Rupee fall: No major impact on tourist flow to Singapore

To encourage MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) tourism further, the board has announced special package offer – Inspire – for corporates.

The rupee depreciation has not impacted the flow of Indian tourists into Singapore but they probably skimped on their spending, according to Chang Chee Pey, Executive Director, Singapore Tourism Director.

He said, “We are yet to get the numbers for the last six months.

“However, we can say that there were not many cancellations so far.

“What might have happened is that tourists calibrated their budget, must have gone in for cheaper accommodation and reduced their shopping budget.”

To encourage MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) tourism further, the board has announced special package offer – Inspire – for corporates.

It has tied up with Changi Airport Group, Gardens by the Bay, Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa Leisure Group, Singapore Airlines, Singapore Turf Club and Wildlife Reserves Singapore to throw in complimentary services. Incentive groups travelling before December 31, 2014 and staying at least 1,000 visitor nights will be eligible to apply for the Inspire programme.

Quoting Euromonitor, Chee Pey said around 1.8 million Indians travel abroad solely for MICE purposes.

“We indeed witness a chunk of this number landing up in Singapore,” he said.

Besides, the Singapore Tourism Board has tied up with major tour operators in India, including Thomas Cook, Cox and Kings, Kuoni Travels and Yatra.com, to offer value-added travel packages to attract individual leisure travellers.

Commenting on the joint venture between the Tatas and Singapore Airlines, G.B. Srithar, Area Director (South Asia), Singapore Tourism Board, said it would help greater tourism traffic between India and Singapore, as it is expected to connect more cities in India.

ravikumar.r@thehindu.co.in

Rupee fall: No major impact on tourist flow to Singapore