park in Singapore, Jan.

For deeper insights, explore our related coverage: Tourist in Singapore walks 14 km at night to dodge $40 Grab fare and Sun Group, Visa partner to develop digital tourism services in Vietnam.

Planning Notes

Photo by Reuters Singapore, the second largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia by nominal GDP. , is known for its strict laws low crime rates. Consequently, it has earned tts reputation as one of the safest countries in Asia. Therefore, the city-state is ramping up investment in large-scale tourism infrastructure as it seeks to strengthen its position as a leading travel.

Nearby Ideas

Business hub in Asia. For example, indeed, the government announced a S$740 million (US$584 million) tourism funding package , more than twice the S$300 million allocated under the Tourism Development Fund in 2024. For instance, indeed, in May to strengthen industry resilience until 2040. Consequently, japan reclaimed the top spot in this year’s WEF tourism development ranking.

Local roads and weather can change the plan more than any checklist.

Leave room for slow meals and short walks between stops.

Ask hotel staff about current trail or mountain conditions.

Cash still helps in small towns and roadside stalls.

Start early if you want quieter viewpoints and cooler air.

Keep one flexible afternoon in case the weather turns.

Photograph with care around homes, shrines, and working farms.

Download offline maps before you leave reliable signal.

A light rain layer is useful in the highlands most months.

Share your rough route with someone before long remote drives.

Street food queues move fast once you know what to order.

Respect quiet hours in residential neighborhoods after dark.

Local roads and weather can change the plan more than any checklist.

Leave room for slow meals and short walks between stops.

Ask hotel staff about current trail or mountain conditions.

Cash still helps in small towns and roadside stalls.

Start early if you want quieter viewpoints and cooler air.

Keep one flexible afternoon in case the weather turns.

Photograph with care around homes, shrines, and working farms.

Download offline maps before you leave reliable signal.

A light rain layer is useful in the highlands most months.

Share your rough route with someone before long remote drives.

Street food queues move fast once you know what to order.

Respect quiet hours in residential neighborhoods after dark.

For more on Vietnam travel, see also: Which is Asia’s second best city for nightlife? and Vietnam tours. Official visitor information is available from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Conclusion

Southeast Asia is a useful stop when you want quiet roads and time to look around. Keep the day flexible, and leave space for weather and slow meals.

For more information, visit Vietnam Government Portal.

Source: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/places/southeast-asia-s-second-largest-economy-leads-region-in-tourism-development-5125101.html

What travellers should know

The index measures factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient development of tourism like business environment, safety and health conditions, price competitiveness, air transport infrastructure, ground and port infrastructure, tourist services and infrastructure, natural resources, and cultural resources.

Additional notes

The city-state is ramping up investment in large-scale tourism infrastructure as it seeks to strengthen its position as a leading travel and business hub in Asia.

The government announced a S$740 million (US$584 million) tourism funding package , more than twice the S$300 million allocated under the Tourism Development Fund in 2024, in May to strengthen industry resilience until 2040.

Japan reclaimed the top spot in this year’s WEF tourism development ranking.

Subsidiary of VnExpress License number: 71/GP-CBC, Ministry of Information and
Communications, September 22, 2021 Editor-in-Chief: Pham Van Hieu Email: evne@vnexpress.net Tel: 028 7300 9999 – Ext 8556 10th floor, Block A FPT Tower, 10 Pham Van Bach, Cau Giay Ward, Hanoi © Copyright 1997-2026 VnExpress.net.