MANILA, Philippines - Fly to Singapore for as low as $115 round-trip ticket, and get a free bag delivered to your home from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Just book your flight between now and April 30 and be on your way to witness an interesting lineup of summer events and activities.
As the Lion City?s ninth source market and the third highest-growing market, just behind India and Australia, the Philippines is getting an all-time low round-trip ticket from the country?s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines.
Tickets are Fiesta Class via PR505 and PR506, exclusive of hotel accommodations, taxes and surcharge. Last date of departure must be on April 30, and travel must be completed by May 5.
?There?s always magic in Singapore. You can find love; you can find a friend. You create the story,? said Lynelle Seow, who recently took over the helm of STB area manager for the Philippines and Brunei.
Watch the ?70s rock band Queen musical, ?We Will Rock You,? as it debuts March 28 and runs until April 13; witness the Singapore Fashion Festival March 28-April 6; feast on fine food during the World Gourmet Summit April 7-26. And for those who missed the band?s local stop, catch Maroon 5 on March 25. (Visit http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/apps/event.html for a complete list of events.)
Watching Macau
Seow said STB is also keeping a close eye on casino destination Macau. Over the past year, Macau has been attracting more and more Filipino travelers, with tickets pegged at more affordable prices.
?I don?t think Macau is catching up with us. They?re still quite far but there?s a potential for them to grow. We will study Macau and see where their marketing efforts lie,? Seow said.
The weakening dollar has empowered many Filipinos to travel, whether to gamble, see attractions or do a combination of both. Gambling, too, will soon be available in Singapore when the Integrated Resorts opens next year, Seow said.
Although they exhibit average spending power, Filipinos do tend to spend more money on shopping because they tend to stay over a friend or relative?s house instead of paying for hotel accommodations.
Expect more promotions from the STB in the months to come, especially during the eagerly awaited Great Singapore Sale from May to July. The STB?s partnership with PAL is only the beginning, Seow said.
The STB will also be working on winning over a chunk of new clientele outside Metro Manila. The next few months will see Seow traveling to Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro City, Iloilo, etc.
?Maybe these places know Singapore only as a clean city and a place to work. We have to let them know we are also an ideal holiday destination,? she said.
?That?s exactly what we want to do?to get the hearts and minds of Filipinos, to convince them [Singapore] is a destination they may have visited in the past but they haven?t really seen anything yet.?
