In August, the Singapore government announced that Singaporeans would be given S$320 million in tourism credits to spend domestically, in an effort to encourage Singaporeans to explore Singapore’s local culture, heritage, nature, art and architecture.
Few details were known at the time about these so-called SingapoRediscovers Vouchers, but Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing today (at the Jurong Bird Park, no less!) unveiled some additional details.
Here’s the quick take:
- Each adult Singaporean (aged 18 and above) to receive S$100 each
- No minimum spend required
- Vouchers valid from December 2020 to June 2021
- Valid at all STB-approved hotels, attractions and tours
How much SingapoRediscovers Vouchers will I get?
Each adult Singaporean (aged 18 and above) will receive S$100 in SingapoRediscovers Vouchers, split into 10 x S$10.
While children are not eligible for these vouchers, adult Singaporeans will be able to purchase up to six subsidized tickets (S$10 off) for attractions and tours on behalf of those under 18.
These vouchers will only be available to Singapore citizens; permanent residents will not be eligible.
When will I get my SingapoRediscovers Vouchers?
Vouchers will be made available via SingPass from December 2020, and can be used up till June 2021. Further details on redemption will be provided in November.
Where can SingapoRediscovers Vouchers be used?
SingapoRediscovers Vouchers can be used at all licensed hotels, leisure attractions and tour operations that have received STB approval to reopen. There are currently 214 hotels, 40 attractions and 81 tour operators which hold such status.
STB list of approved attractions
STB list of approved tour operators
I have to say, I’m very surprised that hotels were included in the list, given how the staycation market is booming and hotels have already received substantial government assistance via the SHN program.
The ideal outcome here (from the point of view of the economy, at least) would be for people to spend their credits over multiple visits, generating more opportunities for ancillary spending. A hotel night easily costs more than S$200, which means a single staycation could capture the entirety of the value.
But I suppose this is welcome news, if you’re someone who prefers lazing by the pool over breakfast with Ah Meng. Now, can these vouchers be used for flights to nowhere?
Is there any minimum spend requirement?
No. Vouchers can be used just like cash, with no minimum spend required. In Chan Chun Sing’s words:
โWeโll expect a certain multiplier effect because when people come here, they will also spend on other things. We have kept the scheme relatively simple. So for example, they can use this to pay off the tickets or defer the cost of the tickets for coming in. But when they come in, they will spend on some of the F&B and other services that the attractions, hotels or the tours provide.”
Attraction capacity to be increased from 25% to 50%
Ever since tourist attractions opened in Phase 2, operators have had to cap their capacity at 25% of maximum occupanncy. With COVID-19 community transmission rates remaining low, the MTI has decided to increase the cap to 50%, subject to approval.
Attraction operators can also apply for approval to scale up capacity at outdoor events to 250 people from the current 50. This will be done by creating five zones of 50 people each. Perhaps there might be some hope yet for some in-person KrisFlyer Experiences this year?
Conclusion
S$100 per person is more or less the figure I calculated last month, based on the S$320 million kitty and number of Singapore citizens.
While I’m surprised that the credits can be used for staycations too, I’m certainly not complaining. If nothing else, these SingapoRediscovers will make for a nice weekend out- and hopefully generate some multiplier effect that will help preserve jobs in the hospitality and tourism fields.
As mentioned, expect to hear more details about redeeming and using the vouchers come November.
If the Australia government did something like this – i.e. using tax revenue to pay for something that only benefits Australians and not all Australia tax payers – there would be outrage and it would be considered to be unfair, discriminatory, nationalistic etc.
….
Well, it actually is unfair, discriminatory, nationalistic, etc.
Wondering what is the rationale to exclude other tax payers
Can all Australian tax payers vote for government? If not, they can shut up and step aside.
Welcome to the dictatorship. Also most non singaporean tax payers spend $100 on breakfast every day so fairly irrelevant to them if they save $10 on Jurong Bird Park or whatever it is
If you do dislike the way Singapore government treats foreigners, you are welcome to leave and find a better place. FWIW, what Singapore government does is fair and reasonable.
Sing_expat: you know this is not true and assuming all foreigners are millionaire is a myth (some indeed are); most are cheap labor force from neighboring countries. Even for the few % of them that make say > 15k / month, it is clearly unreasonable to think they’d spend 3k / month on breakfast. Nonetheless, I agree with you most expats would not care about those vouchers as most don’t fancy staycation / bird park. Freedom: so your goto answer is “if you disagree with a government measure, then shut up or leave” ? Sounds like a pretty childish approach… Read more »
If expat community is so petty about the $100 vouchers Singapore government offers to locals, then yes, that’s my advice to those expats. FWIW, Singapore government has offered a lot more to Singapore citizens. Those disgruntled expats can continue to whine, I doubt the government give a damn about those whining.
To freedom: I don’t think the expat community is “petty”, “disgruntled” or “whining” about this, as you say.
Given they have points of comparison, they simply are able to rightfully tell this is “unfair, discriminatory, nationalistic”…and they go on with their life… Vast majority of them are smart enough to understand what they get / bring to Singapore…and won’t make a fuss about not getting some vouchers.
Your clear aversion to expats makes you overreact, bro
@freedom just the kind of ill thought through response Iโve come to expect.
I guess just as well they didn’t do it then…?
Will they limit the usage of 1 voucher per person per use. This would prevent all vouchers being used in a single location like the staycation example and help spread the wealth
https://www.stb.gov.sg/content/stb/en/home-pages/approved-attractions.html
ArtScience Museum, Sands SkyPark and Observation Deck and Casino at Marina Bay Sands qualify are among the list of approved attractions.
Does it mean Singaporeans can have finally have a discounted entry to our local casinoes?
Wonder if they will use this opportunity to discreetly mark up cost..