Alitrip-STB tie-up set to boost Singapore's online travel products

IN what promises to provide a big boost for Singapore's online travel products, Alibaba Group's online travel platform Alitrip will soon feature the country's tourism offerings after forming a strategic collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

With that, Singapore will become the first overseas destination for Alitrip in its global strategy.

Singapore companies in the travel sector, including airlines, hotels and hospitality, will be setting up retail outlets on the online travel platform, with Ascott, Resorts World Sentosa and Six Stars Tours having already done so.

"Singapore has been a preferred travel destination for Chinese visitors, backed by its rich tourism resources, streamlined visa procedures for Chinese visitors, wide use of Chinese and ease of access by air travel," said Alitrip president Li Shaohua. "We hope to bring consumers and service providers closer together so travellers can easily obtain first-hand travel products and services, while Singaporean merchants also grow their commercial opportunities."

The collaboration with Alitrip follows a memorandum of understanding signed between STB and Alitrip in October last year.

Said Quek Choon Yang, chief technology officer of STB: "Our deepened collaboration with Alitrip announced today aims to further boost direct sales and booking of Singapore's travel products online, creating a holistic and enjoyable experience for Chinese outbound tourists."