Singapore scoots closer to new Indian markets

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Budget carrier Scoot’s new direct connections from Singapore to Chennai, Amritsar and Jaipur, launched earlier this year, have given travel agents selling Singapore high business hopes of growing numbers out of these emerging Indian cities.

Prior to Scoot’s move, there were no direct flights from Singapore to Amritsar and Jaipur.

Welcoming the new air links, Ajambar Basnet, director of Chariot Travels in Singapore, said: “Travellers from those cities no longer need to get to tier-one gateways to catch an international flight to Singapore. This saves time and money, and (eliminates) long overland journeys.”

Basnet added that Scoot’s new services are likely to grow Indian arrivals, as travellers who have never visited Singapore before will now be able to do so. Moreover, the LCC services would encourage budget conscious travellers to make the trip.

“We are hopeful that these travellers can even extend their stay in Singapore by another night or opt for an additional tour due to the savings they make from the airfare,” Basnet added.

Likewise, Ramesh Travel Service Singapore’s general manager Ram Samtani is confident that the improved air links will enable Singapore to “tap into new markets”. He said: “The (flights) provide greater convenience and more travel options for the increasingly demanding passengers.”

According to Kumara Guru, executive director of India-based Aaya Journeys, Singapore is already one of his top-selling destinations and these new flights will help to cement the city-state’s position.

Meanwhile, Singapore Tourism Board chief executive Lionel Yeo has named Ahmedabad and Hyderabad as high-growth source markets, and revealed that trade engagement and marketing efforts there would be intensified.

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