Singapore is a vast, vibrant city, full of travellers, locals and ex-pats. Erin Beckford from Travel Managers explains her top tips on selling this incredible place.
Is there much interest from Australians for travel to Singapore?
Singapore is in high demand for Australian travellers for many reasons. It is a hub for inter-Asia and international cruising, the city itself is clean, easy to manoeuvre and most Singaporeans are English speaking which puts Australian travellers at ease. With the number of Airlines flying between Australia and Singapore increasing, it is a quick flight over! And, the icing on the cake — the Australian dollar is strong against the Singapore dollar.
Which areas are most popular?
I tend to suggest Clarke Quay area to my clients as it is quite a central location and offers many tourism options such as the Singapore River Cruise, City Hop-on hop-off bus and a plethora of amazing restaurants and eateries nearby.
What are the must see highlights for first time travellers?
For first time travellers to Singapore there are a few ‘must sees’.Gardens by the Bay of course. A Singapore Foodies Tour where you can immerse yourself in the local food culture that sets Singapore apart from other Asian destinations. A visit to the famous Marina Bay Sands and going all the way to the top of the property to enjoy views over Singapore and Sentosa from the “Cruise Ship” inspired infinity pool and a variety of dining and bar areas.
Many travellers see Singapore as a stop-over destination. Should agents be trying to change their perceptions?
I think the term stop-over is starting to almost mean “second holiday” for some travellers. Many opt tospend time in Singapore and then venture to Sentosa and neighbouring Bintan Island. This new style of stop-over travel is providing travellers with more time to enjoy more than one destination during their Europe or UK holidays.
What should an agent consider when selling Singapore?
There is more to Singapore than Singapore, with many neighbouring holiday destinations such as Bintan Island, Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur only a short transfer, ferry or plane ride away. The ever-growing Cruise market out of and to Singapore is growing exponentially. I think Singapore is becoming not only a prime destination for travellers but also a gateway of opportunities to visit and experience neighbouring destinations.
