Singapore Tourism Board launches YourSingaopore Guide app for iPhone and Android smartphones

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has unveiled a new mobile application, available for free on iPhone and Android smartphones. Jointly developed with partners American Express, Singapore Airlines, and StarHub, the YourSingapore Guide app will help visitors explore Singapore on the go by enabling visitors to access the latest and most essential information about Singapore such as attractions, shopping deals, dining options, and events, all at their fingertips.

The YourSingapore Guide mobile app is designed to help make the visitor’s experience more seamless in Singapore. It provides useful tools like a location based service that displays the attractions, products, services, and experiences that are closest to the visitors, wherever they are. Visitors will also enjoy attractive privileges provided through the partners, and can share their holiday experiences with their friends and families via social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare. Complementing the YourSingapore website, the YourSingapore Guide app is a great tool to help visitors create and personalise their Singapore experience. Visitors can begin their Singapore journey by designing their desired Singapore experience on the YourSingapore website, www.yoursingapore.com, before arrival in Singapore. Upon arrival, visitors can then make use of the myriad services found on the YourSingapore Guide app to help them maximise their stay.

“The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) aims to create more value for our visitors by staying ahead of the evolving needs of consumers, and providing innovative solutions that will enable us to better engage and connect with them,” said Sophia Ng, Executive Director, Brand & Marketing at STB.

“Together with our partners American Express, Singapore Airlines and StarHub, we have designed the YourSingapore Guide app to meet the unique needs and interests of each visitor. The guiding principle behind this mobile app and all its functions is to enable visitors to enjoy their personalised Singapore experience as easily as possible."

According to the ITB World Travel Trends Report (2010/2011), as many as 40 per cent of international travellers already own a smartphone, with more than 40 per cent of them currently using their devices to get destination information. Unsurprisingly, as many as 37 per cent of international leisure travellers say they use mobile social networks during their trips.

Holiday photos and other content are consumed and posted online while the traveller is still at the destination. “The prevalence of smart phones and mobile technology has created new opportunities for companies to enhance the consumer’s travel experience,” adds Ms. Ng. “By providing travellers access to information at their fingertips wherever they travel, whenever they need, companies can help to improve the traveller experience, increase flexibility, productivity and even security.

Travellers can also make use of the YourSingapore Guide app to search for a restaurant nearby, plan travel routes and even call for a taxi. Mobile technology is set to change the entire holiday experience and the possibilities are endless. YourSingapore Guide app users who are American Express Card members or Singapore Airlines and SilkAir passengers will be able to access information on exclusive year-long merchant privileges on dining, hotel accommodation, shopping and lifestyle activities, tourist attractions and transport, all at their fingertips.

“Through partnering with Singapore Tourism Board, we endeavour to enhance the traveller’s experience in Singapore,” said Kevin Alcott, Vice President & General Manager, Merchant Services of American Express. “Whether they are here on business or leisure, the YourSingapore Guide app will enable them to gain easy access at anytime to attractive deals for wine & dine, shopping and many other special privileges when using their American Express cards.”

Visitors will also have free data access when using the app with the co-branded YourSingapore StarHub Preferred Tourist Prepaid Card. Designed with the visitor in mind, StarHub’s The Preferred Tourist Prepaid Card will offer visitors an exciting host of tourist privileges which includes free IDD 018 calls to 18 destinations and free data access within the YourSingapore Guide. Retailing at S$15, the card comes with S$18 worth of credit value and offers a further 30MB of bundled local data for visitors’ additional surfing needs.

It is available for purchase at all StarHub shops, UOB Foreign Exchange Counters, TravelMania @ Orchard MRT and selected exclusive partner outlets. Available in 4Q-2011, StarHub’s tourist WiFi will allow tourists to enjoy free wireless surfing in Changi Airport and selected hotspots throughout town.

Says Joanna Chan, Vice President of Personal Solutions, StarHub siad  as the smart phone becomes a more prevalent travel companion for tourists, StarHub is pleased to collaborate with the Singapore Tourism Board in offering the best value, convenience and experience for visitors in Singapore. The StarHub Preferred Tourist Prepaid Card gives tourists maximum savings and ultimate convenience when they call, SMS, and access Internet services in Singapore. Tourists in Singapore can also tap on The Preferred Tourist Prepaid Card’s special privileges and the YourSingapore Guide app for the best bargains and experience the best of Singapore. This can be very useful for our visitors given that more Singapore tourist attractions are set to open in late 2011 and 2012.” The YourSingapore Guide app is currently available for download on iOS (4) and Android. For more details on the app, please visit www.yoursingapore.com/guide.