Targets and Progress of SingapoRediscovers Scheme and Support for Smaller and Less Digitally Literate Merchants
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the SingapoRediscovers Vouchers (SRV) scheme’s progress and support for small or less digitally literate merchants, as raised by Mr Leon Perera. Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing stated that 402 businesses currently participate, comprising 37% tours, 11% attractions, and 52% hotels. He clarified that the scheme does not target specific revenue ranges but uses five authorised booking partners to provide smaller businesses with marketing reach and booking systems. These partners also secured lower-than-average commission rates and assist merchants with limited digital expertise in developing digital content like images and write-ups. These efforts aim to ensure that all eligible tourism businesses, regardless of size or digital literacy, can access and benefit from the scheme’s infrastructure.
Transcript
36 Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what are the targets of the SingapoRediscovers scheme in terms of the numbers of merchants who will benefit from it, broken down by revenue size and sector; (b) what is the current progress in terms of the numbers of such merchants, broken down by revenue size and sector; and (c) what support is given to (i) smaller merchants and (ii) merchants who are less digitally literate, to be onboarded to the scheme.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: All licensed hotels, attractions and tours which have been approved by STB/MTI to operate may apply to participate in the SingapoRediscovers Vouchers (SRV) scheme. There are currently 402 businesses on the SRV scheme, out of which 37% are tours, 11% are attractions and 52% are hotels. Eligible businesses may submit their applications at any time.
The SRV scheme does not target businesses of a specific revenue range. In fact, its digital platform features approved tourism products by all eligible businesses, allowing smaller businesses which otherwise might not have the marketing reach to be able to feature their products to all Singaporeans. The appointment of the five authorised booking partners for the scheme also allows businesses, including smaller businesses, which may not have their own booking systems to participate in the scheme. At the same time, STB had secured lower-than-average commission rates for the SRV products listed on the five authorised booking partners.
Eligible businesses do not need digital expertise to participate in the SRV scheme. The authorised booking partners have teams that can assist businesses in developing digital content such as images and write-ups. Additionally, the authorised booking partners have put together comprehensive plans to market the products and offerings of our tourism businesses. These efforts will help businesses who may not have the same reach and audience that the authorised booking partners may have.