The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) announced in September that Singaporeans aged 18 and above this year will each receive S$100 digital SingaporeDiscovers Vouchers.
The government has set aside S$320 million for these vouchers, which are aimed at boosting the ailing local tourism industry.
These vouchers will be accessible via SingPass from December and can be used to offset ticket purchases and hotel stays through the end of June next year.
However, there has been ongoing concerns about the redemption of these vouchers for those who are not as tech savvy to use SingPass, such as the seniors.
Help For Seniors Who Are Not Tech-Savvy
Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan announced in Parliament yesterday (November 4) that there will be arrangements made to help seniors and other Singaporeans redeem and use their vouchers.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is working with the People’s Association (PA) to set up booking counters at community centres. Each Housing Board town will have at least one, and up to 66 counters will be set up islandwide.
There will be ambassadors deployed at these physical touchpoints to help them make redemptions and purchases.
Booking platforms for the vouchers — Klook Travel Technology, UOB Travel Planners, Changi Travel Services and GlobalTix — will also set up physical counters to assist seniors.
STB will also set up a hotline to handle public inquiries.
“To help seniors who are staying alone or have little social support to use their vouchers, STB will explore working with social service organisations and PA to facilitate the usage of the vouchers, such as by organising small group tours for seniors when permissible,” said Mr Tan.
He also urged all Singaporeans to register for a SingPass account if they don’t have one yet.
He reasoned that “SingPass will provide secure authentication for the distribution of the vouchers and help mitigate fraud”.
Featured Image Credit: M Social Singapore / Klook
