Discover how Singapore is creating meaningful and sustainable travel experiences

Traveling isn’t just about exploring new destinations; it’s about how those places shape you, how you can be part of something meaningful, and how your journey can leave a positive impact on the communities and environments you visit.

That’s what makes Singapore special. This city-state doesn’t just impress visitors with its unique experiences and iconic architecture; it combines urban innovation with sustainability to create tourism experiences that protect ecosystems, support communities, and inspire travelers to adopt responsible practices. With its thoughtfully designed green spaces and sustainability programs, Singapore is proving what’s possible when travel is done with purpose and care.

Clockwise from top left: Former Hill Street Police Station, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Esplanade, Petain Road & Little India. Photos by @bankpyt, @picn2k, @bananejz, @busan_siberiangirl, from VisitSingapore Facebook page.

Ong Huey Hong, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry Development) and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), explains, “The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is a nationwide movement across various government agencies to advance our sustainability and targets. At its core, the plan charts Singapore’s goal towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Redefining tourism with purpose

“With sustainability increasingly becoming a top-of-mind concern, our vision is for Singapore to become one of the world’s most sustainable urban destinations—a City in Nature where large experiences come with small footprints,” says Huey Hong. “Hence, STB developed its destination sustainability strategy and roadmap for the tourism sector in support of the Singapore Green Plan.”

Unlike strategies that exist solely on paper, Singapore’s initiatives span industries and intersect seamlessly with everyday life. With programs like the Tourism Sustainability Programme, STB works hand in hand with various tourism industries to integrate internationally recognized environmental standards into their operations.

Their efforts are already paying dividends, as Singapore ranks first in Asia-Pacific and seventh globally on the Global Destination Sustainability Index for 2024.

“Since the launch of our tourism sustainability strategy, STB has focused on building strong industry foundations through standards development and capability building,” Ong mentioned.

The goal is simple—show visitors what’s possible and set an example for how urban spaces can function without overburdening the planet.

Blending innovation with the natural world

One of Singapore’s most cherished attractions, Gardens by the Bay, showcases biodiversity in a unique and striking way. The towering Supertree Grove not only serves as a visual centerpiece but also encourages visitors to connect with nature amidst the city’s urban landscape. With its innovative design and diverse plant life, the space invites curiosity and promotes conservation awareness in a fast-paced, modern world.

“Gardens by the Bay’s Nature and Sustainability tours offer insights into its flora, fauna, and sustainable design while educating the public on climate change and nature conservation,” shares Huey Hong.

If understanding natural ecosystems is your thing, take the Intertidal Exploration by The Untamed Paths.

“The guided tour offers participants a hands-on experience, exploring the diverse marine life that thrives in the intertidal zones of locations such as Changi Beach and Pulau Hantu,” shares Huey Hong.

Photos by The Untamed Path

Another example of how innovation meets nature is the Marina Barrage. While its primary role as a water management system addresses Singapore’s flood prevention and freshwater storage, it also doubles as a public green space. The expansive rooftop garden is perfect for relaxing while offering stunning views of Marina Bay’s skyline.

Marina Barrage. Photos by Visit Singapore.

Located a few minutes’ drive from the city center, MacRitchie Reservoir is the ideal urban escape. Its serene trails lead you through beautiful stretches of forest, ultimately taking you to the TreeTop Walk, a suspension bridge offering panoramic canopy-level views. The experience underscores Singapore’s commitment to protecting green spaces even as its population grows.

At Jewel Changi Airport, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, called the Rain Vortex, is surrounded by a four-story indoor lush vegetation carefully curated to showcase Singapore’s ability to integrate nature into modern architecture. It’s not just a breathtaking entry point to the country but a live demonstration of how design can celebrate and nurture the natural world.

The newly-opened Rainforest Wild Asia within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve offers an immersive experience that blends adventure and biodiversity education, encouraging visitors to interact with the environment in a meaningful way. Whether you trek safely through dense canopies or catch glimpses of local fauna, it’s an attraction designed with active and adventure-seeking individuals in mind.

On food systems, the Zero to Hero Food Sustainability Tour highlights concepts like waste reduction and food recovery through interactive experiences.

“This first-of-its-kind tour combines an experience in the heartland area to forage for ugly food, showcasing recycling and waste management efforts within the residential estate, and concludes at a research institute with a hands-on community-led activity,” shares Huey Hong.

Simple choices, big impacts

How can you be a traveler who respects the destinations you visit? Huey Hong advises, “There are many ways travelers can contribute as individuals—be it making more sustainable choices such as choosing eco-friendly accommodation, prioritizing businesses that focus on sustainability, opting for public transport, or being responsible travelers when visiting places of culture and heritage or protected nature areas.”

Public transport in Singapore is efficient, affordable, and far less taxing on the environment than individual vehicles. Whether riding the MRT or boarding a bus, the well-connected network makes traveling effortless.

More tips are available on the VisitSingapore website.

Inclusivity as part of the bigger picture

Being responsible doesn’t only mean caring for the environment; it’s about ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities and spaces that feel welcoming and inclusive.

Programs like the partnership between The Ascott Limited and SG Enable are paving the way for more accessible accommodations and opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

According to Ong, “Sustainability is also about inclusivity. It’s about ensuring all people feel welcomed and supported.”

The Enabling Village Tour by Ludus Lab is a powerful example of this philosophy. Led by guides with disabilities, the tour showcases Singapore’s universal design in action. This is tourism with heart—accessible and enriching for all parties involved.

Thoughtful travel, meaningful memories

Singapore proves that sustainable tourism is about more than just beautiful green spaces—it’s about thoughtful planning, meaningful collaborations, and measurable actions that benefit both the environment and the people.

When visiting destinations like Singapore, consider making mindful choices. Stay in properties that are implementing sustainability-led initiatives, ask questions about how your tours or meals sourced their materials, and opt for experiences that deepen your understanding of conservation.

Small decisions build momentum, and whether you’re exploring wetlands or admiring rainforest-inspired architecture, your actions contribute to a larger movement.

In Singapore, it’s not just about appreciating its beauty—it’s about actively participating in its sustainability journey.

How will you make a difference?