S’pore Tourism Board Seeking to Allow More Visitors to S’pore As More Job Losses Are Expected

Boon Hun

2020-08-05 , 4:56 pm

The Singapore tourism industry is going down the drain.

The number of visitors in June 2020 reached 2,200, a fraction when compared to the 1.6 million visitors in June 2019.

Retail sales have plummeted by more than 50% in Singapore in May 2020 compared to May 2019.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) tried to jumpstart a domestic tourism campaign;

But they are aware that even a hugely successfully Singapoliday won’t be able to make up for the lack of tourists.

Tourists who contributed about S$28 billion to Singapore’s economy last year.

Which is why they’re resorting to this:

S’pore Tourism Board Seeking to Allow More Visitors to S’pore As More Job Losses Are Expected

So far, STB chief Keith Tan says, the number of job losses in Singapore’s tourism industry is kept “to the low thousands” but it will definitely increase.

So no matter whether it’s more Green Lane arrangements (for business and official use only) or small pockets or groups of tightly controlled leisure travellers, the STB wants them all.

Mr Tan says that right now, STB is discussing with the Government on whether they can expand the Green Lane arrangements that Singapore already has with Malaysia and China to “a broader range of visitors”.

It’s Going To Be A Prolonged Wait

It’s going to be a long while before global mass travel resumes again. By 2024 if the IATA is to be believed.

Mr Tan explains that it’s not just about the rules and regulations of various countries around the world.

It also depends on when people are not afraid to travel again.

And in order for that to happen, vaccines or “effective therapies” (treatment for Covid-19 that works) must exist first.

If the travel slump extends until Mar 2021, the global tourism industry might lose S$4.5 trillion.

Meanwhile, Singapore is trying to cushion the fall of the tourism industry here by investing $9 billion to expand the two casinos here.

Experts and Labour Chief Ng Chee Meng are also calling upon the government to extend the JSS past the month of August, warning that Singapore might see a huge tranche of unemployment if support is pulled.

As for us Singaporeans, you can do your part to help too.

No, I’m not asking you to donate to the Courage Fund or anything like that. Instead, take a jaunt through the internet or during the online GSS happening in September and see what deals you can find.

After all, spending some of your money on staycations or eating out will help workers and companies survive these tough times a bit longer.

S’pore Tourism Board Seeking to Allow More Visitors to S’pore As More Job Losses Are Expected

S’pore Tourism Board Seeking to Allow More Visitors to S’pore As More Job Losses Are Expected

It’s Going To Be A Prolonged Wait

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