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STB, Changi Airport Group and Sentosa collaborate to boost marketing in India
To further elevate Singapore’s presence in India, theSingapore Tourism Board (STB), Changi Airport Group (CAG), and Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) have announced a year-long partnership, marking their first-ever tripartite collaboration focused on the Indian market. This partnership will run from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, and is established to amplify Singapore’s brand visibility, foster deeper engagement with India’s travel trade, and boost awareness of drive excitement around Sentosa’s wide range of offerings and enhance Singapore’s positioning as a global aviation hub. The collaboration will focus on introducing refreshed experiences in Singapore, with a special emphasis on targeting higher-yield Indian travellers. It will also include the Friends of Singapore Fellowship (FOSF) programme, which will bring 30 influential Indian digital content creators to Singapore. These influencers will create engaging, shareable content that highlights curated experiences across Singapore, including Sentosa Island, and Changi Airport, to shape a refreshed and exciting image of Singapore in the eyes of Indian consumers. Juliana Kua, Assistant Chief Executive, International Group, Singapore Tourism Board said: “Building on the success of our roadshows and the strong interest from the Indian market, this tripartite partnership with Changi Airport Group and Sentosa Development Corporation will help us drive deeper engagement and create memorable experiences for Indian travellers. It reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening the ties between Singapore and India, while presenting new opportunities for the travel trade to explore and share.” Lim Ching Kiat, Executive Vice President, Air Hub and Cargo Development, Changi Airport Group said: “India is an important market to Changi Airport. With as many as 17 city links between Singapore and India, Changi Airport is the most connected hub to India within Southeast Asia. Together with STB and SDC, we aim to provide travellers with exceptional experiences from their first touchpoint at Changi Airport to the many places of interest in our exciting city.” Michael Ma, Assistant Chief Executive (Business & Digital Technology Group), Sentosa Development Corporation said: “Sentosa remains a strong draw for our Indian travellers, and to further enhance our attractiveness, Sentosa will open a range of new experiences this year. They include the newly opened Illumination’s Minion Land and the iconic Raffles Sentosa Singapore, which we hope to inspire guests to create new moments and memories on Sentosa. The iconic Sentosa Sensoryscape also recently celebrated its first anniversary, with the additional of a new augmented reality feature – a mystical island guardian that entices guests on an enchanting journey of discovery. We look forward to welcoming our Indian friends to Sentosa’s sunny shores soon.” 2025: A Milestone Year for India-Singapore Relations This collaboration coincides with a momentous milestone year, as 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore. To celebrate, STB has launched the Just Between Us Friends programme, offering exclusive deals and discounts for Indian travellers who flash their passports at iconic Singaporean retailers like Jewel Changi Airport, ION Orchard, Paragon and Capitaland malls, as well as offers through Changi Airport Group and Singapore Airlines. Indian travellers can also redeem a sweet treat when they visit Sentosa, and Disney-themed surprises at Mustafa Centre. This initiative aims to deepen connections with Indian tourists and entice them to explore more of Singapore during their visit. Record-Breaking B2B Roadshow The announcement of this tripartite comes on the heels of STB’s biggest B2B roadshow to date, which took place across Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru. The event saw 63 exhibitors, a notable increase from last year’s 50, including hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and destination management companies. The roadshow, which drew over 700 travel professionals in attendance across three cities, underscored the growing interest in Singapore as a leading holiday destination among Indian consumers. With 1.2 million visitors from India in 2024, a nearly 12% increase from the previous year, Singapore is well-positioned to capture an even larger share of India’s outbound tourism market. The roadshow also saw STB’s debut in Chandigarh as part of its effort to expand its reach beyond India’s metropolitan hubs. The Union Territory has emerged as a growing source of potential travel growth, especially with a rising number of Chandigarh-based travellers seeking short-haul holidays and new overseas experiences. “This event has energised us about the destination’s appeal and array of offerings for our customers, and has reinforced our commitment to promoting Singapore itineraries,” said Gagandeep Singh, Assistant General Manager, Antilog Vacations, Chandigarh. As STB continues its strong push to boost its marketing and build deeper trade connections with India, this tripartite partnership signals STB's strong focus and emphasis on India as a key source market for Singapore’s tourism. It highlights STB’s continued commitment to boosting its marketing efforts and building deeper trade connections with India.
STB launches campaign that will give away 60 free flights and one dream “do-over” trip for Americans
Travellers are discovering that a quick stopover in Singapore simply isn’t enough. In 2024, more than 692,000 American travelers arrived in Singapore. As the destination continues to appeal to long-haul American travelers, one thing is clear: Singapore isn’t just a stopover — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime destination worth exploring at a deeper level, with its vibrant cultural heritage, world-class dining, and dynamic cityscapes. That’s why the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in partnership with Singapore Global Network (SGN) is giving travellers a chance to stay longer — an opportunity to take full advantage of all the city has to offer — with the launch of the Stopover, Do-Over campaign. Whether travelers had a quick taste of Singapore and left wanting more, have yet to visit, or love to explore at a slower pace, this initiative invites visitors to uncover the many layers that encapsulate the iconic City in Nature. At the heart of the campaign is a once-in-a-lifetime grand prize: a fully customized Do-Over Trip for one lucky winner, designed to showcase Singapore’s hidden gems — from its buzzing hawker centers that uphold decades of culinary tradition, lush urban greenspaces that refine the limits to modern sustainability, to late night pursuits with tastemakers crafting world renowned cocktails. In addition, 60 round-trip flights will be awarded to U.S. travelers to commemorate Singapore’s 60th anniversary of independence on August 9, 2025. "You’ll never run out of things to do in Singapore, uncovering hidden speakeasies, taking in skyline views from the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool, or immersing yourself in a different cultural enclave each day, our city rewards curiosity,” says Eileen Lee, Senior Vice President, Americas at Singapore Tourism Board. “The ‘Stopover Do-Over’ campaign is an invitation for travelers to slow down, stay a while, and truly experience the depth of Singapore.” Win a Trip to Singapore – Here’s How Beginning March 18, travellers can enter for a chance to win: Grand Prize - The Ultimate Do-Over Trip: One (1) traveller will be selected based on a submitted essay detailing why they need a Singaporean “do-over,” and will receive a dream trip including airfare, accommodations and activities. 60 Flights Giveaway: 30 winners will each receive two (2) round-trip flights (for them and a guest) to experience all Singapore has to offer for themselves. The contest is open for entries through April 18, 2025. "Singapore isn’t just a stopover—it’s where connections are made. That’s why SGN is supporting this initiative—to turn visits into lasting ties. Whether it’s for work, business, or community, we want the travellers to discover a Singapore they’ll want to return to, again and again,” says Regional Director of Americas at Singapore Global Network Cheryl Lee. How to Plan a Stopover Do-Over Itinerary With a week in Singapore, visitors can allow the spirit of the destination to guide them. Discover how east meets west, nature and urban beauty intertwine, and the past meets present. Singapore is so much more than meets the eye, with distinctive neighborhoods like the Civic District, Katong Joo Chiat, Little India and Mandai ripe for discovery. Not to mention the steady slate of exciting cultural festivals and top sports and entertainment events happening all year long that are not to be missed.
STB names Markus Tan as Regional Director, India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa (IMESA)
The Singapore Tourism Board announces the appointment of Markus Tan as the Regional Director for India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa (IMESA), effective January 1, 2024. In his new role, based in Mumbai, Tan will spearhead STB’s initiatives in promoting Leisure and Business Travel & Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (BTMICE) in the IMESA region. His responsibilities will include overseeing travel promotions, public relations, and marketing, and driving developmental efforts to enhance Singapore’s position as a premier travel and business destination. Tan is a veteran of STB, having dedicated 18 years to the organisation in various pivotal roles. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director for World Expo and led the whole-of-government efforts to conceptualise, develop, and operate the Singapore Pavilion at Osaka World Expo 2025. From 2015 to 2022, he was based in Tokyo, Japan, as the Regional Director for North Asia, overseeing STB operations in Japan and the Republic of Korea. His innovative marketing initiatives and collaborations with several brands played a crucial role in showcasing Singapore as an exciting destination, influencing markets beyond the two countries. His international stint includes an impactful role in Guangzhou, China, where he was appointed Area Director, Southern China, and Hong Kong and Macau. His significant contributions to the tourism industry have left an indelible mark on the China and North Asia markets, as they have been instrumental in transforming these dynamic regions into key pillars of Singapore’s global tourism success. One of Mr. Tan’s unique strengths is his keen grasp and deep understanding of the BTMICE market through his various roles and projects in the space. Over the years, he has honed his skills and held key positions like Deputy Director, BTMICE Planning & Marketing, where he played a crucial role in developing strategies for the growth of Singapore’s BTMICE industry, as well as in marketing activities to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global business and MICE destination. Tan will be taking over from the current Regional Director, GB Srithar. Speaking on the leadership handover, Srithar said: “I am thrilled to pass on the baton to Markus to lead Singapore’s tourism business across the IMESA region. Over the course of my tenure in this role, we have witnessed India’s steady growth into a true global powerhouse, with an outbound tourism market that is brimming with opportunities. With his robust expertise in the industry and building on the strong affinity that Indian travellers have for Singapore, I am confident that he is in good stead to steer the organisation through this new era of travel and tourism.” On his appointment, Tan said: "I am excited to take on the role of STB’s Regional Director in IMESA. India is a nation of rich culture, diversity, and, particularly in this historic moment of its explosive global growth, incredible business opportunities. As STB strives to showcase the best of what Singapore has to offer, we remain committed to nurturing our existing relationships and cultivating new ones with the Indian travel industry. With the support of my team, I look forward to embarking on this journey with our partners and friends across India and together encouraging Indians to build even deeper connections with Singapore."
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) appoints Lim Kean Bon as Area Director, India, South Asia, and Africa
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced the appointment of Lim Kean Bon as Area Director, India, South Asia, and Africa on September 1. He will succeed Raymond Lim as the India market lead based in New Delhi, leading STB’s promotion, and travel trade engagement activities in Northern and Eastern India to sustain and grow affinity for Singapore from leisure travelers. In addition, Kean Bon will be responsible for business development efforts to secure visitorship across India to Singapore in the Cruise and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) segments. He will also lead his team in engaging consumers in other regional markets like Bangladesh and South Africa. Speaking on this appointment for Singapore Tourism Board (STB), GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East, South Asia & Africa (IMESA), said, "We extend a hearty welcome to Kean Bon as he joins our dynamic team. I believe Kean Bon’s leadership in driving experience development for a leisure precinct and his past tenure in the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB) places him in good stead to take on this role in STB New Delhi, particularly in this pivotal moment of anchoring Singapore as the premier lifestyle and business destination for Indian travellers.” Kean Bon started his career in the Singapore public service as an urban planner in Singapore’s city planning authority. He joined the STB infrastructure planning and management division in 2015 to drive the planning of MICE infrastructure, and subsequently moved on to the SECB team in 2017, where he managed destination bids and account servicing activities for large-scale business meetings and conventions organised by global associations. Prior to taking on the STB New Delhi leadership role, Kean Bon led STB’s Lifestyle Precinct Development team from 2020 to 2023, where he set direction for various projects to sustain the appeal of Orchard Road, Singapore’s leading lifestyle precinct. "I am excited to join the STB IMESA team and look forward to building on the good work and strong partnerships forged by my predecessor Raymond”, Kean Bon said. “Together with my team in New Delhi, we will continue our efforts to promote Singapore and inspire the Indian audience with the sheer breadth of vibrant experiences the city has to offer for leisure and business travellers.”
GSTC to develop new criteria for MICE with STB
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), with support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), is developing a new Criteria for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and Attractions. The GSTC MICE Criteria and GSTC Attraction Criteria will serve as the global sustainability standards for both industries. Development of the GSTC MICE Criteria The GSTC MICE Criteria will be developed with the input of relevant stakeholders in the field of MICE and will provide clear sustainability outcomes that the standard seeks to achieve. The development of the GSTC MICE Criteria is vital to meet the increasing demand for sustainable practices in the tourism sector. The MICE industry must prioritize sustainability to meet the growing demand for sustainable travel options. With more business travelers seeking sustainable options, it makes business sense for tourism companies to prioritize sustainability to meet the evolving demands of their customers. The GSTC MICE Criteria can also guide the industry to make supply chains more sustainable and increase residents' involvement in local events and exhibitions. Randy Durband, chief executive officer, GSTC said, “The development of GSTC MICE Criteria will provide a globally-created and globally-applicable set of sustainability standards that serves as a platform for universal approaches to measurement, monitoring, reporting, and various forms of external verification needed to drive positive impacts from good practices.” The application of the GSTC MICE Criteria has long-term impact, as its continued use can significantly reduce negative environmental impacts, preserve local cultures and cuisines, and support sustainable consumption and production patterns. Criteria Development Process The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has formed a MICE Criteria Development Advisory Group*1, which comprises up to ten organizations from both the public and private sectors with established track record in hosting MICE events. The main objective of this group is to offer their expert opinion and comments to the GSTC Technical Team while GSTC will retain full oversight and control of the Criteria development process. The Advisory Group will also encourage the MICE industry to take part in the Public Consultation and Feasibility Assessment phases of the Criteria Development process. The whole process of development and revision will be overseen by the International Standards Committee (ISC) of the GSTC. The development and content of the ‘Terms of Reference’ (TOR) endeavor to comply with the requirements of the ISEAL Standard- Setting Code of Good Practice. More detailed information about the process is available in the GSTC MICE Criteria Development Terms of Reference (TOR) document. GSTC Attraction Criteria Later this year, GSTC will begin developing another set of criteria, the GSTC Attraction Criteria, to enhance the common language of sustainability in attractions. The development of the GSTC Attraction Criteria comes also with the support of the STB, and a specific plan such as TOR will be shared later this year. Key Contributor - Role of STB Following Singapore’s recent certification as a sustainable destination based on the GSTC’s Destination Criteria, STB is demonstrating its commitment by bringing together Singapore’s tourism associations and stakeholders to contribute to GSTC’s global efforts in driving sustainable tourism. This is in line with Singapore’s vision to become a sustainable urban destination, where large experiences come with small footprints. Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board said, “The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is pleased to support GSTC in the development of their industry criteria for MICE and attractions. Such internationally-recognised standards are important, as they help destinations and tourism businesses understand if their sustainability efforts are on the right track. We look forward to working closely with GSTC and our industry associations to provide a Singapore perspective and help the tourism sector contribute to a greener world.” STB, together with Singapore’s industry associations, the Singapore Associationof Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS) and the Association of Singapore Attractions (ASA), will provide feedback, consultation, and industry expertise for the draft Criteria, as well as to encourage industry adoption of the developed Criteria when ready.
Disney Cruise Line and STB to bring Magical Cruise Vacations to Southeast Asia
Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board have announced magical cruise vacations to Southeast Asia for the first time, revealed by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, S. Iswaran. Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board agreed to collaborate to homeport a brand-new Disney cruise ship exclusively in Singapore for at least five years beginning in 2025. More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date. “This is a very exciting year for The Walt Disney Company — 2023 marks our 100th anniversary,” D’Amaro said. “As part of this, Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world. We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.” “We look forward to welcoming the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Singapore in 2025,” said Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “This is an important milestone for STB and reflects Disney Cruise Line’s strong confidence in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The new Disney cruise ship will be an attraction itself and is expected to boost the tourism sector in Singapore for many years to come.” Cruising in Singapore and Southeast Asia Singapore’s strategic location, world-class air connectivity and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia, a diverse region that is home to over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The addition of a Disney Cruise Line ship in Singapore has the potential to add millions of local and foreign cruise passengers across the five-year period, including fly-cruise passengers who arrive in Singapore by air. It is also expected to bring about significant spillover benefits for the wider economy. These include greater demand for port and ship-related services, as well as on-ground spending in Singapore for the lifestyle and hospitality sectors. New Disney Cruise Ship for Families in Southeast Asia The new ship will feature innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world- class dining and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart. Guests of all ages will find dedicated spaces and activities designed just for them, and families will create unforgettable memories with beloved characters such as Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel Super Heroes and more. Disney Cruise Line estimates the passenger capacity of the 208,000-gross-ton ship to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members. It is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels available. Construction is projected to be completed at the MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish and is constructing two additional Wish-class ships.
STB collaborates with Tripoto; launches “On My Own in Singapore” for solo women travellers
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in collaboration with Tripoto announced the launch of its exclusive series “On My Own in Singapore”- a web-series showcasing a young female traveller’s journey in Singapore. This web-series is the first of its kind co-produced by a national tourism board and a travel platform, aimed at breaking misconceptions of solo female travel. The 6-episode web series features a female protagonist on an epic journey of self-exploration, against the vibrant backdrop of Singapore’s lifestyle offerings. The series launch of “On My Own in Singapore” was held on 24th March 2023 at Home, Delhi by PVR, Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj in Delhi and was graced by the presence of the lead actor Vidushi Kaul, who shared anecdotes from her experience filming in Singapore and her own personal discoveries on the glittering city-state. Taking on a short and crisp format,” On My Own in Singapore” is a light, amusing and heart-warming story that takes a peek into the pensive mind of Marzia, a 29-year-old who undertakes her solo bachelorette trip in Singapore. Spoofed by her friends into making the solo trip, she discovers many surprises in Singapore on her own that reconnect with her inner self. Vidushi Kaul, who has appeared previously in shows such as TVF Pitchers and Made in Heaven, plays the role of Marzia. The show is directed by Shreeya Tiwari, who has been associated with other critically-acclaimed projects such as Josef in Exile and An Anarchy of Existence. Speaking about the newly-launched web series, G.B Srithar, Regional Director for India, Middle East, South Asia & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said, “Singapore has traditionally been best known as a prime travel destination for Indian families and groups. Increasingly, we are also observing more and more female travellers empowered to travel to seek out their adventures and self-discoveries in Singapore, to experience who they are and fulfil their passions. Singapore’s range of experiential offerings to young millennials perfectly caters to these solo female travellers. With Singapore’s exceptional track record for women’s safety*, such travellers often share that they are uniquely able to travel freely on their own terms, be inspired by the diminutive city-state’s boundary-breaking spirit, and ultimately find true purpose in their journey.” Anirudh Gupta, Founder & CEO, Tripoto, “At Tripoto, our endeavour has been to curate custom made travel plans for people based on their passions. When it comes to women traveling solo, they typically opt for destinations that offer a blend of relaxation, adventure, shopping and party. This entertainment format of the web-series is our innovative way of reaching out to this segment of female travellers, and Singapore serves as the perfect setting to tell the story of empowerment in everyday heroines like Marzia”. As millennials constantly seek out unique, reimagined offerings in their next travel destinations, Singapore allows visitors to delve right into its dynamic food, events, leisure, shopping, adventure and nightlife offerings. Research shows that Singapore’s cruise and nightlife destinations are highly preferred1 among middle-aged and younger travellers, which also include solo woman nomads wishing to make bold and exciting memories for themselves.
2nd chapter of Eastbound Connect Series concludes
Eastbound Group successfully concluded the 2nd edition of its experiential industry engagement event series ‘Eastbound Connect’ on 24th February 2023 in New Delhi. Marking the 18th year of Eastbound Group, the event themed ‘Realign and Reaccelerate’ saw an enthusiastic turnout of over 250 of the most powerful names in the travel and hospitality industry, cementing its reputation as a place where icons and disruptors convene. With the objective of knowledge-sharing and networking as its central premise, the event was executed as a two-part experience. While the first half of the day was focused at enriching knowledge-based sessions organized at Hotel Le Meridien Gurgaon, the latter unfolded as a glittering black-tie event at a premium experiential venue in New Delhi where some of the biggest stalwarts of the hospitality, travel and tourism fraternity contributed to an unmatched crackling energy. The crowd was entranced by an exquisite five-piece jazz troupe which was followed by a mesmerizing performance by a Coke Studio India artist. In response to the positive reception at Eastbound Connect Prrithviraj Singh, Co-Founder Eastbound and Managing Director 2HUB, commented, “EBC has proven to be a key meeting point for the travel and hospitality community. It was a thrill for us to have such an enthusiastic response from industry partners. Incredible conversations contributed to an eclectic atmosphere underscoring our efforts to bring the industry together. We hope to further this cause through the future chapters of the event series.” Amit Kishore, Group Founder stated, “We have weathered a debilitating storm and yet emerged stronger. Truth be told this would not have been nearly possible if it wasn’t for the people who stood by us and supported us. Last year has been phenomenal for us and 2023 looks equally promising with group revenue set to cross 1000 Cr in the next 15 months. We also recently launched a highly advanced tech platform which is being adopted by all group businesses. We are completely geared towards establishing ourselves as a tech-first company.” He continued, “Eastbound Connect Series is our way of celebrating and nurturing the fraternal spirit of the industry. It allows us to act as an enabler towards creating a lasting environment of cooperation and collaborations and, as a result, contribute to the industry in a way that’s not only impactful but also meaningful.”
STB partners with WeddingSutra
With an eye on capturing the wedding tourism market in India, officials from Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore stakeholders hosted a networking session in partnership with WeddingSutra on 7 and 8 February in Mumbai and Delhi respectively. The networking session, which saw the attendance of India’s leading wedding and event planners, was led by GB Srithar, Regional Director India, Middle East & South Asia Singapore Tourism Board, and Parthip Thyagarajan, Co-founder & CEO, of WeddingSutra. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) re-introduced Singapore as a premium wedding destination at a lively and collaborative ‘SingapoReimagine’ event. The networking session included an insightful panel discussion with renowned names of the Indian wedding industry along with key Singapore stakeholders such as Sentosa Development Corporation, Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Airlines. The conversation focused on sharing insights on the Indian wedding landscape, changing consumer sentiment during this pandemic and establishing Singapore’s right to win in this space. The networking sessions facilitated one-on-one interactions between the Singapore stakeholders such as Singapore Airlines, Changi Airport Group, Sentosa Development Corporation, Gardens by the Bay, Far East Hospitality and wedding planners highlighting unique venue options, exclusive beach resorts, and private yet luxurious environs. India has always been a key source market for Singapore. The country ranked second in terms of visitor arrivals in 2022 as travel rebounded after an easing of COVID-19 restrictions. This momentum is only set to continue, with Singapore doing away with travel restrictions altogether and Bhubaneshwar set to become the 17th Indian city to be connected to Singapore via a direct flight. Having traditionally welcomed families, MICE visitors and cruise holiday-goers, Singapore is keen to capitalize on this momentum in visitor arrivals by broadening its appeal as a destination to the wedding category. The city-state, with its range of attractions and competitive pricing in the premium wedding category is ideally poised to cater to the entire wedding universe, from the pre-wedding photoshoot to the honeymoon. Moving forward, STB India will continue to facilitate networking between stakeholders from India and Singapore to establish a strong ecosystem and seek ideas and input from industry leaders to map out suitable support efforts required from the STB and the industry to further entrench Singapore’s positioning as a destination for weddings.
STB ramps up recovery initiatives with travel trade
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) rolled out ambitious plans to make the city-state an even more desirable destination for Indian visitors in 2023 at South Asia’s leading travel trade event, SATTE as it aims to build on last year’s post-pandemic travel rebound. This comes in along with announcement by the Indian government of removing all RTPCR requirements, in addition to all covid restrictions being lifted, for Indian travelers returning from Singapore with effect from 13th February 2023, 11 am. This shall further facilitate fuss free travel for Indian visitors to Singapore. Travel from India to Singapore has picked up pace since April 2022 with the greater easing of travel restrictions. India accounted for 686,000 of the overall 6.3 million global visitor arrivals in 2022, emerging as Singapore’s second largest source market after Indonesia (1.1 million visitors). With direct flight connectivity between Singapore and 17 Indian cities, Singapore is poised to tap into the burgeoning travel demand from across the country. Built around the theme ‘Ramping up Pathways to Recovery, Together!’, the STB’s vision for 2023 and the coming years includes a focus on positioning Singapore as a destination that offers rewarding travel experience to Indian travellers by broadening its appeal, both to a wider Indian demographic which includes young Indian travellers, and as an aspirational destination to celebrate life milestones such as weddings and anniversaries. STB will also sharpen its offerings in its family segment, Meetings and Incentive travel, and cruise tourism strongholds. GB Srithar, regional director, India, Middle East, South Asia and Africa, said, “A total of 48 Singapore travel industry partners are exhibiting at the Singapore Pavilion at SATTE 2023, making this Singapore’s biggest ever presence at SATTE. India has long been one of Singapore’s largest tourism source markets, and is only set to become even more important in 2023, bolstered by a strong recovery in 2022 of close to 50% of the visitor arrivals achieved in 2019. The year ahead in Singapore is exciting, with hotly-anticipated tourism developments and we invite many more Indians with different passion points, travel desires, and aspirations to enjoy our diverse, vibrant, and reimagined offerings.” The Singapore Pavilion showcases new attractions, initiatives and focus areas STB is working on. Upcoming tourism developments that will be launched in 2023 include Sentosa’s multi-concept family development and Sensoryscape experiential park, as well as Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s Bird Paradise. These developments are expected to further anchor Singapore’s destination attractiveness to travellers from all across India. Alongside SATTE 2023, STB has lined up a series of trade outreach activities across India, which includes a B2B networking platform in Chennai on 13 February, and two wedding networking engagements with 35 top wedding planners in partnership with WeddingSutra on 7 and 8 February in Mumbai and Delhi respectively. Singapore, over the last few decades, has established itself as a global business and leisure hub. It offers visitors a mix of eclectic experiences. Visitors can take in live sports, arts, entertainment, or a wildlife safari, indulge themselves in delectable cuisines that are reflective of Singapore’s cultural diversity, or engage in thrill-seeking adventure exploits. Singapore is increasingly also emerging as a wellness destination, with a whole host of emotional and physical well-being experiences on offer. At the same time, it takes the lead in pioneering sustainable tourism, with its ‘City in Nature’ vision a key pillar of the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
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Asia Tech x Singapore
Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) 2023 continues as the region’s premier tech festival that brings together enterprise businesses, governments, academia, and technology experts to learn from one another, forge partnerships and prepare for all things connected, digital and immersive.