HT Bureau
Guwahati, Apr 08: In a significant move aimed at enriching the experience of travellers visiting Singapore, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and leading Indian digital payments platform PhonePe have inked a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, signed by STB’s Chief Executive Melissa Ow and PhonePe’s Chief Executive Officer of International Payments Business, Ritesh Pai, solidifies a strategic alliance to leverage the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) linkage between India and Singapore. The collaboration between STB and PhonePe will see joint investments in marketing endeavors across both India and Singapore. These efforts aim to spotlight Singapore’s diverse attractions while promoting seamless UPI experiences for tourists across key tourism hubs. This groundbreaking partnership marks the first of its kind between a destination and a UPI payments platform, underlining the mutual commitment of STB and PhonePe to enhance the overall travel experience in Singapore. By enabling travellers to utilize familiar services like UPI payments during their stay, the initiative seeks to streamline transactions and amplify the allure of Singapore’s iconic landmarks, rich heritage precincts, and vibrant retail, culinary, and adventure offerings.
Melissa Ow, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, expressed enthusiasm for the alliance, emphasizing STB’s dedication to enhancing the Singapore visitor experience for tech-savvy consumers. She highlighted the initiative’s aim to integrate Singapore’s exceptional offerings into the digital realm, streamlining payments and promoting curated deals across various attractions and amenities. Ritesh Pai, Chief Executive Officer, PhonePe, International Business for PhonePe Private Limited, echoed Ow’s sentiments, noting Singapore’s status as a dynamic destination cherished by Indian travellers. He emphasized that the partnership with STB will simplify transactions for PhonePe users, allowing them to seamlessly pay from their existing bank accounts using UPI when exploring Singapore’s myriad attractions.
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