Commentary: Singapore’s local attractions need to be more attractive than this Toggle share menu Advertisement Commentary: Singapore’s local attractions need to be more attractive than this We might need to go right back to the drawing board again, to create more engaging and authentic experiences, says Tracy Lee. View of the Clarke Quay area in Singapore. (Photo: Lydia Lam) 02 May 2021 02:46PM) Share this content SINGAPORE: In 2018, 19.1 million tourists came to Singapore and spent S$27.7 billion here. The same year, Singaporeans went on 24.9 million international trips and spent S$34 billion overseas. Advertisement Advertisement So, when COVID-19 kept overseas visitors out and trapped us all here, depriving us of our Japan sakura fixes, Zermatt ski trips, Chatuchak shopping binges and Maldives beach vibes, Singaporeans could have been counted on to prop up our tourism industry.