The 13.2 million arrivals translated into a 13 percent rise on 2010 figures and beat government forecasts of 12-13 million, theSingapore Tourism Board said.
It said 76 percent of the arrivals came from Asia, where economic growth has remained robust despite a debt crisis in Europe .
Arrivals from Europe rose by only 2.0 percent, the tourism board said.
Tourism receipts were estimated at Sg$22.2 billion ($18 billion), up 17 percent from a year ago and in line with the official forecast.
Although it lacks the natural wonders offered by its bigger neighbours, visitors are drawn to Singapore
Tourism receipts were at a record S$22.2 billion for 2011, although this was at the low end of the STB's forecast range of S$22 billion to S$24 billion.
Leong Wai Ho, Senior Regional Economist, Barclays Capital, said: "I think that should moderate as well. We have an increasing number of budget travellers, judging by the number of budget flights from Singapore that has gone up sharply. We are investing heavily on tourism infrastructure, we are also referring to improved cruise connectivity - a wider spectrum of hotels, a wider spectrum of entertainment options that not just attract more tourists, but also induce them to spend more."
Some 76 percent of visitor arrivals came from Asia.
The highest number of visitors came from Indonesia at 2,592,000.
It was followed by China (1,577,000), Malaysia (1,141,000), Australia (956,000) and India (869,000).
The biggest growth sector for Singapore in terms of dollars spent was sightseeing and entertainment, which includes visits to the country's two integrated resorts.
The sector generated S$5.5 billion in receipts, 37 percent more than in 2010. Hotel revenue in 2011 rose 28 percent to S$2.6 billion.
Revenue per available room jumped to the highest in at least 10 years, even with some 2,400 rooms added in 2011.
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