IN A tie-up with Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Changi Airport, Royal Caribbean Cruises is offering Indian clients a free night’s stay in Singapore in an attempt to boost Indian outbound traffic to the city-state.
Valid from October 31, 2012 to April 1, 2013, the promotion targets guests sailing on Legend of the Seas to or from Singapore. The free stay is for a night at any of nine centrally located hotels: Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen, Riverview Hotel, Hotel Royal, Hotel Grand Chancellor, V Hotel, Hotel Royal@Queens, Hotel Grand Pacific, Peninsula.Excelsior Hotel and Hotel Miramar.
Royal Caribbean will also pay an additional five per cent commission, over and above the usual 10 per cent to its travel partners in India, for all bookings on Legend of the Seas sailings from Singapore during the same period.
On offer are two-, three-, four-, five- and seven-night itineraries specifically designed to woo Indian clients on voyages to Phuket, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Malacca. Special four- and five-night cruises will sail over Christmas and the New Year.
At a media meeting announcing the promotion, Gautam Chadha, India representative of Royal Caribbean Cruises, said: “This is a first-of-its-kind joint promotional effort involving four brands working for a common goal – promoting destination Singapore – and offering the Indian traveller a true value proposition.”
Seema Ahmed, general manager, Gainwell Travel & Leisure Kolkata, said the offer was a good incentive for Indian tourists. “Many (Indians) travel with families, and saving a night’s hotel stay will impact the decision-making positively.”
