Singapore - Recent

The visa-free policy introduced in February and sustained efforts by Singapore authorities and businesses have driven the overall surge of Chinese visitors to the country, with increases recorded during the Labor Day holiday and China's summer holiday season.

China regained its position as Singapore's main source of tourists in the first half of this year. A total of 2.3 million Chinese tourists visited Singapore in the January to August period, reaching 87 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The Chinese visitors were also the biggest spenders, contributing significantly to food and beverage, accommodation, and retail of the country.

Kele, a heritage bakery specializing in a local delicacy, has seen a 20 percent increase in sales this year thanks to the coming of Chinese tourists. To better serve Chinese guests, businesses like Kele are leveraging their partnership with Chinese payment platforms.

With payment streamlined, businesses are finding their ways to cater to Chinese tourists' evolving needs.

The Singapore Tourism Board has rolled out a series of targeted initiatives, such as teaming up with Chinese key opinion leaders and popular reality shows to establish Singapore as a top-of-the-mind destination.

Singapore is expected to welcome a large number of Chinese tourists during China's National Day Holiday from Oct. 1 to 7.

Shotlist:
Singapore - Recent:
1. Merlion Fountain;
2. Various of tourists taking photos with Merlion Fountain;
3. Shop cashiers at work;
4. Chocolates on shelf;
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Joel Lim, Co-Founder, Choco Atelier (starting with shot 4/ending with shot 6):
"From July to August, we've seen our Chinese tourists constituting 60 to 70 percent of our total footfall in general, which is quite a huge amount.";
6. Customers paying at cashier counter;
7. Various of graphics showing data on Singapore tourism;
8. Pastry shop;
9. Various of customers outside shop; poster showing promotion event;
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Gordon Ang, marketing director; co-owner, Kele Singapore (starting with shot 9/ending with shot 11):
"We work very closely with the WeChat Singapore team and offer the Chinese seamless transaction. With that, we managed to reach out to more Chinese via the platform and aggressively promote our brand.";
11.Various of customers tasting pastry;
12. Customer paying at cashier counter;
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Cassim, senior lecturer, diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Temasek Polytechnic (starting with shot 12/ending with shot 14):
"When they go to a destination, it's not just for what the destination has to offer in terms of maybe culture, heritage, gastronomy, but it's the whole package of when they come in, what they enjoy, what impacts them at an emotional level, at a mental level, and sometimes even at a spiritual level.";
14. Various of customers tasting tea, pastry;
15. People outside medical hall, pedestrians.

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