Blooming Again:

30-year-old Jireh Tham, a youth minister at a local church, often finds himself returning to Gardens by the Bay with a stroller, wet wipes, and a small backpack of snacks.

“Most of the time it’s for kid-related things,” said Jireh. “After the pandemic, I go there maybe around 1 to 2 times a year with my family.”

For this young father, the ever-changing seasonal exhibitions continue to draw him back.

“It’s not just beautiful, it is also very family-friendly,” Jireh explains. He shared that the recent Disney exhibition at Floral Fantasy allowed him to bring his family to explore various themed displays, including Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and other Pixar favourites.

To him, Gardens by the Bay has grown more personally appealing and relevant. He attributes this to “the continued upgrades, new exhibitions, and the way the whole area is being developed”.

Visitors like Jireh are returning in droves. After pandemic disruptions, Gardens by the Bay is not only recovering, but surpassing expectations, drawing larger crowds than before.

According to the Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat), visitor numbers climbed to 14.5 million in 2024, exceeding the pre-COVID peak of 13.7 million in 2019 and more than doubling the 2020 low of 6.8 million.

In an email interview, Debbie Chen, senior assistant director of programming (education) at Gardens by the Bay, shared what factors she believed have contributed most to this growth.

“Gardens by the Bay has continued to feature our signature events throughout the calendar year, but we’ve injected new ideas to ensure we keep them fresh for visitors.” She added that the Gardens has partnered with embassies, government agencies and social agencies to bring “new perspectives” and “reach new audiences”.

A standout is the Gardens’ collaboration with Switzerland Tourism to create ‘Alpine Adventure’. According to the 2023 Tourism Monitor Switzerland survey, Southeast Asian visitors are especially drawn to Switzerland’s panoramic landscapes and natural sceneries. This partnership taps into that interest, bringing a slice of Switzerland’s scenic charm to the Gardens, and offering visitors a unique experience.

Beyond the exhibitions, developments in the surrounding Marina Bay area have strengthened the area’s accessibility and vibrancy, bringing more visitors to nearby attractions like the Gardens.

Ms Chen commented that “residential developments in the vicinity, the new Gardens by the Bay MRT Station on the Thomson-East Coast Line, as well as other developments such as the Founders’ Memorial currently under development” have “definitely helped to draw more interest to the Gardens”.

Looking ahead, Gardens by the Bay shows no signs of slowing down.

Ms Chen shared that the Gardens has upcoming plans for programming, infrastructure, and partnership development, reflecting its commitment to staying fresh and engaging, and ensuring it remains a key attraction for both locals and visitors.

For visitors like Jireh, the Gardens’ ongoing updates and developments promise that it will continue to delight and inspire. The mix of nature, culture, and creativity ensures it remains a destination that families will return to for years to come.