JAPAN and China holds the potential to be the strongest source market for Singapore during the Great Singapore Sale (GSS) period, which comes to a close this weekend, according to findings by market research consultancy Kadence Singapore.

Respondents from Japan and China indicated they were “highly likely” to fly to Singapore during the period. The two markets also showed greatest awareness, with 85 per cent and 84 per cent of people, respectively, indicating their knowledge of the retail event.

Explaining the findings, Patrick Young, Kadence Singapore’s insight director said that the Japanese are more avid travellers in general. The fact that many airlines ply between Japan and Singapore also contributed to the result.

Additionally, the price of airfares may also be factored in seeing as travellers for the GSS are likely to be deal-savvy individuals. This means the availability of low-cost flights could also affect traveller decision making processes.

The appointment of UnionPay as the official card for this year’s GSS shows that the Singapore Retailers Association, organisers of the event, are stepping up efforts to lure more Chinese shoppers to the city-state as well.

However, the retail scene in Singapore has been sluggish, with year-on-year retail sales figures for June, the month when the GSS usually begins, being on the decline over the past two years, according to Singapore’s Department of Statistics.

Retail business outlook is also dim. While the July-December period is expected to see an improvement of 7 per cent over the April-September period in terms of net weighted balance, the July-December period is predicted to see a sector performance of negative 8 per cent compared to the same time last year.

Young suggests taking into account “certain nuances between the countries” so that brands taking part in the GSS can better cater to individual markets and thus boost their allure.

“For the Japanese there is a big focus on omiyage, which is a culture of taking home a souvenir for friends and family. So how much is the GSS tailored to these small but significant items that the Japanese will buy?”

“It’s not so much tying in with UnionPay or a similar brand, it’s more about having in your portfolio products which can relate to that market,” he added.

Young also cited the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix as a good example of how an event is able to better lure visitors by going beyond its core demographic.

The annual racing event attracts not just sporting fans but a large number of international visitors by staging concerts, parties and family activities. The GSS could do something similar to lure arrivals beyond shoppers alone.

“What else can we do to broaden the GSS beyond sales?” he said.

GSS 2016 runs for 10 weeks from June 3 to August 14 this year, the longest sale period for the annual event to date.

INDONESIA’s Ministry of Tourism is inviting small travel start-ups and hotels to take part in the upcoming PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2016.

The ministry’s deputy minister for international marketing development I Gde Pitana said during a press conference in Jakarta yesterday that the trade show will be an excellent platform to get them to network with international buyers.

“Having PTM in Indonesia is a big opportunity for businesses in Indonesia to gain international experience with buyers,” he said.

“However, many of them have small promotional budgets. Therefore, we invite them to take part as sellers at the Indonesian pavilion with a very special price offered by PATA.”

The offer is only open to members of the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association and the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies.

Additionally, companies need to have been in operation for at least one year and not more than five years. As well, hotels have to be individual properties.

“They will not be getting pre-scheduled appointments, naturally. However, they will have access to the buyers’ list and will be able to request for appointments directly online or during the onsite buyer-meet-seller session,” added Pitana.

Paramedics taking care of wounded in Trang. Credit: Facebook/สามล้อกู้ภัย บรรเทาศูนย์สอง

MULTIPLE explosions went off in cities and popular tourist spots around Thailand Thursday afternoon continuing to Friday morning, leaving at least three dead and many more injured.

The first reported bombing happened in the transit hub of Trang on Ruenrom Road at around 15.00 on Thursday, killing a man and injuring five.

Two attacks then took place roughly 20 minutes apart in the resort city of Hua Hin at approximately 22.00 to 22.30 in a busy street area close to the popular resort. One woman died from the twin blasts and at least 20 were injured, many of whom were European tourists.

Another two blasts then took place in resort town Surat Thani this morning outside police stations following festival processions dedicated to the Thai Queen Sirikit’s birthday taking place today, which is a public holiday.

According to local media, a civil servant was killed in the Surat Thani blasts and several others were injured.

Two explosions also hit resort island Phuket in the Loma Park area and at Patong beach near a police station, injuring one. Both spots hit are popular with tourists.

Authorities have yet to ascertain who is responsible for the attacks and it is still unclear what the motivations are. However, seeing as the bombings took place during a long weekend in areas with many foreigners, signs point to tourists being the main targets.

Following the incident, Bangkok-based DMC Destination Asia is advising all its clients to remain close to their hotels. It is also currently in the midst of contacting all clients where possible.

A bomb blast that killed 21 and leaving scores more injured took place in Bangkok, at the Erawan Shrine, almost a year ago on August 17, 2015.