‘We’ve an array of experiences for Indian travellers’ – Industry News

India ranks as the fifth-largest market for Singapore with 1.07 million tourist arrivals in 2023 and over 148,000 recorded in the first quarter of 2024. Renjie Wong, area director, India (Mumbai), South Asia & Middle East & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), tells Vaishali Dar how the island city is eyeing weddings, and meetings, incentives, conferences & exhibitions (MICE) from India. Excerpts:

How does the Indian market rank for Singapore?

Singapore remains a magnet for global travellers. This is fuelled by a surge in travel demand, spurred by the complete reopening of borders, expanded flight capacities, and a diverse range of attractions and events. In 2023, our top five source markets were Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Australia and India. India ranks as the fifth-largest market for Singapore, contributing 1.07 million visitor arrivals in 2023. In 2024, Indian tourism to Singapore continued to thrive, with over 148,000 visitor arrivals recorded in the first quarter. India stands as Singapore’s second-largest source market for cruises with over 100,000 visitors embarking on cruises from Singapore in 2023, accounting for nearly 25% of the global cruise international visitor arrivals.

Which segment has performed strongest in terms of tourist footfalls?

The strongest performance is of families with young children and BTMICE (business travel meetings, incentives, conferences & exhibitions) travellers. In the Indian market, we are targeting the early and established careers segment, which represents a high-growth and high-spend leisure demographic. These travellers are strategic ‘lighthouse consumers’ who hold significant influence on broader travel and consumer trends within the market. They also form the foundation of the families with young children segment of the future.

How are you gearing up to accommodate more visitors?

The hospitality industry plays a pivotal role in the growth of the tourism sector, contributing around 20% of the total tourism receipts. With a portfolio of over 430 properties spread across the island, we are providing more than 70,000 rooms, and adding over 9,000 new hotel rooms this year for tourists and business travellers. Among the top brands, Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa is scheduled to open this year, which is the second Raffles hotel in Singapore.

The UPI-PayNow is a significant tie-up for India and Singapore. Are there more such collaborations lined up to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions?

Both the countries have linked their digital payments systems – UPI and PayNow – for cost-effective cross-border transactions. The facility is available on BHIM, PhonePe and Paytm, with more banks and third-party application providers expected to be added soon. It’s a milestone for both countries and a customer-centric technological travel advancement. We also signed a two-year MoU with PhonePe app to invest in joint marketing efforts across India and Singapore this year. The app users have the ease of business, and can use their Indian bank accounts to pay at over 10,000 merchant outlets. Both STB and PhonePe will invest in joint marketing efforts across India and Singapore to promote seamless UPI experiences across key tourism hotspots.

Is visa on arrival for Indians in the offing?

We never had issues with securing a visa for Singapore. We work closely with our counterparts to ensure a smooth visa process, which takes seven working days or even less.

How are you introducing Singapore as a wedding destination to the Indian market?

India is an incredibly promising market for Singapore, and we have an array of experiences for the young and dynamic Indian consumer. From luxury stays, wedding venues like Sentosa island, Gardens by the Bay, we have it all. Singapore is connected across 17 gateways including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar to offer the right wedding landscape. The rise in demand in the segment is the genesis of our partnership with fashion designer Rahul Mishra to highlight Singapore as a wedding destination through the lens of a bridal couture designer.

Do collaborations like the one with designer Rahul Mishra help in promoting the destination?

Yes, absolutely. Rahul Mishra has created his Spring Summer 2024 Wedding Capsule Collection, giving a glimpse of the island city. Titled ‘Beginnings. Made In Singapore’, the five couture pieces are inspired from his personal encounters in Singapore: floral motifs evocative of Gardens by the Bay; Peranakan shophouses; Orchard Road and the skyline of Marina Bay come alive in his silhouettes. It celebrates the identity of ‘Made in Singapore’, which is our global campaign to inspire travel to Singapore. Mishra’s couture is a bold and refreshing way to bring Singapore to Indians.

What are the new attractions for visitors in 2024?

The Wings of Time in Sentosa is a world-class multimedia show with dramatic effects, water jets, lasers, and pyrotechnics. The art world of French painter Claude Monet is coming to Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome this year in July. You can experience Hogwarts and other iconic key Harry Potter locations via Harry Potter: Visions of Magic at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, set to open in Q42024.