Singapore Tourism Board Organises Travel Trade Roadshow In Bangalore

* This as part of “Deepening Connections, Achieving Together!” trade outreach

As international tourism picks up momentum, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), today hosted a Deepening Connections, Achieving Together! travel trade roadshow in Bangalore. As part of a five city roadshow series, the STB brings the largest ever delegation of 40 Singapore tourism stakeholders to reconnect and engage with trade partner-friends in India.

The trade engagement programme, attended by more than 200 Bangalore-based travel agents, was to deepen Singapore tourism’s strong partnerships and fostering new networks between tourism stakeholders and the local travel trade. The roadshow saw a robust lineup of some of Singapore’s most prominent attractions, hotels, tour operators, cruise lines and destination management companies (DMCs). The strong turnout from both Singapore tourism trade and Bangalore travel agents highlighted the commitment by both sides to recover Indian visitorship to Singapore. Pre-Covid, the city had been a destination of choice for Indian travellers and with travel re-opening, it has quickly become a favourite destination again.

Under the Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF), Singapore opened to quarantine-free travel to all fully-vaccinated visitors from 1st April 2022, with no testing or quarantine required. Since then, the country has received over 1.5 million visitors in the first half of 2022, which is 12 times more than it received for the same period in 2021. India has emerged as Singapore’s second largest source market, with more than 219,000 Indian visitor arrivals in the first half of the year alone, signalling a steady and optimistic path towards recovery.

As STB’s first multi-city roadshow together with Singapore tourism stakeholders since the pandemic, the roadshow builds on STB’s trade outreach efforts earlier in the year – including SATTE 2022 (Delhi-NCR), OTM 2022 (Mumbai) and multi-city product update sessions held in April 2022. The Singapore Tourism Board & delegation presented the city’s new and reimagined offerings that have been launched over the past two years of COVID downtime.

These include the immersive and highly Instagrammable Museum of Ice Cream, and SkyHelix Sentosa, Singapore's first open-air panoramic attraction that allows visitors scenic views of Sentosa and the Southern Waterfront. Adding to the momentum of these new offerings, Singapore also has an action-packed lineup of blockbuster experiences slated to open in the coming months, including Gardens by the Bay’s immersive Avatar: The Experience at the Cloud Forest. Based on much-anticipated sequel to the hit 2009 sci-fi film, the immersive experience invites visitors to connect with the alien world of Pandora, its bioluminescent environments, mystical creatures, flora, and the captivating culture of its indigenous people, the Na’vi, at Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest.

For Indian cruise holiday makers, more cruising options are now available, including international port calls in neighbouring cities. They are able to enjoy sailing onboard The Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum-ultra class ship, Spectrum Of The Seas or Resorts World Cruises’ ultimate cruise adventure aboard its Genting Dream ship. India was Singapore’s top source market in 2019. On the MICE front, the STB offers attractive schemes group travel, enabling corporates to enjoy new experiences in dining and attractions to thematic tours and team building activities.  

Speaking about tourism recovery and the roadshow, Mr. GB Srithar, Regional Director, Regional Director, India, Middle East, South Asia & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board said, “After more than two years, it heartens us to welcome again Indian travellers to Singapore in good numbers and see them enjoy both familiar favourites and our new, reimagined experiences. Bangalore is an important source market and amongst the 14 cities with direct flight connectivity to Singapore. With this roadshow, we aim to continue the growth momentum by communicating the message to our audience that Singapore is open, and by welcoming back travellers for memorable holidays. We were happy to reconnect with our partner-friends in Bangalore and invite their clients to come, enjoy in Singapore.”

About the Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions

Product Updates:

Sentosa Island

-          In September 2022, Central Beach Bazaar will be launched at the heart of Sentosa’s beaches, featuring a new Sentosa Musical Fountain, the Sentosa SkyJet and the International Food Street. Rising over 80 metres, the Sentosa SkyJet is set to be the tallest fountain in Southeast Asia while the International Food Street will feature popular street food options from around the world.

-          Scentopia, Singapore’s First Augmented Reality (AR) perfume-making experience launched its first retail space at Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa. Specialising in local Singaporean floral heritage and cultural scents, visitors can expect an array of activities – from AR perfumery tours around over 300 free-to-use AR Scented Exhibits to DIY perfume-making sessions at the perfume bar with a diverse selection of over 6000 Scented Wands to choose from

-          For water sports enthusiasts, there are plenty of activities lined-up at the Palawan Shores including HydroDash. Singapore’s first floating aqua park., HyperDrive- a new gamified karting activity that is slated to launch next year, The family beach club at Palawan Shores is poised to be the first of its kind in Singapore, +Twelve is a terraced beach club offering spectacular unblocked views of the beach, the sea, and the sunset, UltraGolf an 18-hole mini-golf course on the beach  

Resorts World Sentosa

-          Universal Studios Singapore’s Halloween Horror Nights will return this year for its 10th edition after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, with the promise of plenty of thrills and chills for those who dare. The Halloween Horror Nights will run across 19 event nights on select nights, from 30 September till 5 November 2022

-          Dolphin Island at Resorts World Sentosa is also coming up with a range of dolphin interaction programmes, each promising guests an unforgettable up-close and personal experience with these highly intelligent mammals

Gardens by the Bay

-          In celebration of its 10th anniversary this year, Gardens by the Bay has reinstated a full year of changing floral displays in the Flower Dome. Upcoming floral displays include: Hydrangea Holidays, which features over 20 varieties of hydrangeas against a backdrop inspired by the Dutch countryside in summer; Hanging Gardens, which showcases the colourful culture of Mexico amidst a landscape of tropical blooms such as orchids, dahlias and bromeliads; A Spanish Serenade with Sunflowers, where sunflowers and other blooms enhance interpretations of a Spanish courtyard garden; Seasons of Bloom, which showcases four seasons of flowers.

-          New attractions that have opened up at Gardens by the Bay include: Orchid Haven, a dedicated space for Cloud Forest’s orchid displays and orchid exhibits; Supertree Observatory, the highest point in Gardens by the Bay offering visitors a 360° view of Singapore’s downtown; Kingfisher Wetlands, a nature sanctuary and urban wetlands located right in the city centre; Floral Fantasy, a whimsical attraction where flowers, artistry and technology come together to create a fantastical experience for visitors.

-          Among the exciting events happening later this year is Avatar: The Experience, which will meld a blockbuster experience with the verdant greenery of Cloud Forest

Marina Bay Sands

-           Marina Bay Sands has embarked on a major reinvestment programme for its existing property, spanning hotel rooms and suites, new food and beverage (F&B) offerings and other enhancements that will position the Integrated Resort (IR) for strong growth as the recovery of global tourism continues

-          The US$1 billion reinvestment is the biggest since the IR’s opening in 2010, the reinvestment is in addition to the multi-billion-dollar expansion announced in April 2019, which will include the development of a state-of-the-art entertainment arena, an ultra-luxury hotel tower and additional MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions & exhibitions) space, adjacent to the current IR