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Several S’pore travel agencies prepare for trips to Hong Kong following air travel bubble agreement

SINGAPORE — Several travel agencies in Singapore have started preparing for trips to Hong Kong, following the announcement on Thursday (Oct 15) of an air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong.

Visitors posing at Disneyland theme park in Hong Kong when it reopened on Sept 25, 2020. Under an upcoming travel bubble, Singaporeans will be able to visit Hong Kong regardless of the type of travel involved.

Visitors posing at Disneyland theme park in Hong Kong when it reopened on Sept 25, 2020. Under an upcoming travel bubble, Singaporeans will be able to visit Hong Kong regardless of the type of travel involved.

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SINGAPORE — Several travel agencies in Singapore have started preparing for trips to Hong Kong, following the announcement on Thursday (Oct 15) of an air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong.

At least one agency, Dynasty Travel, is aiming to roll out its tour packages by the year-end holidays. It has started putting together Hong Kong-bound trips by collaborating with airlines, destination tourism boards and local operators.

The starting date for the air bubble has not been announced yet.

Ms Alicia Seah, Dynasty Travel's director of public relations and communications, said: “We will be working closely with tourism associations to produce webinars with reopening advice for local attractions.”

Ms Seah emphasised that safety remains the company’s top concern. Its webinars will cover topics such as hygiene practices and touchless options for facilities.

Some agencies are waiting for more details before making specific plans.

Ms Mandy Ooi, marketing manager at Nam Ho Travel, told TODAY: “At the moment, we are working on our package, but nothing is confirmed.”

The company requires information such as how many Covid-19 tests passengers must take, for example.

Mr Kliff Ang, director of Asia Travel Group, similarly wanted to know more details of the travel bubble before proceeding with plans.

“For us, we would rather take some official statement before we start.

“We are preparing, but before we come up with any programmes, we have to make sure we are clear with the requirements... Ultimately, if (travellers) encounter any situation, we have to make sure our counterparts in Hong Kong are able to assist.”

The travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong was announced in a press release by the Ministry of Transport earlier on Thursday.

As part of an in-principle agreement between the two cities, there will be no restrictions on the purpose of travel and travellers do not need a specific itinerary. They do not need to complete a quarantine or stay-home notice as well.

However, travellers from both sides must produce negative Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction test results.

The two governments are still finalising details, such as the start date, which will be released in the weeks to come.

Airlines that now operate flights between Singapore and Hong Kong are looking forward to the arrangement.

Mr Ronald Lam, Cathay Pacific’s chief customer and commercial officer, said in a statement on the carrier's website: “This is a milestone development for Hong Kong... We look forward to receiving further information regarding the details of its implementation.”

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) spokesperson said: “Singapore Airlines will continue to be nimble and flexible in adding capacity to meet the growing demand for air travel.”

TODAY has sought comment from SIA and Cathay Pacific regarding their plans when the travel bubble is eventually activated, such as whether they intend to increase the frequency of flights between Singapore and Hong Kong.

Related topics

Hong Kong Singapore travel bubble Travel tourism

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