MELBOURNE, 29 August 2024 – Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Helloworld Travel Limited (HLO) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote Singapore as a preferred travel destination in Australia and New Zealand.

Commencing 1 April 2025, this agreement will see both partners jointly develop value-for-money packages that combine flights, accommodation and experiences to entice travellers to see the Lion City as more than 'just a stopover' destination and continue driving recovery momentum over the next few years.

Singapore continues to see strong recovery from the region, with 664,000 Australians and over 90,000 Kiwis visiting from January to July this year – surpassing 2019's figures over the same period of time.

In addition, STB will support Helloworld's agent upskilling process by ensuring they have access to up-to-date information about Singapore offerings through internal training and familiarisation trips. As part of the MOU, trade and consumer surveys will also be carried out to better understand the needs of travellers in Australia and New Zealand.

The MOU was signed today between STB's Chief Executive, Ms Melissa Ow, and Helloworld's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr Andrew Burnes AO, at Helloworld's head office in South Melbourne.

STB Oceania and Helloworld have previously run strategic stand-alone campaigns since 2015, including a recent dedicated Singapore stayover campaign from January to February this year, which saw a 28% increase in room bookings for the same period last year.

Ms Ow said: “Australia and New Zealand have always been and continue to be key markets for Singapore as there is high awareness and consideration amongst consumers from this region.  Our priority is to thus ensure that Singapore remains top of mind amongst travellers and Helloworld has been an important partner in this effort.  We are glad to reinforce our longstanding relationship through this MOU and leverage Helloworld's extensive travel network across both countries to provide travellers with more choices to enjoy the diversity of attractions and experiences that Singapore has to offer.”

Mr Burnes said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with STB on this three-year partnership, and the timing couldn't be better, as in November this year we are pleased to be hosting our annual Helloworld Frontliners Forum in Singapore, bringing together 500 frontline travel advisors for a four-day conference held at the Marina Bay Sands. We will also be offering pre and post famils to further showcase Singapore, a key destination for our agents, to the conference attendees.”

The strong recovery in Australian and New Zealand visitor arrivals came on the back of Singapore's growing pipeline of hotels, dining options, attractions and experiences. The most notable openings over the past two years alone include Bird Paradise, The Palawan @ Sentosa, Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie, Sentosa Sensoryscape, Children's Museum Singapore and Central Beach Bazaar, as well as accommodations such as 21 Carpenter, Artyzen Singapore, The Singapore EDITION and Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre.

-END-

For media queries, please contact:

Sedgwick Communications on behalf of Singapore Tourism Board

Yvonne Sewankambo

Senior Communications Consultant, Sedgwick Communications

Email: yvonne@sedgwickcommunications.com

Mobile: +61 456 163 851

Helloworld Travel media contact

Trudi Sheppard

Director of Communications, Helloworld Travel Limited

Email: trudi.sheppard@helloworld.com.au

Mobile: +61 413 285 863

About the Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore's key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.

More: www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com | Follow us: STB LinkedIn, STB Facebook or STB Instagram

About Helloworld Travel Limited

Helloworld Travel Limited (ASX: HLO) is a leading Australian & New Zealand travel distribution company, comprising retail leisure travel and business travel networks, travel broker networks, destination management services (inbound), air ticket consolidation, tourism transport operations, wholesale travel services, online operations, and event-based freight operations, all supported by world class proprietary and non-proprietary distribution systems.

Helloworld businesses have over 900 staff located in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Greece, and 2,700 members in its travel agency and broker networks in Australia and New Zealand.

Helloworld Travel is a proud sponsor of the School of St Jude in Tanzania.

More: www.helloworldlimited.com.au | Follow us: HLO LinkedIn, HLO Facebook or HLO Instagram