• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Netizens slam CNA’s commentary piece for blaming S’poreans on the low uptake of SingapoRediscovers vouchers

by Aldgra F.
17/03/2021
in Comments
Reading Time: 4 mins read
26
Netizens slam CNA’s commentary piece for blaming S’poreans on the low uptake of SingapoRediscovers vouchers

The low usage of SingapoRediscovers vouchers among Singaporeans is likely due to them wanting to “avoid attractions overrun with families and children”, or simply because “they think Singapore is boring”, said freelance writer Karen Tee in a commentary piece published on CNA on Sunday (14 Mar).

The Government has earlier set aside S$320 million for tourism credits called the SingapoRediscovers vouchers to drive local spending to Singapore’s eateries, shops, hotels and leisure attractions.

Eligible users can redeem their vouchers through five online booking platforms – namely Changi Recommends, GlobalTix, Traveloka, Trip.com and Klook – until 30 June this year.

However, the author highlighted that only about 530,000 Singaporeans have used their S$100 worth of SingapoRediscovers vouchers, with more than three-quarters of the S$320 million credits remaining unused as of 1 March.

She mentioned that many are not even considering going on tours or visiting attractions in Singapore “unless they have children they need to keep entertained”.

“Some of the most common reasons (or excuses) for being so slow to redeem their vouchers include wanting to avoid attractions overrun with families with children, that they have not yet found something they would like to do or simply because they think Singapore is boring.

“To be fair, there is a grain of truth in these critiques. Not every attraction in Singapore is necessarily inspiring, even when one is bored to the point of tears,” said Ms Tee, who is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of Journalism in New York City.

In her piece, the author also explained why this could be “a great opportunity” to enjoy the country’s most famous destinations.

“After all, we have dutifully visited the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Statue of Liberty in New York City just to get that money shot, so why not allow our own country the same courtesy?

“As for those who have been to these ‘Top 10 Places to Visit in Singapore’ before, perhaps this is your chance to rekindle some of that magic of your earlier visits. Maybe that was where you went on your first date or a place that totally wowed your child on a previous family outing,” she added.

Over on social media, netizens were quick to criticize the opinion piece as they noted that the low uptake of the vouchers was due to a flawed scheme.

One netizen even took to her Facebook saying that the Government had to “go to the press for help” to write such an article which “mindbogglingly takes an accusatory tone against people making excuses”.

“If the majority of redemptions are not yet claimed then please, something is perhaps wrong with your scheme, not the consumers,” she noted.

Netizens commenting on her post said that the scheme was difficult to navigate and utilise which explain its low uptake.

Others on a Reddit discussion on the same topic pointed out that many of the tour operators have had their prices “jacked-up” after the vouchers were rolled out.

 

 

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.
Tags: StaycationTourism Vouchers

Related Posts

No Content Available
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
26 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

WHO panel in talks on COVID emergency status

WHO panel in talks on COVID emergency status

27/01/2023

Two years after Myanmar coup, UN says situation ‘catastrophic’

27/01/2023
Grab driver supposedly earned $5,227.82 in a week prior CNY, netizens voice worries over his health

Grab driver supposedly earned $5,227.82 in a week prior CNY, netizens voice worries over his health

27/01/2023
Philippines to appeal ICC resumption of drug war probe

ICC grants new inquiry into Manila’s deadly ‘war on drugs’

27/01/2023
Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service

Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service

27/01/2023
457 civil society organizations call on ASEAN to move beyond the Five-Point Consensus

Myanmar junta sets out tough new rules for political parties

27/01/2023
Thai ruling party names deputy PM as main election candidate

Thai ruling party names deputy PM as main election candidate

27/01/2023
Mrs Teo says SG continues to invest in training local talent while MNCs transfer staff to work in SG

Mrs Teo says SG continues to invest in training local talent while MNCs transfer staff to work in SG

27/01/2023

Trending posts

Two Indian nationals paid about S$330 and S$730 respectively for forged certificates submitted in their S-Pass application

MOM found issuing EPs meant for foreign PMETs to PRC waitress and general worker

by Correspondent
26/01/2023
34

...

Ho Ching breaks silence over Temasek’s write down of its US$275 million investment in FTX, says it “can afford to be contrarian”

US regulator questions VCs’ due diligence work prior to investing in FTX; Ho Ching says Temasek can afford to be contrarian

by The Online Citizen
24/01/2023
28

...

Indian rupee falls 60% since signing of CECA while Singapore becomes top investor in India

by Correspondent
25/01/2023
52

...

Netizens slam CNA’s commentary piece for blaming S’poreans on the low uptake of SingapoRediscovers vouchers

Netizens slam CNA’s commentary piece for blaming S’poreans on the low uptake of SingapoRediscovers vouchers

by Aldgra F.
17/03/2021
26

...

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

by The Online Citizen
26/01/2023
46

...

“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉

AGC asked to explain purposes of 68 private letters of inmates illegitimately forwarded to prosecutors

by The Online Citizen
21/01/2023
16

...

March 2021
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Feb   Apr »
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz