The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has strengthened its long-term partnership with the leading Southeast Asian travel platform, Traveloka, through a one-year Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed on January 17. Ms. Melissa Ow, CEO of STB, and Mr. Caesar Indra, President of Traveloka, presided over the signing ceremony.
This MoC signing comes as Singapore endeavors to boost its tourism recovery efforts in Southeast Asia. Last year, Singapore welcomed 4.78 million visitors from the region.
Notably, Vietnam ranks among the top 10 markets for Singaporean tourism, with 434,000 visitors recorded by the end of 2023. This robust recovery reflects Singapore’s appeal as a world-class lifestyle destination for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian travelers alike, demonstrating the enthusiastic support from industry partners such as Traveloka.
The MoC marks a deepening collaboration between STB and Traveloka, extending beyond marketing campaigns. Particularly, the agreement will focus on enhancing consumer-centric approaches through detailed information sharing and data exchange. Additionally, both parties will explore introducing new Singaporean products and experiences on the Traveloka platform. This new agreement underscores the mutual commitment to innovation and enhancing visitor experiences across Southeast Asian markets.
Mr. Terrence Voon, STB’s Regional Director for Southeast Asia, stated, “Since our initial collaboration in 2019, Traveloka has been a valued partner to us. In the context of the region’s tourism recovery, our cooperative efforts will leverage Southeast Asia’s diverse tourism potential, enhancing our understanding of customers and solidifying Singapore’s position as a premier destination in the region.”
In addition to attracting more visitors to Singapore, the partnership emphasizes knowledge sharing and exploring new initiatives. For instance, STB and Traveloka will exchange detailed information to develop more targeted advertising campaigns and deliver tailored travel experiences. Leveraging the expertise of both parties, this collaboration aims to enhance overall visitor experiences and yield positive outcomes across Southeast Asia.
Mr. Caesar Indra, President of Traveloka, commented, “Singapore is renowned as one of the top overseas destinations in the region. In 2023, we observed an 80% increase in searches and transactions from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines for all products related to Singapore compared to the previous year. We are delighted to continue our collaboration with STB to deliver greater value to our customers. We are committed to providing more benefits and meeting consumer holiday preferences, including their plans to visit Singapore. This partnership marks an exciting chapter in enriching our customers’ experiences.”
The MoC signing signifies the shared commitment of STB and Traveloka to invest in marketing campaigns, focusing on Indonesia initially and expanding to Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. STB and Traveloka are planning to implement several marketing initiatives, including organizing collaborative tours with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and developing video content for digital platforms.
What’s in Store for Singapore in 2024?
Singapore promises a plethora of exciting events, new attractions, and exclusive offers for tourists this year. Travelers can look forward to vibrant festivals such as the Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS), extravagant entertainment programs featuring global artists, and world-class sporting events like the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. Visitors from Vietnam can also anticipate enticing promotions and exclusive deals via Traveloka for even more enriching trips to Singapore.
Art activities will take center stage in Singapore during the first quarter of 2024, with anticipated product launches that will captivate tourists, including:
Lunar New Year Festival in Chinatown: Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Singapore’s iconic Chinatown from January 19 to March 9, 2024. The festival features dazzling street light performances, lively countdown parties, workshops, performances, festive cuisines, along with the vibrant cultural heritage of this historic neighborhood.
“The Legend of the Dragon Gate – Drone Show by the Bay” – Experience mesmerizing drone light shows by Marina Bay, “The Legend of the Dragon Gate” will take 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 story of the legendary Dragon King, brought to life through 1,500 drones against Singapore’s iconic nighttime backdrop.
