Counters to be set up, including at 40 CCs, for redemption of domestic tourism vouchers

• There will be at least one redemption point in each public housing town
• Ambassadors will be stationed at these physical touchpoints to assist seniors
• The vouchers will be accessible digitally via SingPass from Dec 1

SINGAPORE — Up to 66 counters will be set up islandwide, including at least one in each public housing town, for Singaporeans to redeem their S$100 domestic tourism vouchers.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov 3) that there will also be ambassadors stationed at these counters, who will help senior citizens redeem their “SingaporeRediscovers” vouchers, which can be used for approved local hotel stays, attractions and tours. 

He was responding to questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) Ang Wei Neng and Melvin Yong about how the ministry intends to help those who face difficulties accessing the vouchers digitally.

Earlier, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) had said that these vouchers, which will be made available from Dec 1, can be redeemed digitally via SingPass. 

“While we encourage all Singaporeans to register for a SingPass account, if they have not already done so, and redeem the vouchers digitally, we will provide some physical touchpoints for those who need them,” Mr Tan said. 

There will be at least one redemption point in each public housing town, he added.

These counters will be set up by Klook Travel Technology with UOB Travel Planners, Changi Travel Services and GlobalTix, which are booking platforms for the vouchers. 

STB is working with the People’s Association (PA) to have these counters available at about 40 community centres with SingPass counters. 

STB will also set up a hotline to handle public enquiries on the vouchers, which are valid until end-June 2021.

“To help seniors who are staying alone or have little social support to utilise their vouchers, STB will explore working with social service organisations and the PA to facilitate the usage of the vouchers, such as by organising small group tours for seniors when permissible,” Mr Tan said.

He added that booking platforms are also welcome to come up with packages targeted at families and seniors, or bundles with food and beverage as well as retail outlets.

The two MPs also asked how STB will prevent fraud and protect seniors from being swindled of their vouchers.

Mr Tan replied that the use of SingPass will provide secure authentication for the distribution of vouchers and that STB is working with government agencies and the booking platforms to develop safeguards against fraud.

STB will also conduct regular checks and audits, as well as analyse data to flag suspicious transactions for further investigations, he added. 

Mr Ang, who is MP is for West Coast Group Representation Constituency, then asked Mr Tan how the Government will manage the higher demand at attractions after the vouchers are given out. 

Since September, attraction operators have been able to apply to increase their operating capacity from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. “We will (be) looking at how the health situation and Covid-19 situation is being managed,” Mr Tan said.

Mr Tan also urged Singaporeans to spread out their use of the vouchers over the seven months, adding that the vouchers’ validity covers both the December and June school holidays. 

Asked by Workers’ Party MP Leon Perera whether the Government will extend the vouchers to arts-related activities such as festivals and plays, Mr Tan said the vouchers can be used at museums and galleries, which are tourist attractions.

But arts and cultural organisations which offer complementary products can work with eligible merchants to develop bundles to qualify for the vouchers, added Mr Tan, who is also Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth.

Mr Tan said they can also tap STB’s ongoing S$45 million SingapoRediscovers marketing campaign by, for example, contributing deals and content.

Details on the redemption process will be mailed to Singapore citizens before the rollout of the scheme, he added.