The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has strengthened its long-term partnership with Southeast Asia’s leading travel platform, Traveloka, through a one-year Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed on January 17. Ms. Melissa Ow, STB’s chief executive, and Mr. Caesar Indra, Chairman of Traveloka, presided over the signing ceremony.
The signing of this MoC comes at a time when Singapore is striving to revive its tourism with Southeast Asia. Last year, Singapore welcomed 4.78 million visitors from the region.
It is noteworthy to mention the number of tourists from Vietnam, one of Singapore’s top 10 source markets, with 434,000 visitors by the end of 2023. This strong recovery reflects the attractiveness of Singapore as a world-class lifestyle destination for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian tourists and the enthusiastic support from industry partners like Traveloka.
This MoC marks a deep collaboration between STB and Traveloka beyond marketing campaigns. Most importantly, this agreement will focus on enhancing consumer targeting by sharing detailed information and data. Additionally, both parties will explore introducing new products and experiences in Singapore on the Traveloka platform. This new agreement demonstrates the shared commitment of both parties to continuously innovate and enhance the visitor experience across Southeast Asian markets.
These efforts are also in line with STB’s latest campaign, “Made in Singapore,” which transforms everyday moments into extraordinary experiences through unique and unexpected offerings unique to Singapore. The MoC with Traveloka strengthens this commitment by introducing new itineraries for personalized experiences, enhancing the visitor experience, and reaching more customers across Southeast Asia.
Mr. Terrence Voon, STB’s deputy director for Southeast Asia, said, “Since our first collaboration in 2019, Traveloka has always been an important and cherished partner. In the context of the region’s recovering tourism, our partnership will help us tap into the rich tourism potential of Southeast Asia, better understand our customers, and reinforce Singapore’s position as a premier destination for regional travelers.”
In addition to attracting more visitors to Singapore, this partnership emphasizes the sharing of knowledge and exploring new breakthroughs to enhance the quality of interaction with tourists. For example, STB and Traveloka will exchange detailed information to develop more targeted advertising campaigns and create more suitable travel experiences. Leveraging the expertise of both parties, this collaboration aims to enhance the overall visitor experience and bring positive results across Southeast Asia.
Mr. Caesar Indra, Chairman of Traveloka, said, “Singapore is known as one of the top foreign destinations in the region. In 2023, we recorded an increase of up to 80% in total searches and transactions from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines for all products in Singapore compared to the previous year. We are delighted to continue partnering with STB to bring even greater value to our customers. We are committed to offering more benefits and meeting consumer vacation aspirations, including their Singapore travel plans. This partnership marks an exciting chapter in enriching the experience of our customers.”
The signing of the MoC underscores the shared commitment of STB and Traveloka to jointly invest in marketing campaigns, focusing on Indonesia and expanding into Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. STB and Traveloka have plans to implement marketing initiatives, including organizing collaborative tour trips with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and developing video content for digital platforms.
What to expect in Singapore in 2024?
Singapore promises many exciting events, new attractions, and exclusive offers for travelers this year. Visitors can enjoy vibrant festivals such as the Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) and exciting entertainment programs featuring global artists and world-class sporting events like the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. Vietnamese tourists can also look forward to attractive promotions and deals through Traveloka for an even more exciting trip to Singapore.
In the first quarter of 2024 in Singapore, the arts have the spotlight, with expected lineups to captivate visitors, such as:
The Lunar New Year Festival in Chinatown: Be part of the Lunar New Year festivities in Singapore’s iconic Chinatown from January 19 to March 9, 2024. The festival features vibrant street light performances, lively countdown parties, workshops, performances, festive food, and the lively cultural elements of this historic district.
“The Legend of the Dragon Gate – Drone Show by the Bay” – Experience a mesmerizing drone light show by Marina Bay, taking place on February 6, 10-11, and 16-18 to celebrate Lunar New Year. With the theme “The Legend of the Dragon Gate – Drone Show by the Bay,” this program revolves around the legendary Dragon King, brought to life through 1,500 unmanned aerial vehicles against the iconic Singapore skyline.
