Local tourism is getting a boost from bundled promotions by hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops, which are being offered under the SingapoRediscovers campaign.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is launching around 50 of these bundled promotions, dubbed “Singapolidays”, which can be found on the SingapoRediscovers website, or the VisitSingapore mobile application.
The promotions are designed around 10 areas of Singapore which have specific attractions or cultural interest, such as Chinatown, Sentosa or the Mandai-Kranji nature area, STB said in a statement on Tuesday.
To help consumers explore the 10 different precincts, STB is also launching holiday itineraries featuring recommended hotels, attractions, tours and shops which users can customise to plan their stays.
Tour company The Traveller DMC planned some of the bundled promotions.
Mrs Yvonne Low, the executive director of The Traveller DMC, said that the company wanted to showcase Singapore’s diversity when putting experiences together.
“We constantly go about saying that Singapore is multicultural and diverse but most of us have not actually experienced what that really means,” she said.
Mrs Low helped put together bundles such as the Origin Journeys Hainanese Heritage Tours, which includes visits to restaurants and a chicken rice cooking workshop.
“You get not only to marvel at the architecture or furnishings associated with these groups but also get insights not commonly known from extraordinary individuals running these traditional businesses,” she added.
Participating businesses say that the bundled promotions allow them to provide different offerings in an integrated way and this can contribute to a better overall experience.
The hotel’s founder Josh Hu said guests can participate in the tours while staying at the hotel, which have crime-solving elements exploring Keong Saik’s history as a red-light district.
Also participating is the wax sculpture museum Madame Tussauds in Sentosa, which is pairing with fast-food restaurant Marrybrown and Sentosa’s Island Bus Tour for a bundle.
General manager of the museum Alex Ward expects the bundled promotions to have a positive impact on demand.
“Often, people are looking for a full day activity when coming to Sentosa so it’s nice and convenient to book a whole activity package knowing this is suitable for their needs,” he said.
The wax museum is also launching new activities to attract more visitors, such as the Behind the Magic tour where guests learn the craft of making wax figures, including skills like wax painting and hair insertion.
STB is hoping that the bundles will help Singaporeans access parts of the country they may not have taken the time to explore before.
Mr Keith Tan, chief executive of the tourism board, emphasised the novelty that local tourism can offer. He said: “There is so much to explore and do in our vibrant precincts. Each has a unique story to tell, and home-grown businesses that need our support.”
