Rather than pine over that overseas vacation you’re missing due to Covid-19, count your blessings… or the tourism vouchers you’ll be receiving soon.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced today (Sep 16) that every Singaporean aged 18 and over will get $100 worth of tourism vouchers to spend locally on staycations, attraction tickets and tours.

The SingapoRediscovers vouchers are part of the government’s $320mil scheme to encourage Singaporeans to support the local tourism sector that has been badly hit by the Covid-19 travel slump.

Before you plan your next staycay or that tour around Singapore, scroll on for the key things you should know about the SingapoRediscovers vouchers.

How will you receive it?
Here’s the good news: No queueing necessary. You can access the $100 in tourism vouchers via your SingPass account. They will be issued in denominations of $10. Why in denominations of $10? How should you go about purchasing tix? You probably have questions, and more details are set to be released in November. At press time, there are no further details on how the vouchers can be redeemed.

But according to STB chief executive Keith Tan: We envisage it to be fairly simple and straightforward. We don't want it to be too complicated for our locals using it, as well as for the merchants who benefit from it.

When are the vouchers valid?
From December 2020 to end-June 2021. Yes, just in time for the school holidays this December, next March and even until next June, so no need to rush to use your tourism credits.

Where can you use them?
All hotels, attractions and local tours by operators that have been approved by STB to resume operations. You’ll be spoilt for choice ’cos there are over 200 hotels, 40 attractions and over 400 tour itineraries that have received approval at press time.

Not sure where to go or what to do? We have rounded up staycation deals, fun things to do at attractions, and even gone on a few unique tours to tell you what’s worth your time.

What about those under 18?
Those above 18 can buy children and youth tickets for attractions and tours at a $10 subsidy. Each adult is allowed to purchase up to six of such tickets.

What if attractions and hotels start getting packed due to the influx of guests?
Plans are underway to increase capacities at attractions, as long as safe management measures are in place. From Sep 18, approved attractions can apply to STB to increase operating capacity from the current 25 per cent to 50 per cent. Attractions can also apply to increase capacity for outdoor shows to five zones, with a cap of 50 people per zone. This is an increase from the previous maximum capacity of 50 people.

Photo: Unsplash/Kelvin Zyteng