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Singapore’s prolonged haze is affecting tourism businesses, with some tour operators reporting sharp declines in bookings and increased cancellations as air quality deteriorated again on October 24.
Six Stars Tours and Services reported booking declines of 30% to 80% from three overseas origin cities, while another operator estimated that ticket purchases had fallen by 20% to 30% since September. The losses come as visitors adjust sightseeing plans, spend less time outdoors and seek alternatives to activities affected by poor air quality.
Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) reported unhealthy air quality across the island on October 24, following a period of improvement earlier in the week. At 5 p.m. local time, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) ranged from 108 to 151, above the threshold of 100 for unhealthy air.
The deterioration followed 19 consecutive days of unhealthy air quality from October 5 to 23, according to reporting by The Straits Times. The prolonged episode has disrupted outdoor activities and raised concerns among international visitors, although its impact on tourism businesses has varied considerably.
Singapore Tour Operators Report Booking Declines
Six Stars Tours and Services told The Straits Times that bookings to Singapore had declined noticeably since air quality began deteriorating in September, accompanied by an increase in cancellations.
The company identified three unnamed origin cities where inbound bookings fell between 30% and 80%. Cancellation rates for upcoming bookings from those markets reached 30% to 50%.
Those figures relate to specific markets served by Six Stars rather than Singapore’s tourism industry as a whole. The company did not identify the cities or provide an overall booking decline across its operations.
VTL Travel, which operates walking, cycling and other activities through Rediscover Singapore, has also experienced weaker demand.
Sherry Shen, the company’s director of business development, estimated that ticket purchases had declined by 20% to 30% since September. The operator ran only two tours per month in September and October, compared with its usual four to eight monthly tours.
Cancellation requests affected approximately 10% to 20% of bookings, while 80% to 90% of customers had asked about haze conditions in Singapore and neighboring countries.
VTL has responded by moving some outdoor activities indoors and offering customers complimentary changes to their tour dates. Despite the recent downturn, the company reported four confirmed tours for November, suggesting some improvement in its own forward bookings.
Not every tourism business has experienced the same decline. World Express, another Singapore travel agency, reported no significant reduction in bookings, although it has been helping customers adjust activities and take precautions during the haze.
The contrasting experiences suggest that the disruption is particularly relevant to businesses offering outdoor sightseeing and activities, but the available evidence does not establish the scale of any industry-wide losses.
Tourists Change Sightseeing Plans as Haze Persists
International visitors have also been changing how they explore Singapore, particularly during periods of unhealthy air quality.
The Straits Times interviewed travelers who reported wearing protective masks, reducing time outdoors or experiencing physical discomfort during their visits.
Ukrainian visitor Margaryta Ruchko, who attended the Token2049 cryptocurrency conference on October 6 and 7, said the haze affected her ability to explore the city beyond the event. She reported coughing and discomfort after spending time outdoors and said she would check haze conditions before returning to Singapore.
Other visitors continued with their planned activities. Taiwanese tourist Ted Zheng, who arrived on October 22, decided to proceed with his first visit after air quality improved, although he remained prepared to wear a mask during outdoor sightseeing.
The different experiences underline how conditions can influence travel plans without necessarily causing visitors to cancel their trips entirely.
Hotels have also made adjustments. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, some properties have provided guests with haze advisories, enhanced air filtration and modified access to outdoor facilities when necessary.
Singapore welcomed 1.23 million international visitors in September, down 2.2% from the same month in 2025, the tourism board confirmed.
However, the September decline cannot be attributed specifically to the haze. The tourism board noted that international arrivals are influenced by several factors, including economic uncertainty and higher fuel costs. October visitor statistics are expected to become available in November.
Air Quality Worsens Again, but Improvement Is Forecast
The latest deterioration in air quality has renewed uncertainty for visitors planning outdoor activities over the weekend.
In its October 24 haze advisory, Singapore’s National Environment Agency reported 24-hour PSI readings of 108 to 151 at 5 p.m. local time, placing air quality in the unhealthy range.
One-hour PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 33 to 97 micrograms per cubic meter at the same time. PM2.5 refers to fine airborne particles that can enter the respiratory system and are a major concern during smoke haze episodes.
NEA observed smoke haze from Sumatra drifting toward Singapore, with additional haze over Kalimantan. Conditions remained sensitive to changing winds and rainfall across the region.
For October 25, the agency forecast PSI readings between 80 and 130, ranging from moderate to unhealthy.
However, there was some prospect of relief. NEA expected winds to shift toward the southwest or west, potentially limiting the transport of smoke haze into Singapore. Showers forecast for Singapore and surrounding areas could also help improve conditions over the following days.
The agency indicated that further improvement was possible on October 26 and 27 if the expected winds and rainfall developed.
What Travelers Should Know Before Visiting Singapore
Visitors planning outdoor sightseeing, walking tours, cycling excursions or other strenuous activities should monitor air quality before setting out, particularly while the haze remains unpredictable.
Singapore’s health guidance distinguishes between the 24-hour PSI forecast, which helps people plan activities for the following day, and one-hour PM2.5 readings, which are more useful for deciding what to do immediately.
Under the October 25 forecast, healthy people are advised to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. Older people, pregnant women and children should minimize such activities, while people with chronic heart or lung conditions are advised to avoid them.
When one-hour PM2.5 readings are elevated, healthy individuals should reduce strenuous outdoor activity, while vulnerable groups should avoid strenuous activity during that period.
Travelers can check the latest readings and official recommendations through Singapore’s haze information portal or the myENV mobile app.
Those with outdoor tours booked should also contact their operators to establish whether activities will proceed, move indoors or qualify for rescheduling. VTL Travel has offered complimentary date changes, but travelers should not assume that identical arrangements apply across all operators.
The latest air-quality readings, forecasts and activity guidance are available in the National Environment Agency’s October 24 advisory.
