Singapore Airlines Launches New Singapore Stopover Holiday Package to Draw More Visitors

Business Wire, Feb 5, 1999

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 1999--Singapore Airlines (SIA) Friday launched an innovative stopover holiday package aimed at strengthening the attractiveness of Singapore as a leading regional tourism hub and bolstering its position as an international travel gateway.

The New Singapore Stopover (NSS) holiday package comprises hotel accommodations, return airport transfers and a host of attractive benefits free of charge.

These include the special lead-in offer of US$30 per person for the first night's accommodation in a twin-share room; free admission to six of the most popular tourist attractions; and special discounts for shopping, dining, entertainment, spa packages, sightseeing tours and car rentals. The new program is valid from Feb. 1, 1999, to March 31, 2000.

This unique and exciting holiday package also includes a new trolley bus service that operates along Singapore's main tourist belt. The SIA Hop-on bus, decorated with bright scenes of Singapore, will become a familiar sight as it ferries visitors through Tanglin Road, Orchard Road, Bugis Junction, Suntec City, Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Chinatown and the Botanic Gardens.

Three custom-built buses will be available free of charge to travelers flying to Singapore and onward destinations on Singapore Airlines or SilkAir.

SIA Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Cheong Choong Kong said that the key motivation behind the development of the new package was to attract long-haul stopover visitor traffic back to the region.

Cheong explained: "Singapore, naturally located as the gateway to the region, has always been a popular destination for tourists. This package reinforces the appeal of Singapore as a premier tourist destination in its own right and also as a springboard to the region."

Cheong added: "We do not see our role simply as flying customers in and out of Singapore. By offering value-added incentives as contained in this new package, we sharpen our competitive edge. Not only does this new package add value, it will also attract visitors who may not otherwise come to Singapore."

SIA has invested S$8.5 million in the new package and aims to attract 250,000 stopover travelers to Singapore between now and March 31, 2000.

Visitors who wish to enjoy the New Singapore Stopover privileges can book the package through SIA, SilkAir or travel agents. A special identification card and booklet outlining the program benefits in full will be given to visitors on arrival at the Singapore Airlines Stopover Counter in Terminal 2.

See below for more details of the benefits.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Visit this company's public-relations site at: http://www.businesswire.com/emk/1133.htm. -0-

                New Singapore Stopover Holiday Package

The benefits include:

Hotels:       All participating New Singapore Stopover hotels offer
              express check-in, extended check-out and up to a 50
              percent discount on hotel coffee shop food and
              beverages.

SIA Hop-on:   These free, air-conditioned buses operate from 9:30 a.m.
              to 9:30 p.m. at regular intervals and stop at hotels and
              places of interest.  Visitors can access maps and
              information onboard, alight to explore Singapore and
              then hop on again.

Free          The SIA New Singapore Stopover identification card and
Attractions:  coupons will give visitors free admission to Sentosa,
              the Singapore Zoological Gardens, the Night Safari,
              Jurong BirdPark, the National Orchid Garden and the
              Singapore River Boat Tour.  Jurong Reptile Park and
              VolcanoLand give New Singapore Stopover visitors a 50
              percent discount on admission.

Shopping:     Up to a 30 percent discount at The Heeren, a 20 percent
              discount on regularly priced merchandise at selected
              departments in Tangs and special offers from DFS, the
              Mustafa Center, Crabtree & Evelyn and Pertama Group
              shops.

Dining/       Thirty-five percent discount from Annalakshmi, plus
Entertainment:special offers from six Boat Quay outlets, restaurants
              at The Heeren (Indian, Thai, Japanese, Korean and
              Peranakan food), Lau Pa Sat, McDonalds, TimeZone -- the
              family-entertainment center at Changi Airport, St.
              Gregory Marine Spa and St. Gregory Javana Spa.

Tours:        Thirty percent discount off the tours New Asia -- The
              City Experience, Flavors of New Asia -- Singapore and
              Central Heartlands.  These tours cover the unique
              history, culture, cuisine and heartland experiences of
              Singapore.

Car Rental:   Fifty percent discount from Hertz for a two-day-
              minimum rental period, subject to availability.