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SINGAPORE – The decision to avoid SingapoRediscovers coupon stacking was made so that tourism coupons could benefit more businesses, the Singapore Tourism Board said on Saturday (November 28).
While many have welcomed the scheme, some consumers have lamented that the $ 100 coupons cannot be stacked or combined with those of their family and friends within the same redemption.
Terrence Voon, director of communications and marketing capacity at STB, said: “The vouchers are intended to support tourism businesses that have been severely impacted by Covid-19, so we hope Singaporeans can support so many companies as possible. “
Personal use of coupons also helps prevent fraud and scams, Voon added during a preview of the coupon redemption process at Tiong Bahru CC on Saturday (Nov 28).
Singaporeans over the age of 18 will receive $ 100 in SingapoRediscovers coupons to spend on local attractions, hotel stays and tours.
Coupons can be redeemed online from December 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, through five authorized booking partners: Changi Recommends, GlobalTix, Klook and UOB Travel Planners, Traveloka and Trip.com
Each voucher comes in $ 10 denominations. Consumers can decide the value of SingapoRediscovers coupons they wish to redeem for each purchase.
STB’s Mr. Voon added that consumers who need in-person assistance to use their SingapoRediscovers Coupons need not rush to community centers and clubs (CC).
Starting next month, Singaporeans will be able to get help on how to use the coupons at 53 CC, each with three dedicated counters, across the island.
A help desk staffed by two or three SingapoRediscovers Vouchers ambassadors will share what the plan is about and how to use the vouchers. The other two counters, located in the center or a five-minute walk from it, will be managed by an authorized booking partner under the coupon scheme.
Reservation counters will also be available at select shopping centers and SingPost locations.
It could take up to half an hour for booking partner ambassadors to assist customers at physical counters, depending on whether consumers have already decided which attractions they want to visit.
The People’s Association will also provide registration or password reset services in these CCs for SingPass, which is required in the coupon redemption process.
Mr. Voon said: “We encourage Singaporeans to go to community centers only if they really need help in person, and don’t rush because there is plenty of time to enjoy our sightseeing experience.”
About 10 to 15 seniors visited the center on Saturday morning to learn how to use vouchers when booking attractions. Their reservations were canceled and their coupons were returned after the demonstrations.
Ms. Chang Ming Wuan, 73, traveled from her home in Dover Crescent to CC because she wanted to familiarize herself with the coupon redemption process.
“The reservation process is easy and took only a few minutes to complete,” said the retired midwife, who spent the coupons on two tickets to the Jewel Changi Airport Canopy Park at Klook and the UOB Travel counter at CC.
She hopes to use some of the coupons to book a kelong tour once the exchanges open next Tuesday, as it has been a few years since she visited one.
“I will try to use all the coupons because I want to help travel agencies in Singapore who have not been able to earn money due to Covid-19,” Madam Chang said.
Meanwhile, Lee Kwee Sim, 63, previously thought SingapoRediscovers Vouchers were physical coupons, but learned on Saturday that they must be used digitally and that he can use his SingPass account to redeem them.
You will ask your family members to help you spend the vouchers once you have made a decision about which attractions to go to.
Lee, a retiree who used to work in the shipping industry, said there could be more senior tours included in attractions under the voucher scheme.
“Many older people have trouble traveling and their family members also need to take time off to accompany them to these attractions, so this is a potential problem,” said Lee, who suffered a stroke in 2005 and is now moving more slowly.
The scheme already includes some initiatives that serve the elderly. Reservation partner Changi Recommends will send roving vans to silver areas, or areas with a large population of older residents, to show them how to use their coupons.
Similarly, GlobalTix is working with travel agent Ace Tours to organize SingapoRediscovers coupon tours for seniors that can be booked through the GlobalTix platform.
Other items under the coupon scheme include attractions like SEA Aquarium and Universal Studios Singapore, local tours to places like Little India and Kampong Glam, and stays at places like the Fullerton Hotel and Grand Hyatt Singapore.
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