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Easier and convenient for independent travellers from the PRC to visit Singapore
SINGAPORE, January 2, 2004 - With effect from 1 Jan 2004, the visa application process for independent travellers from the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) who wish to visit Singapore, has been made easier.
This follows a six-month trial programme launched in July 2003, whereby visa applications for independent travellers could be submitted through three appointed China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) authorised travel agents. With positive feedback from independent PRC travellers towards the trial programme, the number of CNTA authorised travel agents has been increased from the initial three during the trial, to 43 with effect from 1 Jan 2004. These agents have 322 branches located in major cities across China - Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Guangzhou, Zhejiang, Chengdu, Kunming, Shenyang, Shenzhen, and Xiamen.
The easing of visa application process for independent PRC travellers will add to the attractiveness of the new Social Visa scheme introduced by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on 1 Dec 2003. This new Social Visa scheme allows the PRC visitors to be issued with 5-week multiple-journey visas, instead of the previous 3 weeks. Holders of such visas may also be granted a longer stay of up to 30 days upon arrival, instead of the previous 14 days.
These are part of the STB's continuing efforts to facilitate the flow of tourism traffic from China as well as make it easier and more convenient for more Chinese tourists to visit Singapore. The STB is also working with the appointed CNTA authorised travel agents to develop better quality tours to entice the tourists to stay for a longer period in Singapore.
The STB is focused on tapping the growth of outbound travellers from the PRC. The World Tourism Organisation estimates that by 2010 and 2020, the outbound tourist traffic from China will reach a high of 50 million and 100 million visitors respectively.
Dr Chan Tat Hon, Chief, International Operations, STB said: "Feedback from independent PRC travellers towards the six-month trial programme indicated overwhelming support for the ease with which social visa application may now be made. The implementation of the new Social Visa Scheme is also timely; China has led the recovery of tourism traffic into Singapore since the rebound of visitor arrivals in June this year. Statistics for the month of November 2003 showed that China is Singapore's second largest visitor-generating market with 67,514 visitors, posting a significant increase of 19.7% compared to the same month one year ago. Singapore received over 670,000 visitors from China in 2002, registering an outstanding increase of 35% over 2001. "
"The importance of Chinese outbound tourism to Singapore's economy is underscored by the impressive growth of about 15% in total visitor expenditure for 2002, compared to a year ago. The total visitor expenditure for the Chinese market in 2002 was S$313.3 million. The STB will continue to work closely with industry players and relevant authorities to implement such initiatives and offer new and exciting packages to make Singapore a top of mind destination for Chinese visitors," added Dr Chan.
Over the recent months, the STB has been working with industry partners and other government agencies to improve the experiences of Chinese visitors to Singapore. Attractive packages rolled out includes the Visa-4-Visa programme that offers Visa International's Chinese platinum and gold cardholders and their family members more convenient visa application process and Multiple Journey Visas to Singapore when they sign up for special tour packages with participating Chinese travel agents. The Frequent Flyer Scheme is another programme where Air China's frequent flyer passengers and their immediate family members would be eligible for the issuance of Multiple Journey Visas to Singapore.
Other recent initiatives to woo Chinese tourists include the health screening cum leisure package that couples health screening with leisure components such as visits to tourism attractions, spa and a golf game, as well as the setting up of multi-lingual signages at key tourism locations.
2 Jan 2004
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This follows a six-month trial programme launched in July 2003, whereby visa applications for independent travellers could be submitted through three appointed China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) authorised travel agents. With positive feedback from independent PRC travellers towards the trial programme, the number of CNTA authorised travel agents has been increased from the initial three during the trial, to 43 with effect from 1 Jan 2004. These agents have 322 branches located in major cities across China - Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Guangzhou, Zhejiang, Chengdu, Kunming, Shenyang, Shenzhen, and Xiamen.
The easing of visa application process for independent PRC travellers will add to the attractiveness of the new Social Visa scheme introduced by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on 1 Dec 2003. This new Social Visa scheme allows the PRC visitors to be issued with 5-week multiple-journey visas, instead of the previous 3 weeks. Holders of such visas may also be granted a longer stay of up to 30 days upon arrival, instead of the previous 14 days.
These are part of the STB's continuing efforts to facilitate the flow of tourism traffic from China as well as make it easier and more convenient for more Chinese tourists to visit Singapore. The STB is also working with the appointed CNTA authorised travel agents to develop better quality tours to entice the tourists to stay for a longer period in Singapore.
The STB is focused on tapping the growth of outbound travellers from the PRC. The World Tourism Organisation estimates that by 2010 and 2020, the outbound tourist traffic from China will reach a high of 50 million and 100 million visitors respectively.
Dr Chan Tat Hon, Chief, International Operations, STB said: "Feedback from independent PRC travellers towards the six-month trial programme indicated overwhelming support for the ease with which social visa application may now be made. The implementation of the new Social Visa Scheme is also timely; China has led the recovery of tourism traffic into Singapore since the rebound of visitor arrivals in June this year. Statistics for the month of November 2003 showed that China is Singapore's second largest visitor-generating market with 67,514 visitors, posting a significant increase of 19.7% compared to the same month one year ago. Singapore received over 670,000 visitors from China in 2002, registering an outstanding increase of 35% over 2001. "
"The importance of Chinese outbound tourism to Singapore's economy is underscored by the impressive growth of about 15% in total visitor expenditure for 2002, compared to a year ago. The total visitor expenditure for the Chinese market in 2002 was S$313.3 million. The STB will continue to work closely with industry players and relevant authorities to implement such initiatives and offer new and exciting packages to make Singapore a top of mind destination for Chinese visitors," added Dr Chan.
Over the recent months, the STB has been working with industry partners and other government agencies to improve the experiences of Chinese visitors to Singapore. Attractive packages rolled out includes the Visa-4-Visa programme that offers Visa International's Chinese platinum and gold cardholders and their family members more convenient visa application process and Multiple Journey Visas to Singapore when they sign up for special tour packages with participating Chinese travel agents. The Frequent Flyer Scheme is another programme where Air China's frequent flyer passengers and their immediate family members would be eligible for the issuance of Multiple Journey Visas to Singapore.
Other recent initiatives to woo Chinese tourists include the health screening cum leisure package that couples health screening with leisure components such as visits to tourism attractions, spa and a golf game, as well as the setting up of multi-lingual signages at key tourism locations.
2 Jan 2004
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