Festive F&B demand dampened by Singaporeans flying out

Year-end celebratory dining is up from 2021, but may slow from earlier months as locals go abroad

Chelsea Ong

Published Wed, Dec 14, 2022 · 05:00 PM

Last year, alcohol sales and consumption were not allowed past 10:30 pm, curbing midnight festivities. This year, F&B players are preparing to ring in the new year in proper style. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT

AFTER months of strong business, Singapore’s food and beverage (F&B) industry sees a potential festive slowdown as more locals head abroad for the holidays.

This is despite a rise in corporate and tourist demand. In the first post-Covid festive season without pandemic curbs, group and corporate bookings have been a bright spot, F&B players told The Business Times.

Without earlier caps on group sizes, large bookings are now popular, said a spokesperson from the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS).

Singapore SMEs F&B