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| Seen is Singapore's famous view around the Marina Bay district, a popular tourist attraction there. gettyimagesbank |
Search for flights between Singapore, Korea soaring with travel bubble accord
By Jun Ji-hye
A travel bubble agreement signed between Singapore and Korea in October went into effect Monday. Singapore has since allowed fully vaccinated visitors to travel between Incheon International Airport and Changi Airport without quarantining through its Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme.
Following the signing of the agreement, the search volume for flights to both Singapore and Korea has rapidly increased, reflecting the hopes of people who have been stuck at home due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic about the resumption of international tourism, according to global online travel agencies.
Hotels.com said that it saw a spike in the search volume for outbound flight to both countries in the second week of October when the travel bubble news was announced.
Flight searches to Korea from Singapore spiked from the mere double digits to over 1,100 searches on the day of announcement. The average number of searches in the first week of the announcement was 25 times of that of the average prior to it.
HotelsCombined reported a similar trend, saying that the flight and accommodation search volume for Singapore increased 624 percent and 659 percent in October, compared to August and September, respectively.
According to Expedia Korea, the search data for flights from Korea to Singapore more than tripled in the first week following the announcement.
The travel bubble announcement also drew a lot of attention from domestic travelers.
In the first two weeks of October, the phrase, "Singapore trip," made it into the top 20 Naver search keywords in the category of international travel trends. That was the first time for Singapore to reach the top 20 in October.
Hotels.com said that there was a nearly 300-percent increase in searches for accommodations in Singapore as well, demonstrating Korean travelers' excitement to be able to start planning outbound travel again.
The company added that Singapore has emerged as one of the top 10 most searched for outbound destinations for end of year to New Year travel.
In a bid to make people's travel bubble trip safe and smooth, Hotels.com offered some important tips and nice accommodation options.
Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay
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| Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay / Courtesy of Hotels.com |
Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, located in the heart of the central business district, has completed its transformation into a "garden-in-a-hotel" to offer unique experiences to visitors.
This luxury hotel focuses on stylish and contemporary vibes that are brought to life through iconic architecture and eco-friendliness.
Travelers are invited to take respite from the urban jungle to invigorate their senses as they relax amidst the recreated natural surroundings.
One Farrer Hotel
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| One Farrer Hotel / Courtesy of Hotels.com |
As a leading lifestyle hotel and resort in Singapore, One Farrer Hotel is situated in one of Singapore's heritage districts, Little India, with the Farrer Park MRT station right at its doorstep.
The hotel takes pride in its award-winning permanent collection of over 400 pieces of original contemporary abstract art from across Asia, the largest of its kind in the country.
Visitors can also explore 15 water and tropical gardens.
Oasia Resort Sentosa
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| Oasia Resort Sentosa / Courtesy of Hotels.com |
Fifteen minutes away from Singapore's central business district and set in the heart of Sentosa Island, Oasia Resort Sentosa is a destination to refresh, recharge and refuel the mind and body.
From unlimited complimentary fitness programs to nutritious food and a spa, the hotel offers an all-rounded wellness escape.
The hotel's 191 suites and rooms are themed in calming tones with an in-house spa.
Various recreational activities for those who seek a well-balanced lifestyle are also provided.
Guests can easily explore the island, with Imbiah Monorail Station, nature trails, beaches and world-class attractions all right at the hotel's doorstep.
Travel tips
The travel bubble scheme requires travelers' vaccination certificates to be in English and issued by Singapore or Korea.
It also requires a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test: Singapore to Korea 72 hours before the flight, and Korea to Singapore 48 hours before the flight.
Short-term visitors from Korea to Singapore must purchase travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30 million won ($25,000).
Travelers are also required to take direct flights between Singapore and Korea, and receive a PCR test on arrival. They are free to travel upon testing negative.
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